NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Oct. 21, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Special events add to the fun of The Christmas Company shopping extravaganza, the signature fundraiser of the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc., (JLOCC). The overall event will be held Thursday, Nov. 13-Sunday, Nov. 16, at the OC Fair & Event Center located at Fair Drive and the 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa.
This is the 33rd anniversary of the event themed "A Holiday to Remember." The Christmas Company attendees will have the opportunity to shop from more than 120 unique exhibitors and vendors from Orange County and around the country. The event will kick off with a Preferred Shopping Breakfast ($35) 8-11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13. The first night will feature a "Girls Night Out" ($20) to be held 6-10 p.m. Appetizers and wines from sponsor Gallo Family Vineyards will be served at the evening event, which is limited to 125 attendees.
A larger celebration is planned for an "Evening of Food & Wine" ($75), which will be held 6-10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14. Gallo Family Vineyard wines will be available along with small plate dining provided by leading area restaurants and bakeries including Five Crowns, Bluewater Grill, Ovations, RA Sushi, Newport Rib Company, Five Sweets Bakery, and Pure Bliss.
Additional special occasions include a luncheon for the Red Hat Society members at Noon, Saturday, Nov. 15 (sold out). Early Bird "Grab and Go" Shopping ($20) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday begins at 8 a.m. Guests will enjoy a continental breakfast and shop before the event opens to the public. No baby strollers are allowed at the Preferred Breakfast and Early Bird events.
The Christmas Company general admission is $10 per person, which includes entrance to the shopping extravaganza and parking. General admission show hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15; and 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16. Tickets will be available for purchase online at www.jlocc.org or by calling (949) 263-3785.
Top sponsors of the event to-date include Gallo Family Vineyards; Panera Bread Company; Tigo Gifts, Inc.; Winchell Chiropractic; Jill FM, Time Warner Cable, and Orange Coast Magazine.
Funds raised annually by the JLOCC directly impact the community through collaborative projects with partner organizations and support JLOCC's mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community. This year's projects include the Kinship Project and Bridges to Higher Education, both offered through Orangewood Children's Foundation; Higher Education Mentoring Program (in partnership with the Orange County Bar Foundation); Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Emancipated Youth Program; and Bear Hugs, a JLOCC project supporting emancipated teens in Orange County.
About the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc.
The Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc., is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and the leadership of trained volunteers. JLOCC has contributed to Orange County by helping found organizations such as Orangewood Children's Home and the Volunteer Center of Orange County. As a solely educational and charitable organization, the JLOCC's trained volunteers actively support the community through collaboration with organizations that promote and support the health, safety and education of women and children. A 501(c)(3) organization, the JLOCC reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins. Originally founded in 1956 as the Newport Harbor Service League, the JLOCC is a member organization of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. To learn more about the JLOCC, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.