Let it snow, let it snow, though it's faux!

EYE ON R-TOWN

What rocks - or rots - in Richmond? Here's our weekly take on R-town.

The white stuff

Remarks: So we're walking through Stony Point Fashion Park, trying to remember where the store we need is located. The night is chilly, the wind is blustery and our ears perk up at the strains of a familiar Christmas tune.

Rounding the corner, we glimpse the giant and highly decorated tree that has temporarily taken up residence at the center of the mall's pop-jet fountain. (Don't worry, Mom, the water's off for winter.)

Suddenly, we notice the bits of feathery white floating gently to the ground from somewhere atop the mall. Children are twirling as they would in a flurry, parents smiling from the sidelines. The air smells curiously of mint.

What's this? What's THIS?

We had read about the faux-falls at Stony Point and Regency Square, but hadn't quite envisioned it so. The snow dissolves on contact - just as the real thing is wont to do - with one big difference. Stick out your tongue for a flake or two and voilà! Your mouth's minty fresh.

What'll they think of next?

According to Deidre Goodrich, marketing director for both malls, the shows are the result of an exclusive contract with the Los Angeles-based MagicSnow Systems. MagicSnow provides snow for shopping-center venues across the country as well as for special events such as the L.A. premiere of "Elf."

Stony Point's shows run at 7 nightly through Dec. 24; Regency's are at 6 nightly through Dec. 23 and at 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

The gen-u-ine thing is best, of course, but taking a flake with a hint of mint comes in a close second. "It has all of the fun parts and none of the worry," says Goodrich. "No scraping off the sidewalks!"

 

Contact: MagicSnow Systems
(310) 289-9852  /  MagicSnow.com