An ‘Office’ function you don’t want to miss

It may just be the biggest office party in the country, and it’s being held right here in Scranton.

That’s hardly surprising because “there ain’t no party like a Scranton party cuz a Scranton party don’t stop!” as anyone who watches “The Office” knows.

The Emmy Award-winning comedy starring Steve Carell has cast Scranton in the national spotlight. It’s the location of the regional office of Dunder Mifflin, the fictitious paper supply company where apathetic employees rely on pranks, mischief and distractions to get through their monotonous work day.

From Oct. 26 to 28, Scranton will host a three-day convention to celebrate its celebrity status and bring together “Office” fans from possibly all over the country. Al Roker is scheduled to kick off the festivities Oct. 26 with a live weather report from the University of Scranton for NBC’s “Today” show and a reporter from The Washington Post was in town last week to interview Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty. MTV has also contacted convention committee members.

“It’s a great thing for the city,” said Doherty, who said he accompanied the Post reporter to some of the hot spots mentioned on the hit comedy.

On Tuesday night, convention committee members put out a call for volunteers and businesses to get involved in what they say could draw as many as 100,000 people downtown. The Radisson Hotel is completely booked for the weekend and the Hilton is near capacity, Doherty said.

“The convention is truly a community planned event, and it gives everybody an opportunity to be a part of it,” said Sara Hailstone, executive director of Scranton’s Office of Economic and Community Development. She said this is a great opportunity for area businesses because visitors will be seeking souvenirs from Scranton. Interested persons can visit the group’s Web site at www.theofficeconvention.com.

“The Office” airs locally on WBRE-TV at 9 p.m. Thursdays. The one-hour season premiere is on Sept. 27.

Episodes have included a “Booze Cruise” down Lake Wallenpaupack, an office escape to the Mall at Steamtown, Beach Day “Funtifities” at Lake Scranton and much-needed happy hours at Farley’s.

That’s why Scranton architect Michele Dempsey decided it was high time for the city of Scranton to cash in on its TV fame and why city officials wholeheartedly agreed. “This is about Scrantonians showing people what a great city they have,” said Dempsey, who laughs just talking about “The Office.”

Last year, approximately 1,000 fans converged at the Steamtown Mall to meet Rainn Wilson, who plays the ultimate office suck-up, Dwight Schrute. Cast members Angela Kinsey, the show’s prissy head accountant Angela, and Brian Baumgartner, her smug subordinate, Kevin, visited in May, also to an enthusiastic crowd.

The committee has no commitments yet on which cast members may attend this celebration, but Dempsey and Hailstone are confident some of the actors and the show’s writers will be here. And, though it may be a longshot, they’re not yet ruling out an appearance by Carell, who portrays Michael Scott, Dunder Mifflin’s excruciatingly boorish boss.

Although all the party plans and ticket prices have not been finalized, so far they include a huge street festival, “Office” Olympics and a favorite show character costume party on Saturday, Oct. 27. Sunday’s events include a Bloggers’ Breakfast, a Dunder Mifflin Stockholders’ meeting and the presentation of Dundee awards. Throughout the weekend there may also be question-and-answer sessions with the show’s cast and writers. Visitors can register at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Radisson, and meet-and-greet fellow fans.

Another possible attraction, if it materializes, would mirror another episode of the show – casino night. Bobby Soper, president and CEO, Mohegan Sun, a member of the convention planning committee, said everything depends on the other events. “We’re taking a wait and see approach,” he said. Of the convention, Soper said, “From our standpoint, it is an exciting event for not only Scranton, but for the region. We want to see the region grow and prosper.”

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Region to celebrate the hit NBC show set in Scranton with a three-day convention.

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