Organisers eye world record during Hello Kitty 40th bash

Johor Tourism Department director Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim and the Hello Kitty mascot unveiling the Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary invitation card at the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town in Nusajaya.

NUSAJAYA: Some 3,000 diehard fans of Hello Kitty are expected to converge at the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town in Puteri Harbour Indoor Family Theme Park here on Nov 1 in an attempt to set a world record for the largest Hello Kitty fans gathering.

Sanrio Hello Kitty Town general manager Fahruddin Najumudeen said fans were expected to come from different countries in the region to celebrate the character’s 40th anniversary, which falls in November.

“We hope to receive the support from fans and successfully set a world record on Hello Kitty’s 40th anniversary,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Fahruddin said various activities had been planned in conjunction with the three-day carnival starting from Oct 31, including a street fiesta, music festival and fashion design competition.

“It will be a fun experience for fans who will be able to enjoy Hello Kitty convention exclusives and grab limited edition merchandise.

“Street shows, magicians and performers will be on the streets and there will be plenty of things to do for the whole family like the minute-to-win-it games and food bazaar,” he said.

Fahruddin said the celebration also offered opportunities for emerging young Malaysian designers to showcase their talent, as a fashion design competition would be organised and winners would walk away with RM5,000 cash prize.

“The designers will be mentored to create a two-piece Hello Kitty inspired collection. Top 10 designers will be chosen to compete on the grand stage at the Hello Kitty Friends Catwalk Finale Set, also scheduled to take place on her birthday.

“Besides that, fans can also watch live performances by popular local J-Rock (Japanese Rock) band Flying Pan and Malaysian pop punk band BunkFace during the Hello Kitty Friends Rock music festival,” he added.

In conjunction with the celebrations, Fahruddin said fans could purchase a special Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary Package where they buy three tickets and get one free at RM165 at the upcoming Matta Fair in Kuala Lumpur next month.

-thestar online.