On Saturday, December 3, 2011, First Niagara Bank will present the 2011 Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration!  This annual holiday event is held at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza (Main at Chippewa Street) and marks the official opening of the free ice-skating season at Rotary Rink.  Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with free ice-skating.  At 6:00 p.m., First Niagara Bank and Buffalo Place officials will countdown the lighting of the tree and Santa Claus will light a fireworks display over Fountain Plaza.

Distinguished guests will speak briefly and then lead a countdown to the official lighting of the Christmas Tree followed by a fireworks display over Rotary Rink.  Anthony J. Colucci III, President and Vice Chairman of Buffalo Place Inc. will serve as emcee for the program.

Immediately following the Tree Lighting, the fun will continue with visits with Santa, holiday gifts, horse and wagon rides, clowns and balloon art, face painting and free ice-skating.  Bring your own skates and enjoy free ice-skating.  There is a $2.00 skate rental fee for children and $3.00 skate rental fee for adults.  Santa and his elves will visit with children from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., has $21 billion in assets, 256 branches and $14 billion in deposits.  First Niagara Bank is a multi-state community-oriented bank with about 3,800 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses.  Upon completion of its pending merger with NewAlliance Bancorp, Inc. -- subject to customary closing conditions including approvals from regulators and shareholders -- First Niagara will have more than $29 billion in assets, $18 billion in deposits and 340 branches across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts.  For more information, visit www.fnfg.com.

For 28 consecutive years, Buffalo Place has produced the Christmas Tree Lighting.  The celebration is the marquee event showcasing the holiday season in Downtown Buffalo.