Santa Claus to Make Special Appearance from the North Pole Courtesy of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
LAS VEGAS – As Las Vegas’ longest-running holiday tradition, the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village has returned for another year of spreading holiday cheer to Southern Nevada families. Kicking off the festivities, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will welcome Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Congresswoman Dina Titus as they flip the switch to illuminate millions of glittering lights throughout the Forest.
Forgoing the sleigh and making their grand entrance at the Magical Forest via Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus will help make the season bright by performing heart-warming duets alongside energetic Las Vegas talent including Lorena Peril of FANTASY at the Luxor and The Venetian Las Vegas’ famed doo-wop pop group, Human Nature.
Perfect for kids from one to 92, the festive Forest offers a wide array of family-friendly holiday fun to enjoy, including nightly entertainment, delicious treats and food, The Blizzard mini-coaster, the Forest Express Passenger Train, Cheyenne’s Enchanted Carousel, the Avalanche Slide, Boris the Elf’s Experience, the Ethel M Candy Cabin filled with holiday décor and gifts, and photo opportunities with Santa and his friends from the North Pole.
Who:
Santa Claus
Mrs. Claus
Mayor Carolyn Goodman
Congresswoman Dina Titus
Human Nature
Lorena Peril and the girls of FANTASY at the Luxor
Opportunity Village executives, staff and clients
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters executives
When: Friday, Nov. 24
Media check-in: 5 p.m.
Live performances: 5:50 p.m.
Tree Lighting Ceremony to begin with Santa arriving via helicopter: 6 p.m.
Where:
Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest
6300 W. Oakey Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
The Magical Forest is open every night from Nov. 24 – Dec. 31, 2017 at 5:30 p.m., with the exception of Christmas Day (Dec. 25). General admission tickets for adults are $12, while children’s tickets are $10. Passports can be purchased for $22 and Children’s Passports are available for $19. Ticket information is available at www.MagicalForest.com.
About Opportunity Village
Mission: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
Seven families who were determined to give their children with disabilities the best lives possible founded Opportunity Village in 1954. Now, more than 60 years later, Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected organizations of its type in the United States.
Nevada’s largest employer of people with disabilities, Opportunity Village serves more than 2,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that make their lives more purposeful and interesting.
Opportunity Village citizens – individuals who were previously considered unemployable – work at Opportunity Village’s Employment Resource Centers and in jobs throughout the community, collectively earning wages amounting to more than $3.7 million in 2016. They are hard-working and diligent, proudly paying taxes and happily leading more fulfilling lives.
Primarily a self-funded organization, Opportunity Village generates the majority of its operational funding through its employment contracts and fundraising efforts such as the Magical Forest and Great Santa Run, saving Nevada taxpayers more than $37 million annually.
PRESS CONTACTS
Kristin Hoxie
Opportunity Village
702.572.2734
hoxiek@opportunityvillage.org
Stevi Portz
R&R Partners for Opportunity Village
702.875.5035
stevi.portz@rrpartners.com