Holiday High Lights Shines Bigger, Brighter in 2001

Business Wire, Nov 2, 2001

Business Editors, Entertainment Writers & City Desks

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 2001

World of Coca-Cola, Underground Atlanta Add New

Activities to Downtown Event

As the fall foliage begins to turn, it's time to begin thinking about the holidays and all the fun associated with the season - shopping, attending parties, baking and decorating.

World of Coca-Cola and Underground Atlanta are thinking about the holidays and how to make them special for Atlanta residents and visitors. The two popular downtown attractions are making plans for the second annual "Holiday High Lights Tree Lighting," a fun, family-oriented evening that includes activities for attendees of all ages. This free event is scheduled for Saturday, November 24, from 6 - 8 p.m. on Steve Polk Plaza, which is located between World of Coca-Cola and Underground Atlanta.

Fa la la la la, la la la la...

Headlining the evening's entertainment lineup will be four-time Grammy-winning artist Aaron Neville. From his first no. 1 hit "Tell It Like It Is" to his current project titled "Devotion," Neville has been entertaining fans around the world as a solo artist and as part of the Neville Brothers for more than four decades. A New Orleans native who is recognized for his angelic voice, Neville will perform some of the most popular holiday songs throughout the evening.

Additional musical entertainment includes:

-- Atlanta Super Choir - under the musical direction of Kelvin Broughton, this
20-member group performs everything from gospel and classical music to sacred
anthems and R&B. The Choir has performed with such music greats as Gladys
Knight, Joe Cocker and Celine Dion.

-- Adam Laven McKnight - hailing from South Carolina, this talented singer and
songwriter has performed for countless recording sessions and corporate shows
throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe.

-- The Golden Bells of Atlanta with Jasper United Methodist Church - this
professional hand bell choir will accompany 40 youth choir members from Jasper
UMC in performing a unique Caribbean holiday song "Calypso Christmas" as well
as selections from "The Nutcracker."

-- Holly and Eric Griffith - this husband and wife team currently are lead
vocalists at Six Flags' Crystal Pistol Music Hall.

-- Natural - this up-and-coming boy band from producer Lou Pearlman (N'SYNC and
The Backstreet Boys) will perform their current hit single "Put Your Arms
Around Me."

-- Pebblebrook Men's Choir - comprised of 35 high school males from The Cobb
County Center for Excellence in Performing Arts, this group is classically
trained in vocal performance.

The Coca-Cola Polar Bear, joined by a group of 14 singers and dancers, will perform an opening number to "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Lights, Lights and More Lights...

The centerpiece of the event will be the lighting of a spectacular 40-foot tall Christmas tree containing more than 10,000 lights. The tree also has many unique characteristics including a 40-foot long, 3-foot high hand-made base depicting the Underground Express Train circling the tree; a silver star topper; cascading red, silver and white ribbons that gently flow from the top of the tree to the bottom; and more than 1,000 red, silver and white ornaments as well as custom produced ornaments with children's faces symbolizing the charity benefiting from the event, Make-A-Wish Foundation. Aaron Neville will light this 4,328-pound tree (lights and ornaments included) just before 8 p.m.

Trees Around the World...

Atlanta is a world-class city comprised of a melting pot of people with different cultural backgrounds and traditions - especially holiday traditions. To celebrate all of these cultures, a special international tree display will be featured that provides the opportunity for families to learn how the holiday season is celebrated throughout the world - from special customs to traditional holiday decorations. After the event, these trees will be displayed inside Underground Atlanta and World of Coca-Cola through the end of the year.

You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry...

No holiday celebration would be complete without the opportunity for the young, and young at heart, to tell their wishes to Santa Claus. Santa has scheduled a special stop at the event and will be joined by one of his favorite helpers - the Coca-Cola Polar Bear. Children of all ages can share their holiday wishes with Santa and the Coca-Cola Polar Bear and take home a commemorative Holiday High Lights coloring book or a Coca-Cola brass ornament. For a $5 donation, everyone can have their photo taken with Santa and the Coca-Cola Polar Bear with all proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Atlanta and North Georgia.

Following the event, the Coca-Cola Polar Bear will be available for wish making at World of Coca-Cola between 1 - 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through December 23 and then daily between 1 - 5 p.m. from December 26 through December 30. A photo with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear will be $3, with all proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Coca-Cola Polar Bear will deliver the wishes to Santa. Children can visit Santa at Underground Atlanta between 1 - 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through December 23.