Headline News Anchor Robin Meade to host 25th Anniversary A Country Christmas Lighting Ceremony

Celebrity-studded Gaylord Opryland event to mark quarter-century tradition.

Nashville, TN (PRWEB) November 3, 2008 -- Celebrities, neighbors and families who have gathered each November to help kick off A Country Christmas for generations will reunite once again in front of the famous Magnolia entrance of the landmark Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn. However, this year’s opening will be the biggest celebration yet as the resort called “the most Christmassy Hotel in the Nation” by Travel Channel’s Extreme Christmas ushers A Country Christmas into its 25th year.

“I am thrilled to announce that this year that we will have one of the world’s most talented and popular television news anchors with us as our special Silver Anniversary host. Headline News Morning Express Anchor Robin Meade is the perfect choice to lead us into the 25th year of this now world-famous celebration,” exclaimed Pete Weien, senior vice president and general manager, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and Attractions.

"What an honor to help kick off the holiday season and light up the night as host of this year's A Country Christmas Lighting Ceremony,” said Robin Meade. “There's a reason this event has become such a revered tradition, and I can't wait to be a part of the magic!"

Last year, video of the A Country Christmas Lighting Ceremony was shown by television stations in more than 120 cities.

On stage during the A Country Christmas Lighting Ceremony on Nov.13, Meade will be joined by beloved Country Music artist Louise Mandrell, who is starring in a new holiday dinner show at the resort called Louise Mandrell’s Joy to the World Christmas Dinner & Show. Also on stage will be the famous precision dance troupe the Rockettes, in from New York to perform all season at the Grand Ole Opry House in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Dr. Seuss’s beloved storybook icon The Grinch will make an appearance, too, and Rockabilly Christmas will entertain the crowd with holiday tunes with a vintage-flair. This year, Robin Meade will lead the cast as they flip the famous giant switch, lighting Gaylord Opryland and the sky with 2 million lights. For more than 20 years country music legend Porter Wagoner performed that honor along with other celebrity guests.

Media coverage details: The 25th Annual A Country Christmas Lighting Ceremony will be held November 13, 2008 at 5:45p.m.-6:45p.m. Central. Media check-in begins at 4:30. A media platform will be reserved for credentialed and registered members of the working media. Information and coordinates about the post-Lighting Ceremony satellite video feed will be available one week prior to the event.

Media contacts for Gaylord Opryland Resort:

Kim Keelor 615.458.2877 kkeelor @ gaylordhotels.com

Jeff Zimmer 615.458.2873 jzimmer @ gaylordhotels.com

Media contact for Robin Meade/ Headline News/Morning Express with Robin Meade:

Janine Iamunno / janine.iamunno @ turner.com

ABOUT “A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS”

Gaylord Opryland’s 25th annual “A Country Christmas®” presented by Nissan is proud to present ICE!™ featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. This is the Only SHOW like it in the USA! From the Grinch’s frozen mountain top lair, to the interactive slides and surprises, this life-sized story told in ice will make even the coldest of hearts grow three sizes. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular® presented by Allstate® Insurance Company, starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® is back with dazzling costumes, brilliant choreography and favorite scenes, such as the “Living Nativity” and the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” There’s Louise Mandrell’s’Joy to the World’ Christmas Dinner & Show; NashVegas on the River and Now That’s A Country Christmas with Tim Watson aboard the General Jackson® Showboat, Winter Wonderland featuring Treasures For The Holidays craft show, Santa’s E-mail, Hall of Trees, Gingerbread House-Making classes; and Carriage Rides and nearly two million Christmas lights. It’s everything Christmas and all at Gaylord Opryland.

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