Marie Osmond Grand Marshal of Hollywood Christmas Parade Nov. 27

TELEVISON/FILM STAR AND GRAMMY AWARD
NOMINATED RECORDING ARTIST MARIE OSMOND
TO REIGN AS GRAND MARSHAL OF THE HISTORIC 80TH ANNIVERSARY
HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE BENEFITING MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS,
TO BE PRESENTED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES AND
ASSOCIATD TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL,
PRODUCED BY HOLLYWOOD’S SANTA PARADE LLC,
LIVE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011, IN HOLLYWOOD, CA AT 6:00 P.M.

ERIK ESTRADA AND LAURA McKENZIE TO SERVE AS BROADCAST HOSTS
FOR NATIONAL TELECAST ON THE HALLMARK CHANNEL
DEAN CAIN TO HOST MUSICAL PORTION OF PARADE TELECAST
Grandstand Parade Tickets Are On Sale Now!!!

Hollywood, CA – (November 14, 2011) – Television/Film Star and Grammy Award Nominated Recording Artist, MARIE OSMOND (“Paper Roses,” “Donnie & Marie Show,” “Dancing With The Stars,” Children’s Miracle Network) will reign as the Grand Marshal of the historic 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots, to be presented by The City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International, and produced by Hollywood’s Santa Parade LLC live in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Erik Estrada (“World’s Funniest Moments,” “CHiPS”) and Laura McKenzie (“World’s Funniest Moments,” “Laura McKenzie’s Traveler”) will serve as Broadcast Hosts of the parade and Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”) will serve as Host of the music portion of the nationally televised special of the parade airing on the Hallmark Channel on Monday, December 12, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time/Pacific Standard Time) and 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). The parade is then scheduled to air on additional days and times throughout the holiday season on the Hallmark Channel, the Hallmark Movie Channel and in syndication across the country. For exact air dates and times, please check local television listings and visit the website, www.hollywoodchristmasparade2011.com.

Marie Osmond said: “I know the song is ‘Hooray for Hollywood,’ but, personally, I’m cheering about being invited to be the Grand Marshal of this year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade. I always get in the holiday spirit as soon as the Halloween décor is put away, so I will be in full Christmas celebration-mode by November 27th. See you on the Boulevard.”

Bill Lomas, producer of the live parade and president of Hollywood’s Santa Parade LLC, said: “This year will mark a historic moment for The Hollywood Christmas Parade. We plan to pull out all the stops this year and celebrate big time. We anticipate attendance at this year’s parade to set the all time record. It will be one of the most momentous occasions in the parade’s 80 year history.”

David McKenzie, Emmy Award-winning producer and director, president of Associated Television International and executive producer of the televised national broadcast of The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade said, “We’re delighted to have the multi-talented award winning singer and performer, Marie Osmond, serve as our Grand Marshal. We’re also proud to welcome back the Marine Toys for Tots as part of this year’s celebration. The exceptional work they do in bringing the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children is a cause that has been embraced by communities throughout the nation.”

Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks (Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel) said: “Hallmark Channel’s COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS is all about celebrating timeless traditions. One of the greatest holiday traditions is giving to others. That’s why Hallmark Channel is proud to be the official cable television partner for Marine Toys for Tots, an organization dedicated to bringing children Christmas joy for more than 60 years. We are grateful to have our networks, Toys for Tots and the Parade come together to help kids, and we are proud to have ‘The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots’ on our air.”

Lieutenant General Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation said: “Toys for Tots truly appreciates being selected as the charity partner of The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade. We believe our presence in the parade will offer a reminder to families across the nation to think of those less fortunate this holiday season. By donating a new unwrapped toy or by making a cash contribution to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, we will be able to bring smiles to children on Christmas morning who otherwise might be forgotten.”

Grandstand tickets for The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots are now on sale!!! Parade attendees can view the event in style and comfort. Reserved Grandstand Seating for The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots are now available for purchase within Associated Television International’s “live set” area located on Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Street and Highland Avenue.

This year there are two great packages being offered. The first is “Santa’s Package” which includes a ticket to Madame Tussauds Hollywood and the Grandstand Seat for $45 (a value of $60). Or, the second option is to purchase a Grandstand Seat alone for $35 per ticket.

