One of the Nation's Largest Holiday Events Boasts a Star-Studded Weekend of Festivities

One of the Nation's Largest Holiday Events Boasts a Star-Studded Weekend of Festivities

Chicago's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival(R) presented by Harris kicks off

the 2009 Holiday Season, November 21-22

Plain White T's, Mitchel Musso of Disney Channel's 'Hannah Montana,' and Deborah Roberts of ABCs '20/20' and 'Good Morning America,' and Ashley Greene

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

CONTACT: Denise O'Handley of wkpr, LLC, +1-847-424-1200,
denise@wkprchicago.com, for The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association; or
Dana Pontarelli of The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association,
+1-312-344-2319, dpontarelli@gnmaa.com

Web Site: http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: High resolution images and more information about The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® presented by Harris is available at www.themagnificentmile.com.

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