Who is RAGGS?

November 13, 2000, Flint, Mich. - Wait and see who is welcoming Santa Claus to Genesee Valley Center! On Friday, November 17, Genesee Valley Center will introduce their very own mascot, a new syndicated character named RAGGS.
RAGGS is a kid´s club character exclusive to the market and a first in Michigan.

´He´s big and blue and unbelievably likeable,´ said Lili Donaldson, marketing manager at Genesee Valley Center. ´One can´t help but smile when you look at RAGGS.´

At 5 p.m. in the JC Penney wing, RAGGS will begin the program with help from dancers representing The Merry Matlock School of Performing Arts in Flint, introducing and demonstrating the RAGGS dance and teaching the RAGGS handshake. The master of ceremony will be Brian Wood of CBS affiliate WNEM-TV5.

After introducing RAGGS, Santa will lead the children and their families through the center, lighting the corridors along the way, and arriving in center court. Santa will spend the season surrounding by a giant holiday tree, animated snowmen and a giant 16-foot snowman.

Genesee Valley Center, located on the corner of Miller and Linden roads in Flint Township, is the largest regional shopping center in Genesee County. The Center features specialty stores such as The Disney Store, Underhills Accents, Gymboree, Christopher and Banks and The Buckle to name just a few. The five department stores are Hudson´s, JC Penney, Mervyn´s, Montgomery Ward and Sears. Holiday hours vary and cards are available at the customer service desk showing the expanded hours the center will be open for the holidays. For an up-to-date listing of specials and special events visit the website at www.geneseemall.com or call The Shopping Line at 732-4000.