Some 30,000 people, including about 22,000 buyers and more than 1,600 exhibitors are expected to make their way to New York City this year for the 1996 American International Toy Fair.

Retail buyers from around the world will be combing through the latest in toy products at the eight-day show, held in the International Toy Centre at Fifth Avenue and Broadway, and at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre.

Last year’s fair attracted attendees representing 334 companies located in 24 countries around the world.

The Fair, which began with fewer than a dozen exhibitors representing American toy factories, has been held annually since 1902. It has been held in New York since 1934 when it made its debut in the Fifth Avenue building.

The Toy Fair is owned and managed by Toy Manufacturers of America.

In this report:

– From comics to toy classics: Surge takes Ninja Turtles to licensing heights: Page 22

– Street Sharks flex their jaws: Page 23

– An ordinary earthworm: The latest superhero in toys and games: Page 26

– Barbie: Mattel Media takes the popular toy interactive: Page 29

– Smurfs come back to life: Irwin Toy is relaunching the Smurfs in North America: Page 30

– Jonny Quest: A marketing model for future Turner properties: Page 32

– Toy Fair Roundup: Page 34