Scheduled for December 14, the event features over 20 boats gussied up with lights and other decorations. Sponsored by the Destin History and Fishing Museum (worth visiting when you have the chance), the activities along HarborWalk Village begin at 5 p.m. (however, it is highly recommended to show up before 5 p.m.)

During the Holiday on the Harbor, you can expect an evening filled live music, arts and crafts for the young ones, and even an appearance by Santa Claus.

For this holiday season, don’t limit yourself to lights on the land when there’s so much to see on the water as well.

photo credits: both photos are from Holiday on the Harbor, courtesy of Destin Area Chamber of Commerce

Post from: Southern Byways

File this under “you just never know.”

From tornadoes to snow in about 24-36 hours. You’ve just gotta to love weather in the South.

Okay, so it might not stick, but snow of any size, including sleet is a big deal in the deep South.  Remember the freak snow blizzard in March 1993 that hit the South and rendered the area helpless, because, well states, like Alabama where I was, didn’t have snow ploughs and couldn’t do anything.

As I sit in 60 degree weather in the metro-Atlanta, Ga., area (suppose to lightly flurry here tonight), I’ve see  reports from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama their early snow this year.

Beaumont, Texas located in the southeast part of the state has set a record today with its recorded snow fall.

The title says it all about the rare snowfall in Louisiana and Mississippi. Just see the snow in south Louisiana  and photos from New Orleans for yourself.

Snow in South Mississippi – not a phrase you read too often, but was utter quite a bit today.

ABC 33/40, television station in Alabama, offers great videos and updates about the snow in the region.

Keep checking back here for additional updates. If you have snow photos, please send them to me and I will share them on the blog.

Stay safe and enjoy the snow!

photo credit: Sugar Plum Snowflake, flickr, creative commons by CaptPiper

Post from: Southern Byways

Historic Augusta (Ga.) Inc., is presenting its Historic Holiday Candlelight Tour on December 5 – 6. Not only are the five home museums decked out in decorations, but also include period costumed interpreters, refreshments and music.

Museum homes on display include The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson (named as a new National Historic Landmark in October 2008), Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, Meadow Garden: Home of George Walton and the 1797 Ezekiel Harris House. Also included is the Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site on Beech Island, S.C., which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

One ticket allows you to tour all museum homes and can be purchased at any one of the museum homes.

QUICK TAKE

What: Historic Holiday Candlelight Tour in Augusta, Ga. presented by Historic Augusta Inc.

Where: Five museum homes

When: December 5- 6

Time: 4 – 8 p.m. on December 5 and 2 – 8 p.m. on December 6

Cost: $15/adults; $7/students (K-12); and under 5 are free

photo credits: (top left) Lucy Craft Lane Museum of Black History, (mid right) Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site, (bottom left) Meadow Garden: Home of George Walton, (bottom right) 1797 Ezekiel Harris House; all courtesy of Historic Augusta, Inc.

Post from: Southern Byways

And there isn’t a better way to celebrate the peanut harvest than at the 65th Annual National Peanut Festival in Dothan that kicks off on October 31 and runs through November 9.

Okay, I admit that I’m a little bias toward the festival since this is my hometown. I have many memories about Midnight Madness, a certain Gravitron ride that I still have un-nice flashbacks about, and the Peanut Festival parade that includes a cement mixer truck that dumps out roasted peanuts along the route and people run in the middle of the road (in between floats and such) to gather as many peanuts as they can.

Even though the location has changed since I’ve attended (now on Highway 231 South to accommodate its growth), there’s still the midway rides and games, good fair food (is the corn dog man still there?), concerts, events and of course, the two-hour parade.

Some other events this year include a demolition derby, fireworks and sea lion splash.

The National Peanut Festival is one of the “must-do” events in South. It’s something that you definitely shouldn’t miss if you are around the area.

Quick Take

What: 65th National Peanut Festival

When: October 31- November 9

Where: Dothan, Ala.

Time: Varies, depending on event

Cost: Varies, depending on event

photo credits: (top right) Boiled Peanuts, flickr, creative commons by cote; (mid left) National Peanut Festival, flickr, creative commons by sockmonkey59

Post from: Southern Byways

Slated for October 9-12, the festival also includes live entertainment, a happening children’s area and over 300 vendors selling everything from arts and crafts to other items.

Here’s some extra incentive (as if you need any) to go this weekend: not only is the festival free, but you can park in designated areas and take bus in for $1.

Quick Take

What: 37th Annual National Shrimp Festival

When: October 9-12

Where: Gulf Shores, Ala.

Time: 10 a.m. -10 p.m.; children’s activity village, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Cost: Admission to the festival is free; $1 to park and ride.

photo credit: Fried Shrimp, flickr, creative commons by dave77459

Post from: Southern Byways

Through September 28, the festival provides you with an intimate look into connection between the farmer, the chef and the winemaker. Each day (PDF file), experts in different fields lead talks, demonstrations, tours and more.

