Print and present this coupon at the Starry Nights entry gate for $5 off a $20 car ticket (cash only)! You can also present this coupon at participating First Tennessee locations to receive $5 off a $20 presale car ticket. Valid 12/29/2009 – 1/2/2010.

December 7-December 31, First Tennessee financial centers will have daily drawings to win FREE CAR TICKETS to Starry Nights! No purchase necessary.  Visit one of these First Tennessee locations to enter!

Starry Nights would not be possible without the support of our sponsors:

First Tennessee (presenting sponsor), Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation, AutoZone, International Paper,  GE Lumination, MLGW/TVA, Farris Bobango, Buckman, Thompson Dunavant, United Healthcare, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau

Our in kind supporters:

Kroger, Haizlip Studio, Classic Party Rentals, DePouw Engineering, Memphis Music Foundation, RC Signs, WREG Channel 3, Entecom Radio (94.1 WKQK, WRVR The River, FM 100, ESPN 92.9, WMC79), Montgomery Martin Contractors, Tennessee Tech, Southwest Tennessee Community College, The Memphis Grizzlies, D. Canale, Rob Cribb, Urban Child Institute, Beale Street Caravan, Dean Deyo, Posey Hedges, Dale Gartrell & Audio Enthusiasts, Kevin Cubbins, Sid Selvidge, Combustion, Branden Seavers & Audtiographic Masterworks, Nat Baxter, Bill Wilson, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, Grace Development/Dunavant Enterprises, Lamberts Coffee, Malco Theatres, all the Memphis Musicians who contributed to the Sounds of Starry Nights, Wes Hopper, JWG Sales & Services, Tri-State Iron Works, Quality Iron and Fabricators, Grinder Fabricators, Provincial Fabricator, TriState Plumbing, Fullen Dock & Warehouse, Standard Pavings, Orgill, Coca Cola, Behavioral Services of Tennessee, Starbucks.

Special thanks to:

Our volunteers and committee members–too many to name! Our committee chairs: Ellen Westbrook, Regena Bearden, Kevin Kane, Monte DePouw, Reb Haizlip, Randy Bratton, Dean Deyo, Jeb Fields and John Bobango

List incomplete.

Please visit our the businesses represented in the special Coupon Book & Program you’ll receive at the entrace of the show:

Stereo One: 15% off regularly priced items

Dr. Roger D. Morgan

SportClips: $5 gift card + Free MVP Upgrade for first time clients

Sheridan’s Frozen Custard: Buy one Sheridan’s frozen dessert and get a second dessert of equal or lesser value free

Cordova Athletic Club: One week free individual membership or free enrollment

Lenny’s Sub Shop: Limited time: Buy any size sub or salad and receive a regular size sub or salad for $1.

Palm Beach Tan: Buy one UV-free tan, get one free

Moe’s: 20% off entire meal

Villa Castrioti: Buy two adult dinners and get a fried ravioli free

Hueys

Dulins: 10% off coupon

Honeybaked Ham: $7 gift card

MEMPHIS- After more than a decade of darkness, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC) announced the 2009 return of Starry Nights—the Mid-South’s most spectacular drive-through holiday light show. The event is presented by First Tennessee and will run from November 27 through January 2, and will feature dozens of enormous holiday displays illuminated with more than a million environmentally friendly LED lights.

Starry Nights, which was originally created by MIFA and ran each holiday season from 1994-1999, became a beloved holiday tradition for many Mid-South families.

“Beginning in late November, Shelby Farms Park is flooded with phone calls asking for the return of Starry Nights,” said SFPC executive director Rick Masson. “Since we assumed management of the Park in 2008, we’ve been planning the return of what is certainly one of the most beloved and most missed holiday events.”

Starry Nights, which was originally created by MIFA and ran each holiday season from 1994-1999, became a beloved holiday tradition for many Mid-South families.

“We are proud to be a partner in bringing this beloved family event and important community tradition back to Memphis,” said Charles Burkett of First Tennessee. “It is important to our community and we’re glad to support the work of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy as they enhance and manage one of our community’s most precious natural resources in Shelby Farms Park.”

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy will manage Starry Nights, with a special nod to it’s originators with a MIFA toy drop site.  Ellen Westbrook, who helped to create the event in 1994 when she worked for MIFA, has returned as the volunteer chair of the event.  The original displays were designed by Reb Haizlip of Haizlip Studios, who has also returned to design exciting new displays along with a few of the old favorites.  Also on the team to recreate the event are Montgomery Martin, Tennessee Technology Center and DePouw Engineering.

Some of the new displays will have environmental and natural themes, along with traditional holiday features and fun, whimsical pieces.  Also new to the event will be a major gift shop and holiday village and the special nights feature on  designated Monday evenings, which will include events for non-vehicular use like bicycling, walking, and other features (will be posted on Web site as events are scheduled).

“Our vision for Starry Nights is to create something truly magical and unrivaled by any but the very best national holiday light shows,” said Masson.  “And what better time than now to give Mid-Southerners a fun, affordable and unique holiday experience?”

Starry Nights will once again have a musical soundtrack, featuring local musicians coordinated by Dean Deyo of Memphis Music Foundation.  Regena Bearden of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau is chairing the marketing committee.

“The return of Starry Nights is a great addition to Memphis’ regional attractions,” said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s an opportunity to draw visitors to our city, boosting tourism and business during the holiday season. Starry Nights Memphis, like Shelby Farms Park, makes Memphis a better place to live, which makes Memphis a better place to visit.”

Starry Nights will open at Shelby Farms Park the day after Thanksgiving, November 27, and will run each evening until January 2, open from 6-10pm on Monday through Thursday and 6-11pm on the weekend. Prices will be $20 per car, $35 per shuttle/minivan, $50 for a minibus, and $150 for tour buses. Visit www.starrynightsmemphis.org, become a fan of Starry Nights on Facebook, or call (901)-767-PARK for more information.

Proceeds from Starry Nights will benefit the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to help Shelby Farms Park reach its potential as a celebrated 21st century park that defines and shapes a great city.  Get involved by calling (901) 767-PARK, visiting our Web site at www.shelbyfarmspark.org, or becoming a fan of the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShelbyFarmsPark.

For more information, please contact Jen Andrews at Shelby Farms Park, (901) 767-7275.