Pac-Man 35th Birthday Bash, a public event, is being held at Level 257 on Friday, 22nd of May, to celebrate 35 awesome years of Pac-Man fandom and success.
Level 257 is Namco USA Inc.'s Pac-Man themed concept restaurant, located in Schaumburg, Illinois (close to Chicago), and they are making this birthday bash an open invitation to the public. Attendees can register via Eventbrite and will be join professor Toru Iwatani - the leader of the Namco team that designed the original Pac-Man, as well as the legendary arcade champion Billy Mitchell to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the game's release.
"For one extravagant weekend," said a press release, "Level 257 invites Pac-Man fans to join them in celebrating the legendary video game in 1980’s style." Yes, that means exactly what you think it does - you must show up wearing your best (or best-worst) retro 80s gear! Perks for those in attendance include free bowling and free arcade games from 11am till Midnight, with the main event starting at 7pm.
Of course, Pac-Man himself will be in attendance to have the first slice of his custom cake made by Chicago's own Toni Patisserie.
The main event will be an appearance by Jerry Buckner of Buckner & Garcia, who will reprise his classic song "Pac-Man Fever" for those assembled. Plus, legendary arcade champion Billy Mitchell will be in attendance and guests will have the chance to go head-to-head with Mitchell on the classic Pac-Man cabinet.
Admission to this event is free, unless you would like to purchase VIP tickets which are available for $35 per person and grant access to a special "yellow tie" reception on Friday night. Select guests will get to mingle with Iwatani, Mitchell and other Pac-dignitaries and walk away with a limited edition swag bag.
Following the party on Friday, Level 257 will, throughout the weekend, put props from Sony Pictures' upcoming movie, Pixels, on display; as well as a demo of Bandai Namco Entertainment's new Pixels game.
For more information, you can check out the
Level 257 website.
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