JACK LONDON SQUARE LIGHTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 6

55-ft Mount Shasta Fir Tree, 5,000 Sparkling Lights, Grazing Reindeer, Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, Santa, Holiday Music and More

OAKLAND – (November 13, 2013) – Jack London Square is lighting up for the holiday season with a festive annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 6, from 5 PM to 7:30 PM. Visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy this special evening of holiday magic on the waterfront including festive music, live reindeer, a visit from Santa, cookie decorating, costumed characters, more than 90 local artisans and more! Oakland Mayor Jean Quan will lead the annual lighting of the 55-ft Mount Shasta Fir Tree, decorated with more than 5,000 sparkling white lights and new, festive decorations.



"The tree lighting at Jack London Square has become a classic holiday tradition for families here in Oakland," said Jack London Square Marketing Director Linda Meyer. "We invite families and friends from all over the Bay Area to enjoy this magical evening of festivities and merriment on the waterfront."

This year, the annual Jack London Square tree lighting will feature:

 Santa’s Water Sleigh Arrival – Santa will arrive via water sleigh, pulling up on the shore to join in the tree lighting festivities, greet families and pose for photos.

 Live Reindeer – Jack London Square welcomes special guests on this evening of wonder – live grazing reindeer! Families are invited to meet the beautiful creatures and even pet and feed them.

 Tap Dancing Christmas Trees – A highlight will be a dazzling dance number by the world-traveling, Oakland-based tap dancing Christmas Trees who have appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 Musical Entertainment – The evening will feature live musical performances from Veronica Powers, the Conservatory of Vocal and Instrumental Arts (COVA), choral group TOSCA and special guests from Radio Disney.

 America’s Children Holiday Parade Preview – Catch a sneak preview of festive entertainment and meet costumed characters from the America’s Children Holiday Parade, set to take place on Saturday, December 7, in downtown Oakland. More than 100,000 spectators will line the streets of downtown Oakland along the parade route to marvel at giant balloons, marching bands and other exciting entertainment!



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JACK LONDON SQUARE LIGHTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 6 – Page 2

 Holiday Pop-Up – More than 90 local artisans will fill Jack London Square with art, crafts, hand-made goods, treats and more, from 5 PM to 9 PM. The Holiday Pop-Up is sponsored by Oakland Grown to benefit local Oakland non-profits.

 Interactive Activities – Families are invited get in on the holiday action at a festive cookie decorating station, or create one-of-a-kind ornament to take home and hang on the Christmas tree.

 Holiday Treats – Free hot chocolate and hot cider will keep visitors warm on this cool December evening.

 Oaklandish – Visit the Oaklandish pop-shop starting Wednesday, November 20 and throughout the holiday season, at its special Jack London Square location. The boutique offers local apparel and accessories that celebrate Oakland, and benefit Oaklandish’s ongoing calendar of free public events.

 Dinner on the Waterfront – Arrive early and enjoy dinner in Jack London Square’s thriving restaurant corridor, home to contemporary restaurants including Bocanova, Haven, Forge Pizza, Lungomare and more.



Help brighten the holiday for those less fortunate and bring non-perishable canned food donations for the annual canned food drive for the Alameda County Community Food Bank, taking place throughout the holiday season, at Jack London Square. Food donations will be accepted Wednesday, November 18 through Monday, December 30, from 9 AM to 5 PM, as well as at the tree lighting ceremony.

Visitors and locals are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Mayor’s Toy Drive. From board games to dolls, the community is encouraged to open their hearts this holiday season. There will be a collection bin located at Jack London Square throughout the holidays.

Situated in Oakland along the Oakland/Alameda estuary, Jack London Square is Oakland’s only publicly accessible mixed-use waterfront area and a well-known landmark since the mid-1800s. With its rich history as the heart of Oakland’s Port operations, Jack London Square is a historic working waterfront and is one of the Bay Area’s premier recreational, dining and commercial districts. Jack London Square offers visitors, residents and commercial tenants an authentic, vibrant hub for outdoor recreation, events and the latest dining options. For additional information about Jack London Square, call 510/645-9292, visit www.jacklondonsquare.com or follow Jack London Square at www.facebook.com/jacklondonsquare and www.twitter.com/jacklondonsq.

Macy's sponsoring Oakland's very own "America's Children's Holiday Parade"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 MACY’S HAS BECOME SPONSOR OF

AMERICA’S CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY PARADE

 OAKLAND, CA – Macy’s, known worldwide as the leader in parades and holiday programming, has become a sponsor of America’s Children’s Holiday Parade for 2012.

This year’s parade, the 13^th annual, will be held in downtown Oakland on Saturday, Dec. 1 beginning at 2 p.m.

Macy’s helps bring magic to millions of people around the globe with its countless holiday events, including the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, numerous “Glamorama” theatrical shows, and its partnerships with many organizations to host tree lighting ceremonies and other holiday-related events.

As part of its sponsorship with America’s Children’s Holiday Parade, Macy’s will present the 230-member Mission San Jose High School Marching Band from Fremont, California, a regular participant. The band has represented our country throughout Europe, and last year performed in the London New Year’s Parade and Gala Concert.

America’s Children’s Holiday Parade, founded and managed by the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, is seen by more than one million people world-wide, enjoying the thrills and pageantry of the parade as well as the beauty of Oakland. This year’s parade will mark the seventh time that it will be offered to public broadcast stations (PBS) across the country, and the fourth year it will be broadcast on the American Forces Family Network to 175 countries and U.S. territories around the globe.

“We’re delighted to have Macy’s as a new sponsor of America’s Children’s Holiday Parade,” says Chamber of Commerce President Joe Haraburda. “We’ve long admired the quality and content of the Thanksgiving Day Parade and look forward to Macy’s helping with our west coast event as we strive to be one of the finest holiday parades in the country.”

On parade day in Oakland, more than 100,000 people – children of all ages – converge on downtown Oakland to enjoy the spectacular floats, the colorful balloons, the beautiful floats, and the award-winning marching bands. Some 40 cartoon and storybook children’s characters entertain. As do bands – many bands. The 2012 parade will feature some 20 marching high school bands, as well as two international bands – from Guatemala and Jamaica. It is the first holiday parade in the country, in fact, that features bands from outside of the United States.

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CONTACT:    Hank Masler, (510) 874-4808, hmasler@oaklandchamber.com

americas-holiday-parade.com

Facebook.com/Americas-childrens-holiday-parade

Twitter: @oaklandholiday