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New
Rides, Attractions Added to
Award-Winning
Riverside Festival of Lights
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Riverside,
CA – November 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / New rides and attractions
will be featured during the 24th Annual Riverside
Festival of Lights holiday program, which kicks off Friday, Nov. 25
with a spectacular fireworks display and continues through Jan. 7 in beautiful
downtown Riverside.
Anchoring the event once
again this year is the annual Festival of Lights Switch-On Ceremony, which
marks the beginning of the holiday season. The ceremony, produced by The
Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
and the City of Riverside, is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 25,
the Friday after Thanksgiving.
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The
event draws more than 75,000 visitors from all over Southern California
to the corner of Orange Street and Mission Inn Avenue, in the shadow of
the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. After a welcome and brief remarks
from local dignitaries, the millions of holiday lights spread out around
the Mission Inn and the surrounding area are switched on, and the downtown
sky erupts in a massive fireworks show.
“The Festival of Lights is
one of the many things that make Riverside such a special place,” Mayor
Rusty Bailey said. “The Switch-On Ceremony is an annual tradition for many
Riversiders and Inland Southern California residents who gather with their
family and friends for an illuminating night of fun, fellowship and holiday
cheer.”
Photos and video of past
events can be found at: www.RiversideCA.gov/fol/connect.asp#gallery
The Festival of Lights has
taken Riverside to a new level in the past few years, attracting people
of all ages from across the region. Riverside’s Festival of Lights has
won top honors as America’s Best Holiday Festival (2015) and America’s
Best Public Lights Display (2014) by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice
Contest.
In an effort to continually
improve the event, new attractions for 2016 include:
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Timeless Train Rides – Take
a train ride through Downtown Riverside on this new attraction! With 24
seats and a unique route along the pedestrian mall, this will definitely
become an annual tradition.
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Century Wheel – Take in all
the sights of the Festival of Lights from atop a 15-gondola Century Wheel.
The wheel is covered with more than 100,000 lights, but because they are
LED lights, it only takes 7 amps to light it up – that is less than a toaster!
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A Colorful Carousel – You’ll
see a variety of animals as you enjoy a ride on this beautiful 36-animal
Carousel. Lions and tigers and bears – oh my!
“The Festival of Lights is a
hallmark of the holiday season every year in Riverside,” Mayor Pro Tem
Andy Melendrez said. “It’s exciting to see this event grow and improve
every year as it becomes an even bigger draw around Southern California.”
Other returning favorites
this year include:
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Magical Moments with Santa Claus
-- Treasure the memories you’ll make this year at the Festival of Lights
with a commemorative photo with Santa Claus.
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Tasty Treats and Holiday Drinks
to Satisfy Your Taste Buds – From delicious donuts, tasty popcorn, savory
crepes and gourmet candies, we have a delectable delight for every member
of the family!
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Seasonal Music and Entertainment
to Warm Your Heart – From a children’s choir to solo performances, these
special acts will fill the air with seasonal favorites.
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Art Is Alive In Downtown Riverside
– The Artisan Collective will be back for the 2016 season! This innovative
arts market provides the community with an opportunity to purchase original
art from local artists, hear local musicians and participate in free art
workshops. The Artisans Collective will begin Nov. 26th and be available
Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Reserve your Festival of Lights
parking at ClickAndPark.com
or at RiversideFestivalofLights.com.
Parking will be $10 for a reserved space and $5 on the day of the event
in public structures and lots.
Sponsorship opportunities
with the Festival of Lights are still available. With more than 480,000
event visitors, the Riverside Festival of Lights provides extraordinary
opportunities for business exposure through sponsorship. Through various
sponsorship opportunities, businesses can benefit from event signage, print
distribution, radio and online promotions.
Media Contact:
Meghan
Eastin
Project Coordinator, Museum
& Cultural Affairs
951-826-5663
RiversideFestivalofLights.com |