Foxmoor merchants are getting ready for second annual Fall Fest. They include from back row Chris and Joy Truax from Water and Ice, Inc., front row Marilyn Cade, Marilyn Thoman, Maria Palermo, Delpha Heussner and Julie Defelice all from Brandon Gregory’s Salon, Merecedes Bank and Deborah Piercy from Qwik-Pack & Ship, Danielle Hall of Bayshore Physical Therapy & Massage and Sherry Collier of Brightway Insurance.

Last year, the Fall Fest at Foxmoor Plaza was packed with those coming out to enjoy free food and the fall weather. This year, merchant’s will hold the festival again on Thursday, Nov. 5, and hope to get many donations to help spread Holiday cheer.

“This year’s festival will benefit Toys for Tots,” said Danielle Hall, owner of Bayshore Physical Therapy & Massage in the plaza. “The reason we are doing Toys for Tots is that the nearby Old Bridge Village has a committee that collects for Toys for Tots, and they always put boxes in our stores. That means that we are available and are collecting toys from now until Thanksgiving. Actually, a few days before Thanksgiving they come and pick everything up so we hope to have a lot of donations.”

There is a lot of free food at the festival, and many enjoyed that last year.

“This year we would like a donation in the form of a unwrapped toy or donation in exchange for the goodies and activities we will have available,” said Hall.

She said several shops in the plaza will have toys available for purchase if someone just wants to buy something there.

“In addition we have invited local classic car clubs to display their cars,” said Hall.

Many shops will have drop-off boxes.

“We will also be collecting for Toys For Tots,” said Debbie Piercy, owner of Qwik-Pack & Ship in the plaza. “It’s especially important this year because of the loss of jobs and the economy. We’re bringing dessert and popcorn to the event.”

Beauty Shop Brandon Gregory’s Salon owner Maria Ordell said, “We’re doing free hot dogs for a toy or small donation for Toys For Tots this year. It (the festival) was wonderful last year – we had so many people here.”

They are expecting the nice weather predicted to bring out even more than last year.

Along the length of the plaza, there will be free food including hot dogs, pizza, chinese food samples and chips and cookies.

In addition, there will be popcorn, store discounts, free chair massages, a clown present making balloon animals for the kids and a cruise-in of classic cars. Sweetbay will be provide entertainment and offering samples of food.

Participating stores include Sweetbay, Qwik-Pack & Ship, Water and Ice, Inc., Brandon Gregory’s Salon, The Book Rack, Bayshore Physical Therapy & Massage, Chen’s Garden, JJ Nails, Family Dollar, Bealls Outlet, Reno’s, Brightway Insurance and Subway.

Toys for Toys For Tots may be purchased on-site at Family Dollar, Bealls Outlet or Sweetbay.

This fall event is being held to bring awareness to what Foxmoor Plaza can offer the community for the holiday season, allow people to meet business owners, to encourage shopping at local businesses and to collect toys and donations for Toys For Tots.

Foxmoor Plaza, also known locally as Sweetbay Plaza, is located at 5660 Bayshore Rd. This second annual fall festival will run from 4 to 7 p.m. For additional information contact Hall at 543-9101.

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