‘Freebies’ could draw crowds to Paseo Nuevo

By RAY ESTRADA — Dec. 4, 2009

The operators of Santa Barbara’s downtown outdoor mall are promoting an event that will allow patrons to open their presents before Christmas.

As part of its Freebie Fridays holiday program, Paseo Nuevo is hosting “Friday Free for All,” a Dec. 11 race to unwrap more than 500 packages in an effort to find hidden prizes.

“Let’s be honest – it’s every kid and kid at heart’s dream come true – a mountain of glittering wrapped packages ready to be torn into with a flurry of flying paper,” said Kevala Kenna, with Macerich, the  company that runs Paseo Nuevo and La Cumbre Plaza.

Shoppers who go to the outdoor mall’s holiday tree, 651 Paseo Nuevo, between 4 and 4:29 p.m. will be able to enter to win one of three chances to go head-to-head in a competition to find up to $500 in American Express GIVE Gift Cards.

Winners will be announced and race will begin at 4:30 p.m., Kenna said.

For the first 50 people that attend, a $10 donation will be made toward Angels Bearing Gifts, a South Coast charity that provides holiday presents to those with developmentally disabilities.

For more information, rules, terms and conditions, call the mall’s Customer Service Desk at (805) 963-7147.

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Christmas tree, not holiday tree : 12/4/2009

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Those with issues with the word "holiday" versus "Christmas" : 12/4/2009

Get over it. The word Christmas is in the article, as is the word "holiday". What do you have against the word "holiday" anyway? Do you not know that it means "holy day"? So to say "happy holidays" is to say "happy holy days". How does that dishonor your religious belief and tradition? And, besides, the tree tradition was taken from older, "pagan" traditions, as are many of your Christian holiday traditions. And do you not realize that there is more than one holiday happening this time of year? Christians, believe it or not, are not the only people in this country or in this world.

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tired.. : 12/4/2009

Seriously, you have issues and what's wrong with Ross?

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