For the first-time ever, Macy's Design A Balloon contest, beginning August 16, 2004 through September 17, will put the call out for kids with a creative flair, ages 5-12, to draw the balloon of their dreams. Using colored pencils, crayons, chalk, markers, and/or paint, kids can draw their favorite shapes, colors, patterns, hobbies, and even pets on their balloon! From a sketch, the winning balloon design will be transformed, thanks to the wizardry of Macy's Parade Studio that makes the balloons and floats for the Parade, into an actual helium-filled, high-flying Parade balloon.
“Kids' eyes always light up when they see their favorite balloons fly by during the Parade”
"Kids' eyes always light up when they see their favorite balloons fly by during the Parade," says Robin Hall, Executive Producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "Now, we're giving those same kids the opportunity to actually design a balloon for the 2004 Parade. And, one lucky kid will get a chance to live the fantasy, and come to New York on Thanksgiving morning to see his or her balloon flying high in the Macy's Parade... it doesn't get much better than that," he adds.
This original balloon will join an all-star cast of 14 giant helium balloons, 30 novelty balloons and 20 fabulous floats for Macy's annual 2.5 mile trek down the streets of New York City on Parade day. With the help of 8-10 balloon handlers, the winning balloon will float high above the crowds all the way down to Herald Square. In addition, the lucky winner will get to bring his/her family to New York City to spend Thanksgiving weekend in the Big Apple and see their balloon fly in the world's most famous holiday Parade with travel and hotel accommodations courtesy of Delta Airlines and Affinia Hotels.
Ballots can be downloaded from macys.com and America Online's KOL service for kids. Kids and parents can also pick up ballots in the kids departments of all Macy's stores nationwide including Bon-Macy's, Burdines-Macy's, Goldsmiths-Macy's, Lazarus-Macy's, and Rich's-Macy's.
All entries will be judged by members of Macy's very own distinguished Parade Committee, a panel of Macy's employees who volunteer their time and energy to bringing the Parade to the people of New York City and America.
MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
With over 60 million viewers across the country and 3 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For 77 years, the Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a 2.5 mile route in New York City with over 10,000 participants including Macy's employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups in tow, spreading holiday cheer. Featuring fabulous floats and America's best marching bands, the signature of the Parade continues to be the giant helium character balloons.
MACY'S
The Macy's divisions of Federated (NYSE:FD)(PCX:FD) include Macy's, Bon-Macy's, Burdines-Macy's and Rich's/Lazarus/Goldsmith's- Macy's, operating more than 430 premier department stores in 33 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. Established in 1858, the Macy's name is known all over the world for fashionable merchandise and spectacular events.
KOL
The KOL service is the first version of America Online designed entirely for kids. Combining exclusive content from industry leading kids' brands and all-new original programming, the KOL service is fully integrated with AOL's award-winning Parental Controls, offering kids a safer and more secure online environment. America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.
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