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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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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
Witch
Points: 541
ProfMM says:
I'm surprised that they didn't work to develop parties like this in other areas of the country. I'm sure that it took a ton of work to organize something like this for the number of people that are predicted to attend, but I would imagine that financially it would be a huge bonus to plan similar parties all over the country. Not to mention how exciting it would be for people that are unable to travel to Chicago.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 9:56 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 372
loopy luna says:
Oh, how terrific for all those fans in that area and the ones who can travel to get there! It sounds absolutely wonderful!! I'd love to go if I could.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:02 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1805
Swimangel57 says:
That sounds absolutely amazing! I wish I could go!!! Chicago is not that far from here...maybe I can go! Who knows! But I'm sure I will need to decide soon because hotels are going to be unbelievably difficult to find!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:07 AM EST
Princess of the Heliopaths
Points: 5276
Ginny Weasly says:
That will be so much fun! I really wish that I could go. But here in saskatoon their having a party kinda like that at McNally Robinson. It's not going to be as big as the one in Chicago but I know I'm going to have loads of fun! I just have to go and buy my voucher so that I don't have to stand in line. Wow! The realease date is so close I'm getting really excited!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:09 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 86
The Prophecy says:
Oh wow! thats fantastic! I can't believe a hole town would do something like that... I wish my town was that inspired.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:10 AM EST
Witch
Points: 823
jade_eyes says:
That would be so fun to go to! I wish they could have a party like this every where, so that all the Harry Potter fans across the world could enjoy the festivities!
I know there is a little party where I am from, but the biggest party for me will be getting the book...finally!! :)
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:13 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1106
Melissa MISERY says:
OOOOOHHH! I can't wait to go! I'm going on vacation to Chicago mid-July, so I am soooooooo excited! It sounds like so much fun. Quidditch and everything! I can't wait!...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:23 AM EST
Seeker of the Wands
Points: 18200
SunbeamVi says:
That sounds awesome! I wish that I could go to the release party. I can't wait until the HBP comes out on July 16.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:30 AM EST
Honeydukes Sweetie Pie
(Moderator)
Points: 4710
Keng says:
Ooo, sounds interesting!
...unfortuately, no, I'm not going, Professor Emiru. :(
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:31 AM EST
Witch
Points: 809
~Hermione <3's Ron~ says:
Wow, this sounds absolutely amazing. I am so jealous, i wish i could be there! I love how Harry Potter has brought everyone together, it really is an amazing book.
mwa
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:33 AM EST
Student
Points: 241
rooinek says:
Unreal!!!!!!!!!11 And just in time for me to request vacation from work! Would that not be AWESOME!!!!!!! And....guess I better start saving some $$$!I'm there. Southern Kentucky isn't that far from Chicago!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:35 AM EST
Witch
Points: 670
Goebchez says:
This is worthy of ???. I feel the pain of those that can't go because of being in another state or whatever, I could not find the words to ask a babysitter to watch my boggarts overnight so I could go...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:42 AM EST
Student
Points: 263
mj kazza says:
Wow should be a really good night.
:)
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:54 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 482
HP4Evr says:
Sounds like so much fun. I think, though, that we should have something on the East Coast and West Coast too.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:55 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1937
Deepti says:
How exciting for all you Chicago-dwellers :) And check the reference to 'award winning fansites' - woo HPANA =D
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 10:55 AM EST
Squib
Points: 129
americanidiot8623 says:
Grr...it sucks to be geographically impaired at a time like this...if only this party were taking place just a few states higher in the North!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:06 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2231
Harry's Detour says:
That sounds like a really fun time. Too bad I don't live in Illinois instead of Cali...wait, did I really just say that? Anyway, I wish we were having an awesome event near me.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:09 AM EST
Headless Hunt Captain
Points: 2887
Dark_Wizard_Chaser says:
This sounds so wicked! Too bad I'm no where close otherwise I would definitely stop by to see what the hype is all about!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:19 AM EST
Student
Points: 221
ccgirl says:
Wish I could go! It sounds so fun!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:23 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1392
SiriusFan says:
Man this sounds so exciting! I want to go. It puts the parties in my state to shame. I'm seriously thinking about making the drive. I'll have to check out the official site and then a map to see how long of a drive it'd be. *smile*
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:24 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 371
~Death Eater~ says:
When the book comes out that is all i will be doing, READING!!!!!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:30 AM EST
Witch
Points: 854
Khay says:
Oh my gosh! I LIVE IN CHICAGO!!!! This is so exciting! My friend and I will definitely be there!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:34 AM EST
Witch
Points: 755
harrypotter equalslife says:
YESSS!!!!! THAT IS SOOOO AWESOME!! I live pretty close to this so maybe i can go!! That would be amazing..
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:42 AM EST
The Last Herald-Mage
Points: 2621
darrrrkwind says:
Wow! That sounds like it'll be an awesome time!! I wish that I lived closer and could attend a party that cool. I guess I'll have to settle for a regular midnight party. ;-)
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:45 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 383
Arkanoid says:
In Chicago Professor Emiru... I guess not... actually, I'll be on a small Danish island, that probably doesnøt even have a proper book store *sigh*... but I hope I can work something out with my normal bookstore, so they'll send it to me or something.
It's a shame, though, that the release parties in Denmark are quite small... except for the one in Copenhagen, when the danish edition are released... that usually quite big.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 11:55 AM EST
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