HUNTSVILLE — Everything is coming up platinum at Parkway Place Mall this weekend as the city’s first and oldest shopping experience throws an open house and 20th anniversary bash.
Abracadabra! Professional Magician Lance Johnson will perform a magic show to kick off the celebration at noon Saturday. He will do more than pull a rabbit out of the hat, although that is always a lot of fun to watch, too.
At 12:30 p.m., local artist Jessie Andrews, known on social media as Honey Blood Art, will unveil her newest mural and hold a meet and greet session.
Parkway Place will also announce several retailers coming to the mall in 2023.
This weekend’s 20th anniversary party also celebrates the transformation of what was an aging “strip mall” in 2002, into one of the community’s favorite multifloor shopping destinations, according to Tori Dean, marketing director for mall-owner CBL Properties.
“In 1998, CBL Properties acquired the old Parkway City Mall, and the vision of today’s Parkway Place Mall began to develop,” Dean said. “People have a lot of fond memories of the property and we’ve had a number of transformations in the retail footprint since then.
“We are looking forward to continuing to be a place for our community to gather, make memories, and show off their style for years to come.”
She also said CBL Properties has been involved in the redevelopment of the mall for 50 of the property’s more than 60-year history, dating back to renovations following the 1974 tornadoes.
Also on the schedule for Saturday is:
- Free face painting and a balloon artist from 1-3 p.m.
- Storytime and free photos with the Christmas Grouch & Little Who from 1-3 p.m.
- Freeze modeling with local models from the PAMA Agency from 1-3 p.m.
- Music by Lowery Riethmaier from 1-4 p.m.
- That’s the way the cookie … uh … cake crumbles with a decorating session featuring an 8-foot Great American Cookie Cake from 12-4 p.m. Free slices afterward!
- A 20-year throwback to a 2002 Photo Challenge to win $25 gift cards
