FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

FROM:                       Katherine Denney, Executive Director

Interface Creative Group, kdenney@artsinterface.org

CONTACT:                Maureen Fagans, Executive Director

Center City Association, 937-327-7312 or 419-356-0528 (mobile)

 

Light Up Your Season at

Holiday in the City 2009

(Springfield, OH) -  Light up your holiday season as the bells of joy ring in the 10^th  annual Holiday in the City, a downtown Springfield signature event, scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2009.  Thousands of visitors are anticipated to participate in a wide array of engaging activities and heart-warming sights from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Once again, the city plaza will anchor activities, with special events and activities beginning at the Heritage Center, going north to the former Meeks building along Fountain Avenue.  The Rozzi’s fireworks display is choreographed to music, and will be set off of the roof of City Hall.  Optimal viewing areas are available around three quarters of the core block.  Most Holiday in the City events will proceed as planned, come rain, snow or shine.  For a schedule of events and a map please go to www.HolidayInTheCity.com.  This free downtown holiday celebration is a community gift made possible by the generosity of many community businesses and managed by the Center City Association in partnership with the Heritage Center, the Springfield Arts Council, Arts Interface Group, Elderly United and the City of Springfield.  All activities are free and open to the public.  The Center City Association and the past and present Holiday In The City planning committees would like to thank Michael Morris, a former Center City Association Board of Directors member and previous Committee Chair, for his many years of service in developing this event, now celebrating ten years of success.   

The Main Event

The highlight of Holiday in the City is The Main Event which will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude by 6:30 p.m., allowing little patrons to go inside to enjoy other activities and to get warm.  Please be in place by 6 p.m. to enjoy the spectacular lighting of the downtown buildings, the grand arrival of the jolly ole’ elf Santa on a festive fire truck, who will light the community tree and magically begin the breathtaking fireworks display.  The fireworks, by the renowned Rozzi’s group, are choreographed to music and displayed off of the City Hall roof.  Prior to and following The Main Event, guests may enjoy the activity of their choice as outlined at www.HolidayInTheCity.com.

It’s all About the Jolly Guy

Following the grand entrance of Santa on the fire truck in The Main Event of the evening, guests may visit the popular SantaLand exhibit, created by Ambience, Inc in the Rotating Gallery on the second floor of the near-by Heritage Center,.  This special experience is a winding walk through a larger than life look at memorable Springfield buildings and colorful snow characters interspersed among Christmastime displays.  At the end of the journey, children will have the opportunity to meet with Santa and ask for that special wish. Families are welcome to take their own pictures this year.

 

A Favorite among Families

For the fifth year, through special arrangements with the Turner Foundation, there is an extensive nostalgic fairy tale Christmas Village.  This display fills two full rooms in the former Meeks building on Fountain Avenue with restored magical and moving animatronic scenes.  This exhibit features original window displays from the Lord & Taylor Manhattan store and Marshall Field’s State Street Chicago store.  This is one of the most charming stops along Fountain Avenue.  Visitor’s are welcome to take pictures.     

 

Youth Entertainment

Returning this year is the popular Frisch Marionettes performing a Holiday Variety Show in the Betty Pitzer Center of Elderly United, directly next to the Heritage Center.  Show times are 5p.m. and 7p.m.  The two performance times allow children to watch The Main Event including Santa’s arrival and the fireworks, prior to or after a marionette performance.  The Frisch Marionettes are programmed by the Springfield Arts Council.

 

Throughout the evening you may also see roaming characters or traveling carolers downtown.  In addition, youth make-n-take crafts are also available from 4-6 p.m. prior to the main event, located at the Warder Literacy Center at High and Limestone Streets.

In addition, check out the raffle for centerpieces and holiday décor, to benefit Project Woman, by Mary Kay cosmetics. Other downtown businesses and restaurants will be open for your convenience during Holiday in the City.  Reservations are required to plan dinner around this event at both Seasons and Mela Urban Bistro.    

 

More information on Holiday in the City may be found at www.HolidayInTheCity.com.  This site will also feature an on-going listing of upcoming community holiday events throughout the area through the end of December.  The site is managed by the Interface Creative Group and you may contact this cultural economic development team at (937)325-3005 to add your special event.  All postings are subject to approval.

 

Holiday in the City would not be possible without the generous contributions of the following sponsors: The Turner Foundation, The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, AVETeC, Security National Bank, Meijer, Springfield News-Sun, Springfield Regional Medical Center, Kapp Construction, Jeff Wyler, CRSI, The Springfield Foundation, Foreman Blair, International Harvester Employee Credit Union, International Harvester Truck and Engine Plant, Key Bank, Kohl’s, Kroger, Littleton & Rue, Martin, Brown, Hull & Harper, Assurant, Link Helmuth, The Noonan Foundation, C & N Industrial Contractors, Wallace & Turner, Home City Federal Savings Bank, Wal-Mart, National City Bank, Midland Properties, the Ohio Technology Group and the Kiwanis.