City of Providence Announces New Holiday Tradition Friday, December 2, 2016 and Saturday, December 3, 2016 Enjoy A Weekend Long Holiday Celebration and Christmas Tree Lighting

Providence, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and
the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to announce the City’s 2016 Holiday
Celebration & Christmas Tree Lighting. This year, Providence’s annual holiday
tradition will take place over two days and feature a wealth of activities for all
to enjoy including two tree lighting ceremonies, world champion figure skating
demonstrations produced by two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan, a Sip n’ Shop
with local merchants along Westminster Street, special giveaways, performances from
the Providence Gay Men’s Choir, local artists plus so much more. The celebrations
take place on Friday, December 2nd 2016 from 4pm-8pm and on Saturday, December 3rd
2016 from 5pm – 8pm and are free and open to the public.

Workers, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to come to Downtown Providence
the evening of Friday, December 2 beginning at 4pm for festive activities that all
can enjoy. Beginning at 4pm, patrons can enjoy their favorite beverage while
shopping along historic Westminster Street (between Dorrance and Empire Streets). As
a special treat, Downtown parking meters will be free of charge during this time.
At 5pm, a chorus of Providence City workers will line the steps of City Hall,
filling the airwaves with harmonious sounds of the season before Mayor Elorza lights
the City Hall Christmas Tree. Following the Tree Lighting Ceremony, folks are
encouraged to stay downtown and make a night of it – patronize local restaurants,
take in a holiday show, or go skating at the Alex & Ani Center.

On Saturday, December 3, the Alex & Ani Skating Center plays host to a wealth of
activities beginning at 5pm. (Please note public skating will be closed from 4pm –
7pm). The Providence Gay Men’s Chorus will kick-off the festivities with holiday
favorites that all can enjoy and sing along to. Following the performance, WJAR’s
Patrice Wood and Mayor Elorza will light the Rink Christmas Tree. Following the
tree lighting, a figure skating demonstration produced by Sarah Mirza Dinar do, Brad
Vigorito, and two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan will showcase some of the
world’s finest champions including US National Silver Medalist Richard Dornbush,
Amiee Buchanan and Heidi Munger, plus Ocean Skate Theatre, local skating clubs and
performers from around the region. Following the program, public skating will resume
at the Rink where a portion of each admission fee collected from the public skating
will benefit The Tomorrow Fund.

For more information on the celebration please visit
Providenceri.com/ArtCultureTourism. Visit
GoProvidence.com for information about hotel and
restaurant packages available from participating merchants. A full listing of
holiday events is available at ArtsNowRI.com.

The City of Providence’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration is
presented by Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the Department of Art, Culture +
Tourism and the Department of Parks &
Recreation with sponsorship from The
Providence Tourism Council. Additional
support provided by the Alex & Ani City Center,
NBC 10 WJAR, Cardi’s Furniture, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors
Bureau, the Dean Hotel, In
DownCity and the Downtown Improvement
District. Each year the trees are generously donated
by Providence citizens and removed by the great folks over at Stanley Tree Service.

ABOUT THE PROVIDENCE GAY MEN’S CHORUS
The Providence Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC), formed in 1995, and
under the artistic direction of Kim Kuda, delivers uplifting, unique and
collaborative musical performances by one of the finest gay male choral ensembles in
the country. The PGMC continually endeavors to be a highly-effective, talented and
diverse membership, that constantly demonstrates to the community how people of
different ethnicities, religious beliefs, educational levels and core belief systems
can come together in an inclusive, productive, fun and safe environment.

ABOUT THE TOMORROW FUND
The Tomorrow Fund, a local 501 c 3 non-profit charity,
provides daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their
families, from the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment, into recovery and
beyond. The Tomorrow Fund relies on the generosity of corporate and individual
donors to fund their programs.