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

Online, October 19, 2011 (Newswire.com) - 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 Championshipand 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 theFamily 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.

Program Schedule*: What's Planned To See & Do

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011

5:00 p.m. ............................................Downtown Boca Bop Dress Rehearsal (open to public)
5:30 p.m. ............................................Line-Up For Downtown Boca Bop
6:00 p.m. ............................................Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony For Meet Me On
The Promenade
6:15 p.m. ............................................Debut of Downtown Boca Bop
6:30 p.m. ............................................Zumba Dance Performance
6:45 p.m. ............................................Grandview Preparatory School Dance
Academy: Hairspray and All That Jazz
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ......................BulleTt Band (Rock/Soul/Funk)
10:00 p.m. .........................................After Parties Begin At Dubliner at Mizner Park
featuring Bounce Band, Biergarten at Royal Palm Place, and Platforms on SE 1st Avenue

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

7:00 a.m. ..............................................Registration: American Cancer Society's 10th Annual Making Strides For Breast Cancer Walk
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. .........................Boca Raton Green Market, Royal Palm Place Monument Piazza
8:30 a.m. ..............................................American Cancer Society Cancer Walk Commences Through Downtown Boca
10:00 a.m. ............................................Official Opening of Meet Me On The Promenade Saturday Activities:

•Welcome Center Sponsored by Penn Florida Companies: Sanborn Square

• Downtown Boca Information Booths Sponsored Office Depot: Sanborn Square, East Palmetto Park Road, Royal Palm Place

• Three Entertainment Zones with music, dance and more from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• "Sip & Stroll Around Downtown Boca" Presented By Coldwell Banker Residential and Kaye Communications, Inc.: Self Discovery Tour of Downtown Boca's Shopping, Dining, Entertainment, Attractions, Promenade specials and Chances To Win Opportunities; registration required at Welcome Center and all Information Booths

• Cruz-N-Downtown Boca Exotic & Classic Car Show Organized by Cruz-N-America and Sponsored by Comerica Bank, HubGarage.com, and Sheehan Autoplex (Throughout Downtown Boca): more than 150 classic and exotic cars and speed boats showcased by serious collectors and enthusiasts spans the Promenade and its connecting areas from Royal Palm Place to the south end of Mizner Park

• Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance Showcase (Plaza Real South): featuring a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible,1965 Shelby Cobra 427, 1958 Pontiac Bonneville, 1964 Buick Riviera, 1963 Jaguar E Type Race Prepared and 1957 Chevy

• Family Zone, sponsored by Office Depot Foundation (Sanborn Square): featuring the Office Depot #14 Chevy Impala show car Driven by NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart, and interactive family programming and entertainment by the Boca Raton Children's Museum, bocaparent.com, Junior League of Boca Raton, South Florida Parenting and The Sun-Sentinel. Families will get souvenir photos next to the NASCAR show car and children can climb aboard a pirate ship, make their own pirate hat, participate in a cell phone scavenger hunt in Hogwarts' Confiscated Goods activities as CMN (Children's Museum Network) and Uncle Willy and his gang of young broadcasters conduct "Man on the Street" interviews through Sun Radio, the Museum's event sponsor. Families will learn tips on gardening and healthy eating, register for volunteerism with the Office Depot Foundation's Caring Connection, enjoy interacting with Balloon Masterz, and check out the U Cube Mobile Gaming Theater.

• Sports Zone sponsored by Allianz Championship (E Palmetto Park Rd and Federal Hwy): complete with driving range, fitness classes and more

• Art Attack Artists & Crafters Village Arts Expo Sponsored by Ram Realty (Plaza Real South): showcasing artisans and their distinctive art and crafts - paintings, furniture and sculpture to decorative tableware, photography, jewelry, fashion accessories/ clothes

• Gourmet Truck Expo (Curbside Throughout Downtown Boca): featuring more than 20 choices of casual, on-the-go gourmet curbside dining including Crepe Outdoors, Divan Bakery, Giuseppe's Italian Sausage, Kona Ice, Papas Tapas, Big Kahuna, Latin House Grill, Miso Hungry, Churromania, Red Koi and ShaoRoma.

