Hi! This is David Blanchard, the creator/event organizer of FERRIS FEST. There are so many people to thank for making what was experienced during the event in Chicago a reality, and I'm going to start by thanking all of YOU; the fans who attended and brought their joy, excitement, and passionate appreciation for FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF to this epic 3-day event!
We made so many friends over this weekend of all things Ferris and are incredibly happy to have met and gotten to know so many of you! FERRIS FEST could have been just good or great, but because of the viral-level response of attendees we became something spectacular, covered by just about every major news outlet around the country and across the globe!
An event of this scope doesn't happen by itself and it took a very special team of Herculean individuals to pull it off. So I'd like to thank all of them with this special post-event end credits roll!
Cindy Smith, event director
Cindy really is the true rock star of FERRIS FEST and without her learned experience, hard work, organizational wizardry and hands-on determination this event just would not have taken the shape it did.
Toby Northcote-Smith, Los Angeles logistics director
The 'Twist and Shout' parade re-creation simply would not have happened if not for Toby. He was responsible for securing the necessary permits, insurance, security, crowd control, plus arrangements to build Ferris Bueller's room at Virgin Hotels in Chicago.
Rebecca Sanchez, ticket sales coordinator
Rebecca's professional presence, welcoming smile, and stamina to greet the huge lines of people at the Shermer High School dance on Friday evening and at Virgin Hotels with Ferris' room for the entire weekend were without equal. She also coordinated food services throughout the event.
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Brian McQuery, talent relations advisor
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Brian brought an enormous amount of expertise and experience in bringing cast members from the movie to the event. Unfortunately he was the victim of a crime weeks before his planned trip to Chicago and was unable to attend; having to undergo surgery and being in a coma in ICU for a period of time. Brian has since recovered fully.
Lee Ann Marie, dance production director
Lee Ann meticulously arranged every single move, step, turn, and high kick with six very talented Fraulein-costumed dancers for Sunday’s parade re-creation, merely using the iconic scene from the movie as a guide, which she herself performed 30 years ago.
Madeline Smith, social media director
Madeline pulled together her savvy social media skills to keep the buzz going while the rest of us kept the gears turning on the ground. Without Madeline, there wouldn't have been the amount of reach experienced by Ferris fans at the event and around the globe.
Andy Jack, Chicago logistics coordinator, and Ryan Finnelly, locations tour bus helper
Andy not only brought the muscle but also the horse power (his much appreciated 12-seat SUV) to put in place important elements that fans saw and experienced throughout the weekend. Andy also guided the SLOANE bus tour along with his good buddy Ryan, bringing along their unique passion for John Hughes movies.
Edd Holman, locations tour bus leader and multi-task organizer
Edd jumped into the event like a true boss as GRACE locations tour bus leader, personal assistant, people pleaser, travel consultant, transportation advisor, and did it all and with the highest level of efficiency. Plus it didn’t hurt that his favorite movie of all time is FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF.
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Robert Schoenburg, Chicago history expert and native, & Barbara Schoenburg, locations tour bus helper
Robert and Barbara brought their love of Chicago to the forefront during the bus tours, spinning a deep appreciation for Ferris Bueller around important sites and uniquely Chicagoen places along the way. The Schoenberg's also greatly helped setting up the Friday night dance.
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Sarah Keenlyside, artist/designer of Ferris Bueller's room re-creation
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Sarah's journey to Chicago from Toronto was a labor of love that took many days to traverse and complete. Her stamina and determination to bring amazement to all included a string of late night build sessions leading up to the event filled with much hard work.
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Ryan Stajmiger (Ferris Bueller), Derrick Hill (Cameron), Erin Oechsel (Sloane), and Sean Cooley (Mr. Rooney)
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Our official event group of performers were everywhere during Ferris Fest and allowed attendees the surprise of being able to step directly into scenes from FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF throughout the weekend.
Ryan Stajmiger's performance as Ferris Bueller led the way as he mounted that parade float in downtown Chicago on Sunday and wowed the crowds. Derrick’s striking resemblance to Cameron, as well as his winning personality, brought awestruck knowing smiles to everyone. Erin Oechsel (http://www.erinoechsel.com) exuded all the bright charm of Sloane while nicely showing off her mischievous side. And Sean maintained the perfect “Dirty Harry” menace of Mr. Rooney while greeting fans and even meeting Edie McClurg.
