One of the Nation's Largest Holiday Events Boasts a Star-Studded Weekend of Festivities

One of the Nation's Largest Holiday Events Boasts a Star-Studded Weekend of Festivities

Chicago's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival(R) presented by Harris kicks off

the 2009 Holiday Season, November 21-22

Plain White T's, Mitchel Musso of Disney Channel's 'Hannah Montana,' and Deborah Roberts of ABCs '20/20' and 'Good Morning America,' and Ashley Greene

             of 'Twilight' among those in the celebrity line-up          CHICAGO, Nov. 10     WHO:   The 18th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® Presented          by Harris...    WHAT:  ...will mark the official start of the 2009 Holiday Season with          more than one million people traveling from all over the U.S. to          enjoy a weekend filled with free holiday activities along the          world class Magnificent Mile®. Offering something for everyone,          the event will feature a variety of celebrity entertainers,          appearances by beloved Disney characters, interactive booths and a          mile filled with holiday offers at North Michigan Avenue's famous          shops, restaurants and hotels.           The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris procession          will commence on Saturday, November 21 at 5:30 p.m. The procession          will feature more than 30 spectacular floats, marching bands and          other performers, with Mickey Mouse from Disney Parks as the grand          marshal who will illuminate more than one million lights on 200          trees along The Magnificent Mile.           Deborah Roberts of ABC's "20/20" and Good Morning America will be          among the hosts of an hour-long nationally televised ABC 7 Chicago          special on The Magnificent Mile that will air on Saturday, November          21 from 6-7 pm CST.  In addition to showing highlights of the day's          entertainment and the entire procession, special celebrity          greetings will also be featured as part of the program.           This year's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Presented by Harris          also marks the launch of the first annual The Extra Mile: Acts of          Kindness to Start the Holiday Season program. The program allows          patrons of participating shops, restaurants and hotels to give to          a variety of local, regional and national charity organizations          through a host of day-long activities and deals. For a complete          list of participants, visit www.themagnificentmile.com.           Event highlights include:             -- Lights Festival Lane, an interactive, holiday wonderland                on Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Avenue).             -- A festive Culinary Pavilion brought to you by The                Signature Room at the 95th, which includes demonstrations                by several area restaurants like The Signature Room at the                95th and MARKETHOUSE.             -- Musical performances on the Harris Stage from 11 am - 5 pm                featuring Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime                Players, Ralph's World, Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew,                Mitchel Musso presented by Radio Disney and the Plain White                T's presented by 101.9 FM THE MIX.             -- Procession floats featuring Mickey Mouse and his friends from                Disney Parks and giant holiday-themed balloons, along with a                variety of performers including the famous NOGGELER                Guuggenmusig from Lucerne, Switzerland and numerous marching                bands. Ashley Greene of "Twilight" and Tony Esposito of the                Chicago Blackhawks will be among several of the celebrities                appearing in the lighting procession. The procession                culminates with Santa's arrival. A spectacular fireworks                display marks the grand finale.            For a complete schedule and a list of activities and holiday          offers, visit www.themagnificentmile.com.           Become a fan of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Presented          by Harris on facebook and follow real-time event updates and          special deals on twitter at www.twitter.com/Lightmymile    WHERE: One of the Great Avenues of the World...          North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL    WHEN:  Friday, November 20          Guests can settle in and begin to take advantage of all of the          hotel, restaurant and retail holiday deals and offers listed in          The Magnificent Mile Holiday Activity Guide. The guide will be          available on site and is also available online at          www.themagnificentmile.com.           Saturday, November 21          11 am - 5 pm: Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court is open          with live entertainment and dozens of family friendly activities.          5:30 pm: The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris          lighting procession begins.          6:55 pm: Fireworks display over the Chicago River at Michigan          Avenue and Wacker Drive.           Sunday, November 22          Day-long shopping and dining deals offered benefiting a variety          of charities as part of "The Extra Mile" program.     To prearrange event day interviews and photo opportunities, and for    a complete entertainment schedule, contact Denise O'Handley at    847-648-2644.  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association

CONTACT: Denise O'Handley of wkpr, LLC, +1-847-424-1200,
denise@wkprchicago.com, for The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association; or
Dana Pontarelli of The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association,
+1-312-344-2319, dpontarelli@gnmaa.com

Web Site: http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: High resolution images and more information about The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® presented by Harris is available at www.themagnificentmile.com.

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Profile: International Entertainment