October 19, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Trien, 585-410-6359, strien@museumofplay.org

National Toy Hall of Fame® Celebration
November 9, 10, & 11

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Which beloved American toy classics will be permanently enshrined in the National Toy Hall of Fame® this year?

Find out at the National Toy Hall of Fame® Celebration at Strong National Museum of Play® on Friday, November 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, November 11 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. (The 2007 toy inductees will be officially announced to the media at a press conference held in the museum’s dramatic hall Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.)

Come see displays of the latest toy inductees and enjoy a day of toy-filled revelry:

• Meet Mr. Etch A Sketch® (Tim George) whose motto is “shake my hand, not my work!” Watch as George demonstrates his amazing Etch A Sketch artistry at various times throughout each day. Enjoy a display of George’s incredibly detailed Etch A Sketch masterpieces, including celebrity portraits, wildlife, and famous national landmarks.

• Watch out for flying toys! Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy presents daily juggling performances using some of the toy classics currently in the National Toy Hall of Fame®.

• Discover how toys really work with scientists from Adventures in Chemistry & Physics. Explore the inner workings of an Etch a Sketch®, Shrinky Dinks®, 3-D glasses, and more.

• Get creative with cardboard boxes! Kids are invited to build a fort or a castle or anything they can imagine in a roomful of empty boxes.

• Build with LEGO® bricks, race a Slinky®, play checkers, and enjoy more fun with hall of fame toys when you visit the National Toy Hall of Fame®.

• Help bring a smile to the faces of other kids in the community when you donate a new or gently used toy to the Pirate Toy Fund.

The National Toy Hall of Fame® at Strong National Museum of Play® recognizes toys that have engaged and delighted multiple generations, inspiring them to learn, create, and discover through play. Criteria for induction include: Icon-status (the toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered); Longevity (the toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations); Discovery (the toy fosters learning, creativity, or discovery through play); and Innovation (the toy profoundly changed play or toy design).

The twelve toy finalists being considered for 2007 induction are: Atari® Game System, Baby Doll, Big Wheel®, Game of Life®, Hot Wheels®, Kite, My Little Pony®, Pogo Stick, Raggedy Andy™, Skateboard, Spirograph®, and Yahtzee®. Only two of the twelve nominees will get to take their honored places in the hall.

Strong National Museum of Play® is the only museum in the world devoted solely to the study of play as it illuminates American culture. Known for its family-friendly, interactive exhibits and world-renowned collections (including the world’s largest collection of toys and dolls), the museum completed a major $37 million expansion in July 2006, making it the second largest children’s museum in the nation and the largest year-round family attraction in Upstate New York. For more information on Strong and the National Toy Hall of Fame® visit www.museumofplay.org.

Strong National Museum of Play®, located in downtown Rochester, New York, is the only museum in the world devoted to the study of play as it illuminates American popular culture.

Regular Hours:
Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Admission Fees:
General Admission (does not include Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden®):
Adults $9.00; Seniors $8.00; Children (2–17) $7.00; Children younger than two free; Strong members free.
Admission to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden®:
General Admission fee plus $3.00 per person for members and nonmembers; Children younger than two free.
Due to limited capacity, entry to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden is by timed tickets only. Advance purchase is recommended. Please call 585-263-2700 to purchase timed tickets.
Parking:
Free parking is available at the museum for all guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that, on high visitation days, the museum lot may reach capacity early in the day. If space is not available on site at the time of your visit, you will be directed to additional parking at neighboring municipal garages (fees may apply).