Smurfs Day celebrates comic creator's birthday by turning blue

(AFP PHOTO / JORGE GUERRERO)

On Saturday, June 25, in celebration of the birthday of Peyo (1928-1992), the Belgian creator of the Smurfs comics, gatherings will take place around the world as part of Global Smurfs Day, announced June 13.

London's O2 arena becomes the O-Blue, Taiwan's landmark Red House turns into the Blue House and New York City's South Street Seaport turns into Smurf Street Blueport.

Events are scheduled from Mexico City to Warsaw and Moscow to Johannesburg. In Belgium, the home of the comic's creator, members of Peyo's family will be on hand.

Also as part of a promotion for the upcoming film The Smurfs, all fans are encouraged to dress Smurfy-style (white hat, white pants and shoes - with a blue body). Hats and t-shirts will be supplied at venues.

The event is an attempt to set a new Guinness World Records title for the "Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Smurfs within a 24-hour period in Multiple Venues."

Representatives from Guinness will be on hand in 12 cities around the world.

The upcoming animated and live-action film follows the tiny blue Smurfs when they are chased out of their village by the evil wizard Gargamel. The Smurfs land in Manhattan's Central Park trying to find their way back home.

The film stars Neil Patrick Harris ( How I Met Your Mother) and Sofia Vergara ( Modern Family), along with the voices of pop singer Katy Perry, Anton Yelchin ( Star Trek), chef Wolfgang Puck and Alan Cummings ( Burlesque).

The film releases in North America July 29, in Belgium August 3 and in France, Hong Kong, Spain and the UK on August 10, rolling out internationally through August and September.

http://www.globalsmurfsday.com