In May 2016 we produced the highly anticipated Chicago celebration, FERRIS FEST, which honored the 30th anniversary of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. Within days of its official announcement, the event received national attention across numerous major media outlets and it wasn't long after that before the entire three-day weekend was sold out.
Here are a few links to coverage of FERRIS FEST:
During our Saturday evening screening of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater in Lake Forest, IL, Mrs. Nancy Hughes, wife of writer/director John Hughes, graciously attended.
Here are a few event videos courtesy of Behind the Marquee, highlighting each day; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the weekend celebration, climaxed by the ‘Twist and Shout’ parade re-creation held in downtown Chicago at Daley Plaza:
There are so many people to thank for making FERRIS FEST such a huge success, so please head to our THANK YOU! page and check out all the great folks who we couldn’t have done this without!
Photos courtesy of the Chicago Tribune. Click to enlarge.
Upload any or all of your photos of the big Ferris Bueller Chicago celebration on our exclusive
and we'll display them here for all the world to see and admire in one big album!
"I think he (John Hughes) would have really enjoyed this a lot. It's been an honor to be included. Having the fans here was really special, just walking up and seeing everybody all over...it really took my breath away."
- Mrs. Nancy Hughes, wife of writer/director John Hughes,
quoted from the FERRIS FEST Day 2 video produced by
Beyond the Marquee (www.beyondthemarquee.com)
CHECK OUT . . .
shared by ATTENDEES!
May 27 - FERRIS FEST is over but that doesn’t mean the FERRIS BUELLER celebration stops! Beginning tomorrow we’ll be rolling out some fun post-event stuff, like a portal to share all of your FERRIS FEST photos here on our website, an online store where you can purchase Ferris Bueller and event related T-shirts, plus some well earned shout-outs and acknowledgements to everyone who helped make FERRIS FEST a huge success! Stay tuned, Ferris fans!!!
December 8 - Cindy Pickett, who played Ferris' mom Katie Bueller, has officially confirmed that she is planning to attend Ferris Fest! Cindy will be at a special Q&A during the 30th anniversary screening of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, as well as signing autographs and more!
January 14 - We are pleased to announce that noted film critic Richard Roeper has confirmed that he will be moderating the special Q&A as part of our 30th anniversary screening of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF! Mr. Roeper reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times, co-hosted the television series AT THE MOVIES with Roger Ebert from 2000-2008, and is currently co-host of the daily GOOD MORNING CHICAGO show.
We are currently in talks with more stars and production members from the movie to appear at the Q&A, which will take place at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater in Lake Forest, Illinois, and expect this event to be a richly informative evening filled with remembrances of the making of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF!
January 22 - We are very pleased and excited to announce that artist/designers Sarah Keenlyside and Joe Clement will be bringing their incredible re-creation of Ferris Bueller’s room to FERRIS FEST in May! This painstakingly assembled, brilliantly brought to 3-dimensional life, 360-degree exact replica recently premiered at the Gladstone Hotel’s alternative design event, ‘Come Up To My Room’ in Toronto, and has received rave reviews and much positive media coverage. These incredible photos say it all, and we can’t wait for everyone who attends FERRIS FEST to step inside and immerse themselves in this precise mirror of that special place Ferris Bueller called his own! Click on photos to enlarge.
January 26 - A list of hotels selected for those attending FERRIS FEST is now available! Check out a complete rundown of accommodations and links to make reservations RIGHT HERE! Depending on how filled up these hotels become, we may add more in the future.
February 2 - Jonathan Schmock, who played the French restaurant maitre d' in FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, has officially confirmed that he'll be joining us for FERRIS FEST! Jonathan will be present for the Q&A during our special 30th anniversary screening of the movie at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater on Saturday, May 21, as well as be available to meet fans and sign autographs during the weekend. We’re very excited to add Jonathan to our ever-increasing line-up of stars from the movie, and greatly look forward to hearing his stories about the making of FERRIS BUELLER!
February 3 - Tickets for FERRIS FEST are now ON SALE!!! You can find a full rundown of events and offerings along with pricing on the TICKETS page, or by going to our Eventbrite event page directly:
https://ferrisfest2016tickets.eventbrite.com
And even more BIG NEWS!!! - Because FERRIS FEST continues to expand, we’ve decided to add an ADDITION DAY to the event! Dates will now be Friday, May 20 - Sunday, May 22. MORE days, MORE Ferris, MORE FUN!
February 6 - Can't attend the entire weekend? Individual Day Tickets for FERRIS FEST are now available! To see a complete list of what's included during each day's event rundown, go to the TICKETS page, or head to our Eventbrite event page directly:
February 21 (Updated) - Over the last three days FERRIS FEST has received some great shout-outs in a number of major global publications and news outlets! Here are just a few!
