Mall to add festival to fireworks
By Laura Collins
Published in News on May 25, 2010 1:46 PM
This year's Fourth of July festivities will bring a brand new schedule of events to Berkeley Mall.
In addition to its annual fireworks show, which will take place on July 3, there will be vendors and a BMX stunt show in the front parking lot and a "sidewalk sale" and live music inside the mall beforehand.
"Fireworks shows are such a popular event around the Fourth. It's a chance to be outside, watch a show and enjoy family time," said Jan Luttrell, mall general manager, marketing and leasing director.
Mrs. Luttrell said adding the festival to the annual fireworks display benefits the mall and the community.
"In the past years, it was just fireworks and there wasn't anything else inside or outside. There wasn't anything to drive customers into the mall, except the bathrooms," she said. "The sidewalk sale gives our stores a chance to have clearance merchandise on racks outside the store. It also helps parents that come early to watch the fireworks. It gives them something to do. I know sitting and waiting for fireworks can be a challenge to keep your kids occupied."
In addition to the sidewalk sale and music inside the mall, there will also be a moon bounce for children and a Berenstain Bears orchestra.
There will be mostly food vendors outside, in addition to some small business vendors. Mrs. Luttrell is still looking for vendors, and anyone interested should call the mall at 778-4616.
At 9 p.m., the mall will close and the fireworks show will start and last 20-30 minutes.
Debbie Talton, owner of From the Heart, a gift shop inside the mall, said she's looking forward to the upcoming festivities.
"We're real excited. It gives people a place to go that's family-oriented," she said. "There's stuff for children and adults to do. It's an event like going to the county fair, but you're going in July instead of October. There'll be something out here for the whole family to do."
She added that it also has the potential of increasing business in the mall.
"The sidewalk sale will bring people in because they'll get a bargain and it gives us a chance to get rid of things so we can order new things," she said. "We love anything that draws people to the mall. We're a merchant that's very interested in the mall and the well-being of the mall."