This holiday season promises to be brighter, merrier, and more colorful with the return of Magic of Lights. Pine Knob Music Theatre will once again be transformed into a vibrant drive-through light display creating unforgettable memories for all. The festive event opens Friday, November 22 and runs through Monday, December 30. Pine Knob Music Theatre is presented by Proud Partners United Wholesale Mortgage, Trinity Health and Ally.

PASSES: A limited number of Santa Saver passes are available starting at $18.00 while supplies last.  Any Day passes (including holidays) for standard vehicles start at $27.50 for advance purchase. Weekday passes (Sunday-Thursday, excluding holidays) for standard vehicles start at $22.50 for advance purchase.  Limo and party bus passes are available at $65 for advance purchase. Passes must be purchased online only at magicoflights.com. There are no exchanges or refunds. Please note, that each vehicle requires only one pass to be used only one time.

Produced by Family Entertainment Live, “Magic of Lights” is making its return to Pine Knob Music Theatre for the fifth annual year. This enchanting event will showcase dozens of displays, festive favorites, and captivating digital animations, all brought to life with millions of LED lights, ensuring a memorable holiday experience for the entire family.

“We’re excited for Magic of Lights to return to Pine Knob Music Theatre” said Ken Hudgens, CEO of Family Entertainment Live, “We hope Magic of Lights has become a part of the Clarkston community holiday tradition and will be for many years to come.”

Guests can experience Magic of Lights’ beloved holiday displays from the comfort of their own vehicle, including Prehistoric Christmas, Winter Wonderland, the 12 Days of Christmas, festive Elves, and Reindeer Road. Along with the 200-foot Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, there will be new and captivating light tunnels to enhance the festive journey.

For the 2024 season, the brand-new MagicVision Selfie Filters will be unveiled featuring fun filters that will transform your selfies into festive holiday-themed images, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Other dazzling displays include the 32-foot-tall animated Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie®, a Prehistoric Christmas scene with life-sized dinosaurs celebrating the season, and the iconic BIGFOOT® Monster Truck. With over two million sparkling lights, Magic of Lights offers a nostalgic and festive experience that everyone will love.

Guests can also stop inside the Jolly Holiday Village, which allows visitors to walk through a majestic out-of-car area.

QUICK FACTS - MAGIC OF LIGHTS

·      2+ million lights per Magic of Lights event

·      12.6 miles of light cord per Magic of Lights event

·      3,750 staff hours to set up each Magic of Lights event

·      The steel displays are designed, bent, cut and welded into about 800 frames that are combined in different configurations to create each show's giant winter holiday scenes. Each frame of each scene is designed using the latest CAD technology and hand built in-house from 15 pages of design specifications each.

·      Each Magic of Lights show uses about 10 miles of steel to build the displays and 10 miles of LED lighting installed inside the displays, and there are 10 different colors of LED bulbs used in the shows.

·      Scenes, such as the animated Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie, are as high as 32 ft. tall and as long as several hundred feet.

In 1974, Randy Lippe started working as an hourly employee at a Little Caesars restaurant in metro Detroit. Five decades later, Ilitch Companies celebrated Lippe’s dedicated service to the family of businesses, where he now works as an executive for Olympia Development.

Along the way, Lippe assisted in continued growth across Ilitch Companies, including Little Caesars, Olympia Entertainment, and Olympia Development, where he played a key role in the opening of nearly every facility, from Comerica Park to Little Caesars Arena to the Little Caesars World Headquarters.

“I’d like to be remembered for my dedication to the company ,my perseverance, as someone that was caring and didn’t always necessarily think of themselves,” said Lippe. “One of the important things in my career has been my ability to accept change. Early on, I understood that there were three parts of change – beginning, middle and end. If you can grasp that, it helps you extend your career, because things will always change.”

Lippe’s dedication to the organization was honored recently at a Tigers game, where his children threw out the first pitch, as well as at a celebratory luncheon with family, friends and colleagues.

“What makes Randy invaluable is how he conducts himself, how he works, and how he treats other people. It’s remarkable,” said Ilitch Companies CEO Chris Ilitch. “In many respects, he helped set the values of this organization – dedication, loyalty, commitment, hard work and kindness.”

Defenseman Has Played in 325 Games with Maple Leafs and Red Wings Since 2017-18

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled defenseman Justin Holl from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Holl, 32, has skated in two games with the Red Wings during the 2024-25 season, recording one assist, a plus-one rating and two penalty minutes in 18:38 average time on ice. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound defenseman spent the 2023-24 campaign with the Red Wings, logging five assists, a plus-eight rating and 22 penalty minutes in 38 games. Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (54th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Holl has tallied 88 points (11-77-88), a plus-67 rating and 174 penalty minutes in 325 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Red Wings since 2017-18. Holl has also registered 68 points (20-48-68), a plus-59 rating and 79 penalty minutes in 194 AHL games between the Rockford Ice Hogs and Toronto Marlies, helping the Marlies win a Calder Cup championship in 2018. He made his professional debut with the ECHL’s Indy Fuel in 2014-15, contributing 34 points (7-27-34) and 39 penalty minutes in 66 games.

