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Hollywood Film Producer Jerry Weintraub Named Celebrity Grand Marshal of the 21st Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade

Contact: Amy Blaisdell Communications Director (760) 323-8250

Oct. 25, 2012

Legendary Hollywood film producer and local resident Jerry Weintraub will lead the march along Palm Canyon Drive as the Celebrity Grand Marshal for the 21st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, Mayor Steve Pougnet announced today.

Palm Canyon Drive will also be renamed “Jerry Weintraub Drive” on the day of the parade, Pougnet said.

Weintraub’s most recent production is the new HBO film “,” starring Michael Douglas and . The film, directed by , was shot in different locations throughout Palm Springs during August. Previous Weintraub credits include the blockbusters “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Ocean’s Twelve, “Ocean’s Thirteen,” in addition to the “,” movies and the classic “Nashville.”

Hollywood Producer Jerry Weintraub, Celebrity Grand Marshal

“Jerry Weintraub is a Hollywood legend and the City of Palm Springs is thrilled to welcome him to our city as the Celebrity Grand Marshal of the 21st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade,” said Mayor Steve Pougnet. “Jerry is a

-1- one-of-a-kind producer and promoter and we’re incredibly appreciative of all that he has done to support and celebrate the Palm Springs destination.”

The parade, which kicks off at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Palm Canyon and Ramon, is the City’s signature holiday event and is presented this year by the City of Palm Springs and P.S. Resorts.

As many as 90,000 spectators are expected to visit downtown Palm Springs to view the parade’s magnificent marching bands and twinkling holiday-themed floats adorned in thousands of beautiful colored lights. In addition, residents and visitors alike won’t want to miss the wildly popular giant Macy’s-style holiday balloons along with Santa and his reindeer on the spectacular “Jackie Lee Houston Santa Claus Express.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus on the "Jackie Lee Houston Santa Claus Express"

The deadline to submit a float application is Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Visit www.psfestivaloflights.com to download an application.

“The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is the biggest and best holiday parade in the Coachella Valley,” said Pougnet. “ Bring the whole family and visit downtown Palm Springs on Saturday, Dec. 1 as we celebrate the spirit of the holiday season in Palm Springs, like no place else!”

For more information about this year’s parade and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.psfestivaloflights.com or call Palm Springs Parks and Recreation at (760) 323-8272.

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