Macy’s Toasts 150 Years with Events

The festivities kick off with a national TV special “Macy’s Passport Celebrity Catwalk Challenge” set for 8 p.m. ET on Oct. 11. Hosted by actress Tori Spelling, the reality show style competition features participants enduring the challenges of training to become a ‘Passport’ runway model.

In addition, Macy’s hits the big screen with “Macy’s Passport: Fashion Cinema,” a fashion show that will appear in cinemas across 27 cities at National CineMedia. The screening will include a pre-show reception with proceeds benefiting local HIV/AIDS organizations. The show will feature musical entertainment, including performances by the Pussycat Dolls, Fall Out Boy and Ne-Yo.

The anniversary will also be marked with the grand opening of two new stores in the New Orleans market. Macy’s Lakeside Shopping Center and Macy’s at The Esplanade on Oct. 24 will open with cocktail galas to benefit the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Hosts Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse will hold a New Orleans-style cooking demonstration. The event will also include a VIP reception, a meet-and-greet with celebrities including Tommy Hilfiger, Steve Madden, Russell Simmons, Clinton Kelly and Gavin DeGraw and a fashion show.

On Oct. 25, customers can visit their local Macy’s store to see local celebrities, grab some treats, win free gift cards via giveaways and earn special discounts.

Then on Oct, 28, the official birthday, a cocktail reception will take place at Gothman Hall, just blocks away from Macy’s Herald Square flagship store in Manhattan. The event will include food, live entertainment and a special finale to mark the occasion.

Online marketing, store circulars and signage will support the effort.