Dunder Mifflin Plans a Playdate in Scranton

Mon., Jun. 30, 2008 3:45 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

People of Scranton, make room for beets. The Office is coming to town.

Pressman Toy and NBC Universal will be hosting a day of Office-themed festivities in the real-life version of the Pennsylvania burg where the Dunder Mifflinites push paper for a living to mark the release of a DVD board game and a trivia game revolving around the hit NBC sitcom, which is shot in Los Angeles but has become an important vein of tourism in Scranton.

Writer and executive producer Mindy Kaling, who also plays reliably obnoxious customer-service rep Kelly Kapoor, will preside over The Office Games July 19 (a Saturday, so people won't have to call in sick to their actual offices) at the Mall at Steamtown.

"Scranton is honored to have been selected as the first city in America whose retailers will stock The Office Trivia Game and DVD Board Game," Scranton Mayor Christopher Doherty said Monday. "We’ll be rolling out the beet red carpet for Ms. Kaling."

The event will kick off at 9 a.m. ET with a 2K Fun Run (that promises to actually be fun this time), to be followed by an Office trivia challenge, a Dwight-inspired beet-eating contest and an autograph session for the first 125 fans who purchase one of the two new games.

Part of The Office Games proceeds will go toward United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, which provides community-building opportunities and services throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

"I have been to Scranton before and am really excited to return for this fun event!” Kaling said.

The proud city also hosted The Office Convention in October 2007 and worked with NBC to secure episodes for free public screenings, sold official merchandise and lined up a series of writers, actors and producers to participate in Q&As and other activities.

In other Office news, NBC also confirmed today that Oscar nominee Amy Ryan will be back for at least five episodes next season as Holly, the Scranton branch's new HR rep who actually finds Michael endearing. For more on what's happening round the water cooler, check out Watch With Kristin.