By Gabbi Spivey
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— Stones River Mall in Murfreesboro kicked off the holiday season by launching a brand new event on Nov. 14 featuring complimentary cookies and cocoa, live performances, special appearances, and the lighting of a 25-foot Christmas tree.Children of all ages attended "Lights Up" at Stones River Mall located at 1720 Old Fort Parkway, despite the below-freezing temperatures. After enjoying the free cookies and cocoa, families were encouraged to go inside the mall and listen to Middle Tennessee State University’s Steel Drum Band play island-style Christmas tunes. The band was an especially huge hit with the children. More than 10 of them were right in front of the stage dancing and laughing with the director. While waiting to go back outside, other attendees enjoyed shopping at some of the mall’s biggest store like “Dillards”, “Agaci” and “Forever 21”.
Around 6:45 p.m., attendees were asked to go outside to await special guests. As children lined the sidewalk, Santa arrived on a horse carriage accompanied by Mrs. Clause, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty. One child was so excited, he pushed through all the other kids making his way to the front and jumped on Santa to hug him. Santa and his friends posed for pictures with kids and gave them all free lollipops from the “North Pole”.
“ I really didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised with the turnout,” said Justin Robbins, an attendee of the event.
At exactly 6:59 p.m., the disc jockey started a countdown starting with 10. As the crowd anxiously anticipated (when everyone yelled “one!”) the 25-foot tree lit up and everyone cheered.
“We were so excited to introduce this new event at Stones River Mall,” said Melinda Hudgins Norbitt, marketing manager for Stones River Mall.
The community came together and succeeded in creating fun-filled memories for families and officially starting the holidays.
Other 2014 holiday events at the mall will include Click witd Ol’ Saint Nick on Dec 1-24th; Paws and Claus on Dec 1st , 8th and 15th; and Breakfast and Pajama Party with Santa on Dec 6th. For more information visit www.stonesrivermall.com
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