Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront and Friday After 5 are partnering to turn the hotel property into a local “North Pole” with a weekly inflatable “Inngloo” offering free hot chocolate on the courtyard behind the hotel.
General Manager Andrea Woosley said that their inaugural event on Black Friday was a hit for all that came to enjoy. By the end of the first hour they dished out over 100 servings of hot chocolate and their lobby and in-house restaurant Burger Theory was full of people ringing in the holiday spirit.
The big star of it all was when Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus came to join in the festivities for the children.
Woosley said that she wanted the hotel to join in the 12 Days of Christmas festivities in a unique way.
Fran Marseille, Executive Director of Friday After 5 said the igloo offers a family friendly event and the perfect launch for Friday After 5: Christmas Edition.
“It was wonderful. We were filled and then Santa Claus was here and the kids were everywhere,” Marseille said.
Marseille said that Santa will be making an appearance every week for any children wanting to sneak in their list to him before the Christmas holiday.
Each week will have different performers in the lobby. Next Friday will be another group of kids singing, and on Dec. 17 Crooked Eye Tommy will be performing.
Guests are also welcome to sit at the bar and enjoy drinks from Burger Theory along with their menu.
“No matter what you do, whether you’re going to have lots of hot chocolate or just a small amount, or make it cold chocolate, it’s a great way to spend time with family,” Marseille said.
Based on the turnout thus far, there is a possibility that the igloo is maintained outside of the 12 Days of Christmas.
“We’re still evaluating future use in terms of using it outside of 12 days of Christmas,” Woosley said. “In terms of seasonally, in the summertime, too but for right now we’re really sticking with the 12 Days of Christmas.”
