Plain White T’s, Mitchel Musso of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, and Deborah Roberts of ABCs 20/20 and Good Morning America, and Ashley Greene of Twilight among those in the celebrity line-up

The 18th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® Presented by Harris will mark the official start of the 2009 Holiday Season with more than one million people traveling from all over the U.S. to enjoy a weekend filled with free holiday activities along the world class Magnificent Mile®.

Offering something for everyone, the event will feature a variety of celebrity entertainers, appearances by beloved Disney characters, interactive booths and a mile filled with holiday offers at North Michigan Avenue’s famous shops, restaurants and hotels.

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris procession will commence on Saturday, November 21 at 5:30pm.

The procession will feature more than 30 spectacular floats, marching bands and other performers, with Mickey Mouse from Disney Parks as the grand marshal who will illuminate more than one million lights on 200 trees along The Magnificent Mile.

Deborah Roberts of ABC’s “20/20″ and Good Morning America will be among the hosts of an hour-long nationally televised ABC 7 Chicago special on The Magnificent Mile that will air on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 6-7 pm CST.

In addition to showing highlights of the day’s entertainment and the entire procession, special celebrity greetings will also be featured as part of the program.

This year’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Presented by Harris also marks the launch of the first annual The Extra Mile: Acts of Kindness to Start the Holiday Season program.

The program allows patrons of participating shops, restaurants and hotels to give to a variety of local, regional and national charity organizations through a host of day-long activities and deals.

For a complete list of participants, visit themagnificentmile.com.

Event highlights include:

• Lights Festival Lane, an interactive, holiday wonderland on Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Avenue).
• A festive Culinary Pavilion brought to you by The Signature Room at the 95th, which includes demonstrations by several area restaurants like The Signature Room at the 95th and MARKETHOUSE.
• Musical performances on the Harris Stage from 11am – 5pm featuring Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Ralph’s World, Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew, Mitchel Musso presented by Radio Disney and the Plain White T’s presented by 101.9 FM THE MIX.
• Procession floats featuring Mickey Mouse and his friends from  Disney Parks and giant holiday-themed balloons, along with a variety of performers including the famous NOGGELER Guuggenmusig from Lucerne, Switzerland and numerous marching bands.
• Ashley Greene of “Twilight” and Tony Esposito of the Chicago Blackhawks will be among several of the celebrities
  appearing in the lighting procession.
• The procession culminates with Santa’s arrival. A spectacular fireworks display marks the grand finale.

For a complete schedule and a list of activities and holiday offers, visit themagnificentmile.com.

Become a fan of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Presented by Harris on facebook and follow real-time event updates and special deals on twitter at twitter.com/Lightmymile.

WHERE:

One of the Great Avenues of the World… North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

WHEN:

Friday, Nov. 20

Guests can settle in and begin to take advantage of all of the hotel, restaurant and retail holiday deals and offers listed in The Magnificent Mile Holiday Activity Guide.

The guide will be available on site and is also available online at themagnificentmile.com.

Saturday, Nov. 21

• 11 am – 5pm: Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court is open with live entertainment and dozens of family friendly activities.
• 5:30pm: The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris lighting procession begins.
• 6:55pm: Fireworks display over the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive.

Sunday, Nov. 22

Day-long shopping and dining deals offered benefiting a variety of charities as part of “The Extra Mile” program.

To prearrange event day interviews and photo opportunities, and for a complete entertainment schedule, contact Denise O’Handley at 847-648-2644.