• Community Corner Nonprofits Showcase (E Palmetto Park Rd and Federal Hwy): featuring a collection of the area's meaningful nonprofit and community organizations sharing their missions, updates on news and events, volunteer opportunities, initiatives and campaigns, and more

Health-Full Community Pavilion Sponsored by Dr. Peter S. Wohlgemuth, D.M.D., P.A., (Next To Sanborn Square): showcasing healthy choices, services, products, demos, health checks and screenings by some of the area's leading health and wellness organizations.
• Blood Drive By Blood Centers Of South Florida: 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Boca Raton Regional Hospital Mammovan: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

• Green Market (Royal Palm Place): featuring fresh locally-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs; juices; potted orchids; fresh-cut flowers; assorted plants; baked goods; prepared foods; oils and vinegars; gourmet foods; hydroponic and organic foods; fresh fish, seafood, and pasta; soaps and lotions; doggie treats.

• Celebrate Art! at the Boca Raton Museum of Art (Mizner Park): at the Boca Raton Museum of Art...offering free admission from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a family celebration that engages the child in all of us, by playing and learning about 2-D and 3-D artworks on exhibition in the Museum. Museum-goers will discover creative workstations where they will make their own masterpieces, create playful word games, and more!

• ArtScape (Mizner Park): Featuring a celebration of art with sidewalk painting, caricature artists, illustrators, and interactive creative workshop where artists of all ages and skill levels can color, draw, sketch, and paint.

• Yaacov Heller Gallery 22 In Association with Red Carpet Auction Events (Royal Palm Place): featuring silent and live on-site and online auctions of jewelry and collectables from world-class artists; appearance by American Idol's Brett Loewenstern and performances by Rotary Club of Boca Raton's Future Stars Finalists.

• Segway Tours Throughout Downtown Boca sponsored by Verizon Wireless Cellular Sales (E Palmetto Park Rd and Federal Hwy): registration on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Verizon Wireless Cellular Sales Mobile Center

• Historic Downtown Boca guided and self-walking tours hosted by the Boca Raton Historical Society (Welcome Center/Sanborn Square): Register early for tour scheduled at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; for self-tours pick up map at information booths

• "Picture Downtown Boca" open photography competition exhibition presented by South Florida Sunrise in association with the Boca Raton Museum of Art and Multi Image Group (Welcome Center/Sanborn Square)

ENTERTAINMENT ZONES*:

MAIN STAGE-SANBORN SQUARE
10:00 a.m. ............................................West Boca Jazz Band
11:00 a.m. ............................................Rising Stars Gymnastics
2:00 p.m. ..............................................SOL Children Theatre Troupe
3:00 p.m. ..............................................Grandview Preparatory School Dance Academy: Hairspray; All That Jazz
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. .........................."Dancin' Through The Decades": Solid Gold band-Rock 'N Roll, Motown and Disco
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ..........................Rotary Club of Boca Raton Future Stars
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ........................"Dancin' Through The Decades": Solid Gold band and Fred Astaire Dance Studio '80s, '90s and Today

ENTERTAINMENT ZONE II
(East Palmetto Park Road Center Stage)
• Sponsored by Linda Alfieri, Nail Depot, La Stellas, Pure Hair and Spa, Cohen Window Fashions, Palm Beach Charters, Premier Real Estate,
Interface Talent and Modeling Agency
10:00 a.m. ............................................Fear Factor Host Stacey Steele - Opening Show
10:00 a.m. ............................................DJ, with Classic Rock Band, Bobby Kent(Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett Songs)
10:30 a.m. ............................................Introducing Businesses on Palmetto Park Rd
11:00 a.m. ............................................Mini Makeover by Linda Alfieri
11:30 a.m. ............................................Kids' Zumba Performance
12:00 Noon ..........................................SHOWTIME Performing Arts Theatre
• Presenting songs and scenes from Disney's timeless favorite, BEAUTY and the BEAST. Come meet Belle, the Beast, Gaston and other beloved characters!
• Introducing "SHOWSTOPPERS" Performance Troupe presenting Broadway song and dance selections from The Who's TOMMY, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, ROCK OF AGES and more!
1:00 p.m. ..............................................DJ and Dancing
1:30 p.m. ..............................................60 Minute Makeover with Linda Alfieri - Showcasing Wigs and Hair Extensions
3:00 p.m. ..............................................MAIN EVENT: Runway Fashion Show Featuring Neighborhood Businesses
4:00 p.m. ..............................................Fear Factor Host Stacey Steele Performing Broadway Show Tunes and Showcasing Businesses
5:00 p.m. ..............................................Serpentines Rock and Roll Cover Band - Classic Rock
6:00 p.m. ..............................................Nail Depot - Fabulous Nail Art on Stage
7:00 p.m. ..............................................Bobby Kent - Crooning to the sounds of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett
8:00 p.m. ..............................................Ballroom Dancing the Night Away

