Light Up Night pic by bethykae on flickr
The 2009 holiday season was kicked off in grand style as a crowd of over 250,000, the largest ever, celebrated at the 49th annual Pittsburgh Light Up Night on November 20, 2009. Wizard of Ah's was once again proud to be a major part of this significant city event by producing the Santa Spectacular show at Point State Park.
In downtown Pittsburgh the crowd was entertained with holiday shopping, free horse drawn carriage rides, ice skating at PPG Plaza and a display of holiday ice sculptures at 5th Avenue Place. The Macy's holiday windows, lighting of the Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield Unity tree and lighting of the American Cancer Society christmas tree at PPG Plaza also drew huge crowds.
Always a major highlight of the evening, the Santa Spectacular show at Point State Park was especially exciting this year because it was the first time in three years that spectators were allowed into the park to enjoy a live Christmas show and lighting of the 80 foot Duquesne Christmas tree.
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered near the entrance of the park to watch the start of the show. Local dancers and singers along with a singing Santa Claus entertained the crowd from a 40 foot long stage, filling the cold night with festive holiday music and celebration. Near the end of the program the stage magically split down the middle, allowing the crowd to walk through the stage into the park and toward the 80 foot tree for its lighting. City officials and dignitaries welcomed the crowd to the newly renovated park and invited them to watch as Santa lit the tree with a fireball! Later, Santa threw another fireball to kick off the official fireworks show at the Point.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Light Up Night, the TWO day event promises new events, added holiday grandeur and an even larger crowd! We can't wait!
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