I’m a proud board member for 39 North Downtown, community group. Our next special event is 39 North Pole Village. Below is a press release I wrote for the event. Hope to see you all at 39 North Pole Village!
39 North Pole Village Grows to
Three-Day Light Festival
WHEN: Thursday, December 7 – Saturday, December 9, 2017
WHERE: Victorian Square Plaza
TICKETS: FREE event!
Santa at 39 North Pole Village
Sparks, Nevada – Two-days of holiday cheer in downtown Sparks was not enough for the thousands of people that attended 39 North Pole Village holiday light festival last year, so this year event planners have added a third day of festivities.
The popular event held December 7 – December 9, in downtown Sparks has thousands of holiday enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the transformation of Victorian Square into a winter wonderland. More than 10,000 people are expected to visit 39 North Pole Village this December. The annual holiday light festival features thousands of twinkling lights, FREE Engine 39 train rides, live music, craft vendors, great food, family fun and holiday cheer.
The heated vendor village tent will provide guests with an opportunity to stay warm while they shop local this holiday season. Santa will also be there to take requests and read special letters he has received to make this a truly special holiday tradition.
39 North Pole Vendor Village 2016
Returning this year is the Griswold Challenge, where local families and businesses compete in a light display contest inspired by the one and only Clark Griswold from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Last year Salon 2000 from Sparks won $300 in the contest. To enter teams will pay a $100 entrance fee for a 10×20 space to decorate.
Salon 2000 won the Griswold Challenge in 2016. The team won $300.
The Griswold Challenge is a unique contest because the displays are all built by local businesses and families. This is a People’s Choice award contest, so people attending the event will determine the winning team. The winners will receive half of the contest registration fees as a cash prize. The more teams that compete, the larger the prize money awarded. “It’s really fun to compete in the Griswold Challenge. Last year contestants were working their displays and encouraging people to vote for them. It was really competitive,” said co-chair and community volunteer Lisa Jansen. “Voting ends at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night, and then the winner will be announced as soon as the ballots are counted. Everyone should make sure they come down early and vote for their favorite display.”
“This is a community event and we are seeking help from families and businesses in the community that would like to sponsor the event, compete in the Griswold Challenge, or volunteer,” said Angela Handler, 39 North Events Director. “We’re also accepting donations of new holiday lights and decorations.”
39 North Pole Village is sponsored by 39 North Downtown, City of Sparks, Nugget Casino Resort, One Nevada Credit Union, Tholl Fence Company, NV Energy, Nevada Health Link, and Contract Flooring.
People in the community who would like to support the event or compete in the Griswold Challenge can contact Angela Handler at (775) 690-2581 or angela@39NorthDowntown.com for more information.
39 North Pole Village Schedule of Events*
Thursday, December 7:
Event Hours: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- 4:00 p.m. – Display lighting and booths open
- 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Free rides on Engine 39
- 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Santa Visits
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Excel Christian School Live Nativity Scene
- 9:00 p.m. – Event Closes
Friday, December 8:
Event Hours: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- 4:00 p.m. – Display lighting and booths open
- 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Free rides on Engine 39
- 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Santa Visits
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Excel Christian School Live Nativity Scene
- 7:00 p.m. – Retro Radio Dolls Musical performance
- 9:00 p.m. – Event Closes
Saturday, December 9:
Event Hours: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Food Trucks
- 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Fate Awaits: Teen local band
- 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Ugly Sweater Making
- 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Excel Christian School Live Nativity Scene
- 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Visit with Santa
- 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Free Rides on Engine 39
- 4:00 p.m. – Display lighting
- 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Laughing Owl Preforms: Egg Nogged (A tale about a clumsy Elf)
- 5:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. – Visits with Santa
- 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Free Rides on Engine 39
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Excel Christian School Live Nativity Scene
- 7:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. – Tintabulations Handbell Ensemble
- 9:00 p.m. – Event Closes
*Subject to change. Please check website for the latest schedule information.
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