Jingle Elves Vacation in Downtown Albany

Reward Offered for Locating Jingle Elves

Related Media

Jingle Elf 2013

ALBANY, NY (11/25/2013)(readMedia)-- The Jingle Elf family has chosen to vacation in downtown Albany again this year. With so much to see and do, and only one week (Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - Wednesday December 11, 2013) to fit it all in they had to split up. The problem is, it's almost time to head home and Mamma Elf needs help rounding up the family during the 2013 Jingle Elf Quest.

There are over 50 Jingle Elves vacationing in participating businesses located within the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID). Each participating business is identifiable by a distinct Jingle Elf Quest poster hanging in the storefront and is listed on the BID's website, downtownalbany.org.

"As a mother I understand the difficulty of herding a family on vacation and that is why myself, the BID staff and businesses are dedicated to reuniting the Jingle Elf family," said Georgette Steffens, Executive Director, Downtown Albany BID, "I invite Downtown employees, residents and visitors alike to lend a helping hand."

The Jingle Elves love Downtown and getting them to leave will not be easy. Jingle Elf Questers up for the challenge can earn great prizes in exchange for their help. Their mission: find as many elves as they can, take a photo of themselves with the elf (Jingle Elves love having their picture taken) and post the photo to Downtown Albany, NY's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram tagging it #jingleelf. Photos may also be emailed to the BID at jdavid@downtownalbany.org. For each photo taken of a Jingle Elf at a different location, Questers will be awarded one Elf Point. Questers are free to collect their photos on any and all of the eight days but are reminded that some elves head to bed early or wake up late. To make things easier participating hours for each location are listed online at downtownalbany.org.

"If I'm going to get over 50 elves together by December 11th, I'm going to need some serious help," pleaded Mamma Elf, "Bring your family Downtown and help me locate them so I can reunite mine for the holidays!"

The littlest Jingle Elf, "Raegan" is so excited to shop for gifts for her brothers and sisters that she moves to a different location each day. She won't visit any of the businesses already listed on the Jingle Elf Quest event page, the only way to find her is by solving her daily clues which will be posted to the Downtown Albany BID's website, www.downtownalbany.org, every morning by 9:00 AM. Each photo with Raegan at a different location is worth two (2) Elf Points (for a total of 16 extra Elf Points).

Every day three (3) participating Questers will win prizes: one for the best group photo, one for the most creative photo and one participant selected at random. Prizes include $50 gift certificates to businesses located in the Downtown Albany BID, Downtown event tickets and more. The dedicated Quester who earns the most points and submits them first will win the Grand Prize: a $500 gift certificate to a Downtown Albany BID business of their choice. Previous Jingle Elf Grand Prize Winners are ineligible to win the Grand Prize. For official rules, a complete list of participating businesses and more, visit downtownalbany.org or call 518.465.2143 x10.

New this year, a Jingle Elf Quest-Capades evening will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013. Several businesses will stay open a little later (7:00 PM + or -) in order for younger Elf Questers to join in on the fun. An updated schedule will be available online.

3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Jingle Elf Quest Headquarters

40 N Pearl Street

Jingle Elf Questers of all ages who dress up as elves or in other creative holiday gear and take a photo with life-size Mamma Elf at Jingle Elf Quest Headquarters (aka: the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District Office) will be entered to win tickets to Disney on Ice at the Times Union Center, The Muppet Movie at the Palace Theatre or Sesame Street Live at the Palace Theatre. All Questers that stop by will receive a holiday gift for participating in the program - including a limited edition Downtown Albany t-shirt, a Jingle Elf Quest magnet, a chance to win a gift certificate to a Downtown Albany business and more (as supplies last).

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Balloon Artist

153 South Pearl Street, The Coliseum

Everyone's favorite award-winning balloon artist from Balloon Extravaganzas will be at the Coliseum, taking requests and making fun and festive creations for you to take home. He returns after the Downtown Albany Fall Car Show to amaze everyone with his skill and creativity.

3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. Downtown That Is.

Mr. Jolly himself will be out on the historic streets of Downtown with a bag full of goodies for all the good little boys and girls, and adults as well.

4:00 PM – 5:45 PM

Sax o' Claus

Enjoy jazzy holiday tunes as Santa performs your favorite classics on his saxophone throughout the streets of Downtown.

Other downtown Albany events happening on Thursday, December 5, 2013 include:

6:00 PM

Albany City Tree Lighting at Academy Park (across the street from City Hall)

The public is invited to join the Mayor, the Albany Tulip Queen & Court and City of Albany employees in the lighting of the tree. The event will also include a performance by the Albany High School Albanettes and a concert by Dr. Charles Semowich on the historic Albany City Carillon.

7:30 PM

The Trans Siberian Orchestra at the Times Union Center (tickets required)

7:30 PM

A Christmas Carol at the Capital Repertory Theatre "theREP" (tickets required)

7:30 PM

The Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker at the Palace Theatre (tickets required). Palace Theatre ticket holders can enjoy free parking at the Quackenbush Garage one hour prior and one hour following the show.

See the complete calendar of events online at downtownalbany.org/events.

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the character, vitality, and possibility of downtown Albany. Through its many programs and events, the Downtown Albany BID works to enhance the image of Albany and further its reputation as a prosperous and exciting city to live, work, and visit. For more information on the BID please visit www.downtownalbany.org | @albanybid

The Holidays are hectic. Let us help you promote our story.

Ready to go Tweets:

Jingle Elves are all over #downtown! Help find them and win great prizes. http://goo.gl/k4YuwP

Jingle Elves, Jingle Elves, #JingleElves rock. http://goo.gl/k4YuwP

Come search #downtownalbany around the clock. http://goo.gl/k4YuwP

Help an Elf out. Become a #JingleElf Quester today. Find out how http://goo.gl/k4YuwP

Downtown #AlbanyBID offers reward for help locating Jingle Elves. http://goo.gl/k4YuwP

Jingle Elves are enjoying the #goodlife Downtown. Find them and win GOOD Life prizes of your own. http://goo.gl/k4YuwP

####