David Cassidy in the News
Outlet Mall Celebrates Its Growth
Mall St. Shopping as recreation
November 8, 1990
By Ron Patrizio
The Sentinel Staff
Orlando Sentinel
Soap opera stars and a laser light show will be among the featured attractions at a name-changing celebration this weekend at Belz Factory Outlet Mall.
The mall, which opened in 1981, will now be called Belz Factory Outlet World. The indoor shopping center expanded to two malls this summer and features more than 165 stores.
According to mall officials, the center, which is located at the north end of International Drive at the intersection of Oak Ridge Road in south Orlando, is now the largest factory outlet shopping mall in the country.
''We attract more than 9 million tourists each year,'' said Andy Groveman, senior vice president of Belz Enterprises. ''That makes us the second most visited spot in Central Florida.''
As part of the weekend-long activities, soap opera stars Jon Hensley, who plays Holden, and David Morrison, who plays Caleb on the daytime serial As The World Turns will field questions at 1 p.m. Saturday from shoppers. The actors will then select the winner of a three-day trip to New York.
Other celebrities will include David Cassidy, former lead singer for the Partridge Family, who will sign autographs from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Music For Less in the second mall.
A ''Shop the World'' game begins at 10 a.m. Friday. Participants can win a free trip for two to anywhere in the world. The winner also will get luggage, a travel wardrobe, $500 cash and limousine transportation to the airport. Other prizes include timed shopping sprees, discount coupons and free carousel rides.
A laser light show Friday night will feature appearances from Universal Studio characters, clowns and musicians.
On Sunday, all proceeds from dollar carousel rides will be donated to a local non-profit charity. Groveman hopes this fund-raiser to benefit ''Give Kids The World,'' will generate a significant amount of money for the national organization which helps seriously ill children.
The Florida Mall welcomes the arrival of Santa and his friends at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Children and their parents can enjoy breakfast with Santa in the Treats Food Court. Puppet shows, clowns, carolers, Rudolph and Punchy the Robot also will be on hand. In addition to the entertainment, children will be given a copy of ''Santa's Helper,'' a holiday workbook designed to educate and entertain. After the breakfast, children and Santa will march down the concourse in a holiday parade. Tickets for the breakfast are $4 and are available at the mall. For more information call 851-6255.
