Schuster Center Hosts Wintergarden Wonderland Events, 11/21-1/2

Victoria Theatre Association presents Wintergarden Wonderland (Wednesday, November 21, 2012 – Wednesday, January 2, 2013), kicking off with the Dayton Holiday Festival in downtown Dayton. Free, family-friendly activities are offered at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center throughout the holiday season, including beloved Dayton-area traditions, music, crafts and more! Make lasting memories with your loved ones by participating in the numerous events Wintergarden Wonderland has to offer.

Wintergarden Wonderland is an annual holiday gift to the community from Victoria Theatre Association and the Arts Center Foundation. It is provided FREE OF CHARGE to the Dayton community. Wintergarden Wonderland proves to be a success year after year and is a part of many families' holiday traditions. Make your holiday season cheerful and create valuable memories with a trip to downtown Dayton.

For additional information on these events and others, visit www.victoriatheatre.com/wintergarden-wonderland.

2012 Wintergarden Wonderland Events

The Legendary Rike's Christmas Windows

One of the Holiday Festivals' most popular downtown holiday experiences is the Rike's Window displays in the Schuster Center which open for public viewing on Wednesday, November 21. The displays, which first appeared in the windows of the NCR offices in New York City in 1943, will delight children of all ages. Don't miss out on this magnificent presentation of dancing elves and holiday cheer.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012 – Wednesday, January 2, 2013 – Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., unless a private event is being held at the Schuster Center. The Wintergarden will also be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Junior League of Dayton's Holiday Hunt

Don't miss this free downtown scavenger hunt for kids! Start at the Junior League tent on Courthouse Square, where you'll receive your map and instructions. Then follow the hunt to downtown locations to receive prizes!
· Friday, November 23, 2012 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Courthouse Square

Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS preview, Schuster Celebration Choir and Dayton Children's Parade

Deck the halls at Courthouse Square with joyous voices comprised student from Wright State University as they preview the upcoming Premier Health Partners Broadway Series presentation of Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS (at the Schuster Center November 27- December 2). The Schuster Celebration Choir will also entertain at Courthouse Square before the 2012 Dayton Children's Parade! Groove to your favorite holiday tunes and enjoy the assortment of holiday floats as the parade travels through downtown Dayton. The parade begins immediately after the Christmas Tree at Courthouse Square is illuminated (which occurs at approximately 7:45 p.m.)

Santa's Secret

While you are visiting the Rike's Christmas Windows at the Schuster Center this season, be sure to participate in the "Santa's Secret" contest and will a family four-pack of tickets for the rest of the PNC Family Series 2012-2013 season! Santa and his magical team of crafty reindeer made a special stop at the Schuster Center to drop off the much awaited tradition of "Santa's Secret!" Each Rike's Window contains a common object of interest. Search and discover The Common item, fill out an entry form and drop it into the entry box to see if you are correct! The winning entry will be announced on the Victoria Theatre Association Facebook page after January 3, 2013.

Here's a clue: While Santa had his back turned, his reindeer left a clue behind: The Common thread always relates to Dayton, Ohio! But remember, reindeer can be very tricky. Children are encouraged to enter.

The Tike's Shoppe and Visits with Santa!

Children of all ages get the chance to be real customers at The Tike's Shoppe! While at the Shoppe, children can browse through a large variety of goodies and with some assistance from Santa's elves and purchase inexpensive Christmas gifts for their family and loved ones. This is a great opportunity for children to gain experience making decisions, while also dealing with money. There is also face painting every Saturday and Sunday! The Tike's Shoppe is located in the Berry Room near the Ludlow Street entrance inside the Schuster Center. Sales from the Tike's Shoppe benefits Miami Valley Youth Career Services and youth in the Dayton area.

For a complete schedule visit: http://www.victoriatheatre.com/education-engagement/wintergarden-wonderland.

Some Fun at the Schuster Center

Beginning November 27, families experience a variety of holiday fun at the Schuster Center. Local artists from the K12 Gallery will assist children in making holiday ornaments free of charge on the 3rd floor of the Schuster Center, above the Grand Staircase overlooking the Wintergarden. Entertainment is everywhere on the DP&L Stage with concerts and performances by Miami Valley Music Men, the Chinese Youth Orchestra and the Schuster Center Celebration Choir, just to name a few, every weekend beginning November 25 through December 23. Each day is filled with fun for the whole family.

For a complete schedule visit: http://www.victoriatheatre.com/education-engagement/wintergarden-wonderland/.

Uno's Pizza with Santa

Tell Santa your Christmas wishes and enjoy some pizza at Uno Chicago Grill!
· Saturdays, December 1, 8, 15 – 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. visit with Santa, 11:00 a.m. lunch

There are many other wonderful holiday activities taking place throughout downtown Dayton, as part of the Downtown Dayton Partnership's Holiday Festival. Additional information is available online on the Downtown Dayton Partnership's Dayton Holiday Festival page HERE.

For more information about Victoria Theatre Association's entire 2012-2012 season, visit www.victoriatheatre.com.

Victoria Theatre Association is one of Dayton's premier arts organizations, presenting the Miami Valley and Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series, the PNC Family Series, the Michelob Ultra Cool Films series, Star Attractions, the Projects Unlimited Variety Series, KeyBank African-American Arts Festival, and the Physicians for Kids Discovery Series, which features curriculum-enhanced live theatre productions for school children. Victoria Theatre Association is proud of its alliance with the Dayton Opera. In addition to the performances it presents, Victoria Theatre Association also manages the historic Victoria Theatre, the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, and the Metropolitan Arts Center, which houses The Loft Theatre. Victoria Theatre Association receives funding from a variety of diverse public, corporate, individual and private sources, including the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District and the Ohio Arts Council. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program or organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

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