This coming Saturday, the Renaissance Mall and Marketplace will be THE place to be, as they close off the L.G. Smith Boulevard for their long-touted Island Xtravaganza. Get ahead on your holiday shopping with a full day of exciting activities and the chance to win 2010 model Ford Mustang with each purchase of 25 florins at any of dozens of fine stores. The raffle winner will be announced at 7:00 PM after a full day of fun activities for all the family.
The excitement begins at 10:00 AM at the Renaissance Marketplace with the officially opening of Aruba’s first Starbucks. There will be a sampling of the world famous brew for all attending. Immediately after, a 
Zumba kick-off will help you work off that latte! At the same time, supervised kids’ activities, such as well painting,
face painting and arts and crafts will commence, so youngsters will be cared for and kept busy while mom gets some exercise.
Enjoy or join in for some afternoon Karaoke, beginning at the Grand Café Tropical at 1:00 PM, and possibly win some prizes for your vocal virtuosity. At that same hour there will Touch of Steel performing steelpan, and a visit from 
Sinterklaas with his Swarte Piet. Those that stay until the drawing can watch the folkloric dance program and from 7:00 PM until closing time at 10:00 PM popular island bands 
Grupo di Betico and Tsunami will take over for dancing and merriment.
Simultaneously, the day will start at Renaissance Mall in the Marina Tower with a Puppet Show and Disney character Christmas show at 10:00 AM. Okeanos Spa will be offering massages to relieve all that holiday shopping tension throughout the day. 
4:00 PM is the hour to pick out your holiday outfit and accessories as Furla, Faconnable, Gimmick, Ermenegildo Zegna,
Entre Nous, BCBG, CEI, Guess, Red Sail Sports, Eva Boutique and Sun Specs put on a fashion show of their new collections, just arrived for the season.
The evening will finish with a performance by internationally renowned soprano Nicole van Eer performing at 5:00 PM and a wine and cheese tasting event from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
L.G. Smith Boulevard between the two malls will be the site of the grand finale of Aruba’s Next Top Dog 
competition beginning at 10:00 PM. Pooches will be put through their paces on an obstacle course that is built to international standards, and Aruba’s Top Dog and Master will be crowned at around noon. The area will surrounded by food and beverage stalls with special prices on favorite island snacks and classic regional cuisine, as well as plenty of Balashi Beer, Aruba’s own home-brewed brand.
All through the day Aruba’s Mustang Club will be parading their collection of classic models, in anticipation of the 7:00 PM drawing. The afternoon will feature a mini-carnival show, and all are welcomed to join the parade.
This remarkable opening event for the holiday season will finish with a flourish as the waters over Oranjestad Harbor are lit by a spectacular show of pyrotechnics at 10:00 PM. Shops will close at 9:00 PM, and Renaissance has arranged free bussing from the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach Hotel areas. Check with concierge personnel in the resorts for the schedule; last bus leaves for Oranjestad at 8:00 PM.
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