The Smurfs turned 50th this week and unveiled some surprises planned to celebrate the blue characters, which first appeared in comic books by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford on Oct. 23, 1958.

For the first time, the Smurfs will appear at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with a new Smurf character helium balloon, measuring at 47 feet tall, and a float, featuring a mushroom-shaped home with Papa Smurf and Smurfette.

A live-action/animated hybrid feature film is also in the works through Sony Pictures Entertainment. It will be produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation with producer Jordan Kerner (Charlotte’s Web) and writers David Stem and David Weiss (Shrek 2 and Shrek 3).

The Smurfs brand quickly transitioned from its comic book beginnings into the long-running NBC television series, which led to record albums, video games, toys, figurines and more.