MEDIA ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 25, 2007 MEDIA CONTACTS: Michelle Mekky, Empower PR (312) 305-0181 [email protected] Ellen Farrar, GNMAA (312) 344.2315 [email protected]
Get Ready for Holiday Magic: The 2007 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris Kicks Off the Holiday Season Nationwide
Exciting live performances and new events add more magic and sparkle than ever before
CHICAGO, IL August 20, 2007- Mark your calendars for November 17th when the spectacular Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris lights up Chicago and the nation. This year is the first time this magical event will shine on a national stage through syndicated broadcasts across the country.
A collection of new, exciting activities and performers will entertain over one million visitors throughout a full weekend of events including street performers, stage shows and shopping. Then at 6 p.m. on November 17th, Mickey Mouse will illuminate over one million lights on 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile, one of the great avenues of the world. The procession and fireworks are broadcast nationally to over 35% of the country.
The first official event of the holiday season is held along North Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and the Chicago River. The new events and attractions to this year’s festival include WLS 890 AM’s World’s Largest Holiday Carol where Chicagoans will break the world record with more than 60,000 singers along The Magnificent Mile! Festival performers this year include, recording artist KT Tunstall, family favorite Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players. Radio Disney presents Corbin Bleu a star of Disney’s High School Musical.
The spectacular celebration begins with a November 8th testing of the lights and media event. The traditional window decorating contest, judging and media unveiling takes place on November 15th.
Date: Saturday, November 17 Time: Exciting events and performers all day. Lighting Procession begins at 6 p.m. Location: The Magnificent Mile, from Oak Street to Wacker Drive Cost: Free entertainment for all
About Harris Presenting sponsor of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival™, Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than one million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing, and wealth management solutions. The organization is a member of the BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which also provides corporate and investment banking services in the U.S. under the BMO Capital Markets name.
The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA) GNMAA is a private, non-profit membership organization with a mission of preserving, promoting, and enhancing one of Chicago’s most unique neighborhoods. Its 750 members include real estate properties, retailer, hotels, entertainment establishments and institutional and residential properties. GNMAA owns and manages The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris. More than 800 volunteers assist in the event planning and management.
MEDIA ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2007 MEDIA CONTACTS: Michelle Mekky, Empower PR (312) 305-0181 [email protected]
Ellen Farrar, GNMAA (312) 344-2315 [email protected]
Kick off the holiday season with KT Tunstall and High School Musical Star Corbin Bleu The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Presented by Harris Hosts an All-Star Cast
October 5, 2007 (Chicago)—The 16th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris kicks off the holiday season on November 17 with a star-studded lineup to entertain all ages. The Harris Stage along The Magnificent Mile will host such big names as KT Tunstall, Sister Hazel, High School Musical star Corbin Bleu presented by Radio Disney, Ralph’s World, and Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players. This is the biggest and best all-star cast the festival has seen yet, and it’s all free!
On top of A-list live performances, Mickey Mouse and his pals are in town direct from The Year of a Million Dreams celebration at the Walt Disney World® Resort. The entire family will enjoy a day filled with exciting activities, including the evening lighting procession in which Mickey will magically illuminate over one million lights on 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile. The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is the first official nationwide event celebrating the holiday season, held along North Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and the Chicago River.
This year is the first time this magical event will shine on a national stage through syndicated national broadcasts. The procession and fireworks will air in over 40 percent of the country.
Schedule of Performances: Saturday, November 17th Harris Stage at Pioneer Court (401 N Michigan Ave)
11:00 am Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players
12:00 pm Ralph’s World
1:00 pm KT Tunstall presented by 101.9fm THE MIX
2:00 pm Sister Hazel presented by 101.9fm THE MIX
3:00 pm Radio Disney AM 1300 Party Patrol
4:00 pm Radio Disney presents Corbin Bleu
KT Tunstall Grammy nominated artist whose singles include “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See”. Her music is a blend of rock/pop, alternative and acoustic. Tunstall’s music has risen in the charts worldwide and her music has been heard not only on the radio but in numerous movie soundtracks as well.
Corbin Bleu Corbin Bleu is nationally known for his role as Chad Danforth in the Disney Channel Original Movies High School Musical and High School Musical 2. He also starred in another Disney Channel Original Movie, Jump In!. Bleu recently released his first solo album on Hollywood Records, entitled Another Side.
