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JUNE 6, 2005 at 12:07 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Spellbound!
After months of planning, we're proud to be able to finally release Spellbound2005.com
, information about our huge Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince midnight release party in Mount Prospect, Illinois. The mall, two cities, the visitors' bureau, area businesses and even the mayor have helped us bring this thing to life. Read all about it in the official press release:
Midnight release party at Chicago-area shopping center to draw 10,000 attendees. City officials and area businesses lend support to make memorable event.
MT. PROSPECT, IL -- Award-winning Harry Potter fan sites today announced Spellbound!, an event to celebrate the release of JK Rowling's sixth novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, on July 15 at Randhurst Shopping Center in Mt. Prospect, IL.
Attendees of Spellbound! will be enchanted by live music performances, a land-based "Quidditch" game developed by USA Team Handball, a virtual reality experience, costume contests, prize giveaways, trivia, scavenger hunts and more.
Wizarding World Press will present its unique life-sized wizard chess, a game that attracted thousands in 2003. HP Fan Trips, a group focused on Harry Potter-themed travel, is providing its "Quidditch" and virtual reality games. Musical talents Harry and the Potters, Tony Goldmark, Luke Ski and others will perform live on stage.
Online Harry Potter fan sites MuggleNet and HPANA along with Wizarding World Press have been developing the event over six months. WWP, publishers of the Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter, was created by fans and actively supports the online fan community. Both HPANA and MuggleNet have been awarded a Fan Site Award from author JK Rowling herself, and the webmaster of MuggleNet was recently invited by the author to conduct an interview at her Edinburgh home on July 16.
Area hotels have provided convention space and large discounts for travelers and will host several of the Spellbound! attractions. Beyond Boundaries Travel has negotiated rates and is the event's official travel agency. Fans who stay in certain hotels can pre-order the book directly from Spellbound! for delivery shortly after midnight.
"It's a great honor to be the only shopping center in the country associated with the group of organizations that have produced this world-class event," said Margaret Lannen, General Manager for Randhurst.
City officials in Mt. Prospect and Prospect Heights are eagerly anticipating the festival.
"We could not be more excited to host such a wonderful event," said Patricia Wharton, Executive Director of the Prospect Heights Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The economic impact and national notoriety this event will have on our communities is outstanding," said Prospect Heights' City Administrator Matt Zimmerman. "Our city is thrilled to be hosting this event in conjunction with Mount Prospect," added mayor Rodney Pace.
Randhurst Shopping Center, located in Mount Prospect, IL is a 1,021,000 million square foot shopping destination with a variety of national and local retailers offering merchandise, services and entertainment options. The center includes such retailers as Carson Pirie Scott, Home Depot, a 16-screen AMC Theatre, Old Navy, Borders Books and Café, Costco and Jewel-Osco.
Fan sites DanRadcliffe.com, Veritaserum, Harry Potter Fan Zone and others are contributing to the event by operating some of the specific games and contests. Thanks also to The Leaky Cauldron for their support.
Visit the official site to register and learn more about the event!
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Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
Wow! That sounds like fun with live bands and everything. Why couldn't just be in South Carolina? Can't wait until the sixth book comes out!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:13 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 727
fawkesfire says:
So is this wat the ??? was about? I'm not sure but was just wondering if it was Hmmmmmmmm.
but other wise I wont be going to this if it was.
well cya
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:13 AM EST
Unrivaled Sorceress
Points: 3498
Lily Evans. says:
Hey! I live in Illinois!!!!! I wonder where mount prospect is in comparasion to st louis....that would be awesome, but my parents probably wouldnt let me go anyways.....
Kate
LLTA
Star Guard
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:21 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
YiiiYAO!! What a nice thing to do! I want to go badly... Booo hooo.... There's Quidditch too, can you imagine that?
~MP~
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:40 AM EST
The Faerie Queene
Points: 3277
merri maven says:
I wish that I could go...but I live in SoCal. I hope that there will be a good HP party in California.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:43 AM EST
Student
Points: 235
JerseyGal0711 says:
Gosh I might make up with my ex just to be able to visit him in Illinois so I could go to this... haha is that bad?
