Marie Osmond To Reign As Grand Marshal of 80th Hollywood Christmas Parade, Nov 27

Television/Film Star and Grammy Award Nominated Recording Artist, Marie Osmond ("Paper Roses," "Donnie & Marie Show," "Dancing With The Stars," Children's Miracle Network) will reign as the Grand Marshal of the historic 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots, to be presented by The City of Los Angeles and Associated Television International, and produced by Hollywood's Santa Parade LLC live in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Erik Estrada ("World's Funniest Moments," "CHiPS") and Laura McKenzie ("World's Funniest Moments," "Laura McKenzie's Traveler") will serve as Broadcast Hosts of the parade and Dean Cain ("Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," "Ripley's Believe It or Not!") will serve as Host of the music portion of the nationally televised special of the parade airing on the Hallmark Channel on Monday, December 12, 2011 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time/Pacific Standard Time) and 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). The parade is then scheduled to air on additional days and times throughout the holiday season on the Hallmark Channel, the Hallmark Movie Channel and in syndication across the country. For exact air dates and times, please check local television listings and visit the website, www.hollywoodchristmasparade2011.com.

Marie Osmond said: "I know the song is ‘Hooray for Hollywood,' but, personally, I'm cheering about being invited to be the Grand Marshal of this year's Hollywood Christmas Parade. I always get in the holiday spirit as soon as the Halloween décor is put away, so I will be in full Christmas celebration-mode by November 27th. See you on the Boulevard."

Bill Lomas, producer of the live parade and president of Hollywood's Santa Parade LLC, said: "This year will mark a historic moment for The Hollywood Christmas Parade. We plan to pull out all the stops this year and celebrate big time. We anticipate attendance at this year's parade to set the all time record. It will be one of the most momentous occasions in the parade's 80 year history."

David McKenzie, Emmy Award-winning producer and director, president of Associated Television International and executive producer of the televised national broadcast of The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade said, "We're delighted to have the multi-talented award winning singer and performer, Marie Osmond, serve as our Grand Marshal. We're also proud to welcome back the Marine Toys for Tots as part of this year's celebration. The exceptional work they do in bringing the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children is a cause that has been embraced by communities throughout the nation."

Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks (Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel) said: "Hallmark Channel's COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS is all about celebrating timeless traditions. One of the greatest holiday traditions is giving to others. That's why Hallmark Channel is proud to be the official cable television partner for Marine Toys for Tots, an organization dedicated to bringing children Christmas joy for more than 60 years. We are grateful to have our networks, Toys for Tots and the Parade come together to help kids, and we are proud to have ‘The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots' on our air."

Lieutenant General Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation said: "Toys for Tots truly appreciates being selected as the charity partner of The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade. We believe our presence in the parade will offer a reminder to families across the nation to think of those less fortunate this holiday season. By donating a new unwrapped toy or by making a cash contribution to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, we will be able to bring smiles to children on Christmas morning who otherwise might be forgotten."

Grandstand tickets for The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots are now on sale!!! Parade attendees can view the event in style and comfort. Reserved Grandstand Seating for The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots are now available for purchase within Associated Television International's "live set" area located on Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Street and Highland Avenue.

This year there are two great packages being offered. The first is "Santa's Package" which includes a ticket to Madame Tussauds Hollywood and the Grandstand Seat for $45 (a value of $60). Or, the second option is to purchase a Grandstand Seat alone for $35 per ticket.

All seats are reserved at the time the order is placed. There are no refunds or exchanges. Group Discounts are available for groups of 25 or more. All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. To order tickets, please call toll free at 1-866-PARADE1 (866-727-2331).

Grandstand tickets can be purchased via the telephone until Saturday afternoon, November 26, 2011. On the day of the parade Grandstand tickets will be available at a ticket booth on Hollywood Boulevard located in the Grandstand area near the intersection of Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.

Free Curbside Seating will be available along the entire parade route, starting East of the Grandstand Seating area on Hollywood Boulevard. One of the easiest ways to get to the parade is to take Metro. There are two stations located on the parade route, one at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, and another at Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. For further information or to plan the best route, use the Metro Trip Planner at www.metro.net.

There are numerous Parking Lots in close proximity to the parade route, including Grant Parking lots located throughout Hollywood, as well as at the Hollywood & Highland Shopping Complex accessible from Highland Avenue, near Hollywood Boulevard. Most lots are paid parking. Please contact individual parking lots for pricing.

For updates and further information about The 80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Benefiting Marine Toys for Tots, please visit the parade's official website, www.hollywoodchristmasparade2011.com or call 1-866-PARADE1 (1-866-727-2331).

80th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade Participants Will Include:
Bands: Agua Fria High School Marching Band (Avondale, AZ) and Verrado High School Marching Band (Buckeye, AZ); Banning High School Mighty Marching Pilots (Wilmington, CA); Beckman High School Band (Tustin, CA); Centennial High School Band (Corona, CA); Emerald Society Pipe Band (Los Angeles, CA); Gasden School District Band (San Luis, AZ); Lafayette Jefferson High School Band (Lafayette, IN); Long Beach Junior Concert Band (Long Beach, CA); Mayfair High School Band (Lakewood, CA); Porterville High School Band (Porterville, CA); Santa Ana Winds Youth Band (Orange County, CA); United States Marine Corps Band (San Diego, CA); Villa Park High School Band (Villa Park, CA); Walnut High School Band (Walnut, CA) and Yorba Linda High School Band (Yorba Linda, CA).

Equestrians: Broken Horn Ropers; Buffalo Soldiers; C-Star Riders; Mario's Andalusians; Painted Ladies Drill Team; Rancho La Laguna; Realms of Ravens; Southern California Peruvian Horse Club and United States Marshal Posse.

Features: American Chinese Cultural Association; Pacific American Volunteer Association and Wells Fargo Stagecoach.

Balloons: Pirate and Treasure Chest (Galaxy Press); Astronaut; Flag; Cowboy; Dog; Elmo; Ginger Bread Kids; Kermit the Frog; Oscar The Grouch and Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.

Character/Novelties: Archibald Mouse; Cool Cat; Power Rangers (Saban Brands); Twin America; Sister Cities; Po from King Fu Panda 2 (Paramount Pictures).

Celebrity participants in the parade will soon be announced.