Sister Hazel This band’s platinum-selling music is a familiar blend of southern rock, alternative rock, and great vocal harmonies. Perhaps best known for their chart-topping single "All For You," they have released numerous albums, including their latest studio album entitled "Absolutely." Sister Hazel also recently released a b-sides compilation ("BAM! Volume 1") and a holiday collection ("Santa's Playlist").
Ralph’s World Ralph's World is the rockin' phenomenon for kids by indie musician Ralph Covert (of Chicago's Bad Examples-fame). An indie rocker, Ralph’s World plays songs for families to dance and sing along to. The Disney Sound recording star received a Grammy nomination for his last studio children's album, Green Gorilla, Monster & Me.
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players Justin Roberts is a nationally known children’s singer and songwriter. Roberts performs all over the country and has created numerous children’s albums. His most recent CD, entitled Meltdown!, won him his fourth Parents Choice Gold Award.
About Harris Presenting sponsor of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival™, Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than one million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing, and wealth management solutions. The organization is a member of the BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which also provides corporate and investment banking services in the U.S. under the BMO Capital Markets name.
The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA) GNMAA is a private, non-profit membership organization with a mission of preserving, promoting, and enhancing one of Chicago’s most unique neighborhoods. Its 750 members include real estate properties, retailer, hotels, entertainment establishments and institutional and residential properties. GNMAA owns and manages The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris. More than 800 volunteers assist in the event planning and management.
Action! Camera! Lights! Mickey and Minnie Mouse Test the Lights to Preview The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris
November 1, 2007 - (Chicago) – November 8th is the official media preview for The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris. Join Mickey and Minnie Mouse direct from the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida and the rest of the Lights Festival crew at Water Tower Park from 5 am to 9 am for interviews, B-roll and live shots of the preparation for the magical Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.
Mickey and Minnie will help The Care of Trees, the company that has kept The Magnificent Mile trees beautiful, finish stringing one million lights on 200 trees. Mickey and Minnie will then test the lights in Water Tower Park to ensure a fabulous lighting procession for The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on November 17th.
The Happiness Club will perform holiday carols to preview WLS 890 AM World’s Largest Holiday Carol where, on the day of the Lights Festival, Chicagoans will break the caroling world record with more than 7,500 singers along The Magnificent Mile. Come check out the Southwest Airlines Mitten Tree, benefiting the Salvation Army. A donation has been made in your name, and we invite you to hang a mitten on the tree.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be available all morning, along with interviews with the Chair of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Tree Lighting Specialists from The Care of Trees. Snow machines will also be on hand to create a wonderful winter wonderland feel!
When: Thursday, November 8 Where: Water Tower Park at Chicago & Michigan Ave. B-roll and Photo Opportunities:
5 am Mickey and Minnie Mouse and The Care of Trees will string the lights in Water Tower Park.
6 am Mickey and Minnie Mouse will officially test the lights in Water Tower Park, on a snowy backdrop!
7 am – 9 am The Happiness Club will perform and rehearse for The World’s Largest Holiday Carol.
For media inquiries please contact: Michelle Mekky Ellen Farrar [email protected] [email protected] (312) 255-4011 or (312) 305-0181 (312) 344-2315 or (312) 804-7924
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 2007 MEDIA CONTACTS: Michelle Mekky, Empower PR (312) 305-0181 [email protected]
Ellen Farrar, GNMAA (312) 344-2315 [email protected]
Holiday Reveling Starts Now with the Lighting of The Magnificent Mile! The 2007 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival™ presented by Harris Sparkles with Live Performances and Attractions
(Chicago) - The 16th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris officially kicks off the holiday season on November 17 with a day of all-star entertainment followed by a magical evening procession led by Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends.
This is the Lights Festival’s best year yet with a star-studded list of entertainers. The Harris Stage, near the Chicago River on The Magnificent Mile, will host such big names as High School Musical star Corbin Bleu presented by Radio Disney, KT Tunstall and Sister Hazel.
