SpongeBob, Garfield among 20 characters joining Hong Kong’s IP carnival
Merry Balloon Hong Kong set to become Asia’s largest IP-themed carnival, with month-long event to launch on November 24
Hong Kong will bring together 20 popular characters, such as SpongeBob, Garfield and the M&M’s mascots, for Asia’s largest IP-themed carnival, with highlights including a balloon parade and a citywide e-stamp collection.
The organiser of Merry Balloon Hong Kong, the first ever cross-IP character winter celebration, announced on Wednesday that the month-long event would launch on November 24, aiming to attract at least 100,000 visitors and participants.
“This is a brand new, large-scale event in Hong Kong showcasing multiple IPs, which will become Asia’s largest IP-themed carnival,” said Tse Yuk, CEO and founder of organiser Makeitloud.
He added that Hong Kong was in “a leading position” in the IP business, as many companies in the field had chosen to establish their headquarters in the city.
Such businesses had also continued promoting their products through collaboration, attracting talent such as illustrators and creators to the city, he said.
Tse said the event would cost more than HK$10 million (US$1.28 million), adding it had taken his team over a year to prepare for it.
IPs appearing at the carnival include Care Bears, Cocomelon, Garfield, Hong Kong Machines, LuLu the Piggy, Mr Men and Little Miss, M&M’s, Molly, Moomin, Ocean Park’s Panda Friends, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Potato Head, Sho-Chan, SpongeBob SquarePants and the Little Prince.