CHRISTMAS GOES GREEN AT GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT
‘A Country Christmas®’ Gets Underway With Some All-New Attractions
Nashville, Tenn.—( November 14, 2007 ) The Christmas season is officially underway in Nashville, Tenn.--where the night sky always becomes brighter when the giant switch is flipped at Gaylord Opryland® Resort and Convention Center turning on 2 million lights and officially starting the world-famous A Country Christmas®. The 24th annual Lighting Ceremony at the landmark resort marks the beginning of the celebration that draws approximately 1 million visitors each year.The lights weren't the only sparkling attraction, though. The Lighting Ceremony festivities also included a performance by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association award-winning band Diamond Rio, who serenaded everyone with a song from their new holiday album. The Grinch and the wife of his creator "Mrs. Seuss" charmed the crowd. There was a special tribute to Grand Ole Opry legend Porter Wagoner, who had been a part of the lighting ceremony since it first began 24 years ago. The Tennessee State University marching band entertained the crowd. And Nashville's newly elected mayor, Karl Dean, addressed the crowd, expressing his excitement on what has become a tradition in Music City.
"Gaylord Opryland has become synonymous with Christmas in Nashville," Mayor Dean said. "The festivities here encompass not only the spirit of the holiday season but Nashville's unique spirit as Music City. I am honored as mayor to be a part of this annual lighting ceremony and help start off the season."
"Everything Christmas is here at Gaylord Opryland and it all begins on this exciting night. A Country Christmas is truly one of the largest holiday celebrations in the United States and it is a great source of pride for us here," said Arthur Keith, senior vice president and general manager of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. "This year our attractions are even more dazzling as we open the doors to our Grinch ICE attraction which is going to have people all over the country talking. We want to create unforgettable experiences here for Nashvillians and visitors from around the world."
And Christmas really goes green this year at Gaylord Opryland Resort with much of the excitement surrounded the opening of the newly redesigned--and renamed--ICE!™ featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The furry green guy himself made a highly anticipated visit to the center stage, along with Audrey Geisel, the wife of his creator. They are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the cherished Christmas book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seussat Gaylord Opryland. A 20,000 square- foot theater has been transformed into a 10-degree walk-through ice sculpture attraction, featuring a frozen Whoville complete with real smoking chimneys, larger-than-life interactive sculptures, 20-foot high slides and built-in photo opportunity stops.
"It is a privilege to have Ted's (Geisel) work honored in such a fun and unique way," said Mrs. Audrey Geisel, the widow of the late Dr. Seuss. "The Grinch lives out his story in an ice world, and it was my husband's dream to see this beloved character come alive in ice. This is a wonderful tribute to the 50th anniversary of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"
The Grinch's best friend, Max the dog, was also by his side, representing his former home, the Nashville Humane Association.
Of course, no Christmas celebration would be complete without Santa. The jolly man arrived with the Radio City Rockettes®, who entertained the crowd by showing Santa how to perform their famous kicks. Their show, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular® has been entertaining audiences for nearly 75 years and returns to the Grand Ole Opry® House with a live production featuring dazzling scenery, costumes and lighting and a cast and crew of more than 100 members.
With everything lit up and the doors to all events now open, there is no better time than the present to visit Gaylord Opryland to make special holiday memories.
A Country Christmas lasts through Jan. 2, 2008, at the resort. Catch ICE!™ featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at Gaylord Opryland's Gaslight Theater. The timeless tradition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular presented by Allstate® Insurance Company returns to Nashville, where the Rockettes will call the Grand Ole Opry House home this holiday season. There's The Pam Tillis Christmas Dinner Party™, Treasures For The Holidays Craft Show; Gingerbread House Making Classes; holiday shows at the Wildhorse Saloon; Christmas On The Cumberland aboard the General Jackson® Showboat; Santa's E-Mail; Carriage Rides; Photos with Santa; Brightest Star Fountain Show; Hall of Trees and nearly two million Christmas lights. It's everything Christmas and all at Gaylord Opryland.
To view images of A Country Christmas events, please visit http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/media-room/.
Vacation packages for all of the A Country Christmasevents are on sale now. To purchase packages, make reservations or get information about any events please visit www.gaylordopryland.com or call 1-888-999-OPRY (6779).
For more about ICE! go to www.wefrozethegrinch.com
TM & © 2007 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved.
ABOUT "A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS"
Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas® presented by Nissan is proud to present ICE!™ presented by Coca-Cola®, featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. This is the Only SHOW like it in the USA! From the Grinch's frozen mountain top lair, to the interactive slides and surprises, this life-sized story told in ice will make even the coldest of hearts grow three sizes. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular® presented by Allstate® Insurance Company, starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® is back with dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography and favorite scenes, such as the "Living Nativity" and the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers." There's The Pam Tillis Christmas Dinner Party™, Christmas on the Cumberland aboard the General Jackson® Showboat, Treasures For The Holidays Craft Show; Santa's E-mail; Carriage Rides; Photos with Santa; Brightest Star Fountain Show; Hall of Trees and nearly two million Christmas lights. It's everything Christmas and all at Gaylord Opryland®.
ABOUT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Madison Square Garden, L.P. is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.
ABOUT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com or by contacting the corporate media line at 615-725-5631.
ABOUT DR. SEUSS ENTERPRISES, L.P.
Executive Vice President Susan Brandt heads the Dr. Seuss Licensing and Marketing office. The primary focus of the office is to protect the integrity of the Dr. Seuss books while expanding beyond books into licensed merchandise. The licensing effort is a strategic part of the overall effort to strengthen and protect the relationship consumers have with Dr. Seuss characters. Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) said he never wanted to license his characters to anyone who would "round out the edges." That is one of the guiding philosophies of Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Media Relations Contacts:
Ann Dee McClane-Bunn, (615) 458-2896, amcclane-bunn@gaylordhotels.com
Kim Keelor, (615) 458-2877, kkeelor@gaylordhotels.com
Jeff Zimmer, (615) 458-2873, jzimmer@gaylordhotels.com