BE A CANDY BAR CZAR AT HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD THIS SUMMER

Release Date: Jan 13, 2010

Harrisburg, PA (Jan. 13, 2010) – Executives from The Hershey Company and Hershey®’s Chocolate World® attraction broke ground yesterday in front of the most visited corporate visitor’s center in the world, Hershey®’s Chocolate World attraction, for another unique experience that tourists can only find in the Hershey Harrisburg Region this summer.

The Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction, slated to open in summer 2010, will immerse guests in the candy bar creation process from selecting their favorite candy bar ingredients, to operating authentic equipment, and designing their own packaging for this one-of-a-kind candy bar.

“Imagine the thrill families will have creating their very own combinations of candy bars,” said Mary Smith, President of the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau. “When it comes to creating truly unique experiences for family vacations, the creative minds at Hershey®’s Chocolate World are always raising the bar, literally.”

Amy Hahn, General Manager of The Hershey Experience, the direct-to-consumer and experiential marketing division of The Hershey Company, explains the new attraction will allow each guest to play the role of chocolate innovator – much like the company's founder Milton S. Hershey. 

Guests will wear authentic outfits, including factory aprons and hairnets, as they become the newest member of the Hershey team. Using the similar equipment as Hershey factories, guests will create custom candy bars by pulling levers and handles to activate the machinery and dispense ingredients such as caramel bits, graham crackers, crisped rice, fruit pieces and chocolate cookie pieces – to be drenched in pure Hershey®’s Milk Chocolate. Guests can even determine if they would like to top their candy bar with Hershey®’s Kisses®-shaped sprinkles. After the bar cools, it is sealed, packaged and personalized with custom packaging that guests design at an interactive kiosk.

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About the Hershey Experience

The Hershey Experience is the direct-to-consumer and experiential marketing division of The Hershey Company including Hershey's Chocolate World attraction, Hershey's Times Square and Hershey's Chicago stores, Hershey’s Licensed Merchandise and Hershey's e-commerce initiatives. Hershey’s Chocolate World attraction is the official visitor’s center of The Hershey Company and is the most visited corporate visitor’s center in the world, featuring Hershey’s Great American Chocolate Tour^® ride, Hershey’s Chocolate Tasting Adventure^™ attraction, Hershey’s Really Big 3D Show^™ experience and an entertaining tour of the town on the Hershey Trolley. Hershey's Times Square store, located at the crossroads of the world, and Hershey's Chicago store, situated on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, are interactive retail destinations that immerse visitors in the magic of Hershey's iconic brands. HersheysStore.com is the online destination for unique chocolate products, gifts, apparel and collectibles. In addition, The Hershey Experience operates retail and e-commerce businesses for Hershey’s premium brands including Scharffen Berger, Dagoba and Mauna Loa candy brands.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and more than 12,000 employees. With revenues of more than $5 billion, Hershey offers such iconic brands as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Kit Kat, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers as well as the smooth, creamy indulgence of Hershey’s Bliss chocolates. Hershey is a leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey’s Special Dark and Hershey’s Extra Dark. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba. For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where we live, work and do business. The Milton Hershey School, established by the company’s founder in 1909, provides a nurturing environment, quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. The School is administered by the Hershey Trust Company, Hershey’s largest shareholder, making the students of Milton Hershey School direct beneficiaries of Hershey’s success. Please visit us at www.hersheys.com.

About the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau

The Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau (HHRVB) is the official non-profit partnership-based Convention & Visitors Bureau serving Dauphin and Perry Counties in Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country Roads Region. HHRVB is committed to actively marketing the region locally, domestically, and internationally to leisure and business travelers, event organizers, and group tour leaders in order to stimulate the local economy and support tourism-related jobs. For more information on this organization and the region, visit HersheyHarrisburg.org, email: Info@HersheyHarrisburg.org, or call 877-727-8573.

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