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2008 08 01

Random Rippling

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v05n16)

Kite kicks off Glendale reopening with celebration - Batman + fireworks!

by Alan Hague

posted: Aug. 01, 2008

Batman was at Glendale Town Center on Saturday, July 26, 2008. In a historic gesture, Batman shook hands with The Penguin! Hmm, I may have mislead you. This penguin was not Batman's arch enemy, but one of the Glendale penguins at the event to shake hands with all who came to the Glendale reopening ceremony.

Batman shakes hands with the Penguin!

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The celebration ran from 2 P.M. until almost 10:30 P.M. in the west parking lot. Lockhart Cadillac sponsored the music stage. Other sponsors included: Waste Management, B&B Lawnscapes & Irrigation, B105.7, Brickman and Deem. The event was produced by the Emmis Marketing Group and Kite Realty Group. Kite invested $28.5 million dollars in the center's renovations.

Visitors received information from local businesses and free food samples from Squeezed and O'Charley's in the Community Tent. Kids played miniature golf and beanbag toss, saw jugglers, got their faces painted, and met Batman, KeyBank man and the Glendale Penquin. Neighborhood stores such as Cork & Cracker and Backyard Birds set up tents. The Devonshires played a great concert until past 10 P.M. on the stage near Target. They played hits from British rockers such as The Who and Elton John. The finale of Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding made it feel like Sir Elton himself was on stage.

The Devonshires rocking out at Glendale.

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The day wrapped up with a fireworks display sponsored by Moore Engineers, with the shells exploding high over Macy's. Loud reports echoed throughout the neighborhood and set off a few car alarms!

If you missed the event you can still drop by to see the original Glendale penguin sculptures in their new spot at the entrance to the library, next to Staples. I remember climbing on these guys back in 1964 when I was a wee one. While I was photographing "Wynkin, Blynkin and Nod" (yes, it turns out they had names all along) one woman walked by with her children and exclaimed, "OH! They're back!"