'Days of our Lives' Blows Through the Windy City Selling Out Anniversary Books Throughout Chicago, Presents Mayor Daley an Hourglass and Meets Over 1,000 Fans

LOS ANGELES, March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago's Flower & Garden Show hosted cast members from NBC's longest-running scripted series, "Days of our Lives," on the latest stop of their multi-city U.S. tour to promote the book "Days of our Lives 45 Years: A Celebration in Photos."  "Days of our Lives" Executive in Charge of Production Greg Meng, former cast member and author Deidre Hall, and the rest of the cast in attendance joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for a private walk-through of the Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier before Meng presented Mayor Daley with an hourglass as the show was officially opened.  "We came to Chicago promoting 'Days of our Lives,'" Meng said, "but we are leaving promoting Chicago."

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110309/LA62552)

Over 1,000 loyal fans showed up to have their books signed and meet their favorite cast members, including Kristian Alfonso ("Hope"), Peter Reckell ("Bo"), Molly Burnett ("Melanie"), and Shawn Christian ("Daniel").  Meng and Hollywood art director Eddie Campbell, co-authors of the anniversary book, appeared at the signing as well, along with former head writer Sheri Anderson, author of "A Secret in Salem," the first in a trilogy of books based on the series.  Guests included new fans who had just recently started watching, as well as loyalists who have tuned in since the very first episode.  One couple came out just days before their wedding to see the newly-reunited "Bo" and "Hope," while Meng posed for photos with a grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter representing three generations of fans.  Alfonso also displayed pieces from her jewelry line Hope Faith Miracles, which she wears on the show, and fans eagerly bought pieces and had her sign the boxes.

Days of our Lives 45 Years:  A Celebration in Photos is a rare glimpse of over 500 behind-the-scenes, never-before-seen photographs of cast, crew, sets, and styling, breaking the proverbial "fourth wall" for an extraordinary look inside the studio and into the lives of the show's stars.  Meng comments on the tour, "The cast and I are thrilled to be traveling to various cities to meet our family of fans and have the opportunity to chat with them in person!  The amazing stories they share with us from how our show gets them through personal tragedy to how our stories play a part in their families." The success in Chicago surpassed already triumphant visits to Miami, New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, and a sold-out, overwhelming turnout in Houston, and new dates were recently announced for New Orleans, St. Louis, Atlanta, Vancouver, and more.  "This is a fantastic opportunity for 'Days of our Lives' to be able to go and give a heartfelt thank you to all of the fans who have loved and supported us for 45 years," says Alfonso. "Here's to another 45 years."

For more information on these exciting events, please log on to: www.days45online.com

SOURCE Days of our Lives