Chicago kicks off shopping season
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail
Xinhua, November 20, 2011
Tens of thousands lined Chicago's Michigan Avenue Saturday night for the 20th annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, as a parade led by Disney's Mickey and Minnie Mouse celebrated the start of the holiday season.
More than 30 floats took over the closed-off streets as the parade marched from Lake Michigan to the Chicago River, crowds cheering and clapping to the tunes of marching bands playing Christmas music.
As the parade's grand marshals, Mickey and Minnie Mouse passed the historic Chicago Water Tower, and counted down to the big moment when Michigan Avenue's 200 trees are all simultaneously lit up with their new holiday lights.
"(My favorite part) was seeing all the lights being turned on," Chicago resident Stephanie Martinez told Xinhua about the traditional lighting ceremony.
She said that she was excited about the Christmas season and especially looked forward to seeing some holiday snow.
"Everybody's happy," Aryn Przybysch, who was visiting from Michigan, said with a smile."It's good for the city right now, especially considering how bad the economy is, it gives a little hope to everyone out here."
Another parade watcher said she had been going to the parade every year since she was a child, and now appreciated the opportunity to bring her own kids to the celebration.
"It's like bringing Disney World to Chicago," she said.
The parade and ensuing fireworks display over the Chicago River were the grand finale of a day of holiday festivities downtown, as the Lights Festival also featured a series of concerts and performers.
Shopping hours were also extended for the dozens of luxury stores to which the street owes its nickname of "Magnificent Mile."
According to the festival's organizers, over one million lights were switched on in the downtown shopping district, and will illuminate North Michigan Avenue until the conclusion of the holiday season in January.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)