HARRY ROCKS MY SOCKS!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:53 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1218
Tiame says:
Cool! Oh, why couldn't I be in Chicago?????????????? Why does my school have to re-open so soon?????? You residents of Chicago are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo lucky!!!!!!!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:12 AM EST
Witch
Points: 895
Arethusa the Erkling says:
Wow, that sounds amazing!!! Wish I lived there! Hope anyone who goes has a great time! :)
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:31 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1401
Dobby`s Friend says:
This sounds like so much fun!
Pitty that it is on the other side of the planet, though... I hope that everybody who go there will have a really great time:-)
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:32 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1357
swiffy says:
This is SO COOL! I wish I could go there! But Chicago... kind of far away. But I so want to go!!! I'll start crying soon! (just kidding)
Congrats to all people who are going!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:32 AM EST
Student
Points: 216
Jassymine says:
Thats looks sooooo cool!!! I wish July 16th would come quicker!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:39 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1057
bushbaby14 says:
That sounds absolutely amazing. Its so great how huge the celebrations are going to be. That everyone is realising how amazing HP is.
I won't be near Chicago but just the fact I am getting the book at midnight is enough for me:)
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 3:44 AM EST
Witch
Points: 870
caraMEL_penguin says:
I'm so sad that I can't go... weep... I wish would come where I live... But it sounds so cool!!! I hope that everyone who goes has fun and is sure to tell me all about it!!! <333333
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:07 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
Huhuhuhuhu! I can't go! I have classes . . . but even if I don't I don't live near there and my parents would have to spend loads of money for me to go! . . . I'm just sa unfortunate tnot to live in USA but be an HP fan (do you know what I mean?)
But as to those who can go, Have a very fantastic July 15-16!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:30 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 304
Hermione Granger-Snape says:
Sounds cool - shame I live on a different continent.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:38 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2913
Pema says:
Hi guys! That looks AWESOME!!!! I wish I could go!!! I have a friend that lives around Oak Park and I wonder if she is going, I SOO SOO SO wish I could go! Whoever goes is so lucky!
Peace out guys!!!
I LOVE you
I hope to infect you with my happiness
infecteed yet???
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:49 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1801
FatMike says:
Dammit it is so annoying that i can not join Harry Potter activitie cause i live in Europe and they don't do them here. It is unfair!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:50 AM EST
Squib
Points: 138
ESHA_C says:
That is really cool!!I can't wait for the book to release.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 4:52 AM EST
Student
Points: 245
Hermione05 says:
That is so awesome! I hope everyone who attends will have fun! It would be so cool to be with a bunch of Harry POtter fans! I wish I could go. Have fun!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:04 AM EST
Sly Slytherin
Points: 4753
Sly Malfoy says:
I hope that everyone will have a really good time and have fun. I wish I could go, but I can't.
Order for Snape's Defence
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:08 AM EST
Witch
Points: 809
phoenix feather7 says:
It sounds sooooooooooo awesome all you Chicagoers are so lucky. There are never Harry Potter events where I live:(
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:14 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 356
aussie_auror says:
all those people in Chicago are soooo lucky!! Have fun for me!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:25 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 599
chameleon says:
Awesome to hear that Wizarding World Press, Hpana and Mugglenet have organized what seems to be such a great party!! So Cheers and Congratulations for you guys!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:32 AM EST
Witch
Points: 972
animagus_1 says:
I hope everyone in Chicago who attends the party has a great time, I'm so jealous
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:41 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1506
Paint Horse says:
I've been waiting for the details to be released. I only live about twenty miles from there. So, you can bet that I will be in attendance.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:50 AM EST
Enchanting Pixie
Points: 3700
Tinkerbell816 says:
This is so grand. If I had the money I would so go! It's cool that something this big is being done in the states. I just wish I could. :( Maybe net time for book 7.
~Tink
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 5:56 AM EST
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