PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Walt Disney Company's celebration of Mickey Mouse's 75th Anniversary marches forward as 75 6-foot-tall, 700-pound Mickey Mouse statues, designed by a variety of Mickey's fans, will embark in groups of 15 on a 10-city tour across America. Philadelphia Waterfront at Penn's Landing has been chosen to play host to 15 of the statues from May 21 through July 20. The statues will be displayed in Walnut Plaza, located at Walnut Street and Columbus Boulevard at Penn's Landing.
Appropriately deemed "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations," the Mickey statue program is comprised of Disney legends, artists, actors, athletes and performing artists who lent creative talent or simply creative inspiration that resulted in 75 uniquely designed Mickey statues. In 2005, all 75 statues will be auctioned by Sotheby's Auction House to raise money for the charity of each individual artist's choice.
The statues displayed in Philadelphia will be unveiled to the public on May 23 during a special free event from 1-4 pm at the Walnut Plaza at Penn's Landing. Mickey Mouse and local statue artist Katie Morgan will make a special presentation that will be followed by fun family entertainment, including interactive games, giveaways and special appearances from Radio Disney personalities. The statues coming to Philadelphia are as follows:
Artist Statue Name Designated Charity
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Jeff Conine Family Tree Joe DiMaggio Children's
Hospital Foundation
Andreas Deja Fruits of the Mouse Make-A-Wish Foundation(R)
of America
Lenox Tuxedo Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric
AIDS Foundation
Kathryn E. ALS Hope Foundation,
Morgan Wonderful World of Mickey Philadelphia
John Travolta Jet Setter Hollywood Education and
Literacy Project
Star Jones Wild for Mickey East Harlem School at
Exodus House
James
Gandolfini Funny Bones Children Affected by AIDS
Foundation
Christy
Carlson Romano Ready For Action Children's Miracle Network
(R)
Michelle Kwan Peace & Love Children's Miracle Network
(R)
Brian McKnight Music Mouse LIFEbeat
Tuck Morgan,
Disney Consumer
Products Mickey Through the Years Make-A-Wish Foundation
(R)of America
Wayne Allwine &
Russi Taylor I Speak for Mickey and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric
Mickey Speaks for Me AIDS Foundation
Ollie Johnston All Aboard! Verdugo Hills Hospital
Foundation
Disneyland
Resort
Entertainment Reflections on Mickey Make-A-Wish Foundation
Art Dept (R) of America
Christina
Grantham Fountain of Fun Boys Hope Girls Hope
The Walt Disney Company was able to bring "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations" to fruition with the help of The Coca-Cola Company, the primary tour sponsor. In addition, The Home Depot(r) provided the "Disney Color by Behr" paint and other supplies to bring the statues to life. Suddath Relocation Systems, an agent for United Van Lines, is "Movin' Mickey" and will transport the statues to each destination. Kodak will use its EasyShare system to offer digital photographs in each city during the tour. Radio Disney AM 640 will be the local host of the tour in Philadelphia.
The Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations statue tour is free to the public. For more directions or parking information, please visit www.pennslandingcorp.com For more information on Mickey's 75th Anniversary, please visit the press portion of www.disneyconsumerproducts.com.
About Penn's Landing
Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's Waterfront district, running along Columbus Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Spring Garden Street. The two main sites for the more than 75 festivals, concerts, and events at Penn's Landing are the Great Plaza, located along the Delaware River at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, and Festival Pier, home of the Blue Cross RiverRink on Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For general information call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com.
The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=349