PITTSBURGH, PA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/16/11 -- The Duquesne Light Light Up Night® turns 51 this year, and what better way to celebrate than to have Fifth Avenue Place host family-friendly activities beginning Friday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. The fun includes the Highmark March featuring musical performances by area high school and college marching bands followed by the spectacular lighting of the Highmark Unity Tree.
"Fifth Avenue Place is especially excited to once again participate in the celebration," said Kerry Shepski, retail marketing manager with the center. "We offer lots of fun activities for families to enjoy in addition to live entertainment, holiday shopping, fine dining and more."
The lighting of the Highmark Unity Tree generates holiday enthusiasm and symbolizes the beginning of the holiday shopping season. The tree -- sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and located at the corner of Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street -- has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1953 when it was first introduced by Horne's Department Store.
A new twist this year will occur on Friday night when one of the Highmark Direct trucks makes a special appearance. Highmark owns two trucks, which routinely make stops across Highmark's Pennsylvania service area to engage and encourage individuals to learn more about their health insurance options while enjoying community events and activities. Look for the Highmark Direct truck on Stanwix Street just down from the Unity Tree.
Fifth Avenue Place programming for 2011 Light Up Night festivities on Friday, Nov. 18 will include:
- Fifth Avenue FREEZE 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Corner of Fifth and Liberty Avenue
Come explore Pittsburgh's own North Pole with an icy, life-sized Nutcracker scene including frozen elves, reindeer and more. The fun continues with live ice carving shows by world champion ice carver Rich Bubin. - Festive Family Fun 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., First Level
Kids can create their very own souvenir "Snow Globe," a wearable winter art piece with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. Visitors can show their holiday spirit with an airbrush tattoo and keep an eye out for story time characters and circus acts. - Sounds of the Season 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Center Court
Live musical performances featuring the Roger Barbour Jazz Quartet and Collaboration by Gerald Haymon. - Highmark March 6:15 p.m., US Steel Plaza Crèche
Regional high school and college students will play and march to holiday music stepping off near the U.S. Steel Plaza Crèche on Grant Street. Participating bands include New Castle High School, Pittsburgh Allderdice High School and St. Vincent College Band. All bands will travel from the Pittsburgh Crèche on Grant Street with performance stops along the way before arriving at the corner of Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street to pay tribute to the Highmark Unity Tree. - Lighting of the Unity Tree, 7 p.m., Corner of Penn Avenue and Stanwix St.
Be amazed by the exciting lighting of the Unity Tree featuring live band performances from the Highmark March.
The fun continues on Saturday, Nov. 19 when The Nutcracker dances to Fifth Avenue Place for a day of ballerinas, music and more.
- Light Up Bonus, noon to 5 p.m., Center Court
Jump start the holiday shopping season and earn a free Fifth Avenue Place gift certificate with qualifying retail purchases. Limit: one per person and see stores for details. - Ballerinas, Music & More, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., First Level
A family favorite, The Nutcracker springs to life at Fifth Avenue Place all afternoon. Pose for photos with the Sugar Plum Fairy ballerinas from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Kids can create a Nutcracker climbing toy and paint their faces with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh while enjoying live musical performances from the charming Tchaikovsky score.
Fifth Avenue Place will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, with some shops and eateries open later both days. For more information and a complete schedule of Pittsburgh's Light Up Night activities, visit www.downtownpittsburgh.com.
About Fifth Avenue Place
Open Monday through Saturday, Fifth Avenue Place features shopping and dining, including specialty shops, food court and Caffè Amante, a full-service, fine dining restaurant. Fifth Avenue Place is committed to sustainable, eco-friendly and green principles, which include the use of cold cathode and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs); a recycling program for bottles, cans and paper; and the use of environmentally friendly, Green Seal certified cleaning and paper products. For more information and a complete tenant directory, visit www.FifthAvenuePlacePA.com.
Contact
Kerry Shepski
412-544-4669
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