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 3, 2013 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 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.

Scheduled activities include:

Ongoing Activity Stations:
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, Ohio Ornament
Highlights Magazine Activity Table
Office of the Treasurer Activity Table
Office of the Secretary of State, Vote for your Favorite Holiday Tradition
Office of the State Auditor, Reindeer Hats
Office of the Attorney General Activity Table
American Red Cross, Writing Letters to Soldiers
COSI, Fun with Physics
Make Snowman Treats
CAMA, Face Painting
Make a Hand Print Wreath
Ohio Paper Folders, Holiday Origami Station
Writing Letters to Santa
Play Pin the Nose on Rudolf
Play Santa Says
Holiday Bookmark

Performances on the Museum Gallery Stage:
Kristina D’Onofrio and Brandon Whited performing Sugar Plum pas de deaux
Highway Patrol Bomb Dog demonstration
Pickerington High School Chamber Orchestra

Choir Line Up:
The Alliance of Greater Central Ohio
Con Brio Children’s Choir
Mad River Dulcimer Society
Worthington Chorus

Mascots:
Holiday Cardinal
Clara and the Nutcracker- BalletMet Columbus
Lou Seal- Columbus Clippers
Krash- Columbus Clippers
Salvation Army Bell Ringers

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 www.ohiostatehouse.org.

Holiday press images are available at: http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/Multimedia/MediaLibrary/Collection.aspx?start=1&collectionId=108513 or upon request.

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 3, 2013
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse; 1 Capitol Square; downtown Columbus
www.ohiostatehouse.org
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.