By Christine Marie Craddock
The Promenade at the Virginia Gateway Center in Gainesville celebrated its grand opening on Saturday and Sunday with new store openings, children's activities, live music, free yogurt samples, a fireworks show and the debut of its children's splash down fountain.
During both days, families flocked to take part in the activities on a warm, beautiful day. Crowds gathered in line for the balloon animals and the face painting while others sat on benches enjoying the fresh air while the kids played in the splash fountain.
Some employees from Pinkberry set up shop outside the store to give away free samples of their frozen yogurt, which is made from hormone-free, nonfat milk. They offered three flavors of yogurt and a choice of three toppings. The store plans to open around mid-May.
Brian and Aneta Hume were in line for balloon animals for their daughters Simone and Eliana after they had already visited the face painting booth.
The Hume family visited the grand opening on both Saturday and Sunday.
"The orchestra was amazing; the fireworks were amazing. I am most excited about the kids having fun," Aneta said. She also was very happy about the splash fountain, saying "I don't have to go all the way to Fairfax Corner now to take my kids to play in the water."
Jamie Boyd brought her daughter Olivia to the grand opening on Sunday. She said she was very happy to have "the outdoor features for kids and the great shopping and outdoor dining" for her and her family.
After a movie date at the Regal Cinema, Rachel and Cody Whildin walked along the shopping center to see which stores were open. Rachel was pleased that there are "more retail and clothing shops in the area" remarking that this was something Gainesville lacked.
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