SECOND ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHT CERMONY AND OPEN HOUSE
Events will take place at Westlake Towne Center December 5-6, 2008
Smith Mountain Lake, VA (November 13, 2008) – The Willard Companies is excited to announce Smith Mountain Lake’s second annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in conjunction with a “Holiday Open House” and U.S. Marines Toys for Tots drive at Westlake Towne Center. The two day event will begin on Friday, December 5, 2008 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm and will continue on Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
The Fraser Fir holiday tree selected for the event will stand approximately 23’ tall and will be picked from Joe’s Tree Farm in Craig County, Virginia. The tree will be centrally located at the retail shopping center and stand between Good Looks Salon and Davidson’s at Westlake Towne Center. The official lighting ceremony will begin approximately 6:45 pm on Friday.
In addition to the holiday tree lighting ceremony, the U.S. Marines will be coordinating a flag lowering ceremony in support of the Toys for Tots drive. There will be collection boxes for toy donations located inside each participating retail stores including VitaZen, Inside Out by Kris, Haywood’s Jewelers, Good Looks Salon, Cottage Gate, Provisions & RSVP, Smith Mountain Lake Retirement Village (Runk & Pratt), Westlake Library and Davidson’s. The first 150 individuals who donate a new, unwrapped toy will be given a complimentary ticket to a special showing of “A Christmas Story” at Westlake Cinema, which is scheduled to begin Friday evening at 8:00 pm. The movie voucher can be picked up at any participating retail store after toy donation. Tickets are not available for purchase.
During Friday evening’s festivities, participating Towne Center businesses will offer previews to exclusive holiday gifts while serving refreshments. In addition, the Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers will be singing seasonal carols beginning at 6:00 pm and Santa Claus will be onsite distributing candy canes throughout the evening.
A breakdown of the two-day event is as follows:
Friday, December 5, 2008
4:00-8:00 pm Holiday Open House
5:30 US Marines Flag Ceremony |
Toys for Tots drive
6:00 Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers
6:45 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
8:15 “A Christmas Story” movie
Saturday, December 6, 2008
10:00 am -5:00 pm Holiday Open House
During the “Holiday Open House,” shoppers can also register at each participating store for a Gift Pack drawing along with enjoying complimentary refreshments. Each store will have entry forms and a list of gifts. One person will win a complete gift pack at the conclusion of Saturday’s event.
According to Ron Willard, President, The Willard Companies, “We are thrilled to build upon the success of last years Holiday Tree lighting ceremony and Holiday Open House. Last year we collected an amazing amount of toys while bringing our community together for a wonderful evening. We hope to do as well this year and invite everyone to come and support our local businesses while helping the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve help fulfill the Christmas dreams of our region’s neediest children.
For additional information, please contact Christopher Finley, Director of Marketing at (540) 721-5288 or email to chris@thewillardcompanies.com.
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