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The inaugural A
Holiday Tale took place in downtown Boise on December 7, 2002. On this
day, participating merchants contributed 10% of their sales to benefit
literacy, helping to raise money to support three non-profit literacy
organizations: Lee Pesky Learning Center, Learning Lab, and Reach Out and
Read.
Hosted by First
Lady Patricia Kempthorne, Mayor Brent Coles, Jane Oppenheimer, George
Harad, and Bronco Coach Dan Hawkins and his wife Misti, the event featured
carolers strolling the streets, celebrity readers and local actors
reading holiday tales in the stores, a group of cloggers, free candy canes
and balloons, and shoppers full of the holiday spirit.
In spite of record
cold temperatures, many people turned out to enjoy the festivities, and
everyone had a wonderful time. Volunteers on every street corner handed
out balloons and candy canes, explained the event and gave away schedules
for the entertainment.
Adam West, the
original Batman, entertained listeners with a humorous rendition of If
You Take a Mouse to the Movies, and Dan and Misti Hawkins demonstrated
excellent parenting skills by co-reading A Wish for Wings that Work,
a story about how Opus, the penguin, saved Christmas.
Sponsors for the event were Bank of America, Boise Cascade Corporation,
Boise State Radio, The Cantlon Family, McDonald’s, Oppenheimer
Companies, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, and The Idaho
Statesman.
Participating merchants were Bittercreek Alehouse, Book and Games, Cazba,
Expressions Furniture, Gino’s Italian Ristorante, Grape Escape Wine Bar
& Wine Shop, Hal Davis Jewelers, Kandor, Karen Louise Fashion
Boutique, Latta, Lavender, Moon’s Café, Half Moon’s Gift Shop,
Mosaics Wine Gallery, The Optical Shoppe, Piper Pub & Grill, Pollo Rey
Mexican Rotisserie, Scandia Down, and World Cycle.
Plans are underway
for next year’s event, which will be even bigger and better. Mark your
calendar now for December 6, 2003!
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