Springfield, Vermont emerged the winner of The Simpsons Movie Hometown Movie Challenge and hosted the world premiere on July 21.
Springfield beat out 13 other Springfields across the country that entered the Hometown Movie Challenge. Twentieth Century Fox studio asked them to create a video showing their enthusiasm for The Simpsons. Videos were posted on USA TODAY's website, where readers voted for their favorite.
Springfield, Vt. received 15,367 votes. Springfield, Ill. came in second with 14,634 votes. Springfield, Ore. was third with 13,894.
The Vermont town of 9,300 hosted the premiere at the Springfield Theater on Main Street with the movie's filmmakers on hand to walk the yellow carpet.
 "We're so excited," says Patricia Chaffee, vice president of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce and producer of the town's film. "We came in at the last minute, and for us to win, we feel like the underdogs, which makes this so big and so great for us."
Because of its size, Springfield was not among the first 14 communities invited to participate. But when they learned about this unique opportunity they asked to be included and 20th Century Fox agreed. They began the production of their video two weeks behind other participants.
When their video was complete, Springfield launched a grassroots campaign that only a Vermont community could wage. Springfield, Vermont’s success is a true Cinderella story.
 "The community spirit and enthusiasm that was key to Springfield’s improbable victory is precisely why Vermont is such a special place—and a fun place—to live, work and raise a family," said Governor Jim Douglas. "This is an exciting, exhilarating moment for Vermonters. Perhaps more importantly, it proves there’s really nothing a giant donut can’t do."
During 18 seasons of The Simpsons TV series, the fictional Springfield's location has never been identified. Several of the Springfield videos made their case for being considered Homer's "real" hometown.
Springfield, Vt., rallied support through the local media and sent out mass e-mails. On July 9, the last day of voting, local newscasts aired footage of Gov. Jim Douglas voting online and encouraging everyone to participate.
The winning entry took two days to film with help from the Vermont Film Commission. It begins much like the opening sequence of the TV show, with the familiar theme song playing as Vermont's Homer chases a giant doughnut through the town, causing mayhem wherever he goes. The townspeople chase after him until they are beckoned into the movie theater, where they sit down for the premiere of The Simpsons Movie.
The 13 other Springfields need not go "D'oh!" They were each given special screenings of their own the night before the movie opened nationwide July 27.
Simpsons image from USAToday.com |
