ADVISORY/LADWP Turns on the Lights for the 8th Annual Holiday Light Festival.

News Editors/City Desks

ADVISORY...for Thursday (Nov. 20)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

What: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Department
      of Recreation and Parks will unveil the 8th annual LADWP Holiday
      Light Festival in Griffith Park. A holiday tradition for a half
      million people from near and far, this year's event features a
      number of new displays including DeWaPosaurus (a display of
      dinosaurs), a volcano and a candy cane lane. Councilmember Tom
      LaBonge will lead the traditional "flipping of the switch"
      ceremony that will illuminate the one-mile stretch of lights.

Who: - Tom LaBonge, Los Angeles Councilmember
     - David Wiggs, LADWP General Manager
     - Manuel Mollinedo, Department of Recreation and Parks General
       Manager
     - William Bamattre, Los Angeles Fire Chief
     - Los Angeles elected officials, constituents, civic and
       community leaders

When: Thursday, November 20
      5 - 7 p.m. reception
      6 p.m. program (7 p.m. flipping of the switch)

Where: Autry Museum of Western Heritage Lobby
      4700 Western Heritage Way (across from Los Angeles Zoo)

Photo Op: Councilmember Tom LaBonge, LADWP General Manager David
          Wiggs, Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
          General Manager Manuel Mollinedo and Los Angeles Fire Chief
          William Bamattre flipping the switch and triggering a
          cascade of light displays; collecting toys donated by guests
          for the Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Why: The LADWP Holiday Light Festival demonstrates the Department's
     commitment to its customers and the communities in and around
     Los Angeles.

Background: The event, free to visitors, runs along a one-mile section
            of Crystal Springs Drive in Information Griffith Park from
            Friday, November 21 through Sunday, December 28 during the
            hours of 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For additional
            information, log on to www.ladwp.com and link to the
            Holiday Light Festival. Visitors are encouraged to bring a
            gift for the Spark of Love Toy Drive, sponsored by the Los
            Angeles City Fire Department, to benefit less fortunate
            children throughout Los Angeles.