She isn’t over the hill yet. Mattel’s iconic girl fashion doll is celebrating her 50th anniversary this year and Toys ‘R’ Us is kicking off the birthday festivities this weekend that will last through the month.

The party begins kicks off this week with TRU rolling out dedicated Barbie boutiques in its nationwide stores, featuring dolls, collectibles, clothing, accessories and more. And while supplies last, fans young and old can get a free Barbie Fashion Fever doll with any Barbie purchase of US$25 or more.

Also in the merch offering is Bathing Suit Barbie, an updated version of the original 1959 doll, and both the brick-and-mortar and online shop at www.Toysrus.com are stocking reproduction dolls based on classic Barbie fashions and styles, as well as the My Favorite Barbie series: The Original Teenage Fashion Model Barbie (1959), Brunette Bubble Cut Barbie (1962), Twist ‘N Turn Barbie (1967), Malibu Barbie (1971), Superstar Barbie (1977) and Barbie and the Rockers (1986). Each reproduction comes with a re-creation of Barbie’s original fashion and an additional outfit from that decade, a reproduction vintage booklet and 50th anniversary collectible cards with a vintage image on one side and Barbie fun facts on the other.

On Saturday March 14, each TRU store will ring in the anniversary with a bash from 12 noon to 2 p.m., where guests can design their own, complimentary Barbie party hat, while supplies last.

Over at the flagship store in Times Square, a life-sized, two-story Barbie Dollhouse is getting done up right with a pink carpet, giant cupcake and confetti. Barbie herself will be on hand to make an in-store appearance for meet-and-greet photo opps. The first 180 guests who buy a 50th Anniversary Barbie or any My Favorite Barbie will take home limited-edition reproduction artwork of the 50th Anniversary Barbie, featuring a sketch by Barbie designer Robert Best.

Meanwhile, www.Toysrus.com/Barbie is hosting a Barbie micro-site, which features the golden anniversary theme, a Barbie-dedicated blog and Barbie anniversary product. The reproduction artwork Anniversary doll will also be available at the TRU site with the purchase of the Anniversary doll or My Favorite Barbie, beginning March 8.

The celebrations are slated to continue at the retailer, as TRU will be getting more exclusive Barbie models throughout 2009.