ENTERTAINMENT ZONE III
(East Palmetto Park Road and 4th Street)
12 Noon - 3:00 p.m. ..........................Jimmy Stowe and The Stowaways

WRMF (SPORTS ZONE AREA/PALMETTO PARK ROAD NEXT TO INFORMATION BOOTH)
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ........................WRMF Street Team, DJ and Music
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ........................Personal Appearance by WRMF Morning DJ Deena Lang

*Subject To Change; For schedule updates and more details, visit www.downtownboca.org.

Founding sponsors of Meet Me On The Promenade include Premier sponsors: Boca Raton Resort & Club (Friday Night Host), Verizon Wireless Cellular Sales South Florida (Downtown Boca Segway Tours Sponsor), and Office Depot (Small Business Partner); Gold sponsors: Office Depot Foundation (Family Zone Host), Boca Raton Regional Hospital (Welcome Bag Sponsor),Ram Realty Services (Art Attack Artists & Crafters Village Art Expo Sponsor), Investments Limited/Royal Palm Place (Trolley Sponsor), GGP/Mizner Park (Trolley Sponsor), Penn Florida Companies (Welcome Center Host), Fred Astaire Dance Studio-Boca Raton (Official Downtown Boca Dance Studio and Presenter of the Official Downtown Boca Bop Line Dance), Kaye Communications, Inc. (Programming Development Partner, A Sip & Stroll Presenting Sponsor), Multi-Image Group (Official AV Sponsor) Boca Raton Museum of Art and South Florida Sunrise (Presenter of "Picture Downtown Boca" Photography Competition); Silver sponsors: Coldwell Banker Residential (A Sip & Stroll Presenting Sponsor), Comerica Bank (A Presenting Sponsor of Cruz-N-Downtown Boca), HubGARAGE.com (A Presenting Sponsor of Cruz-N-Downtown Boca), Allianz Championship (Sports Zone Sponsor), Dr. Peter S. Wohlgemuth, D.M.D., P.A. (Health-Full Community Pavilion), Sheehan Autoplex, American Fine Wine Competition, Palm Beach Outdoor Cinema Events (Programming Sponsor), Tucci's Fire N Coal Pizza (VIP Tent), LivingFLA.com, and Bocaraton.com; "Friends of Downtown Boca" sponsors: Habitat For Humanity (Programming Sponsor), Kimley-Horn & Associates, and Boca Raton Travel & Cruises.

Community Partners to date include: Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and American Cancer Society-South Palm Beach Unit. Media sponsors includes but is not limited to Forum Publications and its City Link, South Florida Parenting and Boca Piquant publications; WRMF Radio; Boca Raton Tribune, bocaparent.com, South Florida Sunrise, Coastal Star, and Boca Observer.

Programming partners to date include: Cruz-N-America, Boca Raton Children's Museum, Boca Raton Historical Society, Allianz Championship, Junior League of Boca Raton, SOL Children's Theatre Troupe, Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways, Gallery 22, Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton, Boca Raton Concours d' Elegance/Boys & Girls Club of Broward County, Habitat For Humanity, Beehive Fitness, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, Florida Atlantic University, Rising Stars Gymnastics, Boca Raton Travel & Cruises, Rotary Club of Boca Raton "Future Stars", West Boca High School Jazz Band, SHOWTIME Performing Arts Theatre, Solid Gold Music, and Segway Tours of Delray Beach.

For more information and all there is to see and do, visit www.downtownboca.org.