It’s Light Up Louisville time again!

November 8, 11:14 AMLouisville City Hall ExaminerThomas McAdam

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 (Image:  Louisville Metro)

Mayor Jerry Abramson announced Thursday that Light Up Louisville will return for its 29th year on Nov. 27. New features include the “Run Run Rudolph” 5K run in the afternoon and an evening parade of lights. The “Light Up” displays and lights will be featured nightly throughout the holiday season. “For nearly three decades, Light Up Louisville has been bringing friends and families together for great holiday entertainment,” Abramson said. “The generous support of our local corporate sponsors allows us to continue offering this wonderful event beginning the day after Thanksgiving.”

GE Consumer & Industrial and Louisville Gas and Electric Co. are the presenting sponsors of the classic holiday event that will include entertainment, food, crafts, a parade and children’s activities on the grounds surrounding Metro Hall at the corner of Sixth and Jefferson streets. The event is free. “GE has made a strong commitment to going green through our ecomagination initiative, and we are proud to be a part of helping Louisville make the holiday season greener,” said Jim Campbell, president and CEO of GE Consumer & Industrial. "It's important for us at GE to give back to the Louisville community, which so many of our employees and retirees call home."

Light Up festivities begin at 3 p.m., when food, beverage, and craft booths open along with an entertainment stage featuring Christmas music by local groups and choirs.

The new “Run Run Rudolph” 5K Run/Walk, presented by Baptist Health also begins at 3 p.m. The event starts and ends on Jefferson Street (Santa Claus Lane) in the heart of Light Up Louisville. Fee to participate is $20 for adults; $10 for children under 12 and $25 for adults and $10 for children after November 23. Register online at www.louisvilleky.gov/communityrelations or www.Baptisthealthky.com. Participants will receive a high quality long sleeve T-shirt and valuable coupons. Proceeds from Run Run Rudolph 5K Run will benefit Baptist Hospital Foundation.

The annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Parade presented by Wendy’s has changed to become an evening parade of lights that begins at 6 p.m. Parade units will be decorated in festive lights and will include bands, carolers, car clubs, floats, children’s groups and civic organizations. The parade will also feature holiday-themed inflatables sponsored by Bank of America. "We are very excited to partner the Wendy's brand with such a wonderful family-oriented event as Light Up Louisville", said Mary Gardner, marketing manager for Wendy’s. “The Winter Wonderland Holiday Parade always has outstanding floats and performers for kids of all ages to enjoy.”

  (Photo:  snaketong/flickr)

The “Wendy’s Frosty Award” will be presented to the best overall parade unit. Other awards will be given out in seven categories. Units will be judged as they pass by Metro Hall with winners announced after the parade. The parade begins at 8th and Jefferson, goes east on Jefferson to 4th Street, north on 4th to Main Street, finishing at 8th and Jefferson.

Santa Claus is expected to arrive at 8 p.m. Santa will join the mayor and representatives of GE and LG&E to insert the magic plug to light the twinkling lights and launch a holiday fireworks display. After the lights and fireworks, children can have their photos taken with Santa in Metro Hall for $5 each.

Inside Metro Hall, a “Holidays Around the World” display presented by Boost Mobile will feature more than 20 trees and displays that will be decorated to recognize Louisville’s cultural diversity. The trees will remain on display in Metro Hall during regular business hours through the holidays.

  (Photo:  Louisville Metro)

Metro Hall will also feature The Galt House Hotel Santa’s Workshop, where families and children will have an opportunity to write letters to U.S. troops serving overseas. In addition, outside of Metro Hall, families will be able to sign a large community card.

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps will again be stationed at Light Up Louisville to accept donations of new toys for Toys for Tots. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate. “Our community has shown compassion and caring each year through this wonderful organization,” said Abramson. “We hope people will bring an extra toy or two for the Toys for Tots campaign so children around our community will have a joyous holiday.”

A tree display on the steps outside Metro Hall will feature live trees donated by Wallitsch Garden Center. After the holidays, the trees will be planted in local Metro Parks. The main tree will also have new life at the conclusion of Light Up. The tree will be mulched and used at the Louisville Zoo for landscaping needs. LG&E is again sponsoring recycling bins next to every garbage receptacle at Light Up Louisville.

For more information about Light Up Louisville, call MetroCall 311 or visit www.louisvilleky.gov.

All events are FREE except for purchases from food and craft vendors, the 5K run/walk and Spirit of Jefferson cruise. Everyone is encouraged to bring a toy donation (unwrapped) for the United States Marines Toys for Tots. Marines will be stationed at the Jefferson Square tree to accept donations.

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