Wanderland World Premiere

Wednesday, October 24th 2007

The World Premiere (not counting the pre-screening at the IF3 Film Festival in Montreal) of Wanderland was held in Burlington, VT on October 5. As usual, two showings went down back to back at the Campus Center Theater at UVM.

What a perfect day for a premiere. Sunny skies, 70 degrees, brilliant New England foliage in full bloom. A far cry from the rainy October shows of yesteryear.

With the DVD having been finished just a few days prior to the event, anticipation was high, and things were chaotic getting ready for the show. Wanderland stars, Radio Ron and Backseat Jesus drove 11 hrs. all the way from Ohio to be at the show. Radio Ron was amped up in the morning, completing a 4 hr. gym/ tramp/ stretch workout just in time to make it to the show. Thanks to all the athletes who were on hand to help hang up banners, set up tables and do sound checks.

Crowds began filtering in around 6:00 and were treated to tables upon tables of free schwag, stickers and most importantly: poster signings with Meathead All-Stars – Radio Ron, The Hammer and Stacey Rachdorf. Photographer, Austin Holt, took paparazzi-style pictures of fans as the entered the theater (check out the photo gallery to see if you’re in there!) Hometown hotties, Jen Kuntz and Jennie Scudder, helped sell raffle tickets for the bigger items from sponsors. DJ Echo spun beats as people filed in and took their seats. After throwing out a box of stuff to the crowd, the first showing finally started around 7ish to an audience of 250. Raffle prizes were given away after the show and the early crowd went home full of East Coast stoke…

The 9:00 show has traditionally been the rowdier and more crowded and this year did not disappoint. 350 fans piled into the theater for the late night premiere. One particularly enthusiastic girl even had Radio Ron sign her chest on the way in! The Giant Meathead Inflatable arrived in between the shows and we got the 10 ft. head inflated just in time for the movie. After everyone got seated or at least found a place to stand, the lights dimmed and Wanderland made another group of East Coaster’s psyched for the season ahead.

The movie received an amazing response with a standing ovation at the end. After the raffle, which included the giveaway of a pair of LINE Prophet 100’s, everyone headed downtown to Nectar’s for the afterparty. Much merriment and drink was had before continuing on to the after-after party where Radio Ron was spotted throwing Beirut (not very well) into the wee hours of the morning.

Big Thanks to the UVM Ski and Snowboard Club for hosting the event and to all our sponsors that make the movie and tour possible: Subaru of New England, Eastern Mountain Sports, Kombi, Gore-Tex, LINE Skis, Clif Bar, FUR Headwear, Stowe Mountain Resort, Skiing Magazine and N’East Magazine