MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER KATE D. LEVIN, PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSIONER ADRIAN BENEPE, AND AMERICAN EXPRESS CHAIRMAN AND CEO KENNETH I. CHENAULT ANNOUNCE WINTER FESTIVAL 2003

Over 500 Cultural and Park Events in Every Borough

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, and American Express Chairman and CEO Kenneth I. Chenault today kicked off the City of New York's Winter Festival 2003 presented by American Express at Central Park's Lasker Rink. Winter Festival 2003 will begin on January 11th with a snow-themed celebration in Central Park, and will end on February 2nd with a Groundhog Day event at the Staten Island Zoo. The Festival will feature over 500 indoor and outdoor activities, many free of charge, at numerous cultural centers and parks throughout the five boroughs for people of all ages. The Mayor spoke from an ice podium designed and created by Ice Fantasies of Brooklyn, and the Ice Theater of New York offered a preview performance at the announcement. About 25 children from the Morningside Recreation Center attended the event and watched the performance while sipping hot chocolate provided by Great Performances.

"Winter in New York City is one of the most beautiful and magical times of the year," Mayor Bloomberg said. "When the temperature drops, our City sparkles with great things to do and see, including indoor and outdoor activities for New Yorkers and visitors of all ages at our non-profit cultural organizations and parks. I invite you to explore all that New York City has to offer to keep you warm through the winter and encourage all to take advantage of the special events opportunities extended during Winter Festival 2003."

"New York City is a magnet for artists and audiences from around the world, and non-profit cultural organizations contribute over $5.5 billion to the City's economy," Commissioner Levin said. "But the benefits aren't just for out-of-towners: wonderful cultural offerings exist in every New Yorker's backyard. Attendance tends to drop during January and February, so this is a particularly meaningful time to support the City's parks and arts groups. By identifying hot neighborhoods, great children's events, and wonderful promotions, Winter Festival is designed to get us all to explore the best this City has to offer."

"Winter weather is a poor excuse to stay indoors and turn into a couch potato," Commissioner Benepe said. "New Yorkers can participate in winter sports and cultural activities, or simply enjoy the beauty of our 28,000 acres of parks."

"We congratulate Mayor Bloomberg and his team for bringing together a terrific set of winter events that demonstrate clearly that New York is a City for all seasons," Chairman Chenault said. "When we heard about Winter Festival 2003, we wanted to be a part of it - part of reminding and encouraging New Yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy the world-class parks, cultural events, and attractions that make New York the place to be this winter."

Winter Festival 2003 will begin on Saturday, January 11th, with a snow-lovers celebration in Central Park. Other Citywide Winter Festival 2003 events include a world chocolate exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden and the luge at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx; a Lunar New Year celebration at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and luge/curling at Prospect Park in Brooklyn; Latin jazz performances at the Museum of the City of New York and professional ice dancing and speed skating at Central Park in Manhattan; arts and crafts at the Colden Center and Queens Museum of Art in Queens; and tours of Historic Richmond Town and several nature settings in Staten Island. Winter Festival 2003 will conclude on February 2nd, with Groundhog Day festivities at the Staten Island Zoo.

For a complete listing of Winter Festival 2003 events, please see the insert in The New York Times on Thursday, January 9th, call 1-800-NYC-VISIT, or visit www.nyc.gov/winterfest.