Mickey and Minnie Mouse test Magnificent Mile Lights

November 21, 2013

(RELEASE)
MICKEY MOUSE & MINNIE MOUSE TEST THE LIGHTS AT A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT'S NEW AT THE BMO HARRIS BANK MAGNIFICENT MILE LIGHTS FESTIVAL

Cameras and crews are invited to capture a special sneak peek of what's new at the 22nd Annual BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. The morning media event is scheduled for Thursday, November 21 on the outdoor terrace at The Peninsula Chicago.

This early-morning media event is a chance to provide your viewers with insider event tips and a preview of how they can engage with all that's new at this year's Lights Festival, including a first glimpse of The BMO Harris Bank Community Art Project. We invite your newscasters to leave their mark on The Magnificent Mile by painting the very first tiles of this highly visible Chicago mural that will remain on display along North Michigan Avenue throughout the holiday season. An additional 1,000 tiles will be available for visitors to design on the day of the Lights Festival, and a portion of the finished art will be unveiled along the parade route.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse of The Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida will test the lights for the magical tree-lighting parade that has become The Magnificent Mile's beloved holiday tradition. The Peninsula Chicago's Sky-High Skating Rink will be open with an exciting array of holiday visuals, including live skating and musical performances, a delectable cooking demo and sampling of holiday treats in the Skating Rink Chalet. A full display of must-have items for Holiday shopping along The Magnificent Mile will be presented, along with a special visit from Santa Claus.

It's all happening at the 'Sky-High Skating Rink' on The Terrace at The Peninsula Hotel Chicago, 108 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611

The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is the country's largest evening holiday celebration and signals the beginning of the season with an action-packed day throughout The Magnificent Mile district. On Saturday, November 23, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse of The Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida will lead a magical tree lighting parade down The Magnificent Mile, illuminating more than one million lights on 200 trees along the way. A firework display above the Chicago River provides a resounding finale.

Starting at 11 a.m. on the BMO Harris Bank stage, a star-studded line-up includes performances by Interscope Recording Artist Megan Nicole and the Grammy-nominated indie family music group, Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson-plus more celebrity announcements to come! Families can participate in a day of holiday-themed activities in Lights Festival Lane (Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Avenue) where booths include tile-painting for The BMO Harris Bank Community Art Project, photo opportunities with Santa Claus from John Hancock Observatory; delicious treats from Chicago's favorite eateries including Garrett Popcorn Shops, The Eli's Cheesecake Company, Hostess, Connie's Pizza; a chance to meet your favorite stars and more.

The day's activities lead up to the much-anticipated tree lighting parade. For the first time this year, the festivities will begin with the "Largest Holiday Carol" at 5:00 pm along North Michigan Avenue, led by 93.9 My FM's Mario Lopez and his family! Grand marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse of The Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida will then appear together at 5:30 pm on an awe-inspiring float as they lead more than 40 magnificent floats, larger-than-life balloons, classic characters from Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, lively marching bands from in and outside of the state and celebrity appearances by Grace Phipps, Megan Nicole and more. For more information, visit www.themagnificentmile.com.

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