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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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Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1619
DurmStrang says:
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! Fantastic. I am so glad someone is doing this in their city. How exciting for them!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:13 AM EST
Heir of Gryffindor
Points: 5731
Gryffindor Lord says:
Awesome! I can't wait for the new book release!!! Hey! I think I'm the first post, I'll fell so stupid if I'm not. I am so excited!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:13 AM EST
Professor of Seanology
Points: 5282
Dr. Nicole says:
This is very exciting news!! I should definitely tell my friend who lives in the Chicago area about this event!! She will be so excited to find out that something is happening where she lives!! I hope the people who attend have fun!!
~Nicole
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:17 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1921
Kirathena says:
Sounds like its going to be great. I wish I could be there!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:29 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 405
DracoLover says:
Wow! I am so envious! I wish I could go to that HP party! It sounds like its going to be amazing and super fun!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:29 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2256
Harry Houdini says:
Once again Cheers and Congratulations to Hpana, Mugglenet and The Wizarding World News for putting on what looks to be the Greatest Harry Potter Book Party ever....
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:31 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 487
Gizymotor says:
AHHHHHHH!!! That is totally awesome!! I really hope I can go!! I do hope I can convince my fiance to go!!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:32 AM EST
Witch
Points: 992
LoonyLuna11 says:
Sounds really cool. If only I lived anywhere near there.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:36 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
Man, too bad i live too far away. That would be way fun to go to.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:42 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1871
nj_hpfan says:
Wow! HPANA and others are really going all out! Good for them. If I could go I would - sounds like fun. :)
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:43 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 380
AvadaKedavra27 says:
Whoop Whoop party on! maybe i can make the drive to chicago...maybe not! either way im still gonna have a ball that night! have fun all who go and maybe i will see you there!!!
SIRIUS LIVES!
Nats
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:49 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2458
HP_is_EXCELLENT says:
Wow! That sounds like fun with live bands and everything. Why couldn't just be in Texas? Can't wait until the sixth book comes out!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 12:55 AM EST
Northern Belle
Points: 3968
American Angel 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 1:05 AM EST
Squib
Points: 151
The Auror says:
I can't believe it is actually happening.The excitement is killing me.From what I have read above I know that it is going to be a wicked cool party. I just hope I can get the HBP before any of my friends.Oh my god!!! ACCIO JULY 16th.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:10 AM EST
Hermione's House-Elf
Points: 4189
hermioneisahottie says:
Oh my...that is really something...
I hope that everyone that goes there has a blast. I wish I could go there...Oh, and cool that the mugglenet guy was invited to her home for an interview...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:14 AM EST
Witch
Points: 737
aloneinpink says:
Oh man! I wish I could go. I love Chicago and Harry Potter. Therefore I would wet myself with joy.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:15 AM EST
True Gryffie
Points: 2581
Harry_Potter_Lover says:
Sweetness, sounds really cool and very interesting! Can absolutely NOT wait for this book to come out! YAY!
Best Regards
and
Rock On
Savanna
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:15 AM EST
Reform Snapist
Points: 3586
misamanda says:
That sounds so very cool! If I lived a little closer, I might go. It's just that it's a few hours' drive from here, and I probably wouldn't see anyone I "know" from HPANA.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:25 AM EST
Witch
Points: 734
SiriuslyWarped says:
I am so sad that I live on the west coast and can't go. I bet it's going to be so amazing!!! I am so jealous of all of you that get to go.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:33 AM EST
Student
Points: 296
camelsitspin says:
I MUST talk to my mom and try to convince her to let me do this! This is wonderfully brilliant!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:49 AM EST
Witch
Points: 902
magic is everywhere says:
I wish i could go, it sounds awesome. Oh well.. to all of you who are going...have lots of fun.
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:51 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 407
Miss ikia says:
If there are any special events in Toronto area in Canada, please let me know because there doesn't seem to be any..
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:52 AM EST
Student
Points: 224
Dan&EmmaFan says:
Man, I wish I could go to that! It looks fun!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 1:58 AM EST
Student
Points: 204
CuTiEpIe_LiA says:
That looks soooo cool!!! I really wish July 16th would hurry up. I'm looking more foward to this than my own birthday for cryin out loud!
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:00 AM EST
Witch
Points: 971
IceQueen. says:
Arrrgghh! I'm so...sad! I wish I lived in Chicago..but nope I'm stuck in homley Canada! If only...
But it will never happen for me. Oh well there's millions of Harry Potter maniacs wishing to go but can't. Wonder what it would be like to be there. Hmm...
Posted Jun 6, 2005 at 2:02 AM EST
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
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