In addition, 21 local charities were on hand throughout the day to sell tickets, whose proceeds helped their causes and they provided literature and information about their organizations. The early bird shoppers were treated to refreshments compliments of Badda Bing Bagel and Bakery and Food Lion. The Moore Humane Society had puppies and kittens on hand, and seven of them were lucky enough to be adopted.

Janet Currie, community services coordinator for the Southern Pines Police Department, and Sgt. Charles Campbell gave more than 40 complimentary fingerprint records to parents of Moore County children who then lined up to have their faces painted by students of Future Business Leaders of America from North Moore High School.

The Quick Silver Cloggers tapped a lively tune outside the Belk main entrance and were followed by the New Century Middle School Jazz Band of Cameron led by instructor Robert Hill. The red fire engine gleamed in the bright sunshine outside the Belk Men’s Store and the Southern Pines Fire Department dispensed important fire safety information and gave coloring books and brightly colored rulers to children of all ages.

Entertainment inside the Main store included vocal selections by Olivia Hale, Miss Noel 2002, Annabelle Hale, Miss Noel 2003, Journy Jackson, Junior Miss Noel 2003, and Alice Glisson. Amy Johnson, Miss Teen Moore County 2002, entertained with a violin selection and Kerry Black, a Belk employee and a 2003 contestant for Miss Moore County, entertained shoppers and fellow employees with her clarinet.

Lisa Santiago, Miss Noel 2003 and Kelly Fritz, Miss Teen Moore County 2003, displayed their talents in dance. Debbie Higginbotham and her Jazzercise group from Southern Pines made the act of exercise look easy and fun. The shoppers were then treated to view the latest fashions from Belk modeled by children, teens, and adults.