| (11/13/07)
- Mayor Don Plusquellic today revealed details for the fourth annual Holidayfest at Lock 3
Park in Downtown Akron. This year's holiday fun is sponsored by the City of Akron,
Downtown Akron Partnership, and features Presenting Sponsor the First Merit Foundation. Created in 2004, Holidayfest has attracted more than 200,000
visitors to Lock 3 from 40 states and 160 Ohio cities.
"This event provides our residents and workers with
affordable, family-friendly entertainment that is not available in any other
community," said Mayor Plusquellic, "and it has truly made Akron a destination
for people from across the Midwest."
This year, Holidayfest will include:
- The Chriskindl Market, one of the largest authentic German
Christmas markets in the United States;
- The largest advent-type calendar in the United States -
"Countdown to First Night;"
- The largest seasonal outdoor ice rink in Ohio;
- Fifteen music, dance and arts events held in Downtown Akron
between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.
Traditional to European holiday markets, the city will
install this year a full-size carousel at Lock 3 Park. Rides for adults and children will
be $1, and proceeds will benefit Akron Children's Hospital.
To download the complete press kit: 2007 Press Kit (623k pdf)
OFFICIAL TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY LIGHTS UP DOWNTOWN
Akron's month-long celebration of winter begins Friday,
November 23 at 7:00pm with the lighting of the City Christmas Tree at Lock 3 Park. The
party will include a free stage show on South Main Street in front of the Civic Theatre
featuring music, dancing and a singing Santa Claus. Watch eyes light up as he hurls
fireballs above onlookers to light-up downtown buildings, in a brilliant mixture of
pyrotechnics and a spectacular array of fireworks.
WKYC-TV will broadcast portions of the ceremony live,
between 6:30 and 7:30pm on position 23 of Time Warner Cable and on Channel 3.
DOWNTOWN AKRON HOSTS THE TRADITIONS OF THE EUROPEAN
HOLIDAY MARKET
Some 40 artists, craftsmen, entertainers and chefs from
Akron's sister-city of Chemnitz, Germany will again travel 4,500 miles to spend a month in
Akron and provide Lock 3 visitors with America's only authentic Christmas market based on
the traditions of the German state of Saxony.
Vendors sell hand-made items such as wooden candle arches,
"smoking men," hand-blown glass ornaments, wooden toys, and textiles. New items
this year will include ceramic beer steins, pewter ornaments, and the famous Hernnhut
(HAIRN huht) Stars which are hung on trees and in homes.
Twelve wooden cottages built by Akron firefighters,
volunteer carpenters and Akron Public School trades student are the retail storefront at
Lock 3, constructed to Chemnitz' specifications. Most goods sold at the Chriskindl Market
are manufactured in small two-six person "factories" located in the Erzgebirge
(AIRTS-guh-ber-guh) Mountains outside of Chemnitz.
Culinary experts from Chemnitz will be offering authentic
German food items, including
Bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, soups and other
one-pot meals, as well as the traditional oval shaped cake - Erzgebirge Stollen
(SHTOE-len) - with raisins, almonds & spices. Another staple at every German market is
warmed Gluehwein, (GLOO vine) German mulled wine.
Dining space is provided in the Hutzenstub,
(HUHTS-un-stoob) named for a traditional winter gathering place for the people who live in
the mountains of southeast Germany.
German entertainers include:
- * The Lichtenstein Tower Brass Band, a crowd favorite in
2006. This four piece band will perform holiday carols and German favorites at Lock 3,
Nov.24-Dec 2.
- * The Chemnitz Skating Club, home to Olympic champ Katarina
Witt (VITT) will show off its medal-winning moves and jumps December 7- 9 with informal
instruction following their performances.
- * A 10-piece Miner Band from Zwickau (ZWIK ow) will perform
at Lock 3 December 14-16 and December 20 -21 and will lead the Lantern Parades, a German
tradition that has become a memorable family event for the children of Akron. Kids may
decorate their own hand-crafted lanterns at Lock 3; the kits are provided free. Lanterns
light the way as the young marchers follow the Miner Band throughout the park.
- *ICE SKATING RINK WILL ATTRACT YOUNG AND NOT-SO-YOUNG
Akron's Ice Rink offers free admission to all. Skates are
available for rental at $2/pair.
The 80' x 120' oval will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays
11am-9pm and Sundays, 11am-6pm, as well as Christmas Eve (11am - 6pm) and New Years Eve
(11am - 11pm).
