ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, November 26, 1996             TAG: 9611260116
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 

ROANOKE CHRISTMAS TREE TO BE LIT DEC. 6

Roanoke's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony has been moved from Thanksgiving night to Dec. 6 to be part of the Dickens of a Christmas celebration. The tree is at the First Union Tower Plaza behind the City Market Building. The ceremony will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Festivities will include:

* The Noel C. Taylor Community Choir singing at 6:45.

* Mayor David Bowers dedicating the tree at 7, with Tiny Tim, from Mill Mountain Theatre's "A Christmas Carol," lighting it.

* Santa and the Sauerkraut Band in the E. Laban Johnson Amphitheater in Elmwood Park at 8:45.

* Fireworks by Zambelli International at Elmwood Park at 9:30.

Bill Rutledge and his wife of Vinton donated the tree.

Parking will be free at the First Union Tower parking garage.

Information on the tree lighting and entertainment is available from Marilyn Arbogast at 981-2236. Dickens of a Christmas information is available from Downtown Roanoke Inc. at 342-2028.

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