Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce

October 27, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decatur Leaders Announce Exciting Plans for Christmas in Downtown

Decatur, IL - A subcommittee of the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Executive Council, Neuhoff Communications and the Decatur Jaycee's announced exciting plans for Christmas Downtown today.

Getting into the holiday swing of things will begin on November 13^th with IBEW, Local 146 carrying on their tradition of lighting up downtown for Christmas. Over 100 volunteers will spend the day stringing lights and transforming the heart of Decatur into a dazzling display for the holidays including a holiday favorite, Santa's house in Central Park.

Businesses are encouraged to enter the Neuhoff Media downtown storefront lighting contest. Participants will have a chance to win one of five advertising packages valued at $1,000 each from Neuhoff Media.

All of the preparation will culminate in a ceremonial lighting of downtown at the Water Street Park (across from the Reynolds Building) on November 20^th at 5:15 p.m., where a nearly 30 foot Christmas tree will be lit by Mayor McElroy. Immediately following will be the kick off of the Jaycee's 3^rd Annual Lights of Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m.

Santa will be arriving in Decatur during the parade and will be in his house in Central Park until 8:00 p.m.

To put shoppers in the holiday spirit, Neuhoff Communications announces Passport to the North Pole. Pick up your passport at participating downtown locations and you could win a downtown Decatur shopping spree valued at over $3000.

Continue holiday shopping downtown on the night of the Christmas Walk on December 1^st and enjoy extended retail hours and special discounts along with horse drawn carriage rides and singing carolers, brought to you by Neuhoff Communications, WAND TV Storm Center 17 and the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce.

Schedule of Events:

            -November 13^th IBEW, Local 146 volunteer day to light up downtown
            -November 20^th Lighting ceremony 5:15 p.m. Water Street Park
            -November 20^th Jaycee's 3^rd Annual Lights of Christmas Parade 5:30 p.m.
            -November 20^th Santa's House opens 7:00 p.m.
            -November 20^th-December 13^th Passport to the North Pole Shopping Spree Give-Away
            -December 1^st Christmas Walk in Downtown Decatur 4:30-8:00 p.m.

For more information on the Neuhoff Media downtown storefront lighting contest or Passport to the North Pole Shopping Spree Give-Away, please contact Debbie Bogle at 217-423-9744.

For more information on Santa's House or the Christmas Walk, please contact Karalee Misner at 217-422-2200 ext 101.

About the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce is a pro-business network providing service, political advocacy, and leadership to strengthen education, community image, and local businesses.

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