McDonald's 1988 McNugget Buddies "Town Hall" Happy Meal Box Painting

This 18" x 11" original watercolor painting was used for the "Town Hall" back panel of the McDonald's 1988 McNugget Buddies Happy Meal box. The illustration shows a parade of the anthropomorphic chicken nuggets marching by the McNuggetville Town Hall. The blank white banner hanging above them serves as a space for a matching game activity called "The Citizens of McNuggetville."

The McNugget Buddies and their removable "mix 'n match outfits" remain some of the fondest-remembered Happy Meal toys. After their introduction in the 1988 promotion, they returned in 1993 to don interchangeable Halloween costumes. The festive McNuggets once again dressed up for the holiday three years later in 1996. To celebrate the Happy Meal's 40th anniversary in 2019, three of the original 10 Buddies--Cowboy McNugget, Fireman McNugget, and Mail Carrier McNugget--saw a limited re-release as part of a global "Surprise Happy Meal" event.