All seats are reserved at the time the order is placed. There are no refunds or exchanges. Group Discounts are available for groups of 25 or more. All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. To order tickets, please call toll free at 1-866-PARADE1 (866-727-2331).

Grandstand tickets can be purchased via the telephone until Saturday afternoon, November 26, 2011. On the day of the parade Grandstand tickets will be available at a ticket booth on Hollywood Boulevard located in the Grandstand area near the intersection of Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.

Free Curbside Seating will be available along the entire parade route, starting East of the Grandstand Seating area on Hollywood Boulevard. One of the easiest ways to get to the parade is to take Metro. There are two stations located on the parade route, one at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, and another at Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. For further information or to plan the best route, use the Metro Trip Planner at www.metro.net.

There are numerous Parking Lots in close proximity to the parade route, including Grant Parking lots located throughout Hollywood, as well as at the Hollywood & Highland Shopping Complex accessible from Highland Avenue, near Hollywood Boulevard. Most lots are paid parking. Please contact individual parking lots for pricing.

For updates and further information about The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots, please visit the parade’s official website, www.hollywoodchristmasparade2011.com or call 1-866-PARADE1 (1-866-727-2331).

80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Participants Will Include:
Bands: Agua Fria High School Marching Band (Avondale, AZ) and Verrado High School Marching Band (Buckeye, AZ); Banning High School Mighty Marching Pilots (Wilmington, CA); Beckman High School Band (Tustin, CA); Centennial High School Band (Corona, CA); Emerald Society Pipe Band (Los Angeles, CA); Gasden School District Band (San Luis, AZ); Lafayette Jefferson High School Band (Lafayette, IN); Long Beach Junior Concert Band (Long Beach, CA); Mayfair High School Band (Lakewood, CA); Porterville High School Band (Porterville, CA); Santa Ana Winds Youth Band (Orange County, CA); United States Marine Corps Band (San Diego, CA); Villa Park High School Band (Villa Park, CA); Walnut High School Band (Walnut, CA) and Yorba Linda High School Band (Yorba Linda, CA).

Equestrians: Broken Horn Ropers; Buffalo Soldiers; C-Star Riders; Mario’s Andalusians; Painted Ladies Drill Team; Rancho La Laguna; Realms of Ravens; Southern California Peruvian Horse Club and United States Marshal Posse.

Features: American Chinese Cultural Association; Pacific American Volunteer Association and Wells Fargo Stagecoach.

Balloons: Pirate and Treasure Chest (Galaxy Press); Astronaut; Flag; Cowboy; Dog; Elmo; Ginger Bread Kids; Kermit The Frog; Oscar The Grouch and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.

Character/Novelties: Archibald Mouse; Cool Cat; Power Rangers (Saban Brands); Twin America; Sister Cities; Po from King Fu Panda 2 (Paramount Pictures).

Celebrity participants in the parade will soon be announced.

Parade Road Closures:

Saturday, November 26, 2011:
– 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning Hollywood Boulevard from Orange Street to Highland Avenue
– Orange Street from Hollywood Boulevard South to the alley North of Hawthorne Street. Re-opening Monday, November 28, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 27, 2011:
– Hollywood Boulevard from LaBrea Avenue to Orange Street 6:00 a.m. Re-opening at 10:00 p.m.
– Hawthorne Avenue, DeLongpre Avenue, Fountain Avenue from LaBrea Avenue to Highland Avenue at 1:00 p.m. Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
– El Cerrito Place from Hollywood Boulevard to Franklin Avenue at 1:00 p.m. Re-opening at 8:00 p.m.
– Sycamore Street, Orange Street from Franklin Avenue to Fountain Avenue at 1:00 p.m. Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
– Sunset Boulevard from LaBrea Avenue to Highland Avenue at 1:00 p.m. Re-opening at 10:00 p.m.
– East side of LaBrea Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to Sunset Boulevard at 4:00 p.m. Re-opening at 7:00 p.m.
– Highland Avenue from Franklin Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard at 4:00 p.m. Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
– Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Gower Street at 4:00 p.m. Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
– Vine Street from Franklin Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard at 4:00 p.m. Re-opening 9:00 p.m.
– Sunset Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Gower Street at 4:00 p.m. Re-opening at 9:00 p.m.
– Sunset Boulevard from Highland Avenue to LaBrea Avenue at 3:00 p.m. Re-opening at 10:00 p.m.

