Free Celebration Recreates Centuries-Old Festival to Mark New Beginnings
NAPLES, FL (April 15, 2009) - Celebrating more than 20 years of shopping and dining, the Village on Venetian Bay will stage an authentic Venetian Carnivale on Saturday, April 25. Festive pageantry for the whole family during Carnivale honors the "Venetian Spirit of Art & Enterprise" embodied by Venetian Village's 50 shops and restaurants, many of which are locally-owned, independent businesses. There is no charge for admission.
Feasting and gift-giving, the hallmark of Carnivales world-over, will be offered in abundance on Venetian Bay. On Saturday, diners will enjoy two for $20 lunches at M Waterfront Grille and at Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar, $20 per person prix-fixe dinners at MiraMare from 5 to 6 p.m., and 20 cent draft beers at The Village Pub with purchase of an entrée. At Artichoke & Company, all diners sip a complimentary glass of wine with lunch, with every 20th customer receiving lunch on the house. Villagio will host a cook-out in the courtyard and offer every 20th hot dog for free. Carnivale-goers will learn to toss pizza dough at MiraMare from a European champion at pizza-tossing.
Hundreds of Village Gift Certificates will be given away throughout the day from merchants and restaurants, including certificates for $20 off lunch or dinner at Bayside; $10 toward any purchase at Artichoke & Company, $20 off dinner at MiraMare, $10 valid at The Village Pub and $20 off meals at M Waterfront Grille.
Family fun will be offered by free gondola rides with real gondoliers, Venetian mask decorating, face painting, comedy acts, jugglers, acrobats, stilt walkers, magicians, strolling puppeteers and live entertainment.
In keeping with the spirit of enterprise, the merchants at The Village on Venetian Bay will stage sidewalk sales on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Sunday, April 26, from noon until 5
p.m., with steep savings on the latest fashions and Italian-made clothing, shoes, hand bags, and other accessories. "Yvonne House of Shoes" will host a reception and trunk show of hand-painted and signed handbags by Anushka and handmade shoes by Tsonga. Terrida, specialists in handmade Italian luggage, offers 20 percent off their entire stock and a free Venetian tote ($700 value) with the purchase of a Venetian collection trolley suitcase. At All About April, shoppers will receive 20 percent off the brand of the month and 20 percent off all art at Rick Moore Fine Art all day Saturday. Danieli offers 20 percent off all items in the store on Saturday. Shoppers will appreciate a free gift with a $20 on full price merchandise at Panache. Taffeta will have a 20 percent off storewide sale, including new arrivals and already reduced sale items. Patchington will be offering free facials, hand spa treatments and refreshments to every customer.
Venetian Carnivale is free and open to the public. [back]
