FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2010

KICK OFF THE HOLIDAYS AT “LIGHT UP LAKEWOOD”

Featuring Lakewood’s holiday lighting, Santa arrival and street entertainment

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Join Lakewood residents, families, businesses and friends for the annual Light Up Lakewood holiday extravaganza on Saturday, December 4 from 6:00-8:00 pm. A half-mile stretch along Detroit Avenue, from Marlowe to Arthur Avenues (Lakewood Hospital to Lakewood Library) will be closed to traffic and transformed into a Winter Wonderland.

The Light Up Lakewood spectacular will kick-off with Santa’s arrival and holiday lighting at Lakewood Hospital, followed by an evening of:

· Musical entertainment by the choirs and bands from Lakewood schools, Lakewood Catholic Academy, the Beck Center and the Lakewood Baptist Church Praise Choir and dance performances by Silhouette Dance & Fine Art;

· Children’s activities, story time, visits with Santa and a “kids-only” shopping opportunity at a “Twigbee-style” shop at Lakewood Library;

· Street performers along Detroit Avenue, including the St. Edward Trash Talkers and the St. Ignatius High School Circus Company;

· “Nutcracker Dancers” to perform on the Panera Bread Stage;

· Ice carvings and pictures with holiday characters including “Buddy the Elf” and the “Grinch”;

· Free trolley rides;

· Christmas tree sales at Lakewood Garden Center; and

· “Gingerbread Home Tour” community created ginger bread houses on display at various merchants throughout the downtown district kicks off with Light Up Lakewood.

“Over the past several years Light Up Lakewood has grown into a true holiday tradition - a not-to-be missed event for our community,” said Sarah Kepple, Light Up Lakewood Committee Chair. “ Light Up Lakewood is made possible through the collaborative work of many Lakewood institutions and enthusiastic volunteers” said Mary Anne Crampton, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive. “Collaboration with those who share the goal of an economically stable and progressive community is what sets Lakewood apart and keeps Lakewood strong.”

Light Up Lakewood is a community event presented by LakewoodAlive in collaboration with the City of Lakewood, Lakewood City Schools, Lakewood Public Library, Lakewood Masonic Temple, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Center North Building, H2O Volunteers and sponsored by Lakewood Hospital, Coral Company, Target, Panera Bread, and Kidd Productions. Visit www.downtownlakewood.org for a complete listing of events, activities and a list of the merchant locations with gingerbread houses on display.

LakewoodAlive is a 501(c)(3) economic development organization. Downtown Lakewood, a volunteer-based Main Street™ program of LakewoodAlive, is dedicated to the revitalization of Lakewood’s historic downtown district.