UPDATE: Lighting of the Doves and iWOW Festival draws huge crowd due to favorable weather

UPDATE: November 23, 2014

Santa Claus was able to arrive safefly in The Woodlands, Texas, due to the postponement of the 32nd Annual Lighting of the Doves and the 8th Annual International Winter on the Waterway (iWOW) festival.

After the rain past through on Saturday, the sun, followed by snow, came out at Town Green Park, providing the children in the community with the opportunity to throw snowballs and go snow sledding. The favorable weather conditions drew a huge crowd. Employees working The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau booth were unable to guess at the number who attended the festival. It's conceivable the event drew a record crowd.

Plenty of vendors were on hand to kickoff the holiday shopping, and the crowd was entertained with music, while waiting in anticipation of Santa's arrival. The Woodlands very own Dana Tyson of Sunny 99.1, emceed the event, and then led the countdown to the lighting ceremony followed by a fantastic fireworks show. See the videos and the photo gallery depicting the festival at-a-glance.



UPDATE: November 22, 2014

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (November 21, 2014) -- Due to the highest probability by our National Weather Service contacts calling for up to 60 mph winds, inch-size hail and possible tornadoes, the 32nd Annual Lighting of the Doves and 8th Annual International Winter on The Waterway (iWOW) have been postponed from Saturday, November 22, 2014, at Town Green Park and The Woodlands Waterway to Sunday, November 23, 2014. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and Santa is expected to arrive at his customary time around 7 p.m.



ORIGINAL STORY:

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Attendees will enjoy a variety of spectacular holiday activities and entertainment at the 32nd Annual Lighting of the Doves and the 8th Annual International Winter on the Waterway (iWOW) to be held in The Woodlands on Saturday, November 22, 2014 from 3 – 9 p.m.

Texas Country duo 100 Miles Gone will perform on the Celebration Stage within Lighting of the Doves at Town Green Park, 2099 Lake Robbins Drive, from 6 – 7 p.m. Join the crowd at the Celebration Stage at approximately 7 p.m. for Santa’s grand entrance by boat on The Woodlands Waterway presented by Talisman Energy. Following Santa’s arrival, a dazzling fireworks display, presented by Strike, will light up the night sky as the ceremonial doves illuminate the park. Immediately following, The Slags will take the stage from 8 – 9 p.m. performing a variety of rock and roll and holiday favorites.

Nearby on the iWOW International Stage sponsored by Service King, Tropicosis will present its unique island, Latin and world beat music from 6 – 7 p.m. While also at iWOW along The Woodlands Waterway, celebrate the cultural diversity in The Woodlands with booths presenting holiday traditions from around the world. Enjoy international foods and check out the World of Holiday Trees sponsored by CenterPoint Energy.

Besides the great live music, Lighting of the Doves and iWOW will be filled with plenty of fun and games, interactive booths, arts and crafts and more. Event goers can enjoy a snow slide and snow play area, inflatables, bubble runners, balloon artists, strolling entertainers and much more. Both Lighting of the Doves and iWOW are free and open to the public.

Looking to give back during the holidays this year? Bring an unwrapped, $10 toy to the Town Center Parking Garage and park for free! Participants can also bring their toy to the Talisman Energy/Interfaith of The Woodlands booth in Town Green Park. This year’s Holiday Toy Drive is presented by Talisman Energy and will benefit Interfaith of The Woodlands.

The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center presented by Planet Ford in partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital, and Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland will also open daily to the public on Saturday, November 22, 2014. The Woodlands Ice Rink and Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland will remain open through January 19, 2015.

Special thanks to The Woodlands CVB’s 2014-2015 holiday event sponsors: Planet Ford, Texas Children’s Hospital, Donoho’s Jewellers, Coca Cola, CenterPoint Energy, The Strong Firm, Strike, CB&I, Service King, The Woodlands Development Company, Spectrum Events, Kroger, Xfinity, CHI St. Luke’s, The Woodlands Young Learners Academy, Wright’s Printing, Waste Management, Cunae International School, Texas Twister, Cinemark, Sunny 99.1, Houston Community Newspapers, The Courier, The Villager, reviewit Magazine, The Woodlands Lifestyles & Homes, Champions Printing & Publishing, The Woodlands Community Magazine, Community Impact News, Kidnnected Magazine and OnTheTown Magazine.