Public Celebration of Play and Entertainment for All Ages Triples in Size, Featuring More than 75 Exhibitors, Including Presenting Sponsors Spin Master and Toys“R”Us, and Dozens of Fun Activities for Families and Fans
Play Fair is back and bigger than ever! Hosted by The Toy Association in partnership with LeftField Media, the second annual public celebration of play and entertainment for all ages returns to the Javits Center on Saturday, November 4th and Sunday, November 5th. The immersive, experience-rich event nearly triples in size compared to last year, providing more than 30,000 families and fans with an action-packed weekend of play in an expanded 230,000 square feet of space.
Play Fair’s immersive, experience-rich event welcomes leading children’s entertainment company Spin Master and the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, Toys“R”Us, as presenting sponsors. In addition, the event features the Toys“R”Us Main Stage, hosted by Greg T from the Elvis Duran Morning Show; a brand-new activity stage, showcasing STEAM programming and interactive panel sessions; greater hands-on exhibits and demonstrations; awe-inspiring displays; talent appearances and meet & greets; two dedicated screening rooms; engaging programming; and more than 75 new and beloved toy and entertainment brands. At Play Fair, attendees can feel, touch, and take home their favorite toys and games — and be the first to glimpse the toys of tomorrow.
Highlights include:
- Larger-than-life play experiences, stage activities, and consumer challenges, including a Minecraft VR station, NERF Arena, augmented reality Ben 10 experience, Builders demos with Magformers, ALEX® SPA experience, giant LEGO Brick Piles and Race Ramps, live product unboxings, Jedi Training with the Empire Saber Guild, a Shopkins Fashion Show, and so much more!
- Celebrity guests, including Mindy Thomas, co-host of NPR’s “Wow in the World,” the Radio City Rockettes, COOL SCHOOLS’s hugely popular YouTube sensation, Crafty Carol, Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson, creators of the “totally awesome” Emmy Award-winning series PEG + CAT on PBS KIDS, Buddy the Elf from ELF the Musical, WWE® Superstar Big Show® and WWE® Superstar Daniel Bryan, YouTube stars The Engineering Family, and more!
- More than 75 exhibitors including Cartoon Network, Hasbro, K’NEX, LEGO, Nickelodeon, Midtown Comics, ALEX Brands, Moose Toys, Maddie Rae’s Slime Glue, LeapFrog, The New York Doll Company, Snazaroo, Candlewick Press, VTech, Kvellix, Inc. (NUTSO) and WowWee.
- GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS ™ attempt by 12-year-old slime glue entrepreneur Madison Greenspan of Maddie Rae’s Slime Glue. Join Madison as she and her team attempt to make over six tons of slime!
- Exciting photo opportunities with talent and costume characters from PAW Patrol®, Rusty Rivets, PJ Masks, Shimmer & Shine, Toys“R”Us’ Geoffrey, Ben 10, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Peppa Pig, SpongeBob SquarePants, LeapFrog’s Scout & Violet, Shopkins, and more!
This year’s event also introduces a third day of festivities for members of the press and toy industry professionals on Friday, November 3rd. The Media & Industry Preview Night provides industry members with advance access to exhibitors, entertainment, and play experiences to see firsthand which toys, games, and entertainment will be the biggest hits just in time for Black Friday.
“Inspired by last year’s success, we are thrilled to expand Play Fair in NYC and invite industry influencers and the press to be the first to enjoy the fun with an exciting, hands-on Industry Preview Night,” says Kelly Comboni, president of LeftField Media. “From over-the-top play experiences and activities to feature stages, meet-and-greets, and more, this year’s Play Fair promises lasting memories for every kid and kid at heart.”
During the Media & Industry Preview Night, The Toy Association will also unveil the finalists for the 2018 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Known as the “Oscars” of the toy industry, the TOTY awards program supports children in need by serving as a critical fundraising event for the Toy Foundation, while recognizing the top toys of this holiday season.
“Play Fair highlights play and entertainment during peak toy season, and is the perfect backdrop to unveil and celebrate the 2018 TOTY finalists,” says Ken Seiter, executive vice president of marketing communications at The Toy Association. “The TOTYs recognize the year’s hottest toys and games – all of which build important, lifelong skills through play. The nominated toys also highlight great gift ideas for kids of all ages for the upcoming holiday season.”
The inaugural Play Fair was held in February 2016 with a sold-out crowd of more than 20,000 parents, children, and toy enthusiasts. Building on last year’s success, the upcoming Play Fair will also feature more character appearances, and the Toys”R”Us main stage will double its seating to accommodate twice the number of excited fans. More information about Play Fair’s special features can be found at www.playfairny.com/special-features. For general information about the event, visit www.PlayFairNY.com and follow Play Fair on Twitter and Facebook.