State Auto’s historic Christmas Corner returns

Nativity display moves to new location for first time in 50 years

COLUMBUS, Ohio – November 24, 2009 – 78 years after State Auto Insurance Group founder Bob Pein began the tradition, State Auto will again flip the switch on its annual Christmas display on Wednesday, December 2, at 5:45 p.m.

For the first time in 50 years, State Auto’s historic life-sized Nativity display has changed locations, from the area on the south side of the building, along East Broad Street, to Pein Park, at East Broad and North 11th Street. The experience will be enhanced for visitors by allowing them to walk through the display, which has been constructed in scenes throughout the park. Also new this year, visitors can participate in a cell phone tour of the display, with each scene of the Nativity offering a phone number that will offer additional facts and history.

A brief lighting ceremony, including a performance by the Columbus Children’s Choir, will begin at 5:30 p.m. State Auto Chairman and CEO Bob Restrepo will be joined at the lighting by Tyshanique Morgan, a fifth grader at State Auto’s adopted school, Deshler Elementary, and winner of State Auto’s annual Christmas art contest. Tyshanique’s winning entry will be on display at Christmas Corner throughout the Christmas season.

At 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Christmas, a number of local groups will offer free performances at the display.

Saturday, Dec. 5 Jersey Baptist Church Choir
Sunday, Dec. 6 Grove City Chamber Singers
Saturday, Dec. 12 Bishop Hartley Choirs
Sunday, Dec. 13 Columbus Damenchor
Saturday, Dec. 19 Broad Street United Methodist Church Choir
Sunday, Dec. 20 His Word Chorus

From a rooftop Santa Town with thousands of lights and hundreds of Christmas trees, State Auto’s Christmas display has evolved into a display focused on a life-sized Nativity scene, recognized around the world for its beauty and attention to artistic and historic detail. In recent years, lighting and other decorations have been added, reminiscent of State Auto Christmas displays of years past.

The State Auto Insurance Group, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is engaged primarily in writing personal and business insurance products exclusively through approximately 3,400 independent insurance agencies in 33 states and is proud to be a Trusted Choice® company partner. The State Auto Insurance Group include State Auto Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STFC) and State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, which is one of only 14 companies to be rated A+ (Superior) by the A.M. Best Company every year since 1954. Additional information can be found online athttp://www.StateAuto.com/.

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