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Downtown Ithaca’s Holiday Parade of Ice is expanding this year to include a Festival of Lights and downtown shoppers will also be able to help support a local program that serves nutritious meals to children in the City of Ithaca.

The Festival of Lights and donations to the meals program are part of a larger effort that includes free parking at all downtown garages and meters on “Green” Friday, November 28, 2008, traditionally known as Black Friday, the Holiday Parade of Ice, the final Gallery Night of 2008, a State Theater Birthday Party celebration/concert and more. Downtown merchants will also be open extended hours.

Carolers, musicians and other performers will be strolling the Commons at various times throughout the holiday season, adding audio and visual cheer to the holiday atmosphere. The State Theater has several performances scheduled, including an 80th birthday party concert/celebration, the Soweto Gospel Choir and the Ithaca Ballet’s Nutcracker with music by the Finger Lakes Symphony. The acclaimed local radio program Crossing Borders will broadcast live from the Lost Dog Lounge.

Downtown Ithaca Alliance Events Coordinator Vicki Taylor says, “This year’s expanded holiday activities are part of a continuing effort by the D.I.A. and the downtown community to offer the public something new to discover in downtown Ithaca, and at the same time, create exceptional experiences for shoppers and visitors alike. We particularly want to encourage people to buy a Fa-La-La button, because the proceeds will directly benefit children in the local community. We’d also like to encourage them to do their holiday shopping while they’re buying a button, or if they’re just here to see the Festival of Lights or Festival of Ice.”

Here are some of the highlights of downtown Ithaca’s expanded activities this year:

The $10,000 Downtown Ithaca Holiday Festival of Lights display is expected to begin tonight, (Friday, November 21st) and continue through the month of December. The displays are located throughout the Commons. The formal ceremony for the Holiday Festival of Lights will be combined with the kick-off of downtown Ithaca’s Holiday Parade of Ice on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Funding for the displays was provided by a grant from the Tompkins County Room Tax Fund.

Fa-La-La Button sales to benefit the 50 Served Program at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center begin on Friday, November 28th, which is Green Friday in downtown Ithaca. Participating downtown Ithaca merchants will be selling the buttons for a suggested donation of $2.00 apiece. All of the proceeds will go to the 50 Served Program, which provides nutritious meals to children who attend GIAC’s after-school programs. Fa-La-La Buttons will be on sale throughout December  The D.I.A. will also be selling hot cider at various times throughout the season, with the proceeds going to the 50 Served Program.

Free Parking “Green” Friday in downtown Ithaca is the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 28. Free parking at all downtown Ithaca garages and meters. The D.I.A. is also working with Local First Ithaca!, to promote shopping locally and supporting local, independent businesses during the holiday season. National Buy Local Week is December 1-7, however Local First Ithaca! and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance both encourage everyone to shop locally throughout the holiday season. According to Local First Ithaca!, local businesses are more likely to purchase their supplies and goods from other local businesses which keeps money in the local community. They also contribute more to local charities, keeping more local money in the local community. And, they require less infrastructure investment by government, which saves tax dollars. Shopping locally also reduces carbon emissions from vehicles.

The final Gallery Night in Downtown Ithaca of 2008 is scheduled for Friday, December 5th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Participating galleries will be holding open houses and showcasing their finest works. Some will feature the works of a specific artist or artists, while others will hold juried competitions. Gallery Night is free and open to the public.

Santa arrives in downtown Ithaca on Saturday, December 6 at 11:30 a.m. The festivities will continue on the Commons and in Center Ithaca until 4:00 p.m., with kids activities, various holiday musicians and performers and  pictures with Santa. The D.I.A. will also be selling hot cider on the Bernie Milton Pavilion that day, with the proceeds going to GIAC’s 50 Served Program.

Downtown Ithaca’s Holiday Parade of Ice will kick-off with an unveiling ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on  Thursday, December 11. Once again, carolers and musicians will be strolling the Commons and providing audio holiday cheer to shoppers and visitors alike. Ice carving demonstrations will take place on the Commons on Wednesday, December 10, the day before the unveiling.

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