The 14th annual Legends Outlets tree lighting ceremony will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17.
The lighting ceremony will be in the courtyard of the shopping center at I-70 and I-435 in Kansas City, Kansas.
The 45-foot holiday tree at the Civic Courtyard Fountain, in front of the AMC Legends 14 movie theater, will feature LED-lighted snowflakes. The lights are animated and will work in time with music played at the event.
The tree lighting event also includes appearances by Santa Claus, live holiday music, prize giveaways, children’s activities, free refreshments and photos with Santa.
The masters of ceremonies for the event are Mike Marusarz and Taylor Hemness, anchors from 41 Action News.
From 6 to 8 p.m., for the children, there will be face painting, balloon artists and a balloon snowman. Hot cocoa and s’mores on a stick will be served.
Among the area musicians who are scheduled to perform holiday music are Nick Nave, Red Guitar; Heather Thornton, Heather Thornton Band; Miguel Caraballo, Middle Theory Band; and Lansing Thunder Drum Ensemble.
Photos with Santa are scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m., just west of the center courtyard. While there is a photography company tentatively scheduled to take free Santa photos, weather permitting, guests who want a photo with Santa should bring their own camera if there is inclement weather.
The YMCA Giving Tree will be located east of the center courtyard, with a tent that will house a small giving tree. Guests may take an ornament from the tre, which will include lists of household and holiday items to purchase for local families in need. The items can be dropped to the YMCA tent during the tree lighting ceremony or afterwards to any Wyandotte County YMCA location.
The Legends Outlets also will have prize giveaways. Guests may visit the VIP tent in the center courtyard to register for a chance to win one of the grand prizes: a Michael Kors handbag and matching wallet set; a $300 Legends Outlets gift card; a Family Stay and Play Packing including a one-night hotel stay at Residence Inn, four movie tickets to AMC Theaters Legends 14, a $20 gift certificate to Dave and Busters, a $25 Carter’s gift card, a $25 Buckle gift card, and a $25 Nike Factory gift card. Winners will be randomly selected and notified after the tree lighting at 8 p.m. Winners must claim their prizes by 8:30 p.m. at the VIP tent.
The Legends Outlets also will give away magic light glasses to guests on a first-come, first-served basis at the VIP tent. There is a limit of one pair of glasses per person, while supplies last.