Preparation for Christmas comes early for the WOW! Factory — an art studio that specializes in painting pottery, clay, mosaic, glass fusing, etc. — as two “Christmas in July” events are being held this week.
“Christmas in July” is an event that the WOW! Factory has hosted for the past 16 years. Monica McGraw, studio manager at the WOW! Factory, said the purpose behind the event is “to allow customers to get a head start on their holiday-creating in a festive, welcome environment.” She added that people of all ages are welcome to attend either event.
For McGraw, this year has been different from previous years that Christmas in July has been held because they had a different approach to the events. “We’ve had several “Christmas in July” events over the last 16 years but this year it is in combination with a couple of other events,” she said.
Ornament Painting Pre-Party
On Thursday, July 25, the WOW! Factory will be hosting “Christmas in July Paint Party” before the West Virginia Black Bears game starts at the Kendrick Family Ballpark.
This event gives children and family the chance to create, paint, and decorate ornaments five months before Christmas begins. After the attendees are finished with creating the ornaments, the items will be fired and glazed at the WOW! Factory. Seven days after the event, the ornaments will be ready for pickup.
According to McGraw, the West Virginia Black Bears were the ones to have the idea to bring “Christmas in July” to a larger venue and provide families with fun opportunities to get ready for the holidays. “We’ve done it in the past but this year they’re making their ‘Christmas in July’ event even bigger,” she remarked.
The WOW! Factory will award two of their 17-inch Lighted Ceramic Trees to two lucky winners who are at the event. Each ceramic tree is valued at $130.
Customers can purchase tickets for the event by going to the Christmas in July page on the Major League Baseball/West Virginia Black Bears website (Christmas in July | West Virginia Black Bears (mlbdraftleague.com)) or contact their box office at 304-293-7910.
Special Edition Ladies Night: Christmas in July
From 5-8 p.m. on Friday, July 26, the WOW! Factory is presenting the “Special Edition Ladies Night: Christmas in July.”
The WOW! Factory is combining two of its most-popular celebrations — Ladies Night and Christmas in July — for one big event.
This event will allow the women in attendance to be creative with making their own Christmas items, as well as purchase Christmas pottery at a 20% discount. There will also be Christmas treats for people to snack on and Christmas tunes playing in the background.
To McGraw, it was a wise move to merge the two popular events into one. “Combining ‘Ladies Night’ with ‘Christmas in July’ allows us to offer customers a discounted rate on a Christmas-themed piece, since we offer 20% off a piece of pottery every Friday from 5-8 p.m. for our Ladies Nights already,” she explained. “Plus, it gives us an excuse to put on some Christmas music and pull out some holiday decorations early.”
Another lucky winner who attends the event will be awarded with one 17-inch Lighted Ceramic Tree.
McGraw believes the communal atmosphere at the Christmas in July parties is a key reason the events stand out. “Our Christmas in July events are unique because they allow customers to combine holiday prep with socialization,” she said. “Customers can get a group of friends or family together to come in to catch up while they create handmade gifts and decor.”
The WOW! Factory studio is at 3453 University Avenue in Star City. To reserve tickets for this event, customers can find the link at Special Edition Ladies Night: Christmas in July – Wow Factory (wowfactoryonline.com) or contact the WOW! Factory at 304-599-2969.
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