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE:
'Ferris Fest,' marking 30th anniversary of 'Ferris Bueller,' set for May
CNN:
Ferris Fest to mark 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' anniversary
Entertainment Weekly:
Ferris Fest to celebrate 30th anniversary of Ferris Bueller's Day Off
/FILM:
Celebrate ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ 30th Anniversay with Ferris Fest in Chicago
NBC CHICAGO:
‘Ferris Fest’ to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Film
TIME OUT CHICAGO:
Ferris Fest is bringing a replica of Ferris Bueller's bedroom to Lake Forest
AWOL (AUSTRALIA):
Chicago Is Recreating The Parade From ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’
February 21 - For those buying tickets to Ferris' room during our event, this immersive 360-degree re-creation will be on display for all three days (Friday thru Sunday) and after your purchase you can choose which day you'd like to go. Exact open hours will be announced soon.
We also want to officially announce that, for the benefit of everyone in the Chicago area to be able to come and appreciate this interactive replica of where the day off began, Ferris' room will be featured at a downtown Chicago location, to be revealed in a few days. Check back here and on social media for updates!
February 24 - We just want to give everyone a HEADS-UP! As we've stated on the TICKETS page, due to limited seating inside the John and Nancy Hughes Theater for the 30th anniversary Q&A screening of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, FULL 3-DAY package ticket sales are being capped at 300 attendees. As of right now we've sold 1/3 of that with 200 tickets left!
SATURDAY and SUNDAY single day tickets are also being capped at 300, but there's more room to breath there right now. Individual tickets for FRIDAY single day, Ferris' Room and the 'Twist and Shout' parade re-creation are currently available in unlimited quantities, although we may begin to cap those at a later date.
So click HERE and purchase yours now! Specifically for those looking to purchase FULL 3-DAY package tickets, don't be sold out!!!
February 26 - SATURDAY SINGLE DAY tickets for FERRIS FEST are now SOLD OUT!!! Tickets are still available for SUNDAY SINGLE DAY, as well as the FULL 3-DAY package, Ferris Bueller’s room, and the ‘Twist and Shout’ live parade re-creation. Head to our TICKETS page to purchase yours now!
February 27 - So here’s the added bonus treat we teased last night on social media! Since the SATURDAY SINGLE DAY tickets sold out yesterday, and with the FULL 3-DAY tickets on their way to selling out with only 50 LEFT(!!!), we’ve decided to add a second night’s 30th anniversary screening of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF on Sunday, May 22; the last night of FERRIS FEST!
This will be made available as a FREE add-on to those attendees who have already purchased, or will purchase a SUNDAY SINGLE DAY ticket only! That’s right, now Sunday ticket holders will get all the bells and whistles already found on the schedule (check TICKETS page for details), PLUS their own screening of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF with stars’ Q&A!
And don’t think it will be a carbon copy of the premiere presentation the night before…NO! Most of the same stars (with more on the way still), but with some very unique personalities and content thrown in! More details on that soon.
So for anyone who was considering purchasing a SUNDAY SINGLE DAY ticket, as well as those who already have one, your welcome!!!
Head on over to the TICKETS page and pick yours up today!
December 10 - Lyman Ward, who played Ferris' dad Tom Bueller, has officially confirmed that he is planning to attend Ferris Fest! Lyman will be joining Cindy Pickett at a special Q&A during the 30th anniversary screening of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, as well as signing autographs and more!
March 1 - After our announcement this past Saturday, February 27 that there were only 50 remaining, FULL 3-DAY package tickets are now SOLD OUT!!! We may be releasing a few more in the near future so keep checking here and our Facebook page for announcements.
Tickets are still available for FRIDAY and SUNDAY SINGLE DAY. For those asking what’s included on Friday May 20, we’ll be adding some surprises shortly to our opening ceremonies event that won’t disappoint! Stay tuned for news!
Tickets for Ferris Bueller’s room and the ‘Twist and Shout’ LIVE parade re-creation are also still available. Ferris’ room will be on display at a prominent downtown Chicago hotel, and the parade will likely take place at a downtown Chicago location, which we’re still working on. More details to follow very soon! Get your tickets now by going to our TICKETS page!
March 3 - WOW! We had a rush immediately following our announcement on Facebook a little over three hours ago that SUNDAY SINGLE DAY tickets were running low. Now those tickets have SOLD OUT!!! Hope you were able to purchase yours in time! So here's where ticket availability stands as of right now...
