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Loveland, Colorado Chamber Announces Sweetheart City Celebration Schedule of Events
Loveland has a two-week-long, family-friendly festival to celebrate Valentine's Day, fun, love and romance
(PRWEB) February 1, 2004 --Wondering what to do during the post-Super-Bowl February slump? The Loveland Chamber of Commerce has announced a full slate of events for the Sweetheart City Celebration. This new community festival promises two weeks of family fun and entertainment for all of northern Colorado and beyond, and features signature events that benefit a variety of area non-profit organizations.
"We're excited to get so much positive response from the community for our efforts to create a real celebration during this special time of year in the Sweetheart City," notes Chamber CEO Gaye Stockman. "We have so many things to offer, and we look forward to a successful first year and even bigger and better years to come."
Events kick off on Monday, February 2, with volunteers hand stamping valentines cards sent to Loveland from around the world with this year's cachet. On that day Loveland will be honored to have the U.S. Postal Service and area dignitaries on hand for the official Valentine's Day introduction of a new "Love" stamp design. The new stamp features two colorful heart-shaped candies that say "I LOVE YOU." The stamp went on sale in January, and this special ceremony will take place in Loveland because it has the largest valentine re-mailing program in the nation.
Children and their parents will be happy to hear about a special guest appearing throughout the week -- Elmo, from Sesame Street Live, which will be performing at the Budweiser Events Center in April. Elmo will appear February 2 at the kick-off of the 2004 re-mailing campaign, and will return later in the week to help stamp cards. He will also make an appearance on Thursday, February 12 at the Namaqua Center Ice Skating Rink at The Outlets at Loveland, and ride on the Reporter-Herald fire truck during the Parade of Lights on Friday, February 13.
Various events continue at venues around town, culminating in a full slate on Valentines Day, Saturday, February 14. A few highlights of the two weeks include:
Girls' Night Out and Bachelor Auction at the White Buffalo, 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10. Join the fun and bid on ten of northern Colorado's most eligible bachelors. Winning bidders will be accompanied by their dates to the Sweetheart City Ball on February 14.
Skate at the Namaqua Ice Skating Rink at The Outlets at Loveland on Thursday or Friday evening, February 12 and 13, or skate at mid-day on Saturday, February 14. A hot chocolate bar sculpted out of ice, as well as ice cocktail tables and an ice sculpture will add to the festivities. Winners of the coloring contest and selected entries from the poetry contest will be on display.
On the cultural side, enjoy romance-related activities throughout early February, including silent-age heartthrob Valentino in the classic film "Son of a Sheik," a screening of Casablanca, a piano performance, a Tango performance, an art contest, a card-making workshop and display, and the announcement of poetry contest winners. The Valentine City Barbershop Chorus is offering singing valentines on February 13 and 14.
A Festival of Lights parade will be held at the Outlets at Loveland on Friday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m. Bring the family to see floats, classic cars, equestrian groups, Miss Loveland Valentine, Elmo, the Sweetheart Wedding couple, and more. Visitors can enter to win a one-year lease on a red Saturn automobile, and sample entries from the Meals on Wheels Hot Stuff Chili Cookoff.
Everything culminates on Saturday, February 14, with several events, including a Sweetheart Run in the morning and the American Cancer Society Sweetheart City Ball that night at McKee Medical Center. Entertainment at the dance will be provided by the award-winning Steve Manshel Band. Dessert will be a chocolate fountain, and the event will feature appearances by Miss Loveland Valentine, the newlywed Sweetheart Wedding couple, and the bachelors and their dates from the auction and girls' night out.
Many other events, activities and attractions are planned, and refreshments, performances and displays will also be featured as supporting attractions to these highlights. The schedule of events follows.
Sweetheart City Celebration
Schedule of Events
Feb. 2-13
Valentine Re-mailing Program - All day
At Loveland Chamber of Commerce
Feb. 5
Valentine Card/Crafts - 6 - 8 p.m.
Loveland Museum/Gallery
Feb. 6
Russian Pianist 7:30 p.m.
Roberta Price Auditorium
Feb. 7
SweetNight at Library 7 - 10 p.m.
Gourmet Coffee, Desserts & Silent Auction
Valentine Card/Crafts 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Loveland Museum/Gallery
sponsored by Friends of the Library
Feb. 8
3-D Art Contest 1 - 3 p.m.
Registration only - (Jr. High and High School)
At The Outlets at Loveland
Feb. 10
Girl's Night Out & Bachelor Auction 7 p.m.
At the White Buffalo
Feb. 11
Silent Movie Night & Music 7 p.m.
Valentino in "Son of a Sheik"
Rialto Theater
Feb. 12
Scavenger Hunt 1 - 5 p.m.
At Hampton Inn
Ice Skating Rink 4 - 8 p.m.
At The Outlets at Loveland
Benefits Namaqua Center
Valentine Card/Crafts 6 - 8 p.m.
At Loveland Museum/Gallery
Feb. 13
Ice Skating Rink 4 - 8 p.m.
At The Outlets at Loveland
Benefits Namaqua Center
Hot Stuff Chili Cookoff 4 - 8 p.m.
At The Outlets at Loveland
Benefits Meals on Wheels
Festival of Lights Parade 6:30 pm.
At The Outlets at Loveland
Argentine Tango 7:30 p.m.
At Rialto Theater
Singing Valentines 9 a.m-9 p.m.
By the Valentine City Barbershop Chorus
Feb. 14
Sweetheart Run (4-mile) 9 a.m.
At Loveland High School
Sweetheart Wedding 10 a.m.
At McCreery House
Ice Skating Rink 10 - 2
At The Outlets at Loveland
Benefits Namaqua Center
Poetry Contest Awards 1 - 4 p.m.
An 18-year Loveland Business Team tradition
At Rialto Theater
Sweetheart City Ball 6 - 12 p.m.
At McKee Wellness Center
Benefits American Cancer Society
Casablanca 7 p.m.
At Rialto Theater
Singing Valentines 9 a.m - 9 p.m.
By the Valentine City Barbershop Chorus
About the Sweetheart City Celebration
After nearly six decades of the Valentine's re-mailing program helping to make Loveland known around the world as "The Sweetheart City," the Chamber will introduce the Sweetheart City Celebration, a multi-event festival running February 2-14. Contact Gaye Stockman at the Chamber, 667-6311, for details or information on how to get involved.
Partners in the Sweetheart City Celebration include A-Z Party Rental, American Cancer Society, Community Business Journal, Friends of the Loveland Public Library Foundation, Loveland Museum & Gallery, Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald, Meals on Wheels, Namaqua Center, The Outlets at Loveland, Radio 1570 AM, KISS FM 96.1, Rialto Theater, Saturn of Fort Collins, Shannon Marketing Communications, and Wendy's Hamburgers. Additional support provided by Dazzling Ice, Hampton Inn, Loveland Business Team, McCreery House, McKee Wellness Center, McWhinney Enterprises as Presenting Sponsor of the Sweetheart City Ball, and the White Buffalo Tavern.
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