13th Annual Holiday on Halsted Offers Two Days of Merry Festivities

CHICAGO (November 2007)-It's never to early to start that holiday shopping and the 13th Annual Holiday on Halsted, noon to 5 p.m. December 1 and 2, is the right way to begin. Hosted by the Northalsted Area Merchants Association (NAMA), Holiday on Halsted takes place along Chicago's lively North Halsted Street between Briar and Irving Park Road (3100 North to 4000 North).

Appropriate for all ages, attendees will enjoy entertainment from "David the Balloon Man," the hilarious Buttons T. Clown and a colorful, animated Christmas tree. Appearing at the Holiday on Halsted tented headquarters at Halsted and Roscoe will be special guest star, Santa Claus, who will greet visitors and be available for photos. Remarkable face painter Amanda Cohen of Fine Point Productions, known for her elaborate face and body designs, also will return for this year's holiday event. Families will enjoy the singing carolers as they stroll along the festively decorated North Halsted Street.

Stop by the headquarters to enjoy complimentary refreshments including cookies, snacks, hot cocoa and cider. As guests visit each participating business, they'll find additional holiday treats. Holiday on Halsted participants have the chance to enter an exclusive drawing on December 2 with a number of unique prizes. The grand prize at this year's event is a pair of airline tickets, courtesy of American Airlines, valid anywhere in the continental United States where American Airlines flies. Other prizes include store merchandise, gift certificates and goody bags donated from favorite Halsted Street businesses like Ann Sather, Arco de Cuchilleros, Firefly, Sidetrack and more.

In order to participate in the prize drawing, attendees must pick up a "passport" from the Holiday on Halsted headquarters or any participating NAMA retailer. To be eligible for the drawing, participants must have their passports stamped at each of the following NAMA businesses: Batteries Not Included, Bobby Love's, Bucks Saloon, Chicago Diner, Cold Stone Creamery, Gay Mart, The Gourmet Grape, Horizon Café, Kozy's Cyclery, Pie Hole Pizza, R.J.'s Video, Shel-don Chicago and the Holiday on Halsted headquarters. After collecting a stamp at all participating retailers, entrants will return the completed passport to the event headquarters, where the prize drawing will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 2. Winners need not be present to collect prizes, and no purchase is necessary to win. The winner, however, must be at least 21 years old to enter, and owners and employees of NAMA businesses are not eligible to participate.

With more prizes than ever before, the 13th Annual Holiday on Halsted celebration is sure to attract families and individuals alike to celebrate the winter holidays, and explore the North Halsted Street shopping and business district. For more information about this year's holiday event, please visit www.northalsted.com or contact R.J. Chaffin at (773) 871-1810.

North Halsted Street offers shoppers some of Chicago's trendiest stores, featuring men's and women's clothing, home and novelty items. The Northalsted Area Merchants Association represents 80 businesses along Chicago's Halsted Street corridor. NAMA works diligently throughout the year to maintain the North Halsted business community as a friendly, exciting and diverse shopping and entertainment area. NAMA's activities throughout the years have established it as an organization of prominence within the City of Chicago, the Lakeview community and the media. For further details about NAMA, visit www.northalsted.com or call the office at (773) 883-0500.
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