LOUISVILLE, KY. (Sept. 30, 2015) – Holiday in the City, a gift from MainSource Bank, will expand upon the festive history of Louisville’s seasonal traditions and showcase the city as a true year-end destination. Light Up Louisville, powered by LG&E, the annual welcoming event for the holidays, returns for its 35th year and will now kick off the month-long celebration of Louisville’s Holiday in the City.
“The spirit of the holidays is a great way to bring our city together and this festival will provide an energetic venue for families and visitors to enjoy,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “We want to build on our recent recognition as the 2015 International Festivals & Events Association World Festival & Event City and this new tradition will do that by providing citizens with the same high level entertainment and festival scene experienced in the warmer months.”
“MainSource Bank is proud to provide this wonderful Holiday gift to Louisville and the surrounding communities,” said Regional President, Mike Gleeson. “We are anxiously looking forward to the start of the Holiday season so that the area residents and visitors can enjoy this great event.”
Light Up Louisville returns the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 27. Light Up will once again feature the annual Lots of Lights parade on its new route along Fourth Street through Fourth Street Live! Parade units will be decorated in festive lights and will include bands, carolers, car clubs, floats, children’s groups and civic organizations. The parade will end with the arrival of Santa Claus, who will help illuminate downtown Louisville, followed by Zambelli fireworks – all centered at the newly located main stage at 4th and Jefferson Streets. The Run, Run Rudolph 5K will get started at 4:00 p.m. Registration is now open atwww.headfirstperformance.com. A free Santa’s Workshop will be available in the 4th Street lobby of the Kentucky International Convention Center with various activities for the kids. Pictures with Santa will also be available from 8:30 – 10:00 p.m. with an encouraged donation to Toys for Tots.
“Light Up Louisville is one of the city’s great traditions, and we’re proud to continue to help bring this family-friendly event to our community,” said Victor A. Staffieri, Chairman, CEO and President of LG&E and KU Energy. “Each year it seems to get better, and this year’s expanded activities not only offer great entertainment for our local community, but help make Louisville a holiday destination for the surrounding areas.”
Holiday in the City will transform the plaza at 4th and Jefferson streets into “Holiday Square” featuring an ice-skating rink, world market, bourbon village and Louisville’s official city Christmas tree.
Holiday Square will host the Holiday in the City World Market November 23-December 23. Inspired by the Christkindl markets in Nuremberg, Germany, a European custom that has been around since 1545, the World Market will bring a cherished holiday tradition to our backyard. The World Market will create a unique holiday shopping experience to Downtown Louisville, allowing visitors to browse hand-made gifts made by local and international artisans, sip on holiday beverages, taste classic foods or simply wander around Louisville’s only Holiday open-air market. Wooden chalets, handcrafted by local Amish craftsmen, will house participating vendors and pepper the square giving it a feeling of a festive village.
In addition to the World Market, Holiday Square will be home to a 100’x44’ ice-skating rink featuring real ice and skate rentals. The 90-minute skating session with rentals is $10 per person. The rink will be open November 23–January 3. Charity and private group skating packages will be available as well. Guests can receive a discount of $2.00 off ice skating with the purchase of the Holiday in the City Pin.
“Creating a more festive and beautiful downtown throughout the holidays is not only good for those living here and family and friends from out of town, it’s great for generating new tourism,” said President, Karen Williams, “which is why the Louisville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has been a strong partner in expanding and re-energizing this event.”
Holiday in the City will also host Santa’s House at Fourth Street Live! After his arrival at Light Up Louisville, Santa will set up shop at Fourth Street Live! Beginning on Saturday, November 28, Santa will be available for a visit and photo. Santa’s House will be openWednesday, Saturday and Sunday 4:00-8:00pm. Santa’s House is sponsored by YUM! Brands and donations made for pictures will benefit Dare to Care Food Bank. Materials to construct Santa’s House were provided by LP Building Products.
Fourth Street Live! General Manager, Brad Pernaw said, “We love the new approach for Holiday in the City and are excited to host Santa and his elves during this holiday season.”
Holiday in the City will provide an extensive look at all of the cultural and community holiday events happening around Louisville. A Holiday Happenings calendar will be available at www.
“Holiday in the City brings together the very best of Louisville’s traditions and will create a festive holiday atmosphere for the entire Metro Louisville community,” said Kim Baker, President of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. “We are happy to be partners is this endeavor that is sure to spur tourism and increase participation in local arts and culture.”
Window Wonderland returns for its second year as a part of Holiday in the City. Local businesses along Main and Fourth Streets will spread holiday cheer by adorning their storefronts with various holiday décor.
Louisville’s Holiday in the City is a gift from MainSource Bank. Light up Louisville is powered by LG&E. Additional sponsors include: Louisville: It’s Possible Here, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Fourth Street Live!, YUM! Foundation, Kentucky International Convention Center, Hines Management, UAW862/Ford, Alltech, Four Roses Bourbon and LP Building Products.
Mayor Fischer urges people to share their Holiday in the City photos and experiences on social media using hashtag #HoLouDay.
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