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Times: 5-10:00 pm Location: In the Congaree Vista, on Gervais Street between Gadsden and Assembly; on Lady, on Park, on Senate, and Lincoln. The 24th annual Vista Lights will ring in the Midlands holiday season with a night of culture, cuisine and artistic performances. Bring your family to the Congaree Vista, Columbia's arts and entertainment district, as over 60 galleries, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and shops open their doors and offer free hors d'oeuvres and lots of holiday cheer during Vista Lights on Thursday, November 19, from 5 – 10 p.m. This night is especially child friendly in the Vista. For starters, you'll find horse-and-carriage rides throughout the neighborhood, Santa Claus at Marble Slab Creamery, and face painting at the Miss Cocky table at Park and Gervais Streets. As usual, make your own S'Mores outside of LongHorn Steakhouse at Gervais and Lincoln. Plus, when you buy a cupcake at Cupcake on Lincoln, you get free hot chocolate and access to the Fixins Bar, where kids (and adults) can add whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate chips, sprinkles, marshmallows and more. Join Mayor Bob Coble for his final tree-lighting ceremony as mayor at 7 p.m. at Gervais and Lincoln Streets. The famous US Army Brass Quintet is playing in this location, too. “Vista Lights is a wonderful opportunity for the Columbia community to come together and kick off the holiday season,” said Vista Guild Executive Director Deirdre Mardon. “We have a lot of family fun and entertainment planned for this year's event. We are please to invite the Midlands to enjoy all the Vista has to offer.” Visitors can expect the Vista to be full of colorful lights. Bella Vista bridal shop will entertain visitors with a fashion show on Gervais Street. Get a head start on holiday shopping (remember: Shop Columbia, Shop the Vista, and you keep your money in town where it benefits us all) while strolling along the Gervais Street corridor, which, after 6, will be closed to traffic from Assembly to Gadsden. Lincoln and Park Streets will also close between Senate and Lady. And don't worry about parking! Park free in the Vista's parking garages located on Lincoln Street between Lady and Washington; Park Street between Pendleton and Senate; Assembly at Lady St.; and the lot behind M Vista, between Lady Street and Washington Street. (Street parking is always free after 6PM.) Then enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides beneath the holiday lights. Parking will also be available at the State Museum, with shuttle rides either by horse and carriage or by the 22-passenger Vista Cruiser taking visitors to the heart of the Vista. Wine and beer will be for sale outside of LongHorn Steakhouse and on Lincoln between Gervais and the Blue Marlin. The latter is the only place in town you can find a Vista Disco cup. Helping usher in this holiday season: o BonBons from The Nutcracker by Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet o Contemporary dance performances by Unbound o Carols from White Knolls High School Choir o Magician John Tudor o Music from the Eau Claire Trombone Choir and Eau Claire Jazz Bands o Jump rope champions Double Dutch Forces o The U.S. Army Brass Quintet o The Bubblin' Bobcat Chorus from Saluda River Academy o More to come… Columbia's Congaree Vista, always an art destination, will be hopping on November 19th. Make plans to kick-off the 2009 holiday season at Vista Lights. More information at (803)269-5946.
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