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Volunteers Lynda Chatelaine Stouck, Mike Krumlauf, Nick Cozzi, Bri Thoma, Caroline Creamer, Greg Babush, and Lisanne Close
Lynda led the ABE FROMAN locations bus tour, and along with Caroline and Lisanne rocked T-shirt sales. Bri handily coordinated, managed and kept fed Ryan, Erin and Sean during the all-day Glenbrook North High School and Lake Michigan overlook scene re-creations. And Mike, Nick and Greg jumped in and helped with absolutely everything we asked of them, without fail!
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Randy Carda, owner of the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder replica
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Randy's awesome iconic convertable was certainly one of the stars of the weekend, finding long lines of people waiting to have their photo taken with this choice automobile. Randy was incredibly generous to not only allow attendees to sit in his car, but also took a few lucky ones on short rides.
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Special mention: Steve Czarnecki, video production director, Beyond the Marquee
Aiming lenses at the look, feel and buzz of the entire event independently for his movie website Beyond the Marquee, Steve worked tirelessly with a small crew that included Chicago-native Mike Krumlauf from early mornings to exhaustive late nights to capture the 3-day fun from large scope to small moments only a few saw.
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A big thank you to:
Richard Roeper, Edie McClurg, Cindy Pickett, Lyman Ward, Jonathan Schmock, Larry “Flash” Jenkins, and KROQ/Siruis Radio XM DJ Richard Blade
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(and in alphabetical order)
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Art Institute of Chicago
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Jack Carlson, social event sales and planning, Ahtletico Center, Northbrook, IL
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City of Chicago
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El Camino Real Charter High School, Woodland Hills, CA
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Cheryl Fayne, communications manager, Village of Northbrook, IL
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Hank Fiene, Tom Neary and Jim Reinhart, ABC Parade Floats, Chicago
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Kate Garrigan, group sales representative at the Art Institute of Chicago
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Abby Geha, content marketing manager, Virgin Hotels, Chicago
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Annamarie Geraci, lead sales generator, Culture Studio
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Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, IL
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Krista Hanson, event coordinator, Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest, IL
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Grace Heatherington-Tilka, theater manager, Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest, IL
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Maricela Hernandez, the Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, IL
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Leslie Hoffman, sales manager at Willis Tower
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Hulu
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Zoheb Ismaili, the Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, IL
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Heather Kelly and Matt Carr, Vintage Confections, Chicago
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David Kennedy, Chicago deputy director of cultural affairs and special events, City of Chicago
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King College Prep H.S Band, Chicago
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Christina Krask, Chicago Tribune
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City of Lake Forest, IL
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Carol Lites, director of S.T.A.T. of Illinois, Chicago
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Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Chicago
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Kim McCann, office of the city manager, City of Lake Forest, IL
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Michael's Chicago Style Red Hots, Highland Park, IL
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Larry Miller, agent/broker, Tri County Insurance Services, Los Angeles
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Stella Natufe, media & special events coordinator, South Shore Drill Team, Chicago
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Village of Northbrook, IL
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Paramount Pictures
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Alex Perry, Right Way Signs
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Platinum Events, Northbrook, IL
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Dana Plotkin, general manager, Ahtletico Center, Northbrook, IL
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Sydney Pryor, special events coordinator, Daley Plaza, Chicago
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Kevin Ray, assistant director, South Shore Drill Team, Chicago
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S.T.A.T. of Illinois, Chicago
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The South Shore Drill Team and Performing Arts Ensemble, Chicago
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Bridget Terry, special events manager, Bub City, Chicago
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Virgin Hotels, Chicago
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Benjamin Washington, director of King College Prep H.S Band, Chicago
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Kathy Wicks, executive administrative assistant, student activities,
Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, IL
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Willis (Sears) Tower, Chicago
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Kimberly Wright, Chicago's North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Wrigley Field, Chicago
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The residents of the home used as the filming location for Ferris Bueller's house in California
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And we especially wish to thank Mrs. Nancy Hughes, wife of writer/director John Hughes, and Robert Pasquesi of Pasquesi Sheppard LLC for attending our screenings of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF at the John & Nancy Hughes Theater in Lake Forest.
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....You're still here? It's over. Go home!