of 'Twilight' among those in the celebrity line-up
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  CHICAGO, Nov. 10
 
 
  WHO:   The 18th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® Presented
         by Harris...
 
  WHAT:  ...will mark the official start of the 2009 Holiday Season with
         more than one million people traveling from all over the U.S. to
         enjoy a weekend filled with free holiday activities along the
         world class Magnificent Mile®. Offering something for everyone,
         the event will feature a variety of celebrity entertainers,
         appearances by beloved Disney characters, interactive booths and a
         mile filled with holiday offers at North Michigan Avenue's famous
         shops, restaurants and hotels.
 
         The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris procession
         will commence on Saturday, November 21 at 5:30 p.m. The procession
         will feature more than 30 spectacular floats, marching bands and
         other performers, with Mickey Mouse from Disney Parks as the grand
         marshal who will illuminate more than one million lights on 200
         trees along The Magnificent Mile.
 
         Deborah Roberts of ABC's "20/20" and Good Morning America will be
         among the hosts of an hour-long nationally televised ABC 7 Chicago
         special on The Magnificent Mile that will air on Saturday, November
         21 from 6-7 pm CST.  In addition to showing highlights of the day's
         entertainment and the entire procession, special celebrity
         greetings will also be featured as part of the program.
 
         This year's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Presented by Harris
         also marks the launch of the first annual The Extra Mile: Acts of
         Kindness to Start the Holiday Season program. The program allows
         patrons of participating shops, restaurants and hotels to give to
         a variety of local, regional and national charity organizations
         through a host of day-long activities and deals. For a complete
         list of participants, visit www.themagnificentmile.com.
 
         Event highlights include:
            -- Lights Festival Lane, an interactive, holiday wonderland
               on Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Avenue).
            -- A festive Culinary Pavilion brought to you by The
               Signature Room at the 95th, which includes demonstrations
               by several area restaurants like The Signature Room at the
               95th and MARKETHOUSE.
            -- Musical performances on the Harris Stage from 11 am - 5 pm
               featuring Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime
               Players, Ralph's World, Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew,
               Mitchel Musso presented by Radio Disney and the Plain White
               T's presented by 101.9 FM THE MIX.
            -- Procession floats featuring Mickey Mouse and his friends from
               Disney Parks and giant holiday-themed balloons, along with a
               variety of performers including the famous NOGGELER
               Guuggenmusig from Lucerne, Switzerland and numerous marching
               bands. Ashley Greene of "Twilight" and Tony Esposito of the
               Chicago Blackhawks will be among several of the celebrities
               appearing in the lighting procession. The procession
               culminates with Santa's arrival. A spectacular fireworks
               display marks the grand finale.
 
 
         For a complete schedule and a list of activities and holiday
         offers, visit www.themagnificentmile.com.
 
         Become a fan of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Presented
         by Harris on facebook and follow real-time event updates and
         special deals on twitter at www.twitter.com/Lightmymile
 
  WHERE: One of the Great Avenues of the World...
         North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
 
  WHEN:  Friday, November 20
         Guests can settle in and begin to take advantage of all of the
         hotel, restaurant and retail holiday deals and offers listed in
         The Magnificent Mile Holiday Activity Guide. The guide will be
         available on site and is also available online at
         www.themagnificentmile.com.
 
         Saturday, November 21
         11 am - 5 pm: Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court is open
         with live entertainment and dozens of family friendly activities.
         5:30 pm: The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris
         lighting procession begins.
         6:55 pm: Fireworks display over the Chicago River at Michigan
         Avenue and Wacker Drive.
 
         Sunday, November 22
         Day-long shopping and dining deals offered benefiting a variety
         of charities as part of "The Extra Mile" program.
 
   To prearrange event day interviews and photo opportunities, and for
   a complete entertainment schedule, contact Denise O'Handley at
   847-648-2644.

Source: The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association