The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® presented by BMO Harris Bank is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2011 and is excited to announce NEW elements! Check back to continue to see what’s NEW for 2011!

Mary Mary

My Block/Columbia Records multi-Grammy Award-winning inspirational recording act Mary Mary will kick off The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by BMO Harris Bank in the Broadcast Viewing Zone (on Michigan Avenue, outside Wrigley Building) with their holiday number, “Tis the Season.” Dance and drill team troupes South Shore Drill Team, Happiness Club, Endure, Dance Factory and the Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance will all be part of the opening number to help kick off the Lights Festival procession.

Mary Mary will also close the festival with their hit “Shackles (Praise You)” supported by Chicago’s very own The Soul Children of Chicago and Chicago Mass Choir.

Mary Mary, comprised of real-life sisters Erica and Tina Campbell, broke into the music scene ten years ago with the crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You)”. Since then, the chart-topping sister act has earned three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award, a BET Award and the ASCAP Golden Note Award. Their newest album, SOMETHING BIG, blends R&B, hip-hop, dance, gospel and jazz with empowering messages, striking goosebumps with every track.

From now until November 18, Mary Mary is challenging churches across the country to make a lasting impact on their communities with the Do Something Big Campaign. For more information about the contest, visit http://www.ilovemarymary.com/DoSomethingBig.

Don’t miss Mary Mary as they also close the Lights Festival in a magnificent way!

Watch the below video “Walking” from their latest album.

China Anne McClain

 
Radio Disney Artist China Anne McClain from Disney Channel’s A.N.T. Farm will perform on stage during The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by BMO Harris Bank. She will be performing with The McClain Sisters.

China Anne McClain stars as Chyna Parks, an 11-year-old musical prodigy who attends high school as part of the prestigious A.N.T. (Advanced Natural Talents) program, in the Disney Channel Original Series “A.N.T. Farm.”

McClain was discovered in 2005 by a music executive who heard her sing and encouraged director Rob Hardy to audition her for his feature film “The Gospel.”  China’s role in the film caught the attention of actor/director/producer Tyler Perry who ultimately cast her in his series “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.”  Soon thereafter, McClain landed a role in Perry’s feature film “Daddy’s Little Girls.”

McClain is passionate about music, enjoys playing the guitar and is learning to play piano and violin. She and her older sisters, Sierra and Lauryn, formed a singing group and are signed by Hollywood Records.

In her free time, McClain is an avid reader, who favors The Hunger Games and the Twilight book series.  She also likes to crochet clothes for her American Girl doll.  McClain’s favorite possession is a custom Fender Stratocaster guitar, a gift from Nick Jonas.

Watch her below video “Calling All The Monsters.”

Haley Reinhart with Special Guest Casey Abrams

Watch Interscope recording artist and American Idol finalist, Haley Reinhart, as she pairs up with fellow Idol alum, Casey Abrams, to bring more joy to the holidays.

Haley Reinhart is currently writing and recording her debut album scheduled to come out early next year. Hailey Reinhart and Casey Abrams paired up for a number of performances on American Idol and their jazzy vocal style stood out above other participants. After performing “Moanin’” on American Idol, the pair quickly became a fan favorite. Entertainment Weekly claimed their duet of “Moanin’” as “One of the best duets of all time on American Idol.”

Hailey Reinhart and Casey Abrams will be performing on the BMO Harris Bank stage at 2:30 p.m. Don’t miss out on this exciting performance!

Listen a preview of their duet below, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

Joining This Year’s Procession

Brand new floats are joining the procession in 2011! Celebrate the holiday season as you watch for some of the new floats dancing their way down The Magnificent Mile! 

Candyality: Inspiring pure imagination of chocolate covered days and sugar coated tomorrows, the “Candyality Land” magical vessel is adorned with candy-scape treats, lollipop forests, and sugar sparkled surprises to delight children of all ages. Sneak a peek at the celebrity riding the float - Loretta Swit from Broadway In Chicago’s “Love, Loss, and What I Wore,” and best known for her role as Major Margaret Houlihan on TV’s “MASH.” Don’t miss the sweet treats they will be passing out along the route!

Garrett Popcorn Shops: “Tins the Season” to be merry with the Garrett Popcorn Shops holiday float. Enjoy the CaramelCrisp® Carolers on board the float and watch as the chef cooks their famous secret family recipe, right before your eyes. Don’t forget to try some of the popcorn that they will be passing out along the procession route!

Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group: Listen for a rendition of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” as the Chicago Cubs custom trolley pulls the Harry Caray’s Restaurants float. Watch as legendary hall of fame Cubs player Ernie Banks, and the first lady of Chicago baseball, Dutchie Caray, both partners in the restaurant, and Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood ride down The Magnificent Mile.

Chicago Flower & Garden Show: Celebrate the “Spring Experience” with the Chicago Flower & Garden Show’s float. Dance to the music on the float performed by Greg Koeppen of Medleys In Motion and “garden girls” – iconic models representing “Hort Couture.”

Click here to learn more about the newest additions to the procession route, as well as returning favorites for this year’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by BMO Harris Bank!

Lemonade Mouth

 
See Lemonade Mouth on the Radio Disney AM 1300 float in The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by BMO Harris Bank procession!

Music-driven Disney Channel Original Movie “Lemonade Mouth” tells the story of how a powerhouse band came to be after five uncelebrated students with a passion for music find each other and ultimately become the voice of their generation. Themes of “finding your voice,” “believing in yourself,” “following your dreams,” “celebrating family” and “staying true to yourself” resonates throughout the movie.

Ten original songs and a remarkably talented cast led by Bridgit Mendler (Disney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie”), Adam Hicks (Disney XD’s “Zeke and Luther”), Hayley Kiyoko (Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place”), Naomi Scott (Disney Channel UK’s “Life Bites”) and newcomer Blake Michael (cast through an open casting call), are showcased in the spirited movie.

Watch their below hit “Somebody.”

Lights Festival Lane Participants

Stroll over to Lights Festival Lane for some family fun! See old favorites and welcome new faces as you ring in the holiday season!

BENJAMINANDTOM.COM: Learn how you can save 10% or more on your electric bill, get $50 back just for enrolling and win free electricity for a year! Powered by Verde Energy USA.

Children’s Memorial Hospital & Kohl’s Cares: Visit the booth to learn about the new hospital, get a sticker and a flashlight.

Garrett Popcorn Shops: Stop by the Garrett Popcorn Shops booth and enjoy a complimentary treat size bag of The Chicago Mix or warm up with a cup of CaramelCrisp® Apple Cider ($1 per cup will be donated to The Boys and Girls Club). If you’re craving more than just a taste of their freshly made gourmet popcorn, they have festive holiday tins available for purchase as well.

Google Offers: Pick up a fun giveaway and learn more about upcoming deals on great places to eat, shop and play in Chicago.

McDonald’s McCafé: Warm up by enjoying cups of holiday cheer with their latest specialty seasonal beverages - McCafé Peppermint Mocha and Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

Click here for more information on activities in Lights Festival Lane and to see a full list of participants!

BMO Harris Bank Giant Board Game

After follow Hubert’s paw prints to the BMO Harris Bank Tent at Pioneer Court where family fun awaits, stop by BMO Harris Bank’s Giant Board Game Tent at the John Hancock Plaza for more fun and prizes! John Hancock Plaza 

Nathan Pacheco

Nathan Pacheco is an opera singer from Virginia who is fluent in four languages and whose soulful vocals possess a highly accessible quality that permeates his voice with crossover pop potential. He was discovered by Producer Ric Wake during the nationwide search for the Voices project and toured worldwide performing with Yanni in support of that album.

In 2009, Nathan relocated to Southern California after being signed to the Disney Pearl Series label and has been writing the songs that will make up his debut solo album. Nathan has collaborated with many writers under the direction of producer/composer Leo - Z (Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban).
 
Nathan is releasing a Christmas single in November – a duet of the classic “O Holy Night” which he’s performing with the beautiful and talented British superstar Katherine Jenkins. Nathan will be performing both on tour with Katherine and he is appearing as a special guest on her upcoming sold-out January/February tour of the U.K. With the voice of an angel, Nathan’s album will speak to you in a profoundly emotional way.
 
See more about Nathan especially the “Making of Nessun Dorma” here.
 
Nathan will be riding on the National Concierge Association float as part of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by BMO Harris Bank.

Disney’s The Muppets

New to this year’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by BMO Harris Bank, Kermit the Frog is hopping down The Magnificent Mile to join in on the fun! This year’s Kermit the Frog balloon will be sure to light up your holidays! Plus, for viewers at home, watch for a special greeting from Kermit and Miss Piggy that will air during the television broadcast of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by BMO Harris Bank. Chicago dates: December 19 at 6:00 p.m., December 4 at 12:30 p.m., December 10 at 1:30 p.m.

Click here for listings in your area!