The Festival of Lights opens at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with a program of holiday music, guest speakers, refreshments, a visit from Santa Claus and the traditional lighting of the trees.
This year, the Festival is bigger and brighter with new lights, a Gingerbread house and train rides through the display during the first two weekends of entertainment.
The 2009 holiday scenes will include a new Gingerbread House, designed by Rosalie and Ham Morrall and constructed with assistance from Anne Cicala, plus a Victorian Village and the traditional Snoopy and Peanuts figures.
The first two weekends of the Festival will feature special activities.
• Dec. 5: Opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. feature holiday music by the Media Theatre State Street Miracles, a performance troupe of talented adults who have developmental disabilities. Two members of the Bridge Company Bravo, 6th Engineer Support Battalion U.S. Marine Corps Reserves – Captain Joshua S. Edwards and 1st Sgt. William J. Tirado -- will address the crowd and announce that residents can drop off holiday messages for men and women serving in the military at a drop-box at the Festival, or at the Government Center. Santa Claus will arrive and people can visit the heated concession tent for holiday treats and crafts.
• Dec. 6, 11, 12: Special events continue from 5:30-9:30 p.m. There will be free entertainment, crafts, train rides and concessions for sale on those nights. Entertainment is at 6:45 p.m. those evenings.
• Dec. 6: Tenor Michael D’Annunzio will perform at 6:45 p.m.
• Dec. 11: Makin’ Music will provide family entertainment at 6:45 p.m.
• Dec. 12: The Kennedy Family will perform holiday selections at 6:45 p.m.
The Festival of Lights runs 5:30-9:30 nightly
Dec. 5 through Jan. 31 in Rose Tree Park, Route 252, Upper Providence.
Free admission.
For information contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at (610) 565-7410
