This Ball, and Contest, are Big and Bright

The weather outside is far from frightful, but the fun inside  will be delightful.

That's right. The is back for another year of fundraising festivities as the signature event to raise the money needed to light our town in the magical, holiday spirit known as the Big, Bright Light Show.

This year's ball is planned for July 31.

The light show, on display in downtown Rochester from late November through January, does more than make our town look beautiful. It brings more than a million visitors to Rochester, and the town's merchants see the result.

"Our merchants tell us that the light show makes their year," said Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. "Starting in 2006, merchants reported a 29 percent increase in sales during the light show, and that number has been maintained or increased by up to 15 percent year over year."

Trevarrow said some merchants ask for customers' ZIP codes during the season and report that visitors come to Rochester not only from all over Michigan, but from all over the country. "We even have international visitors," she said.

Double the challenge

Even Santa has his helpers, but holiday elves can only do so much. This year, the DDA has been challenged with raising $100,000 for the Big, Bright Light Show. (Last year, it needed to raise $50,000 and came up with $57,000.)

The ball is your chance to help — and have a great evening in the process. Tickets to the July 31 event will be available in the DDA information booth at the that begin Thursday.

The ball includes all your downtown favorites, from food to gift certificates, and lots of fun activities.

And the attire is up to you.

"We saw everything last year," Trevarrow said. "From jeans to party dresses, whatever you're comfortable in is OK with us."

Attention foodies

The ball includes a strolling dinner from downtown's most popular restaurants, including , , , , ., and, of course, the Royal Park.

For dessert, is sponsoring an ice cream sundae bar. Other treats will be offered by and .

But don't fear the calorie consumption: A disc jockey will be on hand to get you moving.

Bring the kiddos to this one

The DDA aims to make the Big, Bright Ball an evening the whole family can enjoy, from child-friendly hours (4-7 p.m., so just before bedtime) to activities for all ages.

"The light show is for families — it's for everybody — so we wanted the event to be family friendly, too," Trevarrow said.

is sponsoring a Make-A-Magic-Wand station for all fairies-in-training.

Shopping queens can bid on fabulous items in a silent auction.

Guests can try their hands at Snow Miser's Cold Cash Catch game. Intrigued? It works like this: The Snow Miser has decorated his tree with top-secret envelopes. Inside the envelopes are gift certificates from local merchants in amounts from $25-$100. Ball guests can pay $20 to pick the envelope of their choice off the tree.

Finally, there will be a photo booth on hand to capture the memories.

'Light the town!'

If you've been to you've witnessed thousands of spectators chanting, "Light the town!"

At the ball, you can register to win the honor of flipping that light switch. Raffle tickets cost $5 each or $20 for five. The winner will be drawn at 6:30 p.m. and must be present to win.

"Last year, the ball raised $10,000 and I would love to double that number this year," Trevarrow said.

Wouldn't you love to help?

Now for the giveaway ...

The Rochester DDA is giving away, to one lucky Rochester Patch reader, a set of four tickets to the Big, Bright Ball.

Post a comment here telling us why you love the Big, Bright Light Show. One winner will be chosen at random to receive the four tickets.

Here's how it will work:

• All comments must be posted by noon Friday to be counted for the contest.

• Please, only one entry per person.

• One winner will be selected in a random drawing Friday afternoon. That winner will receive an email notification from Patch, which must be responded to within 48 hours to receive the prize.

The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 or older. And this wouldn't be a contest without a complete list of official Patch contest rules; you can read them .

The Big, Bright Ball will be 4-7 p.m. July 31 at the Royal Park Hotel. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $10 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Tickets may be purchased at the DDA information booth at this weekend's Sidewalk Sales, at the DDA office at 308½ Main Street or online downtownrochestermi.com/shop.