For the fourth consecutive year, tonight Vancouverites will kick off the holiday season with the annual Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at the Vancouver Art GalleryThe 50-foot Rockefeller-style Christmas tree lighting ceremony is a free event for the public to enjoy and with more than 1,500 Vancouverites in attendance at last year’s event, it is anticipated that this year’s growing tradition will have the largest turn-out yet.
The festivities begin at 5:30pm with a 10-second countdown to light up the tree commencing at 6:44pm. Entertainment acts begin with a special performance by lead singer of Canadian rock band Loverboy, Mike Reno. More details on additional appearances, the cause and the charities that will benefit from this year’s event are detailed in a news release below.
What: The Fourth Annual Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Date: Thursday, December 2, 2010
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery: (Georgia Street side – 750 Hornby Street)
Parking: No parking is available on Gallery premises. Parkades nearby: Hotel Vancouver (enter from Hornby Street), Pacific Centre Mall (enter from Howe Street), Robson Square Complex (enter from Howe Street) and on street meter parking.
Appearances: Loverboy’s Mike Reno will be lighting the tree and also in appearance will be the BC Lions and the BC Lions Cheerleaders, Vancouver Children’s Choir, Rock 101’s Bro Jake, Vancouver Giants and Santa.
NEWS RELEASE
Vancouver, B.C. – (December 1, 2010) – For the fourth consecutive year, Vancouverites will kick off the holiday season with the annual Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at the Vancouver Art Gallery – the largest tree lighting ceremony in Western Canada. A special festive performance will be made by lead singer of Canadian rock band Loverboy, Mike Reno. With more than 1,500 Vancouverites in attendance at last year’s event, it is anticipated that this year’s growing Vancouver tradition will have the largest turn-out yet.
The Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration is a free, growing B.C. tradition that embraces the true spirit of the holiday season by bringing hope and happiness, with more than $450,000 raised to date, for several charities throughout the Lower Mainland. The lighting of the 50-foot Christmas tree will take place on Thursday, December 2, with festivities beginning at 5:30 p.m.
“We’re very excited about the growth and popularity of the Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration,” says Teresa Sutherland, head of the Vancouver Tree Lighting Celebration.“Raising more money with each passing year is a true testament that Vancouverites care about their community and it also helps to keep this evolving tradition alive, which makes this entire experience a deeply rewarding one.”
Featuring a wide variety of local and international entertainment, the ceremony will include several special performances including Loverboy’s Mike Reno, the Vancouver Children’s Choir, the BC Lions, the BC Lions Cheerleaders, the Vancouver Giants and Santa Nic will be present to engage with the crowd, while Rock 101’s Bro Jake Edwards emcees the event. At 6:44:50 p.m. the crowd of will participate in a 10-second countdown to light up the tree.
In 2007, Amacon decided to organize the family-oriented, public celebration in lieu of its annual company Christmas party. Since its conception, Amacon has been encouraging other companies to participate in replacing lavish corporate Christmas parties with a more charitable event over the holiday season.
“Our original goal was to make this celebration a charitable one; Vancouver’s version of the world-famous Christmas-tree lighting that kicks off the holidays at Rockefeller Center in New York City each year,” says Sutherland. “We wanted to create an event that would bring the city together as a whole and give Vancouver an opportunity to do something festive – I believe we have succeeded.”
Charities that will benefit from this event include: BC Lions’ Courage for Kids, Lasting M.A.G.I.C., Empty Stocking Fund, Rock 101.1 Cares, BC Children’s Hospital, VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation, Amateur Sports in BC and Canada Company.
More information on becoming a sponsor or attending the 2010 Vancouver Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration can be found at www.amacon.com/christmas2010.