Skating will be extended after the close of the Chriskindl
Market through February 3. A special pre-school skate for tots is available on Tuesdays
and Wednesdays from 1:30-2:30 pm. Skates start at a child size 6. Pre-schoolers must be
accompanied by an adult who are permitted to wear street shoes on the ice during
pre-school skate times only.
The Lock 3 skating rink may also be rented for holiday
parties. Special package pricing is available groups of 20 or more. Those presenting a Do
Downtown! Card receive free skate rental on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-5
pm.
SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR YOUNGSTERS
A special area of the indoor commons area is set aside for
little ones - the Kinderzone is open Tuesday - Friday, 6-8 pm; Saturdays, 12-2 pm and
6-8pm; and Sunday, 3-5 pm.
Hands-on crafts designed for little fingers can keep them
busy while siblings skate. Ideal for children ages 4-10. Free.
NORTHEAST OHIO'S LARGEST COMMUNITY VISUAL ARTS
PROJECT
Akron has taken the idea of the larger-than life advent
calendars of Europe and made it into a nightly countdown to the city's giant New Year's
Eve party by recognizing the diversity of cultures that make up our community.
Banners - 5' x 15' - created by school and faith groups,
professional artists and volunteers are unveiled each night, Tuesday - Saturday, at 6:30
pm and on Sundays at 3 pm. Entertainers often accompany the unveiling and present another
side of the cultural heritage being recognized.
In 2006, the inaugural Countdown to First Night was honored
with a first-place award by First Night International for Creative Programming. In
addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas, other traditions represented included Hanukkah,
Kwanzaa, Diwali (Eastern Indian), St. Nicholas Day, Bodhi Day (Buddhist), and the winter
solstice.
Countdown to First Night is one of the largest community
art installations in Ohio.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Welcome Santa Parade - Noon, Saturday, November 24 -
giant Macy's-type balloons join bands, marching units, and community organizations to
welcome Santa to Downtown Akron.
Santa Claus arrives at Lock 3 and sits for visits with
children, December 18 - 22, 6:30 to 8:30 pm; December 23, 2:30 - 4:30 pm. Free.
Holiday Farmer's Market - Saturday & Sunday, December
8-9 12 - 5 pm. Local growers and producers offer seasonal baskets of locally-grown and
homemade goodies. Also featuring area wineries. Free.
Arts & Crafts Demonstrations - Our German craftsmen
conduct live demonstrations of glass painting, glass blowing and woodworking. Daily and
free.
Guided tours of the Chriskindl Market - We have
demonstrations, and you can learn a bit of the German language, and find out some
interesting facts about Akron's sister city direct from an English speaking Chemnitz tour
guide. Tours start at the Information Desk daily, and last about 30 minutes.
Historical Downtown Akron Trolley Tours -a 50 minute tour
aboard the Holidayfest Trolley, guided by Michael Cohill. Tickets are $1 and available at
the Information Booth. Trolley departs promptly at 11am from the Lock 3 trolley stop on
Main Street. Seating is limited to 34 passengers. Saturdays, 11:00am, December 1-29.
AKRON'S OWN LOCK 3 HISTORY MUSEUM FEATURES NEW
EXHIBITS AND A "BLUE SANTA"
The Akron History Exhibit and American Toy & Marble
Museum at Lock 3 welcomed its 100,000th visitor this fall since opening in 2003. Once the
site of the American Toy Marble Manufacturing Company at the turn of the 20th century,
this unique museum showcases the game of marbles and exhibits from Akron's industrial
past, from canal boat building to lighter than air technologies.
This year visit Akron's own tiny Blue Santa. During the
excavation of the Lock 3 site in 2002, thousands of century-old items were revealed. Among
the marbles, animal shapes, jugs, thimbles, and electric insulators were five shapes of
Santa Claus. The most intact of the Christmas objects was covered with a blue glaze. Dated
to the mid 1890's, it is one of the earliest representations of St. Nicholas to be
manufactured for mass distribution.
Reproductions are available for purchase.
GETTING AROUND DOWNTOWN AKRON DURING THE
HOLIDAYS...
...is more convenient than ever before! Grab the free
trolley at any of the stops throughout downtown to find your way to a variety of
Holidayfest event locations, parking, restaurants and more.
Holidayfest events are supported by private companies,
foundations, and revenue from Akron's four Joint Economic Development districts.
Lock 3 Park is located at 200 South Main Street in Downtown
Akron, between the Akron Civic Theatre and the O'Neil's Building.
END
Contact:
Elizabeth Sheeler, Holidayfest Communications Director: elizabeth@holidayfest.org 330.864.8862 |
