News Releases

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Nov 22, 2013) - BMO Harris bank is the proud title sponsor of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, one of Chicago's greatest holiday traditions.

The Lights Festival, now in its 22^nd year, is known across the country as Chicago's holiday kick-off celebration, a day filled with free holiday activities, celebrity entertainers and live musical performances on the BMO Harris Stage.

Following a full day of activities on Michigan Avenue, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will lead a procession of more than 30 floats, balloons, marching bands and national celebrities while illuminating more than one million lights on 200 trees along the Magnificent Mile.

"This is always a very special time of the year which is why the magical traditions that have been created by the Lights Festival have further added to the warm holiday spirit found throughout Chicago," said Justine Fedak, Senior Vice President, Brand, Advertising and Sponsorships for BMO Harris Bank. "We hope this year's celebration will create many memorable experiences that will entertain and excite all who visit."

For the first time this year, festivalgoers will have the unique opportunity to leave their mark on The Magnificent Mile at the BMO Harris Bank Community Art Project in Pioneer Court. By designing a single colorful tile, participants will help complete an extraordinary mural that represents the city of Chicago. A portion of the finished art will be unveiled along the parade route and live on display along The Magnificent Mile durin g the holiday season.

BMO Harris Bank will present its new BMO Harris Bank Debit MasterCard® Tag at the BMO Harris Bank MasterCard® Tent. Attendees can explore this new product from BMO Harris Bank by participating in an interactive trivia game and complimentary prizes from MasterCard Priceless® Chicago and BMO Harris Bank.

Lights Festival attendees are encouraged to join ESPN Radio hosts Jeff Dickerson and Mark Silverman at the ESPN Game Tent where kids can play our life-sized board game and learn helpful steps about managing their money. Attendees will have a chance to win a variety of prizes when they play lights festival-themed games and activities.

To further help kick-off the holiday season, BMO Harris Bank will give their customers some exclusive benefits in and around Chicago that include discounts on parking, local attractions and restaurants. BMO Harris customers can stop by the BMO Harris ATM/Info Station at 625 North Michigan Avenue or any local branch for information on holiday customer perks. To view the full list of customer perks, visit BMO Harris Bank's Lights Festival Event Page.

About BMO Harris Bank
BMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through more than 600 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. For more information about BMO Harris Bank, go to the company fact sheet. Banking products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. and are subject to bank or credit approval. BMO Harris Bank® is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with approximately 1,600 branches, and CDN $549 billion in assets (as of July 31, 2013).