From Deseret News archives:

Park City's Main Street brimming with swag during Sundance

Published: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 12:16 a.m. MST
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PARK CITY — All Colin Farrell had to do was walk into the Stereo Lounge and he'd get himself a free trip to Portugal.

"If he comes by, he'll get it," Entertainment Fusion Group's Page Jeter said.

Farrell was seen walking by Stereo — but not in.

Depending on what gift lounge a celebrity ducks into during the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, they can fly home with some serious swag.

Screenwriter/producer Stephen Susco (of the Sundance movie "Red") and his wife, Bridget Foley, were looking for a free hat and electronics inside the gifting village at Shabu, 333 Main.

"ER" actress Emily Wagner walked out of the Phoenix Gallery here wearing a new Beyonce House of Dereon jacket and carrying a bag filled with RevaleSkin facial creams, RevitaLash eyelash conditioner and healing products from an American Indian medicine woman.

"Who can turn down free stuff?" said Wagner. "I've got so much I'm going to give some of it away."

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But for the average pedestrian on Main Street, he has to hit it just right and maybe — just maybe — he'll get a free Izze drink, earmuffs from The Wall Street Journal (sponsoring a music lounge) or a stocking cap from festival sponsor ChaCha, a cell phone service that in a flash can answer your Sundance questions.

Lip balm and hot chocolate, a button to advertise a documentary about alternative fuels and rubber wrist bands that say "Rehab" just about round out the freebies for average Joes.

But if you're a star or you're on the right list, there are free high-end watches by designer Michele (no last name), clothes by Andrew Marc, electronics, shoes made by Asics and decorated by artist tokidoki, booze, bags by Vera Bradley (they had a bag appear in "Desperate Housewives") and makeup products by Sephora and others at an array of lounges geared toward celebs.

According to musician Cisco Adler, the best place for free stuff was at Stereo — he and others were weighted down with bags that could have been filled with anything from Twinkies to Unstoppable-brand T-shirts being made popular these days by Madonna, which makes designer Voula Duvall a very happy woman. "She's our number one supporter," Duvall said.

A woman at the Hollywood Life House recalled the irony of it all as told to her one time by Kevin Spacey. When actors are poor and trying to find work, no one will give them anything. When they become a household name and can afford the spoils of fame, suddenly everyone wants to give them stuff. Smart woman, who dashed into another room before revealing her name.

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Image

Rachel Mitchell, left, Tiffanie McCall and Kendra Fullmer hand out lip balm and mints at the Cadillac on Main in Park City.

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