Freeway Closures: Hollywood Freeway, Highway 101
– Northbound and Southbound off ramps from Cahuenga Boulevard and Highland Avenue will be closed at 3:00 p.m. Re-opening at 10:00 p.m.

No Parking Posting:
– On Thursday, November 24, 2011 posting will begin on those streets that will be designated NO PARKING for Saturday, November 26, 2011, Sunday, November 27, 2011 through Monday morning, November 28, 2011.

The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade is produced live in Hollywood, CA by Hollywood’s Santa Parade LLC, made up of William Lomas, President and Debbie Scheibel, Vice-President, Administration. The City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International are Presenting Sponsors of the parade. The Hallmark Channel is a Media Partner. This year’s televised special of the parade is executive produced by David McKenzie of Associated Television International. The Official Charity of The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade is the Marine Toys for Tots. Community Sponsors of The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade include: Metro, Steve Moyer Public Relations, Author Services, Galaxy Press, 93.1 JACK-FM, Asira and Wendy’s.

About The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program:
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 64th year, Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy or book during the holiday season. Our gifts offer these children hope, recognition, and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the books, games, and sports equipment that we provide as gifts make a significant contribution to the educational, social and recreational development of these children. In 2010, Marines distributed toys to more than 7.2 million children who might not have otherwise experienced the magic of the Christmas holiday season. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public as well as support from corporate sponsors. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

About Associated Television International:
Associated Television International (ATI) is an Emmy Award-winning company that has been successfully producing and distributing television series, specials and feature films for over three decades. ATI’s programs have aired on all U.S. broadcast networks, major cable channels and with television partners all over the world. Current series in production include Elizabeth Stanton’s Great Big World; World’s Funniest Moments; and the Emmy Award-nominated Laura McKenzie’s Traveler. Currently ATI is producing the critically acclaimed live tour of Masters of Illusion, and specials for A&E’s BIO Channel. ATI has also been Emmy Award-nominated for its socially conscious programming and won for America’s Invisible Children and On the Edge: The Poverty Crisis in Africa. For more information, please visit www.associatedtelevision.com.

About Hallmark Channel:
Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 87.5 million subscribers. The top tier program service is distributed through more than 5,450 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel is the nation’s leading network in quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies, lifestyle and general entertainment content, and is the home of The Martha Stewart Show, which anchors the channel’s new daytime HOME block. Hallmark Channel’s sibling network is Hallmark Movie Channel, also available in HD and SD, which focuses on the family-friendly movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, original Hallmark Channel movies and special events. For more information, please visit www.hallmarkchannel.com.

Grand Marshals, Celebrities and VIPs who have appeared in The Hollywood Christmas Parade during the last 80 years include: Buzz Aldrin, Rosanne and Tom Arnold, Bob Barker, Michael Bolton, Beau Bridges, Kristin Chenoweth, David Copperfield, Tony Danza, Sammy Davis, Jr., Cecil B. DeMille, Peter Fonda, City of Los Angeles Council President Eric Garcetti, Louis Gossett, Jr., Johnny Grant, Kathy Griffin, David Hasselhoff, Charlton Heston, Bob and Delores Hope, Ron Howard, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels, Toby Keith, Larry King, Eartha Kitt, City of Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge, George Lopez, Susan Lucci, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Frankie Muniz, 98 Degrees, Edward James Olmos, Hayden Pantierre, Regis and Joy Philbin, Helen Reddy, Roy Rodgers and Dale Evans, Mickey and Jan Rooney, Antonio Sabato, Jr., Santa Claus, John Schneider, Arnold Schwarzenegger, William Shatner, Jimmy Stewart, The Simpsons, Ashley Tisdale, City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood and many others.

To learn more about The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots, please visit the parade’s official website, www.hollywoodchristmasparade2011.com or call 1-866-PARADE1 (1-866-727-2331).

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