FORKS — Fans who are frequently dazzled by Twilight are flocking to Forks on Friday for the release of the DVD of the first movie in the series.
A party put on by Forks store Dazzled by Twilight will draw at least 317 people who have already said they’d be attending with friends in tow, owner Annette Root said.
The Friday event will run from 10 p.m. until midnight, when the DVD will be distributed.
Root said she doesn’t know how many people to expect, but had to move the event from her store at 61 Forks Ave. to the Rainforest Arts Center at 35 Forks Ave.
“There was just no way we could get everyone in the store,” she said.
The arts center will be done up to look like the infamous ballet studio where main character Bella and her friendly vampire friends must fend off vicious vampire James.
Root said guests from Florida, Texas and Louisiana are among those who have already sent in RSVPs.
Tattoo artist Gary McCauley from Fife will be on site, Root said.
“He’ll be giving real and not real tattoos and piercings that night,” Root said.
Also during the celebration the Quileute dancers will perform the Wolf Dance.
Root said a “special Forks edition” was available with pre-order, but if people have not already requested a copy, she can’t guarantee a special copy of the DVD.
She declined to reveal what special element came with the Forks edition.
“We’ll let that be a surprise,” she said.
The movie is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Arizona author Stephenie Meyer.
The book details the romance between human Bella Swan, played in the movie by Kristen Stewart, and brooding vampire Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson.
Bella moves to Forks to live with her father — Forks Police Chief Charlie Swan — when her adventure with love and vampires begins.
The book is followed by three sequels — New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.
Dates for movie versions of the next two have already been announced, with New Moon being released Nov. 20 and Eclipse on June 30, 2010.
It is not clear whether the fourth book will be made into a movie.
Teen mega stars such as Dakota Fanning — playing bite-sized vampire Jane — and Vanessa Hudgens — playing Bella’s friend Lauren — have been tapped for parts in the next two movies.
Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. when all the stores throughout Downtown Forks will stay open until 10 p.m. and feature their Twilight merchandise, but Dazzled by Twilight is the only one remaining open until midnight.
“Everyone in town has really decided to get behind this and stay open until the party starts,” Root said.
Fans may also take pictures in Forks High School letter jackets as part of a fundraiser for a group of high schoolers who are planning to travel to play football in Australia over the summer.
The store recently took over the Twilight Tours from the Forks Chamber of Commerce, which started them last summer.
Travis Belles, a former professional tour guide in Hollywood, is available for up to three tours a day, Root said.
The tours, of up to 15 people each, cost $39 a person and include one meal or snack during the tour.
In addition to all of the Forks sites, the tour travels out to LaPush to show off the beaches and other areas characters in the books frequented.
“We also have a minimum of five people per tour,” Root said.
“That is mostly because we found that people just didn’t have as good of a time with fewer people.
“A huge part of the experience is sharing it with other fans.”
She recommends booking a tour as early as possible, as they fill up quickly.
“As soon as they have an inkling that they might come, it is a good idea,” she said.
“We hold the reservations with a credit card but as long as they cancel 48 hours in advance there will be no charge at all.”
Some Port Angeles stores are also planning special openings for the release.
• Star Video, 160 Plaza St., will reopen its doors Friday night at midnight for people to purchase or rent the DVD. The first 30 people to do so will walk away with a special “Twilight” poster.
• Blockbuster Video, 612 S. Lincoln St., will remain open Friday night until midnight for people to rent or buy the DVD.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
