MEDIA ALERT
EVENT: The Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) and KUT News 90.5 and KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience, invite the community to start their holidays downtown on Saturday, Dec. 5, during the annual Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll! All events are free and open to the public.
The evening starts at 6 p.m. when crowds gather on the south steps of the Capitol to sing the songs of the season during KUTX 98.9 host John Aielli’s Holiday Sing-Along.
As the clock strikes 7 p.m., the countdown to the lighting of the Capitol tree begins, featuring a programmed light show at the top and bottom of every hour, set to holiday songs of local Austin musicians.
From 7 to 9 p.m. Congress Ave. will be abuzz with holiday cheer during the Downtown Stroll. Join us to hear live music from the Invincible Czars, Bob Appel, and The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Other fun activities include a special holiday Farmers’ Market with SFC, the Austin Bike Zoo, photos with Santa, an outdoor film screening, a performance from St. Edward's University Ballet Folklórico and more! Shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums will be open late and will feature special activities and offers.
Visitors are asked to support fellow members of the community by bringing non-perishable food or cash donations for the Capital Area Food Bank. Last year’s Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll raised over 4,055 meals for Central Texans facing hunger; over the last 4 years, it’s raised over 7,500 meals.
The Food Bank is accepting cash and nonperishable food donations at each event entrance, and cash gifts at the staffed Food Bank tent, located near 900 Congress.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015
6-6:50 p.m.: Holiday Sing-Along with John Aielli
6:50-7 p.m.: Lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree
7- 9 p.m.: Holiday Stroll
WHERE: The Sing-Along takes place on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol (11th Street and Congress Ave.). The tree is stationed at the south gates of the Capitol Lawn. The Stroll will take place along Congress Ave. from 11th St. to 9th St.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Representatives from the KUT , KUTX, Downtown Austin Alliance and the Capital Area Food Bank are available for interviews before, during and after the event.
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Note to editors: Photos from previous year's events are available on the KUT Flickr site or at the DAA Flickr site.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Erin Geisler, KUT and KUTX, (512) 475-8071 (o) or (512) 422-1886 (m), or
Julie Weaver, DAA, (512) 381-6267 (o) or (512) 777-9925 (m)