For instance, on September 23 there’s a butter churning demonstration at Red Bend Barn, and a wine and chocolate seminar in the Winery. Perhaps you want to know more on how chefs appreciate farmer’s markets, then join the discussion “Thank God for the Farmers’Market”with chef John Stehling, chef Robert Stehling, Brian Ross, and Donna Florio, on September 26 at stage B. On September 27, your choices of activities include a Kitchen Garden Tour at River Bend Farm, or a 30-minute Sommelier seminar at the Winery. 

You can purchase tickets to the festival and Biltmore either online, by phone, or at the gate. 

Quick Take

What: 1st Annual Field to Table Festival: A Taste of Appalachia

When: through September 28

Where: Biltmore, Asheville, N.C.

Costs: $49 (online); $51 (gate)

Photo credits: (upper left) Biltmore, flickr, creative commons by GoBlueRidgeCard and Biltmore Estate; (lower right) Vintage Wines at Biltmore Winery, flickr, creative commons by benUK

Post from: Southern Byways

This isn’t your traditional film or art festival. You don’t sit and silently watch the films, or quickly walk by a static exhibit. Here, you have the opportunity to walk around and take it all in. Some places, you can even be part of it.

“Extraordinary unique,” is how Mike Ragsdale, town evangelist, describes Alys Beach’s upcoming Digital Graffiti Festival.

And you know, he just might be on to something here.

Scheduled for August 30, the event is nothing like anything else that has taken place along the Beaches of South Walton, or even in the South for that matter.

“There is always something going on in the area. We wanted to create an event that would not only compliment the area, but also would be really different.”

They really didn’t have to go far to come up with an idea. The answer was right in front of them.

“One thing that jumped out at us was all of the white space we (Alys Beach) have available. So, why not have artwork projected on the walls of the town.” 

Thus, Digital Graffiti was created. And what a response, they received over 150 entries from nearby and around the world. Ragsdale says the committee narrowed it down to around 35 different exhibits that best represent different digital art styles. There will also be interactive exhibits, such as one with a laser point that allows guests to physically write on the wall that’s a 100-yards away.

Other activities include a Wii hooked up and projected on a 30-foot wall for people to play different games, and a shadow puppet artist who will educate the young ones on how to create shadow puppets.

Among the many things that make this event unique that the fact that it is outside.

“During our research, we came across different digital festivals around the world and they all happened inside. Ours is all outside.”

In fact, many of the digital artists took in account Alys Beach’s architecture to create custom art.

“It’s going to be visually appealing,” comments Ragsdale. “I can’t wait to see people’s reaction to it for the first time.”

Quick Glance

What: Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach

When: August 30, the event starts at 7 p.m.

Where: Alys Beach, along the Beaches of South Walton, located in the Florida Panhandle.

Cost: $10/adult; $5/children, ages 6-11. Tickets can be purchased online and at the event.

Photo credits: All photos are Digital Graffiti/Projection Art Test by Tommy Crow, courtesy of Alys Beach. 

Apryl Chapman Thomas

Post from: Southern Byways

• July is National Hog Dog Month and you still have a little over a week to celebrate. If you find yourself tooling around the South during this time, stop and have a dog (or two or three) at any of the following: Chris’ Hot Dogs in Montgomery, Ala., Varsity in either Atlanta or Athens, Ga., Nu-Way Weiners in Macon, Ga., Skin Thrasher’s in Anderson, S.C., Yum Yum Better Ice Cream in Greensboro, N.C., and Arbetters in Miami, Fla. Interestingly enough, there’s an article highlighting the best places to the all-might dog in South Florida. Hey, Texas, I didn’t forget about ya’ll; after all, isn’t the Lone Star state home to the corn dog? But anyone who knows anything understands the best time to get a corny dog is at the Texas State Fair.

• Thinking about doing a long weekend on Mississippi Gulf Coast before Labor Day? Before you make your reservations, you might want to do so through Mississippi Hotel & Lodging Association’s reservation site. They have teamed up with the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB to offer travelers who make a minimum two-night stay through their service a $50 gas card upon check-in. To receive your, reservations must be made by August 29 and stays need to be completed by September 1.

• While we are on the topic of travel deals, if you are heading to Florida’s Treasure Coast anytime soon, be sure the check out their hotel deals.

• Get Outside! As a part of its Green Hour® program, South Carolina Wildlife Federation in conjunction with City of Columbia Parks and Recreation and Harbison State Forest is offering two guided family nature walks in the Midlands. The first one, on July 26, will take place at Riverfront Park and the second one, on August 16, will be at Harbison State Forest. While the walks are free, pre-registration is required.

• