HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hershey Foods Corporation announced today that "America's Favorite Chocolate Company" will participate in the 76th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(TM). Joining the legendary lineup of Santa Claus and Macy's signature, larger-than life, giant helium character balloons will be a colossal candy factory float called "Hershey's Kids' Candy Creation Lab."

The Hershey's float depicts every candy lover's dream. Standing 24-feet- tall, 32-feet-long and 16-feet-wide, this tasty laboratory overflows with chocolate and candy from Candytown, USA. Complete will giant lollipops, gumballs, and chocolate treats, the fun-filled fantasyland features a chocolate floor and conveyor belt that brings Hershey's Kisses chocolates down the line for inspection.

The Hershey's float also will feature Jive Records' recording artists "No Secrets" as they sing the anthem "Kids in America" from the Jimmy Neutron soundtrack. Visions of sweet Kisses chocolates will dance in the heads of children of all ages as they see the virtual Hershey's candy lab rolling down the street filling the air with sweet songs.

The "Kid's Candy Creation Lab" will be Hershey's second larger-than-life presence in the Big Apple. On October 28, 2002, a 15-story outdoor sign spectacular was unveiled at Hershey's Times Square Store, scheduled to open just in time for the holidays.

"We are excited to announce yet another Hershey initiative that is entrenched in American tradition," said Wynn Willard, Sr. Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Hershey Foods Corporation. "The interpretation of our `Kids' Candy Creation Lab' depicts every child's fantasy: to be lost in a chocolate lab and shows the whimsical nature of our iconic brands."

In 1924, employees of Macy's department store organized the first Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan. The parade was originally named the Macy's Christmas Parade, and it featured vibrant costumes along with floats, bands, clowns, and live animals from the Central Park Zoo. The parade was such a huge success that it quickly became an annual event. Today, more than 2.5 million people line the streets of Manhattan, and another 50 million watch the parade on television for what now is considered one of the most spectacular parades in the world. This year, the parade will take place on November 28 starting at 77th Street and Central Park West, and ending at Macy's at 34th Street and Broadway.

About Hershey Foods Corporation

Hershey Foods Corporation (NYSE: HSY) is the leading North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and chocolate-related grocery products. Some of the company's most popular products include HERSHEY(R)'S chocolate and chocolate with almond bars, HERSHEY(R)'S KISSES(R) chocolates, REESE'S(R) peanut butter cups, JOLLY RANCHER(R) and TWIZZLERS(R) candies, HERSHEY(R)'S cocoa, and HERSHEY(R)'S syrup. The company also is a market leader in the gum and mint category with such well-known brands as ICE BREAKERS(R), BREATH SAVERS(R), and BUBBLE YUM(R).

SOURCE Hershey Foods Corporation

/CONTACT: Judy Hogarth of Hershey Foods Corporation, +1-717-534-7216; or Julie Safer of Edelman Worldwide, +1-212-704-8132, for Hershey Foods Corporation/