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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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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
Weasley Garden Faerie
Points: 4481
Tamlynn says:
Wow, this is sounding bigger than I thought it would. I would really like to go, but it is too far and seems like it would be way too crowded for me.
I hope HPANA posts highlights from the party or pics would be great.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:10 AM EST
Witch
Points: 619
dance_girl says:
This sounds so magicla! And i wish i could go there but because i live on the other side of chicago. But i hope everyone who goes there will have A LOT of fun!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:24 AM EST
The American Wizard
Points: 3312
QuidditchKeeper925 says:
that sounds so cool! I really ish I could go to a party!.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:26 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 300
MY-HER-MY-O-NEE says:
Oh great for the canadians.Such huge thing is being organised there.I cannot wait for the book to get released.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:41 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2856
Oliver Wood is Fit says:
Oh dear, it's so depressing reading all the comments on this one. An endless list of 'I wish I could go but...' Still, a turn out of 10000 as predicted would be pretty impressive.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 6:50 AM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
Good for the people who have a party, enjoy your self for those who have no party near them.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:03 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 41
Bertie Botts says:
Cool, i wish we could do something like that over here!! Oh well...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:35 AM EST
Witch
Points: 569
HP_Nutter says:
Its seems so fun!! I wish i could go :'(
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:38 AM EST
Student
Points: 286
Jonny Potter says:
well I live in Ireland so its not likely that I will be goin.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:38 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3345
Frito says:
Ooooooh, this is awesome! My parents and I are planning to go to Chicago soon. We only live about 2 hours away. I'll talk my mom into taking my friend and me! It sounds great!!!!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 7:54 AM EST
Wind Made Solid
Points: 2579
GryffindorGrad99 says:
Oh, wow, this looks sooooo fantastic! I live only five hours away from Chicago, but I don't think I'll be able to go- even though I really want to. Everyone who are going is so lucky!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:01 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
Godd news for everyone living in that area. Hope we get something like that over in the UK.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:12 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1231
reader23 says:
Erg :-( working that week hope everyone has a good time
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:27 AM EST
Gutter Girl Fabulous
Points: 8712
SamhainWitch7 says:
That sounds so awsome! I wish I could go to Chicago to go to the festival! I bet you all are saying the same thing! I guess I'll have to be satisfied with a Potter Party that is happening in my area. That will be just as fun I hope...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:41 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1493
Hedwig4eva says:
That sounds so awsome. I would so love to go. It's just a little too far away from me and my hubby don't like HP (the nerve of him), so I'm going to a small book store party around here. Hope to see all the highlights, and to all those HPANA'ers that are going HAVE FUN!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:42 AM EST
Sly. Dragon Tamer
Points: 2717
tristram says:
Oh! This sounds like so much fun. I wish it was in Indianapolis though. *grin* I could make it there if it was! I can't wait to see the pictures from the event.
~Tristram~
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:42 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5239
juliebug04 says:
Well, I would love to be there for that! That sounds like a fabulous party!
For any HPANAer's that are going--have some fun for me too!!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 8:56 AM EST
Hogwart's Jedi Princess
Points: 3491
Darth Amanda says:
That sounds like so much fun! I wish I could go since I am only a couple hours away from there but I can't because I have to take classes at my college over the summer.
That sucks!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:02 AM EST
Wizengamot Member
Points: 3231
Jencameby says:
This is going to be a spectacular event! I hope all who are able to go will give us a report, I wonder how many they expect to show up!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:03 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
Wow that sounds awesome! I wish i lived in Chicago!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:27 AM EST
Squib
Points: 178
marjoo says:
it is so cool i would i can come...but it's million miles away. But i luckely i can here read the news...thats a better way
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:43 AM EST
Harry's Soul-Mate
Points: 3337
Lea says:
GOOD WORK, guys!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Sure, it would be impossible for me to get there, but I hope we'll have a nice release-party here in my country(Romania)!! -well, of course it won't be anything that big and glorious, but as long as it is a release-party, I'll be happy anyway!!!....
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:44 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1685
Draco <3 Me says:
Thats really great! Ofcourse, only for the people who can actually go ... I wish I could! Its just not fair! Oh well! I shall get over it!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:49 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 971
swimrcooch says:
Sounds like fun times. Its a shame i am on the other side of the country in Tampa, but i guess its ok cause i will have the book before they do in Chi-town.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:49 AM EST
Muggle Representative
Points: 9117
The Lime says:
I... So... Wanna... Go!!
Phil_ (Phil)
Purple
.:Wicked T:. (Tova)
Champion Seeker (Joe)
GodricGryffindor (Michael)
Professor Lupin (Ryan)
Professor Cat (Cat)
Tomfeltonrox (Dani)
Annie Potter (Annie)
Lord Atrus (Andrew)
T.M.W.C (Linda)
bugnert (Katey)
KT Lady (Katie)
Diamond Dust (Simone)
Luna13 (Laura)
~*Luna Lovegood*~ (Jamie)
Miss Azn Malfoy (Krissy)
Luke
Keng
I LOVE TOM (Ash)
Orlandos Obsession! (Mary-Kate)
Zarry Sotter (Zack)
Pearlescent (Lauren)
Trespasser (Kat)
Loony_Lupin (Anna)
Kitty Kat
Nicor
Smart2btrue (Yazmin)
*siriusblack* (Nathan)
Arkanoid (Anders)
Moaning_Mirtle
Any of you guys going?
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:53 AM EST
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