FROM:  Katherine Denney, Executive Director

                Interface Creative Group, kdenney@artsinterface.org

CONTACT:  Michael Morris, Turner Foundation, 325-1300 or 605-9958

                       Committee Chair, Center City Association Board of Directors

 

 

 

(Springfield, OH) -  Light up your holiday season as the bells of joy ring in the 9^th annual Holiday in the City, a Springfield signature event, scheduled for Saturday, November 24, 2007 in downtown Springfield.  Over eight thousand visitors are expected to participate in a wide array of engaging activities and heart-warming sights from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Once again, the city plaza will anchor activities, with special events from the Courtyard by Marriott and the Heritage Center, going north to the former Meeks building along Fountain Avenue.  The fireworks viewing area has been expanded to include three quarters of the core block to allow for crowd expansion.  Most Holiday in the City events will go on as planned, come rain, snow or shine.  For details and a schedule of events, please go to www.HolidayInTheCity.com.  This celebration is free to the public.

 

A highlight of the evening and the main event happens early evening from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.  This hour includes street entertainment, the lighting of the downtown buildings, a parade bringing in Santa, the lighting of the community tree, and a Rozzi’s fireworks display off of the City Hall roof, all set to holiday music.

Following the grand entrance of Santa, visit the popular SantaLand exhibit in the Rotating Gallery on the second floor of the 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 Christmas time displays.  At the end of the journey, children will have the opportunity to meet with Santa and ask for that special wish. Families are invited to take their own pictures this year, as a photographer will not be on site. 

 

For the third year, through special arrangements with the Turner Foundation, there is an extensive vintage fairy tale Christmas Village.  This display fills two full rooms in the former Meeks building with restored magical and moving animatronic scenes.  This exhibit is from the original window displays from the Lord & Taylor Manhattan store and Marshall Field’s State Street Chicago store, circa 1940s.  This is one of the most charming stops along Fountain Avenue.     

 

This is a “pawfectly” festive event, early in the evening, featuring a high energy Dog Costume Contest, Agility Exhibition and Obedience Demonstration by the Clark County Humane Society, located in the lot between the State Theater and the Arcue building also along Fountain Avenue. 

 

What would an event be without holiday treats to eat?  New this year is an official food court on the brick alley between the Heritage Center and the Betty Pitzer Center, which will also serve as the event entrance to SantaLand this year.  In front of Key Bank, the Frosty Café will be featuring hot beverages, popcorn snow balls and snowflake pastries.  Most downtown diners and restaurants will be open as well. 

 

Returning this year is the popular Frisch Marionettes performing a classic favorite, Jack and the Beanstalk.  Look outdoors to the plaza streets for popular entertainment at 5:30 p.m. to warm up the crowd prior to the parade and fireworks.  End the evening with a carriage ride through the lights of downtown, with the loading area located in front of the Fountain on Main diner.  This year the carriage ride will cost $1.00 per person. 

 

The Great Tree Auction is a live auction with Sheriff Gene Kelly.  This fundraiser takes place in the Courtyard by Marriott Ballrooms.  Over 40 themed Christmas trees, small and large, are professionally decorated by a local artist or area businesses.  Stop at the door for your bidding card, the auction begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. and will take 90 minutes.  Typically trees are transported home by car that evening, or with special arrangement in the morning. Proceeds benefit the infusion campus Sponsor-a-Child Program. To learn more about this non-profit after-school program, go to www.artsinterface.org and click on infusion campus.

 

More information on Holiday in the City may be found at www.HolidayInTheCity.com.  This site will also function as a community site for upcoming holiday activities 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, AVETeC, The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Springfield Ford, Foreman Blair, Jeff Wyler Auto Mall, Clear Channel Radio, Community Mercy Health Partners, The Springfield News-Sun, Security National Bank, Center City Association, Southbrook Care Center, International Harvester, WesBanco, Key Bank, First Energy, National City Bank, Moyno Pumps, Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co., International Harvester Credit Union, Mr. Monte Zinn, McGregor Metalworking Companies, Mr. John Landess, Mr. Larry Landess, The Springfield Foundation, The Eye Site, Interface Creative Group and the Springfield Arts Council.