For some J.R.R. Tolkien fans, the release of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" in movie theaters this week is like a family reunion. This 2011 gathering of fans, called <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-893807">"A Party Long Expected,"</a> takes place <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-891982">every few years</a> at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. A smaller group plans to meet there to see "The Hobbit" opening weekend, according to CNN iReporter Kelly Gable.
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
For some J.R.R. Tolkien fans, the release of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" in movie theaters this week is like a family reunion. This 2011 gathering of fans, called "A Party Long Expected," takes place every few years at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. A smaller group plans to meet there to see "The Hobbit" opening weekend, according to CNN iReporter Kelly Gable.
courtesy kelly gable
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-890571">Nadine Palmer</a> (portraying Arwen here) says she has loved Tolkien's stories since she was a teenager -- and especially the costumes in Peter Jackson's films -- and she has made a business out of creating these outfits. "We've collected, made and worn bits of memorabilia," the San Antonio resident says. "I've made a lot of costumes ... over the years, but (Tolkien-inspired) costumes have been made more times than anything else! I've made (everything) from Legolas to the Witch King."
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
Nadine Palmer (portraying Arwen here) says she has loved Tolkien's stories since she was a teenager -- and especially the costumes in Peter Jackson's films -- and she has made a business out of creating these outfits. "We've collected, made and worn bits of memorabilia," the San Antonio resident says. "I've made a lot of costumes ... over the years, but (Tolkien-inspired) costumes have been made more times than anything else! I've made (everything) from Legolas to the Witch King."
courtesy nadine palmer
Palmer met her boyfriend, Chris Herzberg, a dead ringer for Legolas, at Atlanta's Dragon*Con a few years ago. They work together on her costuming business and plan to attend a weekend screening of "The Hobbit" in full dress.
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
Palmer met her boyfriend, Chris Herzberg, a dead ringer for Legolas, at Atlanta's Dragon*Con a few years ago. They work together on her costuming business and plan to attend a weekend screening of "The Hobbit" in full dress.
courtesy nadine palmer
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-893932">Jeffrey Root </a>of Provo, Utah, says he became captivated with Tolkien's Middle-earth four years ago while taking a college course on the author. He was already a fan after seeing "The Lord of the Rings" films, but the class hooked him. Here he is in his homemade Bilbo Baggins costume (which he will wear to "The Hobbit") looking at home in "the Shire."
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
Jeffrey Root of Provo, Utah, says he became captivated with Tolkien's Middle-earth four years ago while taking a college course on the author. He was already a fan after seeing "The Lord of the Rings" films, but the class hooked him. Here he is in his homemade Bilbo Baggins costume (which he will wear to "The Hobbit") looking at home in "the Shire."
courtesy jeffrey root
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-891847">Vera Campbell's</a> fascination with Tolkien goes back to a high school assignment of "The Hobbit" more than 10 years ago. The moment she heard "The Hobbit" was being made into a film, she set about creating a costume that would be as close to the movie as possible. "I started off by ordering the Frodo ears from WETA (Workshop), cast from the same mold Elijah Wood's ears came from," she says. "I made a smocked chemise from raw silk and dyed a moss green cotton fabric to make the skirt. The bodice I chose a rust orange/red matelasse fabric."
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
Vera Campbell's fascination with Tolkien goes back to a high school assignment of "The Hobbit" more than 10 years ago. The moment she heard "The Hobbit" was being made into a film, she set about creating a costume that would be as close to the movie as possible. "I started off by ordering the Frodo ears from WETA (Workshop), cast from the same mold Elijah Wood's ears came from," she says. "I made a smocked chemise from raw silk and dyed a moss green cotton fabric to make the skirt. The bodice I chose a rust orange/red matelasse fabric."
courtesy vera campbell
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-892086" target="_blank">Roxanna Meta</a> of Oakland, California, rediscovered her dream of creating an elf costume once "The Hobbit" movie was announced. She had a goal for the premiere of the first "Hobbit" film: a costume for herself based on Arwen's. Meta has updated her progress on iReport as she assembled what was needed for her outfit.
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
Roxanna Meta of Oakland, California, rediscovered her dream of creating an elf costume once "The Hobbit" movie was announced. She had a goal for the premiere of the first "Hobbit" film: a costume for herself based on Arwen's. Meta has updated her progress on iReport as she assembled what was needed for her outfit.
courtesy roxanna meta
With the midnight screening approaching, Meta's Arwen costume is nearly finished. She has described the process of sewing this dress together as an "obsession."
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
With the midnight screening approaching, Meta's Arwen costume is nearly finished. She has described the process of sewing this dress together as an "obsession."
courtesy roxanna meta
Samm Green, who often portrays an elf of Mirkwood, takes part in the game of Dagorhir. "In a way, Dagorhir is similar to a LARP," he says, referring to live action role-playing in which people act out characters. "There is just more emphasis on the battle part."
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
Samm Green, who often portrays an elf of Mirkwood, takes part in the game of Dagorhir. "In a way, Dagorhir is similar to a LARP," he says, referring to live action role-playing in which people act out characters. "There is just more emphasis on the battle part."
courtesy samm green
Jenn Marshall of Oakland, California, prepared for the new Peter Jackson movie by baking "Hobbit"-themed cookies. She says she's been obsessed with Tolkien since sixth grade and has even attempted to become fluent in the Elvish language from the books.
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
Jenn Marshall of Oakland, California, prepared for the new Peter Jackson movie by baking "Hobbit"-themed cookies. She says she's been obsessed with Tolkien since sixth grade and has even attempted to become fluent in the Elvish language from the books.
courtesy jenn marshall
"The Hobbit" is the film that Tolkien fan Eric Lindberg has been waiting for his entire life. "In preparing for the movie, I've been spending a great deal of time in Middle-earth," the Oak Park, Illinois, resident says. "I've reread many of the Tolkien books on my shelf. I've rewatched the films. ... I created a Bilbo Baggins costume and wore it proudly on Halloween and at Dragon*Con in Atlanta. I've participated in Tolkien fansites and shared in the maddening excitement of fellow fans."
Tolkien fans await 'The Hobbit' —
"The Hobbit" is the film that Tolkien fan Eric Lindberg has been waiting for his entire life. "In preparing for the movie, I've been spending a great deal of time in Middle-earth," the Oak Park, Illinois, resident says. "I've reread many of the Tolkien books on my shelf. I've rewatched the films. ... I created a Bilbo Baggins costume and wore it proudly on Halloween and at Dragon*Con in Atlanta. I've participated in Tolkien fansites and shared in the maddening excitement of fellow fans."
courtesy eric lindberg