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Press Release

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 10, 2012) – The Pearl Brewery, Rio Cruises, HemisFair Park, Windows of Rivercenter Mall, Marriott Courtyard, The Vidorra, and the Children’s Museum are just a few of the many downtown businesses that have signed up to compete in Mayor Castro’s 2nd Annual Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest. All downtown business owners are encouraged to participate in the program and compete for the most decorative and creative use of holiday lights this upcoming season.

The deadline to submit your entry is October 31. The contest encourages the use of energy efficient LED lights, which can help reduce energy costs. Mayor Julián Castro also hopes this initiative will give tourists and locals another reason to visit Downtown this winter. "Last year, more than 30 businesses were showcased in the holiday contest, drawing thousands of people from all over the city to downtown.  This year's contest will continue the excitement with more participants and expanded holiday programming that the whole family can enjoy," he said.

The contest is open to all downtown businesses. Participants will showcase the exteriors of their buildings with creative holiday lighting displays and compete in a variety of categories, including "Best Lighting Display", "People’s Choice Award," "Greenest Lighting Display," and a new category this year, “Best Window Display by a Non-Profit Organization.” Also debuting this year is a new category “Best Use of Space” that will showcase a collaboration of holiday lighting displays by a single entity. Participants are divided into two main categories – storefronts and buildings. People can vote for their favorite lighting displays online at www.LightUpDowntownSA.com beginning November 23. Winners will be recognized at the Celebrate San Antonio New Year’s Eve event.
 
Last year’s competition garnered more than 30 entries from downtown merchants and businesses, and 1,700 votes. Participating businesses will also display a decal with a Quick Response (QR) Code linking you directly to the website to vote from your Smartphone. The displays will be lit through early January.  The program is sponsored by CPS Energy and KABB Fox 29 “Daytime at Nine.” To participate, call 207-8477. The Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest begins Nov. 23, 2012.

From Mayor Julian Castro

A festive holiday season is one of downtown San Antonio's trademarks. The Holiday River Parade, the street decorations and the thousands of twinkling holiday lights are time-honored traditions beloved by residents and visitors alike. For years, the City of San Antonio has partnered with other entities on these holiday initiatives. We want to continue the tradition of inviting our downtown stakeholders to participate in making San Antonio holiday history.

I am writing to invite you to participate in San Antonio's 2nd annual "Light Up Downtown" contest for the 2012 holiday season. This is an opportunity to showcase the downtown area to our locals and visitors and to create a new holiday experience throughout downtown.

The goal of Light Up Downtown is to have all buildings lit up to create an illuminated view of the downtown skyline throughout the holiday season, as well as to have smaller buildings decorate their facades at the street level. I am requesting your participation and support of this initiative by adding holiday lighting to your building.

In order to be ready for the holiday season, I ask that each participating property complete installation of holiday lighting by Friday, November 23, 2012. The 2012 contest will feature several categories of awards. Participants will be showcased in promotional material and on the Light Up Downtown website. Winners will receive awards and recognition at the 2012 Celebrate San Antonio New Year's Eve celebration.

The 2011 Light Up Downtown holiday contest was a great success. I'm asking you to keep the momentum going. With your help, we can create a unique holiday season that will be remembered for years to come.

Sincerely,

Julian Castro

Mayor