Schedule of Performances: Saturday, November 17th Harris Stage at Pioneer Court (401 N Michigan Ave)
11:00 am Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players
12:00 pm Ralph’s World
1:00 pm KT Tunstall presented by 101.9fm THE MIX
2:00 pm Sister Hazel presented by 101.9fm THE MIX
3:00 pm Radio Disney AM 1300 Party Patrol
4:00 pm Radio Disney presents Corbin Bleu
On top of the A-list live performances, Sherri Shepherd of “The View” will co-host the live ABC 7 syndicated broadcast in High Definition of the lighting procession, led by Mickey Mouse and his pals, direct from The Year of a Million Dreams celebration at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida. Together they will magically illuminate over one million lights on 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile. Santa Claus will arrive on a majestic sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer with a blast of snow flurries on each block to usher in the holiday season. This is the first year the event will be on a national stage, with the procession airing in over 40 percent of the country. The procession will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Oak Street and travel South on Michigan Avenue to East Wacker Drive.
Other activities throughout the day include Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court, from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, which will be filled with interactive family friendly activities. The festival also instills the spirit of giving to exceptional charities. Donate a can of non- perishable food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and receive a free slice of Eli’s cheesecake. Bring a mitten or make a donation for The Salvation Army at the Southwest Airlines Mitten Tree. Capture “signatures” at The Signature Room at the 95th booth featuring kid cooks, The Spatulatta Girls, and musicians Justin Roberts, Ralph Covert and Sister Hazel. The Museum of Science and Industry will exhibit “Christmas Around the World” and LEGO® Hubert, the six-foot Harris Lion made out of LEGOs, will appear for his second year at The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris.
We’re also going for a World Record this year! Event goers can join WLS 890 AM at 5:20 pm to participate in the World’s Largest Holiday Carol. The Carol Zone is located on Michigan Avenue between Ohio and Illinois streets. Chicagoans will break the caroling world record with more than 7,500 singers along The Magnificent Mile.
The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks display over the Chicago River at the Michigan Avenue Bridge at 6:55 p.m.
For visitors looking for a guide to one of the great avenues of the world, including hotels and must-see attractions, visit www.themagnificentmile.com. An official Lights Festival Guide, full of special offers from hotels, retailers, restaurants and must-see attractions, is available for download, and will be distributed in Pioneer Court and other spots along North Michigan Avenue.
The Magnificent Mile is known for its world class shopping. Select stores along Michigan Avenue will extend their hours for event goers to get a head start on their holiday gift purchases.
With an expected 700 volunteers, 30 procession vehicles and a day’s worth of fun and excitement, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is the perfect family holiday event.
KT Tunstall Grammy nominated artist whose singles include “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See”. Her music is a blend of rock/pop, alternative and acoustic. Tunstall’s music has risen in the charts worldwide and her music has been heard not only on the radio but in numerous movie soundtracks as well.
Corbin Bleu Corbin Bleu is nationally known for his role as Chad Danforth in the Disney Channel Original Movies High School Musical and High School Musical 2. He also starred in another Disney Channel Original Movie, Jump In!. Bleu recently released his first solo album on Hollywood Records, entitled Another Side.
Sister Hazel This band’s platinum-selling music is a familiar blend of southern rock, alternative rock, and great vocal harmonies. Perhaps best known for their chart-topping single "All For You," they have released numerous albums, including their latest studio album entitled "Absolutely." Sister Hazel also recently released a b-sides compilation ("BAM! Volume 1") and a holiday collection ("Santa's Playlist").
Ralph’s World Ralph's World is the rockin' phenomenon for kids by indie musician Ralph Covert (of Chicago's Bad Examples-fame). An indie rocker, Ralph’s World plays songs for families to dance and sing along to. The Disney Sound recording star received a Grammy nomination for his last studio children's album, Green Gorilla, Monster & Me.
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players Justin Roberts is a nationally known children’s singer and songwriter. Roberts performs all over the country and has created numerous children’s albums. His most recent CD, entitled Meltdown!, won him his fourth Parents Choice Gold Award.
Sherri Shepherd Stand-up comedian Sheri Sheppard has been seen in numerous comedic movies and television shows, including “Beauty Shop,” “Guess Who” and NBC’s hit television show, “30 Rock.” Shepherd can currently be seen on ABC’s Emmy Award winning daytime chat show, “The View.”
About Harris Presenting sponsor of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival™, Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than one million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing, and wealth management solutions. The organization is a member of the BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which also provides corporate and investment banking services in the U.S. under the BMO Capital Markets name.
The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA) GNMAA is a private, non-profit membership organization with a mission of preserving, promoting, and enhancing one of Chicago’s most unique neighborhoods. Its 750 members include real estate properties, retailer, hotels, entertainment establishments and institutional and residential properties. GNMAA owns and manages The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris. More than 800 volunteers assist in the event planning and management.