Talk:The Wonder Pets' 1st Movie (SuperMalechi's version)/@comment-5040381-20140112174024

October 26, 2007 -- Barney the Purple Dinosaur is turning 20 this year, and to celebrate, he is traveling across the U.S. on a Purple Bus Tour. Barney makes a stop at ABC7 Chicago.

(PRESS RELEASE)

Arguably the most recognizable children's character on the planet is celebrating a "super-dee-duper" birthday this Fall as BARNEY, everyone's favorite purple dinosaur, turns 20! Yes, it may be hard to believe that the iconic character with the "I Love You, You Love Me" tune that you just can't shake is hitting this milestone. And amazingly his popularity just seems to continue to grow and grow at a dino-size rate.

His birthday celebration will be as large as him! PBS debuted new TV episodes this Fall of the still top-rated pre-school series; Meanwhile Fox will release a new original DVD event with BARNEY: DINO-MITE BIRTHDAY where Barney's friends will throw him a surprise birthday bash. And of course, Barney will look to bring his big birthday celebration directly to his millions of fans that have loved him for so many years as he embarks on a nationwide bus tour starting this September.

HOW BARNEY WAS BORN - AND BECAME PURPLE! Barney was created in 1987 by Sheryl Leach, a former teacher and mother. Barney was originally supposed to be a bear&a teddy bear. But then after Leach saw her son's reaction to a dinosaur exhibit in Dallas, she decided to make him a dino. Another mother, who was her sort-of-partner in the Barney-venture, had a 2-year-old daughter and thought that a dinosaur would be too scary, so the decision was made to make Barney a dino, but make him purple (a more friendly, welcoming color). They also insured that he did not have big teeth or claws, so that he could be as inclusive and friendly as possible.

The original Barney was a darker blue, but he became lighter over time (probably something to do with what popped on camera). Internally, the early years are referred to as his BLUE period.

Barney's events in Chicago:

Toys R Us 4070 Fox Valley Center Aurora 630-851-7600 Sat. Meet & Greets: 10am-10:40am 11am to 11:40am Noon to 1pm

Toys R Us 3128 Voyager Lane Joliet 815-439-1009 Sun. Meet & Greets: noon to 12:40pm 1pm to 1:40pm 2pm to 3pm