Holiday at the Hall festival slated for Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009

The seventh annual Holiday at the Hall festival will be held Saturday, Dec.
5, 2009 in Old Town Lewisville, featuring a wide range of free family events from 7 a.m. through 6 p.m.

Since its inception, this award-winning festival has grown into a fascinating winter wonderland of holiday ambiance and spirit of the season.

More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the celebration, which was named best special event in the country by the City-County Communications and Marketing Association.

This year’s festival schedule of events will include Breakfast with Santa, Motorcycle Toy Run, Sam Pack’s Ford Country of Lewisville Christmas Parade and the Polar Ice Village.

The Polar Ice Village features some of the nation's top ice sculpture artists competing in a live competition to transform towers of ice blocks into amazing 12-foot-tall art sculptures made of solid ice. The competition, sanctioned by the National Ice Carving Association, is the only one of its kind in the southwest.

Festival activities will include two festival stages of live entertainment, strolling artists, visits with Santa Claus, and shopping in the Artists Alcove Holiday Market for hand-crafted items and specialized gifts.

“I hope everyone is able to join us in Old Town Lewisville for this year’s festival and kick off the holiday season with a great family event,” said Mayor Dean Ueckert.

Saturday’s slate of events and activities will begin with the popular Breakfast with Santa from 7 to 11 a.m., as the Kiwanis Club will prepare a holiday feast of pancakes and sausage. Breakfast with Santa activities will engage children in caroling and holiday art projects.

The 11th annual Motorcycle Toy Run will bring hundreds of bikers downtown to spread the holiday spirit by collecting toys for local charities. Riders will depart from Old Town at noon. For information, please call 972.219.3560. Participants are asked to donate a new unwrapped toy as their entry fee. The toys will be collected and distributed to Child Protective Services of Denton County, Christian Community Action and Friends of the Family.

Live entertainment will begin at 10 a.m., with two stages presenting local and regional acts while strolling performers add to the festive scene with an abundance of festival food, arts and crafts and specialty booths on display. Free carriage rides also will be available.
At 10:30 a.m., the Polar Ice Carving Village opens to the public. Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite ice artist in the collection of ice-sculpting displays while enjoying a sight rarely found in the Sun Belt – towering works of carved ice lining the street.

The popular Tailwaggers Ranch will make its return to the event. Pet contests, agility rally, cake walk and other activities are slated for 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Nearly 20 animal rescue groups will be at the event.

A pet parade will start at 1:30 p.m., which includes a pet costume contest.
The first 100 people registering for the event will receive a free t-shirt.

The 2009 Sam Pack’s Ford Country Christmas Parade will go through the heart of Old Town Lewisville, beginning at the intersection of Cowan and Main streets at 3 p.m. and heading east on Main and then south on Mill before ending at Delay Middle School. Participants will assemble that morning on Cowan Street between Main and Purnell, with a festive atmosphere of music and fun. Past parade entries have included local favorites such as Lewisville High School band and drill team, local dance and martial arts academies, businesses, civic organizations, school groups, Scouts, equestrians, decorated vehicles, parade floats and more.

Trophies will be awarded during the Old Town Lights event later that day in three categories: Babes in Toyland, Santa’s Sleigh, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Elves Workshop. After the parade, Santa Claus will meet with children in the Wayne Ferguson Plaza at Poydras and Main. Photo buttons will be available for children to commemorate their visit.

At 5:45 p.m., Mayor Dean Ueckert and Santa Claus will join forces for Holiday Lights! Old Town Lighting ceremony, flipping the switch to turn on the city’s Christmas tree and thousands of lights in Old Town Lewisville.

At 8 p.m., the Greater Lewisville Community Theatre, located on the south side of Main Street, will present “A Tuna Christmas.” Tickets are available by calling the Greater Lewisville Community Theater, 972.221.7469.

Holiday at the Hall is being sponsored by the City of Lewisville and the Lewisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sam Pack’s Ford Country of Lewisville, Vista Ridge Village Shopping Center and Waste Management.

Free park and ride shuttles, including a shuttle for those with pets, will be running from Vista Ridge Village Shopping Center, FM 3040 and MacArthur, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For event information, call 972.219.3401 or visit www.cityoflewisville.com  or www.visitlewisville.com .

Media contact: Marketing and Tourism Manager Jennifer Galante, 972.219.3710
 

Volunteers needed for “Holiday at the Hall” festival

 
Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles assisting with the annual “Holiday at the Hall” festival, scheduled for Saturday, Dec.5, 2009 in Old Town Lewisville. Help is needed in such areas as parade monitors, parking attendants, Vendor relations, general setup, stage management and more.
For information, please visit the city’s Web site, www.cityoflewisville.com, or call 972.219.3401.
 
Local groups interested in performing on the Community Stage during the festival are encouraged to call 972.219.3712 to ask about opportunities.

Preference is given to student groups representing area schools and studios. Sound equipment is provided.
 
Applications for the 2009 Christmas Parade also are being accepted. Forms can be downloaded from the city’s Web site, www.cityoflewisville.com.
 
Media contact: Events and Promotions Coordinator Melinda Stephens,
972.219.3712