Dear Lakewood Residents and Friends:

We hope you and your family and friends will come out to ring in the holiday season at Light Up Lakewood on Friday, November 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. You will be treated to a spectacular community holiday lighting ceremony and celebration. Downtown Lakewood—Detroit Ave. from Marlowe to Arthur—will become an old-fashioned main street featuring a sparkling tree lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa Claus & Friends, entertainment at multiple venues, refreshments, and good cheer.

Here are some tips, suggestions and schedules that will help you to make the most of this wonderful evening for you and your family:

· Remember to bring a non-perishable food item for the Lakewood Christian Service Center for Lakewood families in need. The Lakewood Earth and Food (LEAF) Community will coordinate the collection and delivery of the food items that evening.

· Bring your camera! Santa & Friends will be at the Lakewood Public Library for photo opportunities and visits with children! The library will also have special holiday activities and story hour throughout the evening.

· Put on “walking shoes” and bring a wagon (or sled?) for the kids! Detroit Ave. from Marlowe to Arthur will be closed for the evening to allow extra space for wonderful holiday entertainment, refreshments, and strolling carolers. Main Street merchants will stay open for holiday shopping, hot drinks, or a bite to eat!

· Let the kids be creative! Lakewood’s H2O group will be offering an opportunity for the little ones to shop for mom and dad, grandparents or siblings. A special holiday shop will be open inside Geiger’s during Light Up Lakewood and offer small handmade gift items. The YMCA Adventure Guides will help children create a snowflake craft that will then be used to decorate the YMCA for the holidays. The library will also have a special children’s craft and a story hour throughout the evening.

· Plan ahead for parking! A downtown Lakewood parking map can be found on www.lightuplakewood.com. You can also ride Lolly the Trolley to Light Up Lakewood -- park at the Rockport Square firehouse at 1422 Hopkins Ave. and catch Lolly the Trolley to Marlowe Avenue (and back!) from 5:30 - 8:30 pm, courtesy of Rockport Square.

· Make your holiday shopping lists early! You can purchase a Lakewood Gift Certificate, "Certifichecks," for special teachers, babysitters, friends and family! Certificates will be on sale at the library and are good at participating Lakewood retailers. For more information about the "Certifichecks" program, visit www.lakewoodalive.com.

We’d like to thank several community organizations for coordinating and/or donating refreshments or services for the evening, including Kiwanis Club of Lakewood, Curry Printing, Winking Lizard, Aladdin’s Eatery, Dough Boys, Burger King, Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops of Lakewood, and the YMCA Adventure Guides.

We’d also like to thank our very generous sponsors for their financial support of Light Up Lakewood: Shining Star Sponsor Lakewood Hospital, City of Lakewood, Discount Drug Mart, First Energy, First Federal Lakewood, Giant Eagle, Hinkley Lighting, The Coral Company, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Observer, and Rockport Square.

Finally, a special thanks to the Light Up Lakewood volunteer committee. It is through their love of Lakewood, creative ideas, and hard work that this evening will be enjoyed by all!

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, Nov. 30th - be sure to keep checking www.lightuplakewood.com for more event updates!

Happy Holidays!

Jenni Baker & Jennifer Raynor

Light Up Lakewood Co-Chairs

Light Up Lakewood Schedule6-8:00 pm

Detroit Avenue, from Marlowe Avenue to Arthur Avenue, will be closed to traffic. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment and special holiday surprises all evening along the avenue. In addition, Main Street Lakewood businesses will be open with special promotions for Light Up Lakewood.

6:00 pm St.Edward's Trash Talkers kick off our lighting ceremony at the Lakewood Hospital Green.

6:00 pm Lakewood Public Library will also feature holiday activities, story hour every 30 minutes (beginning at 6 pm) and more!

6:15 pm Santa Claus arrives at the Lakewood Hospital Green

6:20 pm Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Lakewood Hospital Green begins.

· Hosted by Lakewood resident and WTAM personality Darren Toms

· Special appearance by Peddlers of Mirth strolling carolers

· Santa Claus will be joined by Mayor Tom George and Lakewood Hospital President Jack Gustin

· Winner of “Why I Love Lakewood” fourth-grade essay contest assists in holiday lighting

6:35 pm Santa rides in style down to Lakewood Public Library. Santa & Friends will be available for visits until 9:00 pm **Bring your camera!**

6:45-7:30 pm Local choral groups will perform at Sinagra Park (in front of Marc’s Plaza), including: McKinley, Hayes and Lincoln elementary school choirs, Lakewood Catholic Academy choir and Beck Center entertainers.

7:00 pm Lakewood Catholic Academy Band performs in front of Lakewood

Public Library.