FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 21, 2011
CONTACT: Karen Mann, 713-703-0520, karen@karenmann.com

Heights Mistletoe Madness is gearing up to help you stock up on some holiday cheer and skip the malls.

On December 3rd come to Eat, Drink, Shop, and Be Merry.

Heights Mistletoe Madness is Saturday, December 3, 2011! Billed by organizers as just the right mix of “Eat, Drink, Shop & Be Merry,” Heights Mistletoe Madness 2011 is geared up.

White Linen Night in the Heights, the popular event on the first Saturday of August, was begun by a group of Heights merchants in 2006. The same group also began a December event to bring visitors to the neighborhood – when the weather is actually comfortable! It's a big wintry Heights 1st Saturday named Heights Mistletoe Madness and it's coming on Saturday, December 3, 11am – 6pm. It was begun by some of the same folks, features many of the same businesses, and provides some similar activities, just without the heat!

The Houston Heights knows how to throw a good party. Whether it's "White Linen Night" in August or "Mistletoe Madness" in December, Heights residents, businesses, artists, musicians and organizations come together to put on a celebration worthy of the many accolades they have received over the years. And this December's 3rd annual "Mistletoe Madness" will be no exception.

Mistletoe Madness faithfully showcases the Heights - profiling the people, the shop owners, the artists and the businesses that make the Heights a classy, progressive, and ultimate destination not to be missed.  Art and live entertainment will be on hand throughout the day and retail shops, restaurants, galleries, and sponsor businesses will be open for visiting and shopping throughout the many tree-lined, holiday-decorated thoroughfares that transverse The Heights, including 11th St., White Oak, Studewood, Heights Blvd, Yale St., North Main St., and 19th St.

Organizers invite the public to "Stroll the streets or take a shuttle or pedicab. Tour the Victorian homes. Hear live music. See good art. Try a new restaurant or funky bar or revisit an old favorite. Enjoy the chill in the air. Hop a shuttle or hail a pedicab for a trip to a gallery, shop, restaurant, or home. Buy really great gifts!"

And indeed Holiday shoppers can choose from gifts not found anywhere else – fresh, original art, jewelry, clothing, home furnishings, antiques, furniture. Lining the streets of The Heights are shops carrying retro, trendy, high fashion, fine leather goods, hand-made jewelry, and showy studded accessories as well as some of the most varied antiques and imports found in Houston.

The First Saturday Arts Market will also be open, featuring original art for sale. Known as the launching ground for many of Houston's most renowned artists, the First Saturday Arts Market is approaching its eighth year of bringing art and artists to Houston on a monthly basis.

Art, shopping and entertainment are not the only options for visitors on this first Saturday of December. The hugely popular Heights Holiday Home Tour is scheduled for the same weekend. The Heights’ Victorian and Bungalow architecture provides a festive, nostalgic backdrop for the modern crowds and art gallery scene.

Mistletoe Madness is free of charge and open to the public. There is ample free parking available as well as free shuttles.

For more information, visit the websites www.heightsfirstsaturday.com  or www.heightsmistletoemadness.com  or via e-mail at info@heightsmistletoemadness.com.  

Enjoy the ultimate first Saturday of December in the Heights. Saturday, December 3, 11am-6pm. Mark your calendar, stock up on some holiday cheer, and skip the malls.