FULL 3-DAY package tickets - SOLD OUT
SATURDAY SINGLE DAY tickets - SOLD OUT
SUNDAY SINGLE DAY tickets - SOLD OUT
FRIDAY SINGLE DAY tickets - AVAILABLE
Ferris Bueller's room re-creation - AVAILABLE
'Twist and Shout' LIVE parade re-creation - AVAILABLE
We also still have seats available for our second screening of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF with stars' Q&A on Sunday evening May 22, which has been included for those only buying SUNDAY SINGLE DAY tickets. Shortly we'll be making an announcement that you'll be able to purchase tickets for this special screening as a stand-alone event. Stay tuned for updates here and on social media!
March 9 - Here's a cool bonus feature we've just added to FERRIS FEST! A private collector of all things John Hughes will be bringing his extensive collection of Ferris Bueller items for display at the Gorton Community Center/John and Nancy Hughes Theater during both Q&A screenings of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF. These include storyboards, original international lobby cards and promotional materials, press kits, and even a screen-used Ferris Bueller jacket worn by Matthew Broderick in the movie! Click on photos for larger view. There's much more to this collection that you'll only see at FERRIS FEST!
March 15 - We're excited to officially announce that Chicago's own South Shore Drill Team will be performing during the 'Twist and Shout' LIVE parade re-creation on Sunday afternoon, May 22 in downtown Chicago during FERRIS FEST! The team was only in its fifth year of existence when they performed for the original parade sequence in FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF 30 years ago. And even though we only saw a portion of their now iconic synchronized moves from the film, the current generation of SSDT will be performing the ENTIRE original full-length routine prepared and rehearsed before the cameras rolled on FERRIS, as well as some additional numbers that we and they know you'll really enjoy! Check out the South Shore Drill Team at their official website.
Pictured: Members of the 2011 South Shore Drill Team during their performance at the Bud Billiken Back-to-School Parade and Picnic.
March 12 - We have two major announcements to make about more guests joining us at FERRIS FEST, and this is the first! Larry “Flash” Jenkins, who of course portrayed one of the two downtown Chicago parking garage attendants that “borrow” a certain red Ferrari for a joyride around the city, will be with us for the entire weekend in May! Larry has some really insightful, never before told stories about the making of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, and we know everyone will thoroughly enjoy hearing them at both the Saturday and Sunday evening Q&A’s after the movie. Welcome, Larry!
March 17 - So for those of you who saw our social media post yesterday with those three pencils and guessed that they likely came out of the hair of a certain Dean of Student’s assistant, you would be right! Edie McClurg is coming to FERRIS FEST and we couldn’t be more thrilled!
Edie will be appearing at both the Saturday and Sunday evening Q&A screenings of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater in Lake Forest, IL. And of course, along with Cindy Pickett, Lyman Ward, Jonathan Schmock and Larry “Flash” Jenkins, Edie McClurg will be meeting fans and signing autographs both nights as well. Welcome to the Ferris party, Edie!
March 19 - Here's a new ticket opportunity for everyone! As we announced at the end of February, due to overwhelming response a 2nd Q&A screening of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF was added to FERRIS FEST on Sunday evening, May 22 at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater in Lake Forest, IL. This was originally a bonus add-on for SUNDAY single day ticket holders only. Now that SUNDAY tickets are sold out, we will be offering the Sunday evening Q&A screening of the movie as a single event ticket, which will be open to absolutely everyone!
Cast members from the film will attend for what we anticipate to not merely be a carbon copy of the Saturday evening Q&A, but a very different experience.
These tickets, priced at $25, will go on sale next Tuesday, March 22 at 10am, exactly two months from the special screening. Go to our TICKETS page to purchase yours beginning then. We wanted to announce this now to let everyone know in advance so set your calendars!
March 22 - Single event tickets are now on sale for the 2nd screening of FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF on Sunday evening, May 22 at the John and Nancy Hughes Theater in Lake Forest, IL! Just as with the Saturday evening, May 21 screening, there will be a Q&A with stars of the film immediately following, along with the opportunity to meet and gain autographs and photos with Edie McClurg, Cindy Pickett, Lyman Ward, Jonathan Schmock, and Larry "Flash" Jenkins.
Tickets are $25 and you can purchase yours now by going to the TICKETS page. Please note there's an additional processing fee. Get yours before this special single event sells out! If you have already purchased a SUNDAY
single day ticket, this screening is already included so you do not need to buy a separate ticket.
And we would ask those who have purchased FULL 3-DAY package and SATURDAY single day tickets, of which the Saturday night's Q&A screening is already included with your purchase, to please allow others who perhaps have missed out on the opportunity first to see the movie with the stars on Sunday night.
March 24 - Many people have asked, “Who is behind this 30th anniversary event known as FERRIS FEST?” So we’d like to take this opportunity to introduce some of the team! You can check out our photos and bios by going to the WHO WE ARE page.
