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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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The Chosen Hobbit
Points: 2447
Enisnitch Baggins says:
That is a fantastic event to be, that Spellbound! I wish I could be there... Everything sound great to me; the games and all. I envy you guys who is able to go there.
I'm so excited when I heard that some of hp online fansites are working together on this event. It's just like HP unites us. I hope after book 7 comes out and all the movies are completed, we will still hang around together through the websites.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 3:38 AM EST
Witch
Points: 849
Konkskäpp says:
WOW!! That´s great!! I really wish, that I could go. But unfortunately I live in Estonia. So sad, here don´t take place any public parties to HBP release date.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 12:29 PM EST
Squib
Points: 104
Most Awfully Bad says:
That makes me wish I lived nearer to Chicago! And had a passport. XD
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 4:09 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2102
Dolphin Blu says:
I'd give up birthday presents if the book would come out RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited, but July 16th is farther away than ever, even though it's kinda close. Does that make sense?
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 7:19 PM EST
Student
Points: 281
shogunyush says:
Sounds like a lot of fun! I don't live in Chicago though.
Too bad..............
Posted Jun 28, 2005 at 12:23 AM EST
Minister of Modest
Points: 6090
harryandhermioneforeva says:
I wish that I could go to that party but it's in Chicago and I am in Connecticut. It's definitly not close. It would be so great to go but I know that I could never go. Too bad.
Posted Jun 28, 2005 at 9:29 PM EST
Minister of Modest
Points: 6090
harryandhermioneforeva says:
The activities seem like so much fun. If I lived in Chicago I would jump at the chance to be part of the party.
Posted Jun 28, 2005 at 10:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 913
Molly the Destroyer says:
I could totally go, thats only like an hour away from me but i think I want to stay local.
Posted Jun 28, 2005 at 10:32 PM EST
Student
Points: 241
medea_smyke says:
Yeah, I live 'close' to Mt. Prospect, but we're already going to a B&N party much, much closer to home. I still can't wait, though, and all my friends will be there. That'll be much more fun than being crushed by thousands of people I don't know.
Posted Jun 30, 2005 at 10:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 540
*~*~cArLa~*~* says:
That's so cool, I wish I could go to it. I hope everyone who goes has a great time and I'm sure to check-up and see how it goes.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 6:45 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1386
Alek Voldemortist says:
God why don't I live in Chicago??? I wish I could go....
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 3:29 AM EST
Squib
Points: 140
Dark Lord DiG says:
I wish i could go, but I couldn't get time off work, or a plane ticket soon enough. Enjoy guys.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 9:16 PM EST
Squib
Points: 178
ravenclawrox says:
That is really cool. It's amazing to see all of these people participating in Harry Potter activities. The should set up a whole lot more of these all over the world. They will make a lot of money off of it if they do it. There are like tons of people who love Harry Potter and I think that it will bring in the big bux if they do this all of the time. Imagine if they did a Harry Potter festival in like Times Square or something. There will be like more people there then they're will be on like New Year's I can assure you. Lot's of people. If they did that in every mall on earth I think that more people will be inspired to read. I'm just happy that somebody finally decided to have a Harry Potter festival. Now that is what I call something that is worth celebration!
Posted Sep 4, 2005 at 11:34 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3465
HufflepuffActress says:
I just saw Harry and the Potters, I also got to see Draco and the Malfoys. It would have been so much fun to see they at a book release.
Posted Aug 18, 2007 at 2:13 AM EST
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