The 33rd Annual San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland November 23, 2012

A snow advisory is expected in downtown San Rafael the weekend of November 23 and 24 at the annual Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland holiday celebration. A treasured family tradition for 33 years, the Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland features a Holiday Marketplace with unique arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, the always popular free snow sledding, a Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the beloved Parade of Lights with Santa and his friends - one of the largest holiday parades in the Bay Area.

This annual family-friendly, community event is free and brings together people from all over Marin County and the Bay Area. The festivities kick off at noon on Friday, November 23rd when a sledding hill with over 40 tons of snow is constructed on A Street between Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue. Other activities for kids include inflatable jump houses and mechanical rides. The Holiday Marketplace is open from noon to 8pm; the Parade of Lights with Santa and Mrs. Claus begins is at 5:30pm at E and Fourth Streets and travels eastbound down Fourth Street to the City Plaza, just beyond the A Street intersection.

Following the parade, Santa, Mrs. Claus and other costumed characters will arrive with the Mayor of San Rafael at the center of town in the City Plaza for the official Tree Lighting Ceremony. Kids will have a chance to meet Santa and friends following the Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Plaza.

After the 2011 event, City funding was no longer available for this cherished Downtown affair. Your tax-deductible contributions will help continue this much beloved tradition in this time of economic constraints. Please help preserve this great FREE local event that touches generations. If you are able, please donate, online or at the event.

Schedule of Activities:

Friday, November 23rd 2012
• Snow Sledding: A Street between Fourth Street and Fifth Ave.; noon to 4:30pm and 6:30pm to 8:00pm (kids only)
• Holiday Marketplace, Fourth Street between B Street and Lootens Place;
Noon to 8:00pm
• Parade of Lights, Fourth Street from E Street to the City Plaza; 5:30pm (everyone is welcome to join the parade. Parade participants meet in the staging area at E Street and Fourth Street at 5pm)
• Tree Lighting: City Plaza following the Parade of Lights

Saturday, November 24th, 2012
• Snow & Kids Activities 9:00am to noon (or until snow is no longer safe)

More than 35 exhibitors, merchants, sponsors and restaurants participate in the annual festivities, held on one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. This year’s exhibitors, artists, and restaurants include: Fairy Dust Faces, Sac-Hats.com, Bedoka Gifts, Aunt Mary’s Pet Pillows, Kiss My Licorice, Jade Chocolates, Snow Region Gifts, and Endless Summer Sweets.

Sponsors of the 2012 event include Ride the Ducks, Radio Disney San Francisco, Renewal by Anderson Bay Area, KOFY TV, TaskRabbit, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

The City of San Rafael has historically supported the San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland through funds from the city’s Redevelopment Agency. With the State of California no longer funding local redevelopment agencies, the Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland is looking to private and corporate sponsors to save the event for years to come. To donate and help continue this the Parade of Lights tradition, please contact Steven Restivo Event Services at 800-310-6563. The San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland is FREE, but contributions made to donation boxes on-site are greatly needed and appreciated.

The event is produced by Steven Restivo Event Services, LLC.

For parking and transportation needs visit www.511.org. For more information about the event call 800-310-6563 or visit SRESproductions.com or downtownsanrafael.org.