NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 29, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc., (JLOCC) 2005 Christmas Company's Opening Night Gala themed "Christmas in the Quarter" will feature an extensive silent auction and a coveted first glimpse of the annual shopping extravaganza showcasing 80-plus vendors. The black-tie optional, kick-off event will be held Saturday, October 15, at The Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, located at the 55 Freeway and Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. The Christmas Company shopping event, which is open to the public, continues Sunday, October 16, through Wednesday, October 19.
The extensive Silent Auction will offer a chance to bid on exciting travel packages including airfare: A trip to the Galapagos Islands includes both cruise and land elements. Canadian destinations include accommodations at Fairmont hotels in Vancouver and in the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island as well as Banff and Lake Louise. Guests will choose among four-night stays at Hawaii's Conde-Nast Gold-List Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa and the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui. A Fairmont Orchid Hawaii (Big Island) Romance Package is also offered. A New York trip complete with Broadway show tickets, and a Fairmont London Theatre Package are also offered.
A Dixieland Band and a D.J. are among the night's entertainment. A cigar station and golf swing analysis by Golf Tec are planned for the amusement of the intermittent shopper. A host of area restaurants will contribute heavy hors d'oeuvres and small-plate dining throughout the evening. They include Five Crowns, Cannery Seafood of the Pacific, Newport Landing and Harborside Restaurant and Grand Ballroom, Villa Nova, Royal Khyber, Anat Falafel Laguna, French's Cupcake Bakery, Mama Fu's Asian House, The Melting Pot, Newport Landing Restaurant, Newport Rib Company, Pavilions, and Saltwater Mexican Grill. Gallo of Sonoma will return as a beverage sponsor. Fiji Water will also be donated.
More than 1,200 guests attended the Opening Night Gala last year. VIP tickets, priced at $125 each, will provide access to an exclusive early reception in the "Voodoo Lounge" and an extra hour (6-7 p.m.) to preview the silent auction and merchant booths. General Gala tickets ($75) will be available for the overall event starting at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.jlocc.org or by calling (949) 263-3785.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Christmas Company, which has raised more than $6.5 million for the benefit of the JLOCC's charitable projects. Current projects include Canyon Acres Children and Family Services; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); Impact Orange County; Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center; Casa Teresa Mentoring Program; Girls, Inc., Action for Safety Program; YMCA Youth Service Corps; and Bear Hugs.
Following the opening night gala, The Christmas Company will be open to the public Sunday, October 16-Wednesday, October 19, starting at 10 a.m. Closing hours are 6 p.m. on Sunday and Wednesday; 9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Admission is $7 per person. Additional subsidiary events are in the planning stages. Preferred Shopping Admission, allowing entry at 8 a.m. including breakfast on Sunday, October 17, ($30) has typically sold out in advance. A Luncheon fashion show held at noon, Tuesday, October 18, ($30) presented by Newport Coast's Pink Wasabi will feature the 2005 resort collection by Lily Pulitzer themed "Private Island Getaway." The American Girl Fashion Show (10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 16 and 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, ($25) will showcase local youngsters who walk the runway while cradling dolls dressed in matching attire.
The Junior League of Orange County, CA, Inc., (JLOCC) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The members of the JLOCC share a vision of a community in which all children and adolescents are supported to flourish and realize their hopes and dreams and a vision of the organization in which each individual member is supported and encouraged to increase her experience, knowledge, and leadership skill set in the process of becoming an effectively trained community volunteer. To learn more about the JLOCC, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.