March 30 - We’ve had many people asking where the ‘Twist and Shout’ parade live re-creation will be taking place on Sunday, May 22 during FERRIS FEST. We’re working with the City of Chicago at the moment to make appropriate arrangements for this one-of-a-kind immersive event and expect to make an announcement soon as to the exact location. However, we can now tell you that the parade will take place between 3:30 and 4:30pm.
Here is a view (photo 1) of the exact spot on Dearborn St. in downtown Chicago where the parade was filmed for FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. What we can say right now is that our parade re-creation will be taking place within blocks of, but not exactly on this street. Please know that the filming locations bus tour will absolutely be visiting this iconic place and everyone will have the opportunity to depart their bus and take photos. We’ll also be traveling about a block down the street to where the famous Flamingo sculpture is located (photo 2), as seen when Cameron and Sloane talk about what they want to do after high school.
Stay tuned for updates! Images courtesy of Google Maps.
April 17 - Our Friday night opening ceremonies/party at FERRIS FEST is about to get BIGGER! We’re calling it the ‘Shermer High School 1986 Spring Dance’, and if the name isn’t self explanatory, we’ll be traveling back to the year FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF was released for a blow-out high school “soiree” you’ll definitely want to attend! Legendary KROQ and Sirius XM DJ Richard Blade will be hosting the evening, and we’ll be revealing a more expansive guest list this coming Saturday, April 23, so this is just a teaser for right now!
Also just to let everyone know in advance, the ticket price for Friday evening’s opening event will increase from the current $25 to $50 on Saturday as we reveal all the details, with a very special VIP package priced at $100. A portion of all ticket sales will be going to a noted anti-bullying organization.
April 23 - Time for the BIG announcement with details of our opening night event at FERRIS FEST; the “Shermer High School 1986 Spring Dance”! It all happens Friday, May 20 from 6-10pm at the Athletico Center, 1900 Old Willow Rd in Northbrook, IL; right in the center of FERRIS BUELLER writer/director John Hughes’ hometown!
Check out all the details RIGHT HERE!
Purchase your tickets today before this one-of-a-kind event sells out! It’s going to be SO CHOICE!!! Click poster for larger image.
April 24 - We've just posted the FULL 3-DAY SCHEDULE for FERRIS FEST and you can check it out RIGHT HERE! There you’ll find the weekend itinerary with times, locations, schedules for the 2-part, 2-day filming locations bus tour, and venue street addresses. This itinerary is subject to change, and if you have any questions please contact us at: info@ferrisfest.com
April 25 - We’re thrilled to welcome Lee Ann Marie to our team as Dance Production Director! Lee Ann had been a professional dancer for six years in the 80’s before being cast as a dancing Fräulein on the parade float during the ‘Twist and Shout’ sequence in FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, which remains to this day one of her favorite credits. In this screen grab from the movie, Lee Ann is the blonde Fräulein in the center immediately behind Matthew Broderick.
Other highlights in her career include being a pro cheerleader for both the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Bulls and co-starring and dancing in the band Survivor’s #1 MTV video, “I Can’t Hold Back”. That video appearance, thirty years later, led to being featured and dancing in Survivor founder Jim Peterik’s new music video, “Cold Blooded”, just last year.
Lee Ann now manages her own company, Lee Ann Marie Productions (www.leeannmarieproductions.com) but she is very excited by the prospect of taking time out to reinvent the choreography for the event’s ‘Twist and Shout’ parade re-creation. You can also find Lee Ann’s bio on the WHO WE ARE page.
April 25 - Legendary KROQ/Siruis Radio DJ Richard Blade, who'll be the opening night host for our "Shermer High School 1986 Spring Dance" on Friday, May 20, has posted a shout-out on YouTube about joining us for FERRIS FEST! You can check out all the details about this one-of-a-kind Ferris Bueller 80's event RIGHT HERE!
April 28 - For anyone who hasn't booked their accommodations yet for FERRIS FEST, here's another recommended hotel we've just added to our lineup; the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel in Northbrook, IL. You can also find information about this hotel on the HOTELS page.
April 28 - ATTENTION ALL FERRIS FANS!!! This is your official heads-up! We now have more FULL 3-DAY, SATURDAY single day and SUNDAY single day tickets available! These tickets will go on sale this coming Monday, May 2 at 10am PST!
We’ll also be offering, for a limited time, a special pre-event run of $20 discount tickets for our ‘Shermer High School 1986 Spring Dance’, happening on Friday, May 20! That’s a savings of $30!
Wanna take the weekend off and have some fun???
Quantities are limited!!! You can purchase your tickets on Monday, May 2 at 10am RIGHT HERE!
May 2 - IT'S TIME!!! Go to the TICKETS page and purchase our additional block of FULL 3-DAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY tickets! Quantities are limited!!! You can also purchase your tickets now RIGHT HERE!
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