Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse! Disney Celebrates 90 Years of Its Beloved Character

Disney Parks will host the "World's Biggest Mouse Party" with celebratory events all over the world.

Still spry for his age, Mickey Mouse will mark his 90th birthday later this year, and The Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday a worldwide series of celebratory events ranging from a fashion show to a student art project.

Mickey— along with his ever-loyal companion Minnie Mouse— made his big-screen debut on Nov. 18, 1928, in "Steamboat Willie," which premiered at the Colony Theatre in New York.

Birthday festivities will begin March 7 at Disneyland with Opening Ceremony's runway fashion show featuring a "Mickey-inspired collection" from designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. The celebration will continue with events including the July debut of "Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Special Celebration'' in Japan.

The show will tour throughout the Asia-Pacific region until August 2019. Disney on Ice will also be presenting a Mickey-oriented production that will tour the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Disney-owned ABC will air a Mickey birthday celebration this fall, while the Disney Channel will present the fifth season of "Mickey Mouse" animated shorts, including an extended seven-minute birthday episode.

Disneyland and other Disney theme parks around the world will hold celebrations on Nov. 18 with events featuring "commemorative merchandise, photo locations and more." The parks will also present the "World's Biggest Mouse Party," honoring Mickey and Minnie, beginning late this year and continuing into 2019.

In France, meanwhile, 38 design and art schools will participate in a "Mickey is Art" contest, with students crafting Mickey-oriented works and winners displayed in train stations around the country.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will also be marking the event, employing Disney animator Mark Henn to paint Mickey's official 90th birthday portrait.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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