By TODD BLACKINTON
todd@du2.byu.edu
The opening of the new Provo Towne Centre will not be just a one-day event. The opening day and the eleven days following are filled with prizes and activities for children and adults.
Starting Oct. 30, the Disney store will sponsor the appearances of many of their well-known characters. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Dopey will show up to meet the kids and interact with them.
Snow White and Belle will also be involved in storytelling. On Oct. 30 and Nov. 2, these two characters will tell stories and spend time meeting and greeting the children on Storybook Island inside the mall. Disney characters together with children is often a good reason to bring the camera.
The Provo Towne Centre will also host Halloween activities for the children. Between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., kids can get their face painted. There will also be a costume contest at Treasure Island at 5 p.m.
A magic show will entertain children on opening day. Paul Brewer will perform his magic show at 12 p.m. in center court. Brewer has performed throughout the United States and Asia. He is also responsible for the magical atmosphere at the 49th Street Galleria, now the Fun Dome, when it opened.
Tiffany Hardy, a 24-year-old mother of two from Orem, said the activities the mall has planned are good for children.
'These are the kinds of things kids like. We'll definitely go down. It's good the mall is trying to market to the family. These activities make the parents want to shop with their kids,' she said.
For the adults, every day is a new adventure. Each day after the opening has a different theme. These include a tour from the Hawaiian Islands, Treasure Island and the British Isles, as well as a 1950s day. Each day's activities and prizes are centered around a theme.
On the Hawaiian Islands day, there will be all kinds of Luau activities. For the British Isles day, the mall will feature Scottish entertainment and Nova Scotian singing and dancing.
The 50s day will have a car display and the UVSC jazz band. There will also be a 50s dance contest and a dress-up contest for those with the best 50s outfit.
Justin Marcucci, a 23-year-old senior from Littleton, Colo., majoring in finance, said the prizes make him want to check out the new mall.
'Initially, I thought the mall idea was childish. However, the temptations of these prizes encourage me to recant my prejudices,' he said.
For those who cannot be at the grand opening for the record-setting activities, the mall is extending its opening for eleven days after.