HOLIDAYS IN VAIL KICKS OFF THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27

NEWS RELEASE, November 22, 2010

CONTACT:  Laurie Asmussen, 970-376-3756                                

HOLIDAYS IN VAIL KICKS OFF THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Holidays in Vail, an annual celebration presented by the Town of Vail, welcomes the Holiday season on November 27, 2010.

Vail’s traditional Holiday Tree Lightings in Vail Village and Lionshead will begin on Saturday, November 27 at Slifer Square in Vail Village at 5:30 pm.  At 6:15 pm, a Children’s Light Parade will wind along Meadow Drive into Lionshead Mall.  The parade is free and open to the public; however, the parade is an approximate one mile walk.  The Holiday Tree Lighting in Lionshead Mall, near Billy’s Island Grill restaurant, begins at 6:45 pm.  Local entertainers will be entertaining the crowds with holiday favorites at both locations.  Mayor Dick Cleveland will do the honor of lighting both holiday trees that evening.  In addition, the Arrabelle at Vail Square will offer free cider and cookies at the Lionshead location prior to the tree lighting at 6:30 pm.  A free movie will be presented by the Quiksilver store in the Arrabelle Square beginning at 7:30 pm.

“We are excited for this year’s holiday season!” said Laurie Asmussen of Eagle Valley Events, organizer of Holidays in Vail.  “It has been a great collaborative effort on behalf of many entities including the Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, Highline Sports & Entertainment, and the Vail Recreation District, to name a few.  There is so much to do in Vail during this time period of Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve--From the Snow Daze list of free events and concerts to the new Vail Holidaze list of events, there is truly something for everyone during the holiday season.  Our merchant community and the Town worked very hard over the past few years to be sure we had our holiday decorations up, trees lit and activities happening for celebrations leading up to the Hanukah, Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The fantastic opening of Vail Mountain has definitely contributed to a festive spirit anticipating a great holiday season!”

Please join B’nai Vail and the Jewish Community for a Menorah Lighting each night during Chanukah, December 1st to 8th, on the north side of the covered bridge in Vail Village at 4:30pm.  Please call the B’nai Vail office at 477-2992 for more information.

The Grand Menorah lighting will take place December 5 at 6 pm in Lionshead Mall.

Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa & Friends, presented by the Vail Recreation District.  Four Thursdays in December a different part of Town will host children with crafts, decorations, and a visit with Santa!

The dates and locations are as follows:
December 2:  Santa Workshop at the West Vail Holiday Inn from 3-6 pm
December 9:  Santa & Friends at La Tour Restaurant from 3-6 pm
December 16:  Santa & Friends at Arrabelle at Vail Square from 3-6 pm 
December 23:  Santa & Friends at Marriott Hotel from 1-4 pm

Vail Snowdaze is scheduled December 6-12 with an entire line-up of exciting activities and free events.  For a complete schedule, please visit www.vailsnowdaze.com.

Vail Holidaze, a new event this holiday season offers a variety of family-oriented events December 18-24.  For a complete schedule, please visit www.vail.com/holidaze.

New Year’s Eve, December 31, the Torchlight Ski Down and Fireworks will take place at Golden Peak beginning at 6:15 pm.  The event is free and open to the public.  From 7:30 – 10:00 pm, the Arrabelle at Vail Square will host Vail First Night Family Event with ice skating, children’s activities, and entertainment.  Come watch the “Ball Drop” in Times Square on the big screen in a family-friendly, non-alcohol atmosphere!

For the latest schedule and additional information, please log onto www.vailgov.com or call the Holidays in Vail office at 970-477-3699. 

Holiday events include:

November 27        

        Tree Lighting at Slifer Square, Vail Village    5:30 pm        Free                    
        Children’s Parade, Vail Village to Lionshead      6:15 pm        Free   
        Tree Lighting in Lionshead Mall            6:45 pm        Free   
        $5 Ice skating/Skate Rentals,Arrabelle Square    5:30-7:30 pm    $5   
        Quicksilver Movie at Arrabelle at Vail Square    7:30 pm        Free
        www.vailgov.com

November 30        

        Colorado Ski Museum Tours begin (every Tues.)     1 pm               
        Historic Vail Village Tours (every Tues.)    2 pm           
        www.skimuseum.net

December 1-8        

        Menorah Lighting in Vail Village, Covered Bridge 4:30 pm    Free
        970-477-2992
   
December 2        

        Santa Workshop/ West Vail Holiday Inn        3 – 6pm        Free, www.vailrec.com

December 3        

        Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum
        10th Mountain Veteran Talk (every Friday)    3 – 5pm        Free, www.skimuseum.net
       
December 5        

        Grand Ice Menorah/Lionshead Mall        6 pm        Free, www.jewishvail.com

December 6    

        Ski Tours begins, Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum 9:30am            ski ticket, www.skimuseum.net

December 6-12    

        Vail Snow Daze   
                           
        Dummy Demolition Derby under the lights, free concerts and more! www.vailsnowdaze.com

December 8         

        Family Fireside Holiday Party/Vail Library    5:30-8 pm    Free, www.vaillibrary.com

December 8        

        Nordic Town Race Series/Vail Nordic Center    4:30 pm (kids)       
                                5:00 pm (adults) www.vailnordiccenter.com

December 8        

        Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum, Give back to the Museum at Colorado Gives Day     www.skimuseum.net

December 9        Santa Workshop/La Tour Restaurant        3 – 6pm        Free, www.vailrec.com
       
December 9        Vail Library Book Discussion:  “Eat Pray Love”    5:30 pm        Free, www.vaillibrary.com

December 16        Santa Workshop/ Arrabelle Hotel and Resort     3pm – 6pm    Free, www.vailrec.com

Dec 16        Vail Library Book Talk & Signing: “Running Dry”    5:30 pm        Free, www.vaillibrary.com

Dec 18-24    Vail Holidaze, A variety of family-centered events, concerts and activities throughout Vail, both on-mountain and in town. www.vail.com/holidaze

Dec. 20-Jan 15    Erica Bannart Show, Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum, www.skimuseum.net

Dec 22        Nordic Town Race Series/Vail Nordic Center    4:30 pm (kids) 5:00 pm (adults), www.vailnordiccenter.com

Dec 23        Santa Workshop/ Marriott Spa and Resort        3pm–6pm        Free, www.vailrec.com

Dec 24        Vail’s Annual Matzah Ball Party/Tap Room    9 pm        No cover, www.jewishvail.com

Dec. 29        Vail Library Book Talk & Signing:
                    “In Search of Powder”                5:30 pm        Free, www.vaillibrary.com

Dec. 29        Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum
                     Chris Anthony’s Talk                5:30 – 6:30pm    Free, www.skimuseum.net

Dec 31        Torchlight Parade & Fireworks/Golden Peak    6:15 pm        Free
                   Family First Night Festival/Arrabelle,
                   Lionshead                    7:30-10 pm    Free, www.vailgov.com

For complete schedule updates and event information, please call Holidays in Vail at 970-477-3699

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