FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Laura Bornfreund (407) 246-3423

MAYOR BUDDY DYER ILLUMINATES CITY HALL PLAZA
WITH HOLIDAY LIGHTS ORLANDO

City Residents, Businesses and Visitors are Invited to be Part of a New Holiday Tradition in Downtown Orlando

WHO: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
City of Orlando Employees
Downtown businesses, workers and citizens
Central Florida Residents

WHAT: Holiday Lights Orlando

WHEN: Wednesday, November 30, 2005
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall Plaza
400 South Orange Avenue

ORLANDO, FL (November 22, 2005) -- Mayor Buddy Dyer invites Orlando residents to join him in an exciting new holiday tradition in Downtown Orlando. For the first time, City Hall Plaza will illuminate with more than 35,000 lights and a magnificent 30-foot Norway Spruce tree, the same type of tree that is displayed in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza.

In addition to a spectacular tree lighting ceremony, there will be a variety of musical entertainment from the St. James Choir and the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Woodwind Quintet to C Note a local group. Festivities will also include refreshments from our downtown, Holiday Lights Orlando restaurant sponsors including Central City Market and Hue Catering.

In the spirit of holiday giving and community service, the City has joined forces with Doc and Johnny of XL106.7 to launch their Baby DJ Fund. Toy collection boxes have been distributed by XL106.7 to downtown businesses, which will be brought to Holiday Lights Orlando. Toys collected at this event will be distributed by XL106.7 to local families who are unable to provide their children with toys for the holidays.

Recommend Parking and Transportation Information
· Downtown workers are encouraged to use the free LYMMO Circulator. For information on LYMMO stops, please visit http://www.golynx.com/?pid=1155678.
· City Hall Surface Lot on the southeast corner of South Street and Orange Avenue.
· City Commons parking garage on the corner of South Street and Boone Street.

Proud supporters of this event include the City of Orlando, Orlando Utilities Commission, the Downtown Development Board, The Westin Grand Bohemian, Central City Market, Hue Catering, Shutts & Bowen LLP, 55 West and Condo HQ. For more information please visit the City of Orlando website at www.cityoforlando.net.

# # #