Bill and Giuliana Rancic to light tree in Lombard
Reality TV stars Bill and Giuliana Rancic are coming to Lombard this week to light a 30-foot Christmas tree and meet fans at Yorktown Center.
The outdoor tree lighting will begin at 5 p.m. Friday near entrance 5 on the south side of the mall, between Von Maur and Egg Harbor Cafe.
Lynette Steinhauser, marketing director for Yorktown Center, said the mall has hosted numerous sports figures, including Blackhawks players and Mike Ditka, but she can't remember any recent celebrity appearances.
"It's probably one of the biggest events that we've done in the last 10 years," she said.
Bill Rancic, of Chicago, was the winner of the first season of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" on NBC-TV. Giuliana is an anchor for E! News and co-star of the show "Fashion Police," which was hosted by Joan Rivers.
The sixth season of the couple's show, "Giuliana and Bill," is airing on E! as well. Next year, Bill will be the host of the new Food Network show "Kitchen Casino."
This will be the shopping center's first outdoor tree lighting. It is sponsored by 93.9-MY FM, which is selecting about 200 people to meet the Rancics from 5:30 to 7 p.m. near Lucky Strike Lanes after the lighting ceremony. Fans can enter to win at the event or by visiting the station's website.
Officials say ads for the event have been mailed to about 70,000 homes and the radio station has been mentioning the Rancics' visit all week.
Steinhauser said excitement is building in the community and the shopping center has been receiving about 20 to 30 calls a day from people who want to know more about the event.
"When we sat down and thought about who is some great hometown talent, who does a lot for the community, who is very part of the family, home for the holidays, festive spirit, they really were a no brainer," she said of the center's decision to reach out to the Rancics in late October. "We were really lucky to get them on short notice."
Besides getting a glimpse at the famous couple and submitting their names to take part in the meet-and-greet, attendees will have a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree. The Rancics are expected to announce the winner during the lighting ceremony.
Yorktown officials say the tree lighting is part of the "reintroduction of Yorktown" to the community. About $20 million in renovations recently were completed at the mall, including improvements to the center court, food court, bathrooms and main entrance.