The cactus collection at the 3-acre botanical gardens was lit up with over half a million colorful lights to mark the beginning of the holiday season.

NEVADA, US (November 13, 2014) - Ethel M Chocolates' 21st annual event marks the beginning of the festive holiday season in Southern Nevada, and was attended by local, regional and state government officials including former Mayor Oscar Goodman. Every year the botanical gardens situated adjacent to the Mars Chocolate factory and Ethel M store in Henderson are decorated with over 500-thousand twinkling lights for the public to enjoy.

The opening event took place in conjunction with the annual KLUC Toy Drive to allow guests to donate new toys in return for a family pack of tickets to the popular event. Every year the KLUC Toy Drive donates toys to HELP of Southern Nevada, which supports thousands of underprivileged children in the local valley with the help of a range of celebrities, which last year included CeeLo Green and Demi Lovato. Popular DJ Mercedes from MIX 94.1 hosted the event, and those lucky enough to secure a ticket also saw performances from talented dancing group The Jabbawockeez, amongst others. A new highlight of the event was a 500 pound chocolate cactus garden that was put on display the day of the Cactus Lighting, which took over 200 hours to complete and became a focal point for attendants.

21 years on, the spectacular display is still a highlight of the holiday calendar for many local residents and is an event that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Kids had the opportunity to get their faces painted and sit on Santa’s lap, while chocolate lovers of all ages got the chance to sample Ethel M’s sweet treats.

Fans who missed the opening night can still visit the beautiful display for free until January 1^st, with exciting entertainment scheduled to take place on select days throughout the season.

About Ethel M® Chocolates

Ethel M Chocolates are manufactured by Mars Chocolate North America for Mars Retail Group, dedicated to creating authentic chocolates with no preservatives. Ethel M Chocolates are available in multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada, online at www.EthelM.com or by phone at 800-438-4356. The Ethel M Chocolate factory and Botanical Cactus Garden are located at 2 Cactus Garden Drive in Henderson. For more information on the Holiday Cactus Garden, holiday events, store hours, locations and ordering products, please visit us online or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the objective of creating a “mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders” – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.

For more information about Mars, Incorporated, please visit www.mars.com. Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars, linkedin.com/company/mars