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Sweet Georgia Brown!

PHILADELPHIA, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The madness of March is just days away, but when the Crayola Glowtrotters (a.k.a. Harlem Globetrotters) took to the floor at MaST Community Charter School to play the first-ever glow-in-the-dark basketball game, it was absolute glow madness.

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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100316/MM70991 )

The Globetrotters became the "Crayola Glowtrotters" and put their skills to the ultimate test to celebrate the launch of Glow Explosion, a game-changing way for kids to create drawings that glow like glow sticks in the dark. The Magicians of Basketball brought the entertainment for which they are known worldwide, and Crayola, the magicians of color, brought the game to light with glowing basketballs, nets, rims, backboards and uniforms, and of course, children's drawings.

The all-star Glowtrotter roster, which included team star showman Special K Daley and dribbling sensation Scooter Christensen, were cheered on in the dark by a crowd of more than 300 students waving glowing signs they created with Crayola Glow Explosion. Not only can kids now create glow-in-the-dark drawings for the first time on paper with markers that draw like glow sticks, but they also create light, too!

"Just like the Globetrotters are always inventing new ways to play basketball, we're doing the same so children can express themselves in ways they never thought possible," said Vicky Lozano, Crayola vice president, marketing. "Crayola Glow Explosion is a game changer, and we couldn't think of a better way to get kids excited to show off their creativity than teaming up with the ultimate basketball showmen, the Harlem Globetrotters."

The action-packed game started with a tip-off by Crayola's "Tip" character and Glowtrotters' mascot "Globie." The big moment came when Globie and Tip turned off the lights and turned on the glow inside the gym. Even the outline of the court turned the gym into a spectacle of glow-in-the-dark lights and colors. The game was filled with the basketball wizardry one would expect from the Trotters, made even more amazing by Crayola's latest color breakthrough. And of course, the Trotters once again downed the rival Washington Generals, who have not defeated them since 1971.

"Throughout our 84-year history, the Harlem Globetrotters have always been on the forefront of family fun and entertainment," said Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. "We are excited to team up with Crayola, another iconic brand dedicated to making life more colorful, in the first-ever glow-in-the-dark basketball game."

As a thank-you for hosting the event, Crayola made a generous donation to the MaST Community Charter School's art enrichment program, furthering the company's commitment to fostering the originality and creativity in every child through self-expression.

About the Harlem Globetrotters

Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, Spalding, Howard Johnson Hotels and America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, the Original Harlem Globetrotters are in their 84th consecutive season of touring the world with the 2010 "Magical Memories" World Tour. The Globetrotters have played in 120 countries and territories on six continents, entertaining over 130 million fans and breaking down barriers between cultures, societies and people from all walks of life. The Globetrotters are one of only six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters' official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

About Crayola

Crayola LLC, based in Easton, Pa. and a subsidiary of Hallmark Inc., is the worldwide leader in children's creative expression products. Known for the iconic Crayola crayon first introduced in 1903, the Crayola brand has grown into a portfolio of innovative art tools, crafting activities and creativity toys that offer children innovative new ways to use color to create everything imaginable. Consumers can find the wide array of Crayola products in the "Crayola Aisle" at all major retailers. For more information visit www.crayola.com.

SOURCE Crayola