A native of Tonka Bay, Minn., Holl played four seasons at the University of Minnesota from 2010-14 prior to turning professional, notching 38 points (8-30-38), a plus-34 rating and 76 penalty minutes in 142 games. Holl helped the Golden Gophers clinch Frozen Four berths in 2012 and 2014, in addition to capturing the Big Ten’s inaugural regular-season title in 2013-14. He competed at Minnetonka (Minn.) High School from 2007-10, totaling 39 points (18-21-39)and 12 penalty minutes in 77 games. Holl also suited up for the United States Hockey League’s Omaha Lancers during the 2009-10 season, recording four assists, a plus-seven rating and six penalty minutes in 11 regular-season games, along with two points (1-1-2) in eight playoff matchups.

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Leading Pizza Chain Debuts Express Locations This Fall with More to Come in 2025

Little Caesars, the third largest pizza chain in the world, announced today it is expanding its footprint with non-traditional restaurants, signing new license agreements to debut Little Caesars express locations across college campuses. Targeting a younger crowd that craves affordable and delicious meals while juggling a busy schedule, Little Caesars is opening this fall at Eastern Michigan University and at Washington State University in 2025, with additional restaurants in the pipeline for 2025.

“With convenience, value and quality at the forefront of everything Little Caesars does, the brand is a great fit for college campuses. We’re excited to kick off the school year with these new opportunities to deliver to students and faculty the food and dining experience that meets their individual needs and preferences,” said Bryan Ketelhut, National Director of Non-Traditional and Development Services at Little Caesars. “By expanding our brand’s presence across non-traditional venues, we’re also giving franchisees the opportunity to diversify their business portfolios, staying competitive in each of their respective markets and keeping Little Caesars top-of-mind with consumers in their communities.”

Overseeing the operations of Little Caesars at Eastern Michigan University’s Crossroads Marketplace is Sheena and Lenny Plocharczyk. Having worked with Little Caesars franchise services department for many years, the husband-and-wife team understand how to run a successful franchise and drive sales.

“Given our experience working at the corporate level and recognizing there is strong demand for iconic brands like Little Caesars to be accessible across college campuses, we knew this was a great investment opportunity for us to jump on board with,” said Sheena Plocharczyk. “The transition to becoming franchisees has been smooth and the support we have received from the team has helped set us up for success on campus. As an alumna of Eastern Michigan University, I am really excited about this new business endeavor.”

Little Caesars has also partnered with Washington State University’s Dining Services to open a location in the Compton Union Building(CUB) food court. “We are very excited to bring a nationally recognized pizza brand to the food court and believe it will be very popular with our students,” said Karee Shaw, director of the CUB. “It will complement the other concepts we have in the food court and offer variety to the campus community.”

To become more accessible to guests, Little Caesars is focused on expanding its non-traditional locations in 2024 and beyond. The leading pizza chain is committed to bringing Little Caesars to consumers across a variety of settings, including university towns and college campuses, casinos, amusement parks, stadiums, hospitals, zoos and airports. With Little Caesars infamous grab-and-go menu items, including Crazy Puffs® and HOT-N-READY® pizza, the brand is equipped to provide the types of food products travelers, students and fans are craving at these high foot traffic hubs.   

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The Detroit Red Wings today recalled forward Marco Kasper from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

Kasper, 20, has recorded two points (1-1-2) and seven penalty minutes in two games with the Griffins to begin the 2024-25 season. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound forward also logged three points (2-1-3), a plus-one rating and two penalty minutes in four preseason games with the Red Wings. Kasper spent the entire 2023-24 campaign with the Griffins, tallying 35 points (14-21-35), a plus-nine rating and 30 penalty minutes in 71 regular-season games, in addition to seven points (4-3-7) in nine postseason contests. Selected by the Red Wings in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Kasper made his NHL debut as an 18-year-old on April 2, 2023 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, finishing with one shot and three hits in 14:59 time on ice. Prior to arriving in North America, Kasper compiled 35 points (15-20-35) and 93 penalty minutes in 108games with Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League from 2020-23, along with 15 points (8-7-15) in 18 games with the under-20 team and eight points (3-5-8) in seven games at the under-18 level. Kasper also helped Rögle BK win a Champions Hockey League title in 2022.

