A three-day celebration of motherhood is coming to Meadowbrook Mall. The annual Mother’s Day observance is always well-attended and Marketing Director Robin Urquhart knows why.

 

“I think moms continue to come to the event because all of the show’s vendors - and to have fun. We started this event a few years ago to give moms something to look forward to that was just for them. They don’t have to cook, clean or prepare anything to attend. They just need to show up and enjoy themselves,” she said.

 

The party starts Thursday, May 10 with Moms' Night Out featuring pampering, beauty, fitness and fashion tips and a chance to win prizes like gift cards to JC Penney, a Yankee Candle gift basket, cookies from the Great American Cookie Company and a Paul Mitchell gift set, among others. Beginning at 6 p.m., the first 50 moms to register at the WDTV5 Event Center will receive free tote bags and event programs.

 

Activities taking place throughout the mall include mini-makeovers and mini-facials at Sephora inside JC Penney, mini-makeovers and sample offers at Elder-Beerman’s cosmetics counter, samplings at Garfields and Great American Cookie Company booths and free photo mementos at Treasured Memories’ interactive photo booth.

 

Participants can also play Yankee Candle trivia for the chance to win a free gift basket, register to win a free pair of shoes from The Shoe Story and enjoy free coffee and coloring at Four Horsemen Comics and Gaming (pre-registration is limited to 60 by calling 304-842-5441 ext. 102). Adding a little cultural experience, Miskycha, located at the Food Court – will share how Peruvians celebrate Mother’s Day.

 

Other stores taking part include Bath & Body Works, Chick-fil-A, Claire’s/Icing, Expressions Hair Design Wigs, Great American Cookie Company, JC Penney Salon, Kitchen Collection, Maurices, Payless Shoes and Chiropractic Care Center.

 

Prize drawings begin at 6:45 p.m. and will continue through 8 p.m.

 

Mom’s Night Out exploded last year, Urquhart said.

 

“We had over 300 moms register and participate in activities,” she said. “This is not your typical vendor show. This event is interactive with a main objective of entertaining, pampering and saying thank-you to moms for all they do all year long.”

 

Back by popular demand is the Mother/Daughter Look-Alike Contest. Moms and daughters can register in front of JC Penney 1 p.m. Saturday, May 12 with the contest starting at 2 p.m.

 

Urquhart said the mall once did away with the contest, but feedback indicated it was missed.

 

“The mall changed up the Mother’s Day activities a few years back and we did not schedule the annual Mother/Daughter Look-A-Like contest,” Urquhart said. “Mothers and daughters let us know on Facebook that they really enjoyed this event and wanted it back. They love coming to the event together and showing everyone how proud they are to look alike!”

 

Contestants will be judged on their likeness in physical appearance to the best of the judges’ ability. Judges will also take into consideration the contestants' outfits and personalities, as well as crowd reaction.

 

In additoin to all the fun activities planned, Urquhart said various mall stores will offer some pretty sweet deals.

 

“Mother’s Day is a big deal in retail, so you’re going to find deals on gifts for mom everywhere in the mall from the department stores to the smaller shops,” she said.