ASHLAND — Newly crowned Winter Wonderland of Lights Queen Whitley Bays will flip the switch Monday illuminating the more than 800,000 individual bulbs on light displays in Central Park.
The annual Winter Wonderland of Lights Festival, organized by the Ashland Alliance Chamber of Commerce, has been named one of Kentucky Tourism Council’s Top 10 2009 Winter festivals.
Monday’s lighting ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. at the Bandstand in Central Park and will include holiday music and a visit from Santa Claus.
It marks the beginning of more than a month of family-friendly holiday events centered around the light displays in Central Park.
WSAZ’s Rob Johnson will serve as the master of ceremonies Monday and a host of local music acts will perform including Michael Reeves who will perform the national anthem; The Kings Way Church Choir directed by Martin Revely; and the sixth-grade singers from Poage and Charles Russell elementary schools directed by Cindy Jackson.
Ashland Alliance President Jim Purgerson is also scheduled to speak at the ceremony where the winners of the Winter Wonderland of Lights Pageant will be honored as well.
Members of the Army National Guard’s 201st Engineer Battalion will be introduced as the grand marshals of this year’s Christmas Parade. The theme of the parade and entire celebration, “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and was chosen to honor the 201st, which was deployed during last year’s holiday season. The Christmas Parade is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will begin at 7 p.m. in downtown Ashland.
Paula Mayo, longtime member of the festival organizing committee, said there is still time for groups and organizations to join the parade. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday and are available online at www.winterwonderlandoflights.com.
Mayo said the festival is also in need of additional volunteers to help with the parade, work the Santa House in Central Park and to assist with the Winter Wonderland Express Trains.
“It just takes a lot, a lot of volunteers to do this and we can always use some more,” she said. “It’s a good opportunity for civic groups or church youth organizations.”
Music groups and choirs are also invited to perform holiday music during the weekends at the festival, according to Mayo.
Local News
Winter Wonderland of Lights kicks off Monday
Santa, music will kick off festival
- Local News
-
-
Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.
-
Keeping her finger on the pulse
Jessica Pal sat down at the family computer in the dining room on Jan. 13 and started clicking through data sets.
-
90-plus recommendations, highlighted by staffing, false alarms, overtime for fire department
Financially, “The status quo is just not sustainable,” for the Ashland Fire Department, according to Tim McGrath, a consultant that recently evaluated the department for the city.
-
Rowan teachers picked for NASA flight
Two science teachers at Rowan County High School have earned berths on a high-altitude NASA research flight sometime next year.
-
Helgason’s art, poetry to be shown at The Upstairs Gallery
The figure paintings of Ironton artist Linda Helgason will be displayed at The Upstairs Gallery starting with today’s First Friday art walk.
-
Spring film fest begins
The Spring International Film Festival begins today at the Keith-Albee Theater.
-
Art as therapy
Natural gems, each with its unique look, inspires the work on Amy Litteral, owner of Moxie Jewelry Designs which is headquartered at the Pendleton Art Center.
-
Blazer students' work displayed at 1414 Gallery
When the question was posed, “Why do you do what you do?,” art students at Paul G. Blazer High School had the answer and have shared it in an exhibit that opens on First Friday at The 1414 Gallery at TSHD Architects.
-
Local briefs: 2/3/12
The Housing Authority of Ashland has closed its waiting list for apartments until further notice.
-
Blazer, Russell, West Carter earn district Cup honors
Northeastern Kentucky high schools in three districts had their opening Governor’s Cup tournaments on Saturday, with West Carter, Paul G. Blazer and Russell taking first place.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
NC Police: Mom Injects Chemical Into Baby's IV
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Komen Reverses Planned Parenthood Cuts
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Hiring Burst Pushes Jobless Rate Down to 8.3%
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Past Complaint About LA Teacher Comes to Light
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
Reaction Heated on Planned Parenthood-Komen Rift
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Madonna Nervous About Super Bowl Halftime Show
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
