You can’t live in Springfield without writing at least one Simpsons-related story. In my case, I staked out the line outside the local convention and visitors bureau in July 2007 when they handed out a limited number of passes for a special screening of the new Simpsons Movie opening that summer.

‘Simpsons Movie’ passes go quickly / Each one good for two admissions to special screening
July 24, 2007

Adam Stogdell, 19, kept an eye on the office of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau all weekend, looking for signs of life.

Had he seen a line of “Simpsons” fans forming outside the front door, he was prepared to park and stake out a spot for himself in line.

By 10 p.m. Sunday, however, the anticipation had become too much. There still was no line, so Stogdell parked in front of the Seventh Street office, pulled out a chair and cooler and started a line himself.

“Honestly, there just is not much to do on a Sunday night,” said Stogdell, an engineering student home for the summer from Berea College in Kentucky.

By 8:20 a.m. Monday, a line of 90 fans eager for a pass to see a special Thursday night screening of “The Simpsons Movie” stretched down the street and around the corner.

At 8:30 a.m., officials at the convention and visitors bureau started handing out 75 passes, each good for two admissions to the screening, and 500 special-edition posters touting the film and declaring it was “filmed in Springfield, Ill.”

Fifteen minutes later, the passes were all gone, much to the disappointment of fans 76 and beyond.

“It’s just another in a string of disappointments,” said Eve Fischberg, 49, of Loami, when she learned she and her 15-year-old son, Aaron Staley, had missed the movie pass cut-off by just a few people. Fischberg was referring to Springfield’s disappointing loss of hosting rights for “The Simpsons Movie” premiere.

Springfield, Vt., beat out Springfield, Ill., and 12 other Springfields around the country in an online popularity contest to host the premiere, which was held Saturday.

“We’re the obvious choice. Everyone knows it’s us,” said Staley, a student at New Berlin High School. “We’ll let the baby have its bottle.”

Fischberg said she thinks “The Simpsons” TV series is one of the best-written shows on television.

“At its heart, there’s a real warmth and a decency about it. It’s really wonderful,” she said.

The two, who got in line at 8:10 a.m. Monday, will see the movie later.

Tim Farley, director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, said ticket distribution went smoothly, though employees felt a little bad for the woman who was 76th in line.

“That’s the one that was really sad,” he said. “But I think the posters really softened it. They got second place, just like the city did (in the premiere contest).”

By 3 p.m. Monday, 400 of the posters had been snapped up by people who trickled in and out all day.

The visitors bureau received a total of 150 passes. Of those, 75 were given to people who were featured in or worked on the contest video, as well as to some bureau staff members who worked on the project. The other half were distributed to the public.

Matthew Mau, 23, of Chatham got in line at 11:30 p.m. Sunday for a shot at a movie pass and poster. He said he enjoyed being in line – he was right behind Stodgell – even if it was tough to stay perky.

“I actually fell asleep a few times, but they woke me up. It’s been fun,” he said. “I’ve just been watching ‘The Simpsons’ for a long time, and I enjoy it. The movie has been 16, 17 years in the making, and it should be good.”