Summer in February
Kickoff 'Fun in the Sun' event set for Saturday
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Get out of the cold and onto the beach as Eastern Hills Mall once again presents its popular Summer in February event.

Families can "hit the beach" starting this Saturday, Feb. 16 and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 24.

"Children 12 and under can enjoy the giant beach area, located near the food court," according to Megan Wagner, marketing manager for the mall. "The beach is complete with sandboxes, picnic tables, sand toys and a bright and cheerful wall mural created to evoke summer memories of sand, surf and sunny days ... we have everything except the water."

Summer in February will kick off with a "Fun in the Sun" celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. this Saturday.

"Children and their families can enjoy games such as the beanbag toss, alligator alley and pluck a duck," Wagner said. "Children will receive a game card to be punched at all of our games during Fun in the Sun as well as a plastic-mesh bag to hold all their prizes."

Throughout the week every child will receive a free jumbo coloring book when visiting Mall Services, located in center court. To receive their free gift, children must show their "Kids Club" membership card.

"Kids Club is free to join and allows children to receive the latest information on exciting events and happenings at the mall," Wagner added.

The celebration will continue with a "Beach Party" and the ice cream eating contest on Saturday, Feb 23.

"The ice cream eating contest will begin at noon and is for those 18 years and older," Wagner explained. "Perrywinkle from Perry's Ice Cream will be on hand to cheer on the contestants and the grand-prize winner will receive a $100 gift card to the mall."

The party will continue until 3 p.m. with music from DJ Dennis of CJ Sound and more contests with prizes, including a gift card to Dave & Buster's and a special appearance from Buster Bison, mascot of the Buffalo Bisons,who will dance and entertain children.

"This is a great way for the entire family to forget the winter

blues and have some 'fun in the sun' with our homemade beach and everything the mall has to offer," Wagner said.

The beach is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The mall is located at 4545 Transit

Road, near Main

Street. For more information, visit www.shopeasternhills. com or contact the mall at 633-1600.