If your childhood Christmas memories include visiting a 20-foot-tall talking snowman with flashing red eyes, then you undoubtedly grew up in Akron, Ohio.
“The Story of Archie the Talking Snowman & Akron’s History of Christmas Attractions” is the story of the people who helped make Archie more than just a store Christmas attraction. It’s also the surprising story of Akron’s hundred-year history of elegant, extravagant and occasionally plain weird retail Christmas attractions—from the enchanting downtown windows of O’Neil’s and Polsky’s, to talking Christmas trees, trained animal acts, and Santa arriving by satellite. It’s the fascinating context for how and why Archie came to be at Chapel Hill Mall.
“I’m so glad the book has been released–I’m excited to share what I’ve learned about the history of the breathtaking downtown window display at the department stores O’Neil’s and Polsky’s,” said Joanna Wilson, the book’s author. “Archie’s story involves a complex history of stores competing for attention during the holidays, and Akron retailers produced quite a few nostalgic as well as outrageous Christmas attractions. What I discovered in my research will blow a lot of Akron minds!” Admission is free to the book signing events. The price of The Story of Archie is $19.99 each.
Wilson has scheduled several meet-and-greet book signings in the Akron area during the upcoming holiday season. She’ll greet readers at Archie the Talking Snowman’s debut this season at Chapel Hill Mall, Saturday, Nov. 14, the first of several appearances Wilson will be making at Chapel Hill Mall this holiday season.
Wilson will also be signing books at Don Drumm Studios and Art Gallery on Sunday, Nov. 15, 1 to 5 p.m. during the studio’s Holiday Open House event.
Another exciting meet-and-greet event is taking place at Lock 3 following the Akron2Akron: Downtown Christmas History walking tour. On Saturday, Dec. 12, 6 to 9 p.m., Wilson will be signing books at the AfterParty. Come and enjoy the enchanting window displays this year in the corner windows of the Polsky Building as well as across the street in the former O’Neil’s store. Then, come down to Lock 3 and meet the author. The Akron2Akron walking tour and the book signing are independent of the AfterParty, which is a ticketed event.
And, Wilson will be attending a special event hosted by Tommy Uplinger at Tallmadge Cutting and Styling on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 6 to 8 p.m. Uplinger is the person who led the social networking movement to bring Archie back after the snowman’s “retirement” from Chapel Hill Mall in 2004. The book signing event is at the barbershop owned and operated by Uplinger. Tallmadge Cutting and Styling is located at 857 Southeast Ave., Tallmadge, OH 44278.
For more information and the complete updated list of book signing events: http://www.storyofarchie.com/p/blog-page_6.html.
