STATEHOUSE NEWS

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It’s that time of the year again to grab your entire family, your friends and bring some holiday cheer to celebrate the Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting. This year’s celebration will take place Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This free family-friendly event is open to the public!

The festival marks the beginning of the holiday season on Capitol Square and throughout all of central Ohio. The indoor ceremony will take place in the Statehouse Atrium and consist of a short program, welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by the lighting of our historically decorated holiday tree. The festivities will then continue with refreshments, arts and crafts activities, games and special performances by local bands and choirs. There will also be a free photo station available to capture your families’ moment with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Refreshments are courtesy of Starbucks on Capitol Square, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council and the eight exclusive caterers of the Ohio Statehouse.

Ongoing Activity Stations:
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board: Ohio Ornament
Office of the Treasurer Activity Table: Hand Print Wreaths
Office of the Secretary of State Activity Table: Vote for your Favorite Holiday Tradition
Office of the State Auditor Activity Table: Reindeer Hats
Office of the Attorney General Activity Table: Kids Zone Make your own I.D. Card
Girl Scouts of Heartland Council Activity Table: Make Snow & Gum Drop Towers
Ohio Senate Activity Table: Holiday Bookmark
Highlights Magazine Activity Table: Hidden Pictures
American Red Cross: Writing Letters to Soldiers
CAMA Activity Table: Face Painting
Ohio Paper Folders Activity Table: Holiday Origami Station
KSU Columbus Program Activity Table: Writing Letters to Santa
Play Pin the Nose on Rudolf
Make Snowman Treats
Tic Tac Throw
Play Santa Says

Performances on the Museum Gallery Stage:
Ballet by Kristina D’Onofrio and OSU Dance Team
Highway Patrol Bomb Dog demonstration
Pickerington High School Chamber Orchestra

Choir Line Up:
The Alliance of Greater Central Ohio
Little Miami Select Women’s Chorale
Mad River Dulcimer Society
All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir
Annehurst Elementary Choir
FCI Academy Kindergarten Village

Mascots:
Holiday Cardinal
Clara and the Nutcracker- BalletMet Columbus
Salvation Army Bell Ringers
RATio
Buckley
BC Rooster
Clawdette Cougar

Come and join us for this magical night at the Ohio Statehouse to start off your holiday season! Convenient and affordable parking is available during the event in the Ohio Statehouse underground parking garage. Parking rates are available at http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/about/general-information/parking/rates.

Holiday press images are available at: http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/holidays-at-the-statehouse.

To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in and visit the complex. The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center coordinates tours of Capitol Square and provides information about the buildings, their history and Ohio's government.

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Calendar Listing:
The Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse; 1 Capitol Square; downtown Columbus
614/728-9777

Join us at the Ohio Statehouse for our family friendly Capitol Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting. This indoor event is free and open to the public with affordable parking available. Come and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, watch the magnificent lighting of our holiday tree, enjoy some refreshments, participate in festive arts and crafts activities, and listen to the sweet sounds of local bands and choirs.