Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Rings in the Holiday Season
 with Downtown Orlando Tradition
Holiday Lights Orlando Teams Up with Trinity Lutheran Downtown

WHAT:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer invites Central Florida residents and visitors to join him as he puts the finishing touches on Downtown’s holiday decorations. Holiday Lights Orlando is the premiere holiday event for families, Downtown businesses and residents. The highlight of the evening will be the lighting of the majestic 40-foot Norwegian spruce Christmas tree, adorned with thousands of holiday lights decorated by Mary Lowndes Poole and Associates – Orlando.

This year, Holiday Lights Orlando will feature Trinity Lutheran Downtown’s annual Christmas special and show, The Gift. The show features a choir of nearly 100 voices conducted by Composer/Conductor Emeritus of the Walt Disney World Candlelight Procession, Derric Johnson, and Voices of Liberty soloist, Debbie Johnson. Entertainers will perform throughout the festival featuring a variety of musical groups, including traditional Christmas hand bell and Gospel choirs, soloists and a puppet show.

Festivities will also include the lighting of a menorah, an outdoor viewing of “The Grinch” starring Jim Carrey and a sampling of holiday treats.

Admission to Holiday Lights Orlando is free.

CHARITY:
In the spirit of holiday giving, the City of Orlando and Trinity Lutheran Downtown have partnered with IDignity Inc. During The Gift stage production, a collection of donations will be taken to benefit IDignity Inc. A portion of the proceeds from vendors and food concessions will also be given.

IDignity Inc. was created to help the disadvantaged in Central Florida overcome the difficulties of obtaining the personal identification that is crucial to enabling them to become self-sufficient. IDignity Inc. hosts monthly events to provide assistance in receiving Florida ID cards and licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards and other documents with assistance from legal counsel.

WHO:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
Orlando City Commissioners
Trinity Lutheran Downtown
City of Orlando employees
Downtown businesses, workers and residents
Central Florida families and neighbors

SPONSORS:
City of Orlando, Trinity Lutheran Downtown, University of Central Florida Rosen School for Hospitality, Downtown Development Board, WKMG Local 6, Bethany Christian Services, Maxim Crane Co., Sunbelt Rentals Co., Turner Construction, Mary Lowndes Poole and Associates – Orlando.

WHEN:
Friday, December 2, 2011
4:00 – 10:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m. Christmas Festival
6:00 p.m. Tree lighting ceremony
** 6:20 p.m. Mayor Dyer Media Window **
6:30 p.m. Trinity School Play
7:30 p.m. The Gift Stage Production
8:30 p.m. “The Grinch”

WHERE:
Lake Eola Park Amphitheatre
195 North Rosalind Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION:
Parking is available for a fee at all Downtown Orlando parking garages and lots.

The free LYMMO Circulator is recommended for Downtown residents and attendees parking at garages other than the Orange County Library Garage (located at 112 East Pine Street).

Parking locations and LYMMO stop information is located on our website CityofOrlando.net.

For more information, please visit: cityoforlando.net/holiday.

###