Vt. town celebrates 'Simpsons' premiere

SPRINGFIELD, Vt., July 22 (UPI) -- Springfield, Vt., this weekend celebrated the upcoming premiere of "The Simpsons Movie."

Of all the Springfields in the United States, the rural Vermont town of 9,000 won the chance to serve as host of the "hometown premiere" of the movie, The Boston Globe reported.

The premiere included appearances by celebrities, and the local Ben & Jerry's ice cream store passed out chocolate doughnut and beer flavored ice cream -- Homer Simpson's favorite. There was also an array of Simpsons paraphernalia and townspeople dressed as Simpson characters like Bart Simpson, Krusty the Clown and Homer, the Globe said.

The highlight of the celebration was the arrival of Simpsons creator Matt Groening, who walked out on a yellow carpet before speaking to the crowd.

The Simpsons movie is set for national release Friday.