AUBURN HILLS ILLUMINATES THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT 21ST ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY ON DECEMBER 5

VIEW / DOWNLOAD / PRINT THE HOLIDAY GUIDE HERE

Media contact: Samantha Mariuz, City of Auburn Hills Management Assistant, smariuz@auburnhills.org, 248-364-6086

Auburn Hills, MI-November 6, 2014-On Friday, December 5th, 2014 the holiday season will officially begin as hundreds of families celebrate the 21st annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Auburn Hills. 

This joyous festival is a free family fun event.  Join Mayor McDaniel, members of City Council and special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus as they welcome the holiday season and light up the enormous Christmas tree on the corner of Squirrel and Auburn Roads at the MOMS’ World War II Memorial. 

Following the Tree Lighting Ceremony, everyone is invited to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Downtown Education Nook (DEN) and take a memorable photograph home as a keepsake.  Participants can take a horse drawn carriage ride through town, snack on s’mores at the bonfire pit, make a holiday craft and enjoy the specials our downtown merchants have to offer. 

“The Tree Lighting Ceremony is the perfect time for families to come and experience all that our beautiful downtown has to offer as we kick off the holiday season,” Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel says.  “In addition to the great activities planned, our businesses will be open for everyone to visit and grab a bite to eat.”   New for 2014, a holiday mailbox will be located in Downtown for children to send letters to the North Pole.  Kids can stop by the letter writing station at the Ceremony and mail Santa a message the night of the event.  The mailbox will be sending letters from after Thanksgiving, all the way through Christmas.

The City is accepting donations for two great causes this year.  Auburn Hills will be accepting donations of new winter gear including coats, mittens, hats, gloves and scarves.  All items will be donated to a local non-profit.  Donations can be dropped off in the University Center where the holiday magic show and musical performances will be taking place. 

The City has also partnered with Adopt-A-Platoon to send care packages to our troops spending the holiday overseas.  A complete list of approved items can be found on the Auburn Hills Webpage (www.auburnhills.org).  Care package contributions will also be collected at the University Center throughout the event. 

This cherished celebration is a great way to build memories surrounded by family and friends.  Auburn Hills invites you to experience this great holiday tradition that allows you to explore and get to know a little more about Auburn Hills’ expanding Downtown.  

This event is sponsored by the Auburn Hills Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA).  For more information and a full schedule of events please visit the City’s website and download the Holiday guide at www.auburnhills.org or contact Samantha Mariuz, Management Assistant at smariuz@auburnhills.org or 248-364-6806

About Auburn Hills Auburn Hills is home to 21,000 residents and also serves as Michigan’s global business address, with 40 international corporations from 32 countries housed here, including Chrysler Group LLC and Borg Warner headquarters. Auburn Hills’ residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state’s largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.