Woodfield Mall Plans World-Class Welcome for Santa
Released: 10/27/04
MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Perez or Bonni Pear
Miller-Pear Public Relations
(312) 649-0466; info@millerpear.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODFIELD MALL PLANS WORLD-CLASS WELCOME FOR SANTA
Schaumburg, Ill. (October 6, 2004) -- When Santa arrives at Woodfield Mall at 7 p.m., Saturday, November 13, everything about the celebration will be world-class. Thousands of well-wishers from throughout the Chicago area and across the Midwest are expected to turn out for the free, public festivities. World-class dancers from the Joffrey Ballet will perform excerpts from Robert Joffrey's beloved rendition of The Nutcracker. And new this year, the world's most famous funsters -- clowns from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey(R) Circus -- will warm up the crowd with hilarious hijinks, as children of all ages await the arrival of the "big man" himself.
"We're bringing together some of the Chicago area's most treasured holiday traditions to salute the start of the season at Woodfield," said Marc Strich, general manager of the mall. "As big and grand as Woodfield itself, these festivities are our special gift to the customers we serve."
The Woodfield Santa's Arrival celebration will take place in the shadow of the magnificent Grand Court tree -- an imposing 54-foot fir that serves as the centerpiece for the mall's much-touted Illinois Collection holiday dicor. Weighing in at close to 6,000 pounds, and donning more than 12,000 ornaments and 6,750 feet of ribbon and garland, the mammoth evergreen holds the distinction of being the area's largest indoor tree.
Juxtaposed against the tree, 20-foot-tall replicas of state landmarks including Sears Tower, Wrigley Field and the State Capitol, rise above a wintry street scene with four moving trains and brightly decorated storefront windows. It's through these windows that children awaiting their annual audience with the man of the season get their first peak at Santa Claus, holding court at the base of the tree. Santa will be available for photos during all mall hours from the evening of his arrival through December 24. Digital photo packages are available for purchase, but private cameras and video recorders are allowed.
The Chicago area's largest mall, Woodfield is home to nearly 300 stores and restaurants, including dozens that can't be found anywhere else in the Midwest. Merchants range from the unique -- fine art and jewelry dealers, cutting-edge clothiers for men, women, teens and children, and home furnishing emporiums -- to nationally-recognized department stores such as JCPenney, Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field's, Nordstrom and Sears. Notable newcomers since last holiday season include jeweler Movado, home and apparel specialist Anthropologie, shoe dealer Clarks England, clothing retailers Urban Outfitters, hanna Andersson, Janeville, H&M, and the first national pilot of Abercrombie and Fitch's much-anticipated new concept, Ruehl.
For additional information about Woodfield's Santa arrival celebration, other seasonal happenings, and expanded holiday hours, log on to www.shopwoodfield.com or call (847) 330-1537. The official Web site of Woodfield, www.shopwoodfield.com also features an online gift guide, information about new merchandise, current sales, an interactive mall directory, and ready-to-print savings coupons. Web users can create a holiday wish list to be e-mailed to friends and family and sign up for a weekly Woodfield e-bulletin of news about favorite stores, events and special offers.
Woodfield Mall, located in Schaumburg, Ill., at Golf Road and Route 53, is easily accessible from key regional arteries I-290 and I-90. Holiday Valet Parking is available at designated mall entrances for a day-long fee of $6 (free for the physically challenged).