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ROYAL OAK ? If free parking and the 11th annual Holiday Magic Parade aren?t enough to bring families downtown on Sunday, business owners are hoping a new event where they offer special deals and activities will.
During Parade-a-Palooza, about 40 restaurateurs and retailers will roll out the red carpet for everyone coming to welcome the man in the red suit.
The parade starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, which is a new day and time. For its first decade, the procession that brings 20,000 people to Washington Avenue was on a Saturday morning.
Parade-a-Palooza, which will go from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is designed to give parade-goers reasons to come early and stay late. Children under the age of 12 will eat free at 10 restaurants and merchants are having sales, activities and giveaways.
Michele Beck, owner of That Girl Resale, 738 S. Washington, will give ?Indian corn on a stick? to children who draw a picture or write what they are grateful for and put it on the store Thanksgiving tree starting at 1 p.m.
?It?s yummy,? Beck said of the lollipop-like treat made of popcorn, nuts and fruits held together with sugar.
Her shop is usually closed on Sundays because it is such a slow day for retailers.
?That and I need a day off,? Beck added.
Shopkeepers asked for the parade to be moved to a Sunday, when parking is free, to increase foot traffic on their down day and finally it is happening, said Gary Baglio, owner of Five15 Mojo and president of the Royal Oak Retailers Association.
?We?ve been asking for this for four years because Saturday is already a good day for us and it makes sense to do it on a day when parking is free,? he said. ?People won?t have to rush to their cars and plug meters, so we hope they stick around.?
His store is discounting Christmas ornaments 25 percent. Shoppers also will find 25 percent off outerwear at Rise and 20 percent off cards at Pronto Corner Store, jumbo rolls of gift wrap at Write Impressions, hand-made jewelry at Noir Leather and pottery at Creative Art Studio.
Mar Vela Boutique is giving out candy. Children can make a card for $1 at Stella Boutique.
?I bought stickers and all kinds of scrapbook decorations and have envelopes so kids and adults can make something special,? owner Linda Isrow said. ?We?re going to have snacks, too, and if someone buys an ornament they can personalize it for free.?
Isrow said Sundays are hit or miss for her and have been quiet lately.
?We?re supposed to have good weather Sunday so I hope a lot of people stop in,? she said.
Dog owners often walk their best friends downtown during parades and next door to Stella Boutique they can get holiday pet photos for $5 at Bingo Pet Salon, which is donating all the proceeds to charity.
After the parade, children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus from 3-5 p.m. at Emagine Theater, 200 N. Main, where little ones under 12 will eat free at Star Lanes. A shuttle will be stationed at Fifth and Lafayette streets to take parade-goers to the theater just east of 11 Mile Road.
Kids under 12 will eat free at BlackFinn, 530 S. Main; Blue Jeans Bar, 412 S. Washington; Caf? Muse, 418 S. Washington; Cantina Diablo?s, 100 S. Main; Fifth Avenue, 215 W. Fifth; Lily?s Seafood, 410 S. Washington; Pizzeria Biga, 711 S. Main; Red Fox Tavern, 100 S. Main, above Cantina Diablo?s; and Rock on Third, 112 E. Third.
?Have breakfast or lunch, watch the parade and check things out,? Baglio said. ?Make a day of it.?
All participating businesses will have a Parade-a-Palooza poster in the window and should have a bouquet of balloons out front.
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