Nick Jr.'s Dora the Explorer(TM) Prepares For Her Biggest Journey Yet

Nick Jr.'s Dora the Explorer(TM) Prepares For Her Biggest Journey Yet

First Ever Latina Character Debuts as a Giant Balloon in the 79th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R)

NEW YORK, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "Vamonos" on an amazing journey this Thanksgiving with Dora the Explorer(TM) as she sets out on an exciting new adventure in the Big Apple. On Thurs., Nov. 24th, preschoolers' favorite Latina heroine will say "Hola!" to more than 2.5 million live spectators in her debut as a giant helium balloon in the 79th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R). The Dora the Explorer balloon is the first Latina character balloon to appear in the Parade.

The Dora the Explorer balloon, filled with approximately 15,000 cubic feet of helium and measuring approximately 54 feet tall, will travel from Central Park to Herald Square on Thanksgiving Day. With her friends Backpack and Map along, Dora will wave to the crowds below as she is guided by a set of balloon handlers for her voyage down Broadway on Parade Day.

"Our friends at Nickelodeon have a rich and varied history with Macy's Parade," says Robin Hall, Executive Producer of the Parade. "Everyone at Macy's is thrilled that Dora the Explorer together with Backpack and Map, will now join the pantheon of Nickelodeon balloon classics that include The Rugrats, Blue from Blue's Clues, Little Bill and most recently, SpongeBob SquarePants, in delighting the millions of spectators along Macy's fabled Parade route and the tens of millions more watching on national television."

"Dora has emerged as an icon in the Hispanic community and has become a favorite among all preschoolers," says Cyma Zarghami, president, Nickelodeon Television. "We are thrilled that she will be joining the list of great characters who have participated in the wonderful tradition of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."

About Dora the Explorer:

Dora the Explorer is the number-one preschool show on commercial television and airs at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. weekdays on Nick Jr. and weekends on CBS (check local listings). The show is a play-along, animated adventure series starring Dora, a seven-year-old Latina heroine whose adventures take place in an imaginative, tropical world filled with jungles, beaches and rainforests. Dora explores her world just as preschoolers do every day, and the show is designed to actively engage its audience in an interactive quest using a variety of learning techniques.

About Nick Jr:

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (ET/PT) and weekends on CBS (check local listings). Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.'s Emmy, Peabody and Parents' Choice Award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free. At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

About Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 2.5 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 78 years, the Macy's 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 in tow including Macy's employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups 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. For more information on the Macy's Parade please visit http://www.macysparade.com/ or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.

Source: Nickelodeon

CONTACT: For Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Orlando Veras, of Macy's
Publicity, +1-212-494-3893, Orlando.Veras@macys.com; or for Dora the Explorer:
Joanna Roses, +1-212-846-7326, Joanna.Roses@nick.com; or Nancy Hostler,
+1-212-846-7491, Nancy.Hostler@nick.com, both of Nickelodeon Communications

Web site: http://www.nick.com/
http://www.macysparade.com/

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