Santa, Bugs Bunny share top billing at Woodfield play park debut
The arrival of Santa Claus at Woodfield Shopping Center always comes as big news, but on Friday, he had to share top billing with the likes of Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird.
Is nothing sacred?
The upstaging was part of the plan by officials at the Schaumburg mall, who wanted to maximize the number of children on hand when they unveiled their new, interactive Looney Tunes Play Park, located outside Macy's.
Consequently, when marketing director Lisa Stricker announced someone was coming, children turned their heads to see not Santa, but Bugs Bunny, decked out in a tuxedo for the bash, with Tweety Bird just behind him.
The whimsical characters posed for photos with youngsters, before mall management and representatives from Alexian Brothers Children's Hospital, who are sponsoring the park, formally cut the ribbon on the play park.
"In light of childhood obesity, we couldn't think of a better way to promote healthy, active living," said Marcy Traxler, Alexian Pediatrics Specialty Group director.
In the play area, kids can climb aboard a super-sized teeter totter with Yosemite Sam, jump in a raft with Pepe Le Pew and his girlfriend, Fifi La Fume, and play hopscotch with the Tasmanian Devil.
Parents gave the colorful "playscape" rave reviews and said it was a long time coming.
"This is great. With the winter months coming, it gives the kids something to do," said Katie Hilldebrand of Rolling Meadows as her 1-year old Ella toddled around. "Normally, I don't bring the kids when I go to the mall, but now I will."
Likewise, Ula Jivkov of Des Plaines and daughter Mia, 3, said they loved to see all the characters incorporated into the park.
"I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I come here once or twice a week to hang out," Jivkov said. "I love it, just love it."
Parents also found three Alexian Brothers interactive workstations in front of the new play area. They provide information on a variety of health topics through accessing the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network Web site.
"A play park has been the No.-1 thing requested by our patrons for years," said Woodfield General Manager Marc Strich. "This has been in the works for nearly six years, between working with our corporate partners, so we're absolutely delighted to be opening it today."
Just as the children were allowed into the 1,600-square-foot play area, the rumble of drums grabbed their attention.
From out of nowhere, the Conant High School drum line appeared, looking every bit like toy soldiers, marching to the beat of their cadences and leading Santa himself into the center court area.
The procession wove its way around the mall before leading shoppers back to the Comcast Connections Court, where the 28-foot holiday tree, surrounded by a model train layout and three 6-foot Snow Globes have created a winter wonderland.
This year's display takes its cue from "The Polar Express," and includes three-dimensional scenes from the movie, life-size sculptures of characters from the film and an interactive train engine room, with realistic rumbling and movement effects.