Downtown Boca Raton Celebrates Its Inaugural “Meet Me On The Promenade” Festival October 21-22

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct. 19, 2011 - Area residents and visitors are putting on their dancin' and walkin' shoes and planning  to head out to Meet Me On The Promenade: Downtown Boca this Friday and Saturday, October 21st and 22nd for a free, family friendly street-fillin’ two-night, one-day fest showcasing Downtown Boca's best, complete with a jam-packed schedule of free live entertainment, activities, attractions, and shopping and dining deals for the entire family at this first-ever festival. There will be plenty of free parking with complimentary trolleys to take event-goers around to key activity areas.

Friday, October 21st- Opening Festivities At Sanborn Square Abounds

With the evening hosted by the Boca Raton Resort & Club, there will be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by "dancin’ in the streets" on Friday night with hundreds participating in the debut of the “Official” Downtown Boca Bop community line dance choreographed by Fred Astaire Dance Studio—Boca Raton at 6 p.m., immediately followed by live performances by Zumba instructors, Grandview Preparatory School Dance Academy, and BulleTt band playing rock, soul, and funk with the popular Gourmet Truck Expo serving up curbside. At 10 p.m. the fun continues with great “after parties” held at the Dubliner Irish Restaurant & Bar in Mizner Park featuring live music by the Tolerance band, Platforms Dance Club on SE 1st Avenue, and Biergarten at Royal Palm Place.

All area residents, businesses (large and small) and their employees, business associations, nonprofit memberships, schools and university student bodies, sports teams and cheerleaders are encouraged to don their organizations’ branded t-shirts and come out and show their spirit and support of Downtown Boca by participating in the Official Downtown Boca Bop community line dance. All are invited to be part of this fun, family friendly all-inclusive community opening ceremony in and about Sanborn Square — at the heart of the Promenade — as together they will dance through the Promenade led by the Fred Astaire Dance Studio instructors and community dance leaders. A $500 prize will be given to the school with the most participation; must have at least 25 students, parents, teachers and supporters wearing their school shirts to be eligible.

To learn and practice at home, work or school, Downtown Boca Boppers can take video lessons posted at downtownboca.org, Downtown Boca Facebook, YouTube and www.bocadance.com. An open-to-the-public dress rehearsal for anyone who wants to participate in the Downtown Boca Bop begins at 5:00 p.m.  Click here to register groups, businesses and organizations in advance for premium positions.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22ND

COME EARLY, STAY LATE WHERE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE WAITS

Saturday will kick-off with the American Cancer Society’s 10th Annual Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at 8:30 a.m. (registration opens 7 a.m.) followed by a full day of Meet Me On the Promenade “stay and play” through Downtown Boca. Upon arrival, event-goers should stop by one of the Downtown Boca information booths or the Welcome Center to register for the day’s Sip & Stroll Around Downtown Boca self-discovery tour to take advantage of the great Promenade event shopping and dining deals, register for chances to win, and enjoy complimentary refreshments and samplings, special showings and trunk shows served up at salons and spas, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, giveaways, and more.

Rev It Up At Car Lovers Paradise

As attendees stroll from the south end of Royal Palm Place to north end of Mizner Park, they will enjoy the Cruz-N-Downtown Boca classic and exotic car show featuring the one-of-a-kind 1974 DeTomaso Pantera with a 427 horsepower engine (awarded “Best in Show” at the 4th Barrett-Jackson of Palm Beach Cruise) as its show car, and the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance showcase featuring rare, soon-to-be-auctioned cars: a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible,1965 Shelby Cobra 427,1958 Pontiac Bonneville,1964 Buick Riviera,1963 Jaguar E Type Race Prepared, and1957 Chevy.

Sports Zone Offers Important Tips And Fitness Activities

Then be sure to stop by the Sports Zone and try out your swing at the driving range hosted by Allianz Championship and fitness classes/demos by the YMCA of South Palm Beach County, Beehive Fitness and Zumba instructors at the Sports Zone.

Fun Abounds At The Family Zone

Families won’t want to miss getting their photo taken next to the #14 Office Depot Chevrolet Impala driven by NASCAR Star Tony Stewart and onboard the pirate ship docked at the Family Zone in Sanborn Square where children can take part in interactive programming by Boca Raton Children’s Museum created by Museum Imagineer Adrian St. Cyr of Boston Tombs and Washington D.C. Museum fame that includes a cannon shoot, face painting, games and other activities that include a cell phone scavenger hunt in play with the Boca Raton Kiwanis Club; Hogwarts’ Confiscated Goods organized by Mae Volen Friends and CMN (Children’s Museum Network) and Uncle Willy and his gang of young broadcasters conducting “Man on the Street” interviews through Sun Radio, the Museum’s event sponsor.

Bocaparent.com will be featuring Balloon Masterz who will not only be making fun hats and shapes, he puts on a show that mesmerizes “kids of all ages” as he creates large character versions that will be given away in a drawing every hour. The Sun-Sentinel will be bringing out its popular bounce house and South Florida Parenting will be sponsoring “pirate hat designing”. The Junior League of Boca Raton will share gardening and cooking tips for kids, how families can participate in the organization’s Community Garden, and updates on its Kids In The Kitchen initiative. Before you leave this area, you will learn tips on gardening and healthy eating by the Junior League, and can sign-up for family volunteerism opportunities offered by Office Depot Foundation’s Caring Connection and get a free slap koozie and bottle of water.

From North To South And In Between—There Is Plenty to Discover

Then be sure to check out the popular curbside Gourmet Truck Expo that will line the Promenade streets, the Boca Raton Greenmarket at Royal Palm Place, the Art Attack Artists and Crafters Village Expo Plaza Real South; register for free Segway tours at the Verizon Wireless Cellular Sales mobile center on East Palmetto Park Road, guided and self-tours of Historic Downtown Boca presented by the Boca Raton Historical Society starting from the Welcome Center, or enjoy a free afternoon at the Boca Raton Museum of Art at Mizner Park or sidewalk painting and other arts activities as part of ArtScape programming at various locations at Mizner Park.

Non-stop LIVE Entertainment Throughout Downtown Boca

Ongoing entertainment includes The WRMF Street Team with morning DJ DEENA LANG stopping by between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and live entertainment throughout the Promenade by Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways, the Solid Gold band, Fred Astaire Dance Studio instructors, and performances by Showtime Children’s Performing Arts Theatre, Sol Children’s Theater, Boca Raton Rotary Club Future Stars finalists, Grandview Preparatory School Dance Academy, street bands, and more.

For full event schedule, visit www.downtownboca.org or click here.