Corning, NY - December 1, 2010 - Corning's Gaffer District is pleased to announce the 36th annual Sparkle, on Saturday December 4th, 2010 from 5:00pm - 9:00pm.  We are excited to announce the Christmas Lights are back in the trees on Market Street adding to the wonderful ambiance of Sparkle for everyone!  Come and enjoy the enchantment of the evening; share your favorite Sparkle memories and photos on our Facebook page.

Sparkle has been the culmination of the Crystal City Christmas events season for over three decades, offering both traditional events and new attractions each year to suit any family.  In this tradition, Corning's Gaffer District is proud to announce several features of this year's event:

• The Window of Gifts Giveaway, located at 13 E. Market Street.
• Santa Claus in his Crystal House (Centerway Square)
• Horse-drawn carriage rides from Spring Wagon Orchard and Carriage Services
• Make-an-Ornament sponsored by Connors Mercantile, Aniello's Pizzeria and Pure Design.  Free for kids under 12.
• Kids' Make an ornament from recycled products at Simple Style
• Autograph book for children featuring more than a dozen costumed characters, local celebrities and mascots.  Sponsored by Market Street Coffee & Tea.
• Prize Box Wind Tunnel - offering a chance to win cash, coupons and tickets to an Elmira Jackals game
• Vortex Simulator Experience by Bradley Farms
• Wreath and tree sales at Walker Cake Company
• Dancers Alley, Stage Door Performing Arts Center and Carle School of Dance @ Magic-FM Studios.  Performances at 6:00pm and 8:00pm.
• Secret Santa Shop in the Information Center, sponsored by Guthrie Corning Hospital Auxiliary
• Ski and snowboard demonstrations by Berger's Ski & Snowboard
• Window-front caricatures by artist Mike Burrell at Home Again/Closet Treasures
• Family Sparkle at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art
• Holiday Open House at the Corning Museum of Glass
• Poetry book Ancestral Supplications signing by author Vicie Rolling at The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes 
• Performances by Eastside Laundry Washtub Band (7:30pm) and ukulele Christmas sing-a-long (5:30pm) at Marich Music
• "Live Mannequins" in windows at Pip's Creativewear
• Elf car at Imagine That!
• Book signing with Tina Howe at Beyond Baskets
• Live music, carolers, living nativities, real reindeer and alpacas
• A variety of local and regional specialty vendors, including fresh roasted chestnuts

Entertainment on stage at Centerway square includes:

• 4:00 - 4:30 PM ...Jessica Ameigh
• 4:30 - 5:15 PM ...Stage Door Performing Arts Center
• 5:30 - 6:00 PM ...Corning Christian Academy
• 6:15 - 7:00 PM ...Painted Post Chapter SPEBSQSA (Barbershoppers)
• 7:00 - 7:30 PM ...Aces & Acettes
• 7:45 - 8:30 PM ...Corning Area Community Concert Band

In preparation for this year's event, the following streets will be closed on Saturday, December 4th from 2:00pm to 12:00am:Aurene Lane (Wall Street to Tarantelli Lane):

·         Market Street  (Wall to Bridge)

·         Pine Street (Burmese to Market and Aurene to Tioga)

·         Wall Street (Tioga to Burmese)

·         Cedar Street (Tioga to Burmese)

·         Walnut Street (Aurene to Burmese)

·         Chestnut Street (Aurene to Burmese)

Additional information, including a complete schedule of events, is available online at www.gafferdistrict.com.

Please contact Lin Kotlinski, Director of Events at (607) 937-6292 x105 or email: lin@gafferdistrict.com with any questions.