A native of Innsbruck, Austria, Kasper made his professional debut in his home country with EC KAC II of the Alps Hockey League, picking up two points (1-1-2) in three games during the 2019-20 season. Kasper also racked up 153 points (45-108-153), a plus-111 rating and 40 penalty minutes in 66 games with EC KACII's under-18 squad from 2017-20, in addition to 30 points (12-18-30) in 16 postseason matchups. On the international stage, Kasper contributed two assists in seven games with Austria at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki and Tampere, Finland. He also captained Austria at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, making two appearances before the tournament was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Kasper previously represented Austria at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, posting one assist in four games.

Watson Has Skated in 516 Games with Nashville, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Detroit Since 2012-13; Holl Has Played in 325 Games with Toronto and Detroit Since 2017-18

The Detroit Red Wings today assigned forward Austin Watson and defenseman Justin Holl to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Watson, 32, made his Red Wings debut on Oct. 14 against the New York Rangers, logging two penalty minutes and two hits in 4:54 time on ice. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound forward has also recorded three assists, a plus-three rating and seven penalty minutes in two games with the Griffins to begin the 2024-25 season. Watson played the entire 2023-24 campaign with the Tampa Bay Lightning, tallying four points (2-2-4), a plus-two rating and 93 penalty minutes in 33 games. Originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the first round (18th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Watson has compiled 118 points (60-58-118) and 707 penalty minutes in 516 games with the Predators, Senators, Lightning and Red Wings since 2012-13. He has also tallied 19 points (10-9-19) and 48 penalty minutes in 45 postseason contests, helping the Predators reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. Additionally, Watson has played in parts of seven AHL seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals and Griffins, racking up 135 points (73-62-135), a plus-13 rating and 96 penalty minutes in 236 games.

A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Watson played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires, Peterborough Petes and London Knights from 2008-12 prior to turning professional, winning OHL championships with Windsor in 2009 and London in 2012. During his major junior career, Watson registered 219 points (89-130-219) and 164 penalty minutes in 244 games, in addition to 22 points (12-10-22) and 27 penalty minutes in 43 postseason matchups. Watson captured a Memorial Cup title with Windsor in 2009 under Red Wings Associate Coach Bob Boughner, and later earned the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as OHL Playoff MVP with London in 2012. Watson also skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2009-10, collecting six points (4-2-6) and 33 penalty minutes in nine appearances. On the international stage, Watson served as an alternate captain with Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, collecting one assist and 27 penalty minutes in 10 games. He also competed at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, registering nine points (3-6-9) and a plus-six rating in six games. Watson earned a gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, logging three points (2-1-3), a plus-two rating and 33 penalty minutes in seven contests.

Holl, 32, has skated in two games with the Red Wings during the 2024-25 season, recording one assist, a plus-one rating and two penalty minutes in 18:38 average time on ice. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound defenseman spent the 2023-24 campaign with the Red Wings, recording five assists, a plus-eight rating and 22 penalty minutes in 38 games. Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (54th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Holl has tallied 88 points (11-77-88), a plus-67 rating and 174 penalty minutes in325 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Red Wings since 2017-18. Holl has also logged 68 points (20-48-68), a plus-59 rating and 79 penalty minutes in 194 AHL games between the Rockford IceHogs and Toronto Marlies, helping the Marlies win a Calder Cup championship in 2018. He made his professional debut with the ECHL’s Indy Fuel in 2014-15, contributing 34 points (7-27-34) and 39penalty minutes in 66 games.

A native of Tonka Bay, Minn., Holl played four seasons at the University of Minnesota from 2010-14 prior to turning professional, notching 38 points (8-30-38), a plus-34 rating and 76 penalty minutes in 142 games. Holl helped the Golden Gophers clinch Frozen Four berths in 2012 and 2014, in addition to capturing the Big Ten’s inaugural regular-season title in 2013-14. He competed at Minnetonka (Minn.) High School from 2007-10, totaling 39 points (18-21-39) and 12 penalty minutes in 77 games. Holl also suited up for the United States Hockey League’s Omaha Lancers during the 2009-10 season, recording four assists, a plus-seven rating and six penalty minutes in 11 regular-season games, along with two points (1-1-2) in eight playoff matchups.

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As the Detroit Red Wings began the 2024-25 season last week, players participated in the fan-favorite Hockeytown Red Carpet Walk on Saturday, October 12 before hosting the Nashville Predators.

The annual event allowed fans to interact with Red Wings players and coaches, while getting autographs and taking photos. Local youth hockey players representing organizations throughout metro Detroit served as escorts.

“It’s a unique experience to grow our fanbase from the ground up,” said Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Community Impact Manager Merideth Gokey. “The kids represent programs sponsored by Ilitch Companies, including Street Hockey in the D and Little Caesars AAA Hockey.”

This year’s Street Hockey in the D: Summer Series provided more than 300 Detroit youth aged 6-14 with an opportunity to learn the basics of hockey, along with fundamental life skills at eight Detroit Parks & Recreation locations across the city.

