Canton, OH – (July 31, 2009) – Ziggy is all pumped up for the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, as Ohio-native cartoonist, Tom Wilson will take part in several events, including official escort of the new 35’ ZIGGY Balloon in the nationally-televised ( FOX Sports Net Ohio 7:00 PM Sunday, Aug. 9, following the Cincinnati Reds baseball game) Hall of Fame Timken Grand Parade.

Wilson, born and raised in Cleveland, now residing in Cincinnati, and longtime armchair quarterback, has been drawing Ziggy since 1987 after the retirement of his father, Tom Wilson Sr., who created the character in 1971. “It is a great honor to have been chosen to be in the parade and a part of the celebration. My sons and I are football fans, and I love to occasionally include some sports references into the Ziggy comic strip,” Wilson explained. “It is great to be able to have Ziggy, an inspirational yet clumsy little fellow who never gives up, as an ‘everyman’ comparison to the tremendous character and accomplishments of the Hall of Famers.”

On August 9th, a special comic by Wilson, “Ziggy at the Hall of Fame,” will be syndicated by Universal Uclick and appear on the comic pages of more than 600 newspapers across the country. In addition, Ziggy’s involvement will continue throughout several days of the Hall of Fame festivities, including an exclusive meet and greet, short speech, and autograph session for ZIGGY on Parade (Andrews McMeel Publishing) on August 7 th starting at 2:30 PM at The Repository (500 Market Ave. S in downtown Canton), and a public signing of the all-new Ziggy book, Hot Off The Presses (Andrews McMeel Publishing) at the Borders Bookstore in North Canton ( 6751 Strip Ave NW) on Saturday, August 8 th from 3:00 – 4:00 PM.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival is a multi-day celebration, July 31 st through August 9 th, honoring the enshrinement of the newest Hall of Fame Class. This year’s class inductees are wide receiver Bob Hayes, guard Randall McDaniel, defensive end Bruce Smith, linebacker Derrick Thomas, owner Ralph Wilson, Jr., and defensive back Rod Woodson

Held in Canton each year, the Football Hall of Fame festival includes 15 special public events, enjoyed by nearly 700,000 people experiencing fireworks, hot air balloon flights, concerts, and races among other events. The celebration culminates with the Enshrinement Ceremony and the NFL Hall of Fame Game (Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans) on August 9 th at 8:00PM (NBC-TV). Many events are free, some are ticketed, and all are guaranteed to be fun!

The Hall of Fame parade will be the debut of the new Ziggy parade balloon, which was designed and built by licensee, Dynamic Displays. Ziggy’s appearance in the parade is sponsored by T he Canton Repository, local newspaper (www.cantonrep.com). Other Ziggy licensees include American Greetings for greeting cards and Mighty Fine Apparel, among others. Ziggy is a spokescharacter for the Earth Day Network, World Food Day, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Today, Ziggy reaches an audience of 75 million readers daily, published in more than 600 newspapers, and maintains an online presence through www.ZiggyZone.com and www.uclick.com.

For ZIGGY Licensing Information, Contact:
Sarah DeCoursey , Andrews McMeel Universal Licensing; T: 816-932-6733 ; E-Mail:sdecoursey@amuniversal.com