Twilight fans sell out midnight showings of 'New Moon'

Vampire lovers will get their first taste of “New Moon” tonight at midnight showings of the highly anticipated sequel to last year's box office smash “Twilight.”

In case you hadn't heard, the Twilight films, based off the best-selling novels by Stephanie Meyer, chronicle the love story between a teenage girl and a hundred-year-old vampire.

But Twilight fans will tell you that if you get nothing more from the cultural phenomenon -other than that the marriage of teenage angst/melodrama and promotional marketing via Burger King and Volvo ads was a no-brainer- it's that Twilight is not just for the kids.

“The story (of vampire Edward and his teenage love, Bella) is about love at first sight and finding true love,” said Julie Stone, 47, of Cedar Rapids. “Women (and some men) of all ages can connect with that.”

Stone was one of the thousands who went to the many sold out midnight premieres Friday. So were Amanda Willman and Megan Rizzio, who picked up some “New Moon” apparel at Hot Topic in Lindale Mall before the show. They say the story is timeless and not just for younger viewers or readers.

“Vampires have been around for centuries,” said Rizzio, 25, of northeast Cedar Rapids. “It's dark and intense, but really passionate.”

Anna Wilcox, general manager at Galaxy 16 Cine on Council Street, said they sold out for their midnight showings over a week ago, but that from Friday through Tuesday, they will have 18 show times for a craze she says is comparable to the wildly successful “Harry Potter” series.