Pennsylvania Welcomes Canadians with Humongous Attractions

Pennsylvania, USA: Summer 2003: This summer, Pennsylvania eagerly anticipates an influx of Canadian visitors looking for nearby family fun. Visitors will come face to face with a dino-mite experience in Pittsburgh, help unwrap a chocolate classic in Hershey and discover the 'World's Most Humongous Teddy Bear Store' in Gettysburg.

PITTSBURGH'S DINO-MITE! Until September 2003, Pittsburgh becomes "Dinoburgh" when at least 100 decorated fiberglass dinosaurs transform streets, plazas and community centers into Jurassic parks for prehistoric public art.

Young and old make 'tracks' to Pittsburgh to see these vibrant prehistoric creatures. The scientifically-accurate and originally designed dinosaur replicas feature the T.rex, towering seven feet tall and 10 feet long, the Torosaurus, measuring almost five feet high and 10 feet wide and the Stegosaurus, standing five feet tall and almost 10 feet wide.

This city-wide art event, appropriately named DinoMite Days, is organized by Pittsburgh's renowned Carnegie Museum of Natural History, home of the world's greatest collections of publicly displayed dinosaur skeletons.

While visiting Pittsburgh's prehistoric vitality, families with younger children can also explore Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood of Make Believe at Idlewild Park, The Pittsburgh Zoo, The Pittsburgh Children's Museum, The National Aviary in Pittsburgh and Kennywood Park. For more information about DinoMite, visit www.dinomitedays.org.

KISSTORY: THE STORY OF AN AMERICAN ICON - The Hershey Museum just opened a new exhibit that traces the evolution of Hershey's Kisses chocolates from their inception in 1907 to present.

The new installation reveals fascinating stories behind one of America's most popular and enduring sweets and covers topics including: how Kisses chocolates got their name; unique production and wrapping methods; why production was suspended during WWII; how Hershey dealt with imitators and more.

Featuring the five feet tall, five feet wide Hershey's Kiss dropped in Times Square, two full size Kisses-shaped street lights that have graced downtown Hershey's Chocolate Avenue since 1963 and equipment simulating the kiss production process, the exhibit appeals to everyone.

Today, Hershey's Kisses are produced with a capacity of 33 million units daily or more than 12 billion annually. Visitors to the Museum can test their knowledge of this chocolate legacy at 'Kiss Trivia' while young children delight in the hands-on discovery room. Eight other permanent Museum exhibits explore the history of Hershey - the man, the town he created and the candy empire he founded. Open year-round, Museum admission is US$6 for adults and US$3 for children ages 3- 15. For more information about the Hershey Museum, call 717 534-3439 or visit www.hersheymuseum.org.

GETTYSBURG'S GIGANTIC TEDDY BEAR COLLECTION - Less than two hours away from Hershey by car is another family attraction - Boyds Bear Country, the 'World's Most Humongous Teddy Bear Store.' Opened September 2002, the 120,000-square-foot-barn is stuffed with 75,000 styles of plush bears, hares, resin figurines, dolls and more. The four-story barn has elaborate displays - currently featuring the 'Enchanted Fairy Forest,' a 'Dolls House' and 'Noah's Ark.' Take a FREE self-guided museum tour, examine collectables and feast on country-style food in a family-oriented eatery.

Learn how an antiques shop became the Boyds collection. Shop 'til you drop or be a Boyds 'designer for a day.' For only US$29.95, get six accessories for this 'hands-on' experience of dressing a bear, moose or cow. The best part of all - you keep your new fluffy friend when you're done. For more information, visit www.boydsbearcountry.com or phone (717) 630-2600.

For travel information to Pennsylvania and FREE copies of the Drive Pennsylvania Tour Guide, 2003 Pennsylvania Travel Planner, Recreational Guide and Highway Map, call 1-800-VISIT-PA, ext. 325, or log onto www.ExperiencePA.com.