RSS feedIn Spite Of The Economy Santa Still Draws A Crowd at Bass Pro Shops
Springfield, Missouri – -(TheOutdoorWire.com)- Bass Pro Shops, America’s #1 outdoor retailer*, reports that thousands of customers turned out to see the arrival of Santa and the unveiling of the Santa’s Wonderland at the company’s 52 retail stores across the United States and Canada inclining one to think that people still believe in the magic of Christmas.
“We are extremely pleased to report that our stores saw an average 40% increase, compared to the same day last year, in customer count on Sunday, November 9th,” stated Larry Whiteley, Bass Pro Shops Communications Manager. “Apparently, people still believe in Santa Claus!”
Customers were treated to hot chocolate and cookies, children’s choirs and Dickens carolers and a special lighting ceremony. Santa arrived in a variety of ways from horse-drawn carriages and sleighs to antique fire trucks and boats. Once inside, Santa’s Wonderland was unveiled as a magical village comprised of elves, old-time model trains, remote control cars, a Red Ryder laser arcade, a soft gun range and activity tables where you can write a letter to Santa, color and do fun crafts every weekend. Of course Santa will be in residence there throughout the season and you can get your picture made with him–free!
“Definitely tell people to come see Santa’s Wonderland cause there’s a lot of stuff for the kids to do and they love it and it’s free!” said Angela Ferguson who was visiting the Bass Pro Shops store in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Mike Miller from Nixa, Missouri attended the preview night at the Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield, Missouri and said he could see the event becoming a family tradition.
Customer Jonathan Oglesby from Willard, Missouri who also attended the Springfield event agreed. “It’s done first class,” he said. “It’s an atmosphere for the kids and family to enjoy the holidays.”
Beginning this weekend, November 15th and 16th, and each Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 pm through December 21st, you can bring the kids to Santa’s Wonderland and enjoy free crafts like turning pine cones into ornaments, making hand-made paper chains, creating Santas out of fishing bobbers, constructing fun reindeer hats, changing candy canes into reindeer and even decorating cookies for Santa.
And, continuing the Christmas tradition of giving, while at Bass Pro Shops contribute a toy for the “Toys for the Kids” drive to benefit local children’s charities and contribute to the USO’s Operation Care Package and your local AMVETS organization.
Bass Pro Shops also has big plans for Black Friday. They will be holding their 2nd annual Great Turkey Campout Thanksgiving Day starting at 5:00 pm. Customers are invited to bring their tents and campout all night on the parking lot so they can be one of the first in line to enter the store the next morning.
From 5 pm – 8 pm they will be serving hot chocolate, coffee, and smores around the fire pits. Every half hour they will be drawing for gift cards and customers can also enter for a chance to win a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card and a $5,000 Shell gas card.
For more information go to www.basspro.com and click on your local store.
* As reported by Sporting Goods Business Magazine Via TheOutdoorWire.com
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