Free holiday event to include top toys of 2012, appearances from Elfie and other characters, food and holiday arts and crafts
Come to Wonder Works' 2nd annual holiday festival, Elfstravaganza on Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 10:00am-4:00pm at Wonder Works in Mount Pleasant located at 624 D Long Point Road in the Belle Hall Shopping Center. Admission is free to the public. Elfstravaganzakicks-off the holiday season for the community with the top toys of 2012, holiday themed activities, holiday treats and refreshments, guest appearances from Elfie and other characters and a book signing with the author of The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition. This holiday event is held on “Neighborhood Toy Store Day,” where toy stores across the country celebrate the joy and magic of play and the holidays while giving back to their area communities. Donations at this year’s Elfstravaganza will be accepted to benefit Hugs for Harper, Keys for Hope, Blessings for Becky and Samaritan’s Purse.
Elfstravaganza will showcase all of the top toys for the 2012 holiday season, some of which are only available at Wonder Works. Seven national toy companies including Laser Pegs, Calico Critters, Monkeez, Popar Toys and Glimmer Body Art will also showcase their newest toys of the season. Every child in attendance will receive a free toy.
Carol Aebersold, the author of The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition will do a book signing from 11:00 am – 1:00pm while complimentary pictures with the book’s beloved main character, Elfie, will be available all day. Mrs. Fisher Cat and Monkeez Super Sammy will also be present and available for pictures. Children may participate in several holiday-themed activities such as ornament decorating, writing and decorating letters to Santa, decorating cookies, and receive holiday glitter tattoos. The event will include free boiled peanuts from Hubee-D’s and free holiday refreshments including cupcakes, cookies and more provided by Harris Teeter.
“Last year over 1,500 people attended Elfstravaganza. It was such a great turnout, we knew we wanted to make this an annual event!” said Osborne. “Elfstravaganza celebrates the spirit of the holidays from sweet treats and toys to seasonal activities and helping those who are truly in need.”
During Elfstravaganza Keys for Hope will sell decorated keys to raise money to help with the construction of Crisis Ministries’ new homeless shelter and soup kitchen. Other charities will be accepting donations including Hugs for Harper, which raises money for MUSC’s Pediatric Oncology Research in honor of Harper Drolet, a 13-year-old girl Wonder Works supported through her battle with a rare form of soft-tissue cancer who passed away in 2011, and Blessings for Becky, a fund created in honor of late Wonder Works employee Beck Moran who recently passed away of colon cancer which helps offset the family’s inherited medical expenses and increases awareness of colon cancer. Wonder Works will also introduce Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan’s Purse program that helps people in need throughout the world.