FOB Boyds Collection Ltd

Boyds Bear Country - Pigeon Forge is weaving history...with a little help from some famous basket making friends from Ohio by the name of Longaberger. The fact that Boyds Bears and Longaberger are working together is not history-making, fans of both companies' high-quality products know that they have worked together for some time now. But what is history-making is the fact that Boyds Bear Country's Basket Fest, the first of its kind in Pigeon Forge, brings Longaberger's talented basket makers to demonstrate and make baskets outside of the company's Ohio operations! Scheduled for July 2 through 10, Boyds Bear Country - Pigeon Forge's Basket Fest will feature live, on-site demonstrations of the Art of Basketmaking by Longaberger's very own basketmakers throughout each day. Visitors will have the opportunity to try basketmaking first-hand with a very special Longaberger Make-A-Basket experience where they may create their own Longaberger basket, complete with bear tacks, with the guidance of a Longaberger basketmaker. Basket Fest attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a Longaberger Dresden Tour Basket outside of Longaberger's Ohio home as well as exclusive Boyds Bears normally only sold at the Longaberger Homestead. Basket Fest will take place throughout each of its nine days on the grounds of Boyds Bear Country, Pigeon Forge's newest destination for family fun. A four-floor, 120,000 square-foot barn overlooking Pigeon Forge from it's hillside perch, The World's Most Humongous Teddy Bear Store, Boyds Bear Country features not only the full-line of world famous plush teddy bears and friends, figurines, gifts and home decor of The Boyds Collection, Ltd.; it also features bountiful options for family dining, hands-on opportunities to make or adopt your own Boyds Bear, huge smile-inspiring displays, free, live entertainment and more. "We are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at Longaberger to make history with Basket Fest," said Bill Feast, Boyds Vice President of Retail Operations, "Boyds and Longaberger have had such a great relationship, and since folks who appreciate our bears appreciate their baskets, it just makes sense to do something groundbreaking like this together." Boyds Bear Country - Pigeon Forge, opened late in Boyds 25th Anniversary year of 2004, is celebrating its inaugural summer season in 2005. It is Boyds second family fun destination, the first being in Boyds hometown of Gettysburg, PA, opened in 2002. Boyds Bear Country - Pigeon Forge is located just off the Parkway, near light number ten on Cates Lane. Visit www.boydsbearcountry.com or call 1-888-654-6215 for more information on this and other events and visit www.longaberger.com to learn more about Longaberger. The Boyds Collection Ltd. is a leading domestic designer, importer and distributor of high quality, branded plush and giftware products. The company sells its products through a large and diverse network comprised of independent gift and collectibles retailers, premier department stores, selected catalogue retailers and other electronic and retail channels. The company launched its first retail operation, Boyds Bear Country, a unique entertainment and retail experience in Gettysburg, PA in 2002 and has recently expanded with a second location in Pigeon Forge, TN. Founded in 1979, Boyds has successfully developed a strong niche and brand identity because of its affordably priced, high-quality, "Folksy with Attitude" products.