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ROANOKE, Va. (Dec 4, 2007) - Be a part of history as The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, a Doubletree Hotel, hosts special seasonal festivities, including the month-long Fashions for Evergreens Christmas tree display and contest and an Open House on Dec. 23, where a 125th time capsule will be buried.
Celebrating 125 years of hospitality in southwest Virginia, The Hotel Roanoke's Christmas festivities will surely delight.
From the popular tree display open to the public to a classy New Year's Eve celebration, the Hotel Roanoke offers something for everyone, including a holiday room package for $102 with deluxe room, breakfast for two and a commemorative Hotel Roanoke ornament.
"Generations of Roanoke Valley residents and guests from throughout the nation and world have visited the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center to experience the holiday season," said Gary Walton, general manager. "We really wanted to make this season special not only for us, but for everyone who visits the Roanoke Valley. It is only fitting that we continue with our special events that symbolize this wonderful time of year in downtown Roanoke and celebrate 125 years of service."

The hotel's scheduled events include:

FASHION FOR EVERGREENS
Kick off the Holidays in style. More than 25 area artists, designers and businesses square-off to see who can create the most extraordinary Christmas tree during the Fashions for Evergreens show and competition.
A Roanoke Valley must-see tradition, visitors will be able to vote for their favorite tree through Dec. 19. In addition, professional artists and designers will pick their top choice. The trees will remain on display through New Year's Day.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
On Saturday, Dec. 8 enjoy "Breakfast with Santa" in the Roanoke Ballroom with seatings at 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. The charity event, supporting the Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP), has been embraced by families in the Roanoke Valley as a way to celebrate the holidays together, to support a local charity, and to begin teaching the concept of promoting social and community responsibility to their children. To reserve seats call CHIP at 540-857-6993.

HISTORY TOURS
In the spirit of the 125th anniversary, The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center is giving tours of the grand old lady starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays. Learn about the Hotel's beginnings, the 1898 fire, its closing in 1989 and grand re-opening in 1995. Learn how the Hotel Roanoke became Roanoke's centerpiece. Tours begin in the Palm Court lobby.

HOTEL ROANOKE OPEN HOUSE (Time Capsule Burying)
On Dec. 23 from 2-4 p.m. an Open House will celebrate the hotel's 125 years with a free event for the public. Light refreshments, the Fashions for Evergreens Show and Competition, carolers and the time capsule burying will be among the festivities. The public is invited to sign the guestbook located in Peacock Alley before the ceremony.

HOLIDAY DINING
Celebrate the holidays in style in the Hotel Roanoke's famous Regency Dining Room. A delectable Christmas Eve dinner buffet is offered from 5-9 p.m. On Christmas Day a special holiday lunch buffet will be served from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and also on Christmas Day a dinner buffet will be provided beginning at 5 p.m. with the last seating at 7 p.m. Each buffet is priced at $34.95 per person, and reservations are recommended by calling (540) 344-8817.

NEW YEAR'S EVE
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center also is the place to be on New Year's Eve, hosting an annual charity ball for the Preceptor Omicron chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, an international women's friendship network.
The event, open to the public, costs $150 per couple or $75 per person. All proceeds benefit local charities, including the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and programs that support pediatric AIDS patients and wheelchairs for children. A special overnight room rate with breakfast is being offered at $119 (double-$129).
A three main-course buffet dinner begins at 7 p.m., with entertainment from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. by the band The Kings in the Roanoke Ballroom. The William Penn Quartet entertains in the Crystal Ballroom. Champagne toast, party favors and cash bar will be available.
Reservations are required by calling (540) 344-8817 or (540) 342-5089, for more information visit www.newyearsevegala.net.
If you're looking for a more traditional setting with an elegant dinner for New Year's, the Regency Dining Room offers an extravagant a la carte dinner from 5 p.m. until the last seating at 10 p.m. The Jimmy Landry Trio will perform beginning at 7 p.m., with party favors and champagne toast at midnight. Also, the Pine Room will be open from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. with live entertainment.
The popular Regency Dining Room is open throughout the holidays for lunch and dinner. Reservations are strongly recommended.

ABOUT THE HOTEL ROANOKE AND CONFERENCE CENTER

The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center has 332 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and a 63,000-square-foot, high-tech conference center. It is a joint project of Hotel Roanoke LLC, the City of Roanoke and Virginia Tech operated by Doubletree Hotels, a part of Hilton Hotels Corp.
To learn more about this historic hotel, visit www.hotelroanoke.com.