New coordinator for Silver Bells

Arts Council turns over production duties on annual event to Lansing Principal Shopping District

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When it began in 1985, Silver Bells in the City was a modest holiday celebration; now, it features fireworks, an electric light parade and the illumination festivities of Michigan's official Christmas tree.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing has handled the set up and production of the event since its start. But the organization is now turning over those duties to the Lansing Principal Shopping District.

Arts Council executive director Leslie Donaldson said last year's Silver Bells attracted an estimated 150,000-180,000 people to the downtown area. 

Since 1985, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing hasworked with the City of Lansing and thousands of regional volunteers, partnersand sponsors to grow Silver Bells in the City from its humble beginnings into apremiere Mid-Michigan event which includes an electric light parade, thelighting of Michigan’s official Christmas tree and fireworks over the stateCapitol.

After creating this event and producing it for 25years, it is time to pass the baton. In 2010, Silver Bells in the City will becoordinated by the Lansing Principal Shopping District.

“It is with much pride forthe success that Silver Bells in the City has achieved and its positive impacton the greater Lansing community that the Arts Council transfers coordinationof the event,” said Leslie Donaldson, executive director of the Arts Council ofGreater Lansing. “We plan to focus on the more immediate needs of our constituentswho have been affected by recent cuts in public funding to the arts. We areconfident the rich tradition of Silver Bells will continue under the leadershipof this long-time community partner.”

“The Arts Council has done anamazing job of coordinating and growing Silver Bells in the City over the yearsinto the region’s signature holiday event,” said Mindy Biladeau, executive directorof the Lansing PSD. “We are honored to be able to coordinate this event thisyear and to carry on the tradition for generations to come. We are lookingforward to working with a number of community partners and volunteers to makethe 26th Annual Silver Bells in the City a night to remember.”

The Lansing PSD is committedto creating a thriving world-class capital city by making our downtown andsurrounding neighborhoods united, vibrant, economically strong, and culturallydynamic through promotions, design, business development and organization.

“On behalf of the ArtsCouncil of Greater Lansing, I would like to express our deepest appreciationfor the community’s support of Silver Bells in the City during the past 25years,” Donaldson said, “We hope the community will continue to support thesuccess of Silver Bells as an event that defines our region and brings joy toour families and our state.”

Foundedin 1965, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing is a non-profit organization whosemission is to lead, advocate for and advance arts and culture in the capitalregion. For more information, visit www.lansingarts.org.

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