Coach Derek LaLonde’s escort was Julian Seabrook, who first met the coach at a Street Hockey in the D program this summer at Adams Butzel Recreation Complex.

“I will never forget it,” Seabrook said. “I was excited, but my heart was beating. People gave me fist bumps. It was a nice experience.”

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Upholding the corporate value of giving back, colleagues from Ilitch Companies recently volunteered with Life Remodeled’s Six Day Project, which has annually led beautification projects in Detroit. The effort was in partnership with Meijer as part of the Detroit Tigers City Connect initiative.

More than 50 colleague volunteers worked in the east side neighborhood that will be home to Life Remodeled’s new Anchor Detroit, which will serve as an opportunity hub for Denby residents, providing access to educational, job and health and wellness resources.

“At the Ilitch Companies, we strongly believe that colleague engagement in our local communities is a critical part of our organization’s culture,” said Joshua Sanborn, Director of the Ilitch Companies Foundation. “The mission of Life Remodeled and other likeminded nonprofits aligns with our community goals of positively impacting Detroit, both downtown and in the city’s neighborhoods.”

As the holiday season approaches, Ilitch Companies colleagues will volunteer at nonprofits including Focus:HOPE, Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners Community Food Bank, The Children’s Center Holiday Shop, and others that are dedicated to helping the people of Detroit.

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In conjunction with 313 Presents, the University of Michigan basketball team announced a charity exhibition game against Oakland University to benefit Forgotten Harvest at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, October 20 at 5 p.m. The charity exhibition will be available on BTN Plus.

Tickets go on sale Friday, August 23 at 10 a.m. at 313Presents.com, Ticketmaster.com and the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling the Group Sales Department at (313) 471-3099.

Forgotten Harvest is a non-profit food insecurity organization whose vision is to work with communities to end hunger and create individual, neighborhood, economic, and environmental health. Food insecurity is one’s inability to obtain sufficient food for their household’s needs.

Metro Detroit’s largest food rescue operation, Forgotten Harvest rescues surplus food produced, or ordered, in amounts greater than what can be sold from over 560 food donors and delivers it for free to over 220 community agency partners. Last fiscal year (2022-23) Forgotten Harvest distributed over 40 million pounds of food, or 33 million meals.

The exhibition not only marks the debut of U-M’s new head coach Dusty May, while Oakland’s legendary head coach Greg Kampe begins his 41st campaign with the Golden Grizzlies.

Michigan has had nine regular season matchups with Oakland, including the last in 2020 at Crisler Center. The charity exhibition marks the third time the Wolverines and Golden Grizzlies will have played at the home of the Detroit Pistons -- Little Caesars Arena (2024) and The Palace of Auburn Hills (2008 and 2011).

U-M makes its third appearance playing in Little Caesars Arena. U-M faced Detroit Mercy (W, 90-58) in the first collegiate basketball game (Dec. 16, 2017) in the new downtown arena. The Maize and Blue then hosted Eastern Michigan in a Battle of Washtenaw Country on Nov. 11, 2022 -- a thrilling 88-83 victory over the Eagles.

Oakland has made six trips to Little Caesars Arena, playing Michigan State on three occasions (2017, 2019 and 2021) in mid-December, while adding three games in the Horizon League Tournament (2018 and 2019). The Golden Grizzlies are 1-5 in downtown contests.

Dusty May, University of Michigan Head Coach

“Creating unique experiences for our players and fans is something we strive to do. This exhibition creates a great match-up for two great in-state programs and helps the Detroit community as we’ve partnered with Forgotten Harvest. We want to make sure we draw the attention needed to their cause and help their goal of providing everyone a meal, every day.”

Greg Kampe, Oakland University Head Coach

“We’re really excited for this exhibition game and for Oakland to be Dusty’s first opponent as Michigan’s head coach. Our team is looking forward to it, but more importantly, we’re honored to contribute to the fight against hunger in our community and we’re proud to support an organization like Forgotten Harvest that does so much for those in need.”

Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest

“Forgotten Harvest is so proud to be the benefactor of this exhibition, these two great universities, coaches and teams coming together to bring awareness to the ongoing hunger problem here in our community is really an inspiration for all of us to get involved today and make a difference in the lives of a neighbor in need.”

Howard Handler, President of 313 Presents

“I am excited to partner with Forgotten Harvest to host two great institutions, the University of Michigan and Oakland University, at Little Caesars Arena. Forgotten Harvest works tirelessly to relieve hunger and prevent food waste, and I couldn’t be happier to see these two schools come together to help support the dedicated metro Detroit-based organization and their community. We look forward to providing an exceptional game-night experience for the student-athletes, coaches, and fans.”

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