Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, City Hall To Go Dark For 2nd Annual St. Louis Earth Hour Event
Thursday, March 12, 2009
St. Louis Named Official Participating City; Mayor Slay, County Executive Dooley On Board For March 28 EventSt. Louis, MO (March 11, 2009) –Many of St. Louis’ most recognizable structures will be left in the dark, if only for an hour, as the highlight of the 2nd annual St. Louis Earth Hour event. The Gateway Arch, St. Louis City Hall, Busch Stadium and the Tums Building are among the area venues that will turn their lights off during the event, to take place Saturday, March 28, 2009.
St. Louis’ most iconic structure, the Gateway Arch, will take part in Earth Hour by shutting off the 44 spotlights that illuminate the 630-foot tall monument. “Having the Arch, one of the world’s most recognizable monuments, participate in this year’s effort is a great thrill,” said Tim Leon, Managing Partner, Geile-Leon Marketing Communications. The Clayton-based marketing communications agency sponsored the first St. Louis Earth Hour event last year, and is doing so again this year.
At a news conference today, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, representatives from Geile-Leon, the St. Louis Cardinals, and Earth Hour USA announced details of this year’s event, and challenged area residents and businesses to participate. St. Louis Earth Hour 2009 will take place at Busch Stadium on Saturday, March 28 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Busch Stadium will shut off its lights at 8:30 p.m.
“The St. Louis Cardinals are proud to join in this year’s Earth Hour event, which we believe is a perfect extension of our ‘4 A Greener Game’ initiative,” said Bill DeWitt III, President, St. Louis Cardinals. “The Cardinals are committed to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability. Our goal is to put a winning team on the field and create a safe, fun, family-friendly environment and entertainment experience for our guests while minimizing the impact on the natural environment.”
Mayor Slay announced that in addition to proclaiming March 28, 2009 as “Earth Hour Day”, the lights at St. Louis City Hall would be turned off at 8:30 p.m. that evening as part of Earth Hour. “We hope by having City Hall go dark, other city businesses and residents will follow suit and turn off all unnecessary lights for the hour,” said the Mayor. It's important to remember that Earth Hour is a collective endeavor to raise awareness of global climate change—relying on the combined efforts of neighborhoods, communities and entire countries—resulting in a positive impact on our planet.
St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley announced that the county will also participate in this year’s Earth Hour Event. He announced that the Lawrence K. Roos Building (St. Louis County Government Center) in Clayton will go dark for Earth Hour.
“We are thrilled that so many of St. Louis’ civic leaders from the public and private sectors are participating in this year’s Earth Hour event,” said Darron Collins, Managing Director, Southeastern Programs, World Wildlife Fund, who attended the news conference. “Earth Hour in itself will not lower our carbon footprint, rather it sends a signal to those in a place of power that we as individuals and communities demand action. The main point of Earth Hour is to unite people, companies and governments around the world through the symbolic flip of a switch.”
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia on March 31, 2007 where 2.2 million people, and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour. In just two years, it has become a global event. The Earth Hour event at Busch Stadium is open to the public and will feature plenty of fun and live entertainment. “We hope as many people as possible will turn off their lights at home, and come down to Busch Stadium and join us for a great party,” said Craig Jung, founder of St. Louis Green. “We all have a stake in helping to lessen the impact of global climate change, and it really is our duty to be the good stewards of this planet and its invaluable resources.”
Geile-Leon Marketing Communications organized and sponsored the first St. Louis Earth Hour event in 2008. “We’re very excited to once again join the worldwide effort and represent St. Louis,” said Dave Geile, Managing Partner of Geile-Leon Marketing Communications. “And we’re very grateful to those who have agreed to participate in this worthwhile cause.” To learn more about Earth Hour nationally go to www.eartthhourusa.org, and for information on the Geile-Leon sponsored event in St. Louis go to www.powerhourstl.com.
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