The Polar Express came to town on Friday (Nov. 19) amidst snowfall at The Promenade. And just as the story reveals special gifts at Christmas time, so did Westfield Santa Anita hand out $10,000 to local charity organizations. A special Loco-Motions train can be seen (and ridden) chugging around the shops at Westfield Santa Anita this holiday season for a fee, past giant billboard-size images from the movie based on the award-winning children’s story hung around the south end open area. Hourly snowfall each night accentuates the experience imagined and coordinated by Westfield marketing director Amanda Glover. <Story continues below the following 2 1/2-minute video highlights of Friday’s event.>
Get the Flash Player to see this content.
A train conductor will share the Polar Express story during two weekday story time walks for free past all the images that look like paintings, and the movie itself will be screened for free at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, weather permitting.
Results of a new contest to have customers vote for their favorite local charity at the annual Westfield Works Wonders charity event Friday featuring one-night only discounts at most of the stores resulted in an announcement today that the Arcadia Educational Foundation will receive $5,000, while the Foothill Family Service will be given $3,000, and the Arcadia Chinese Association $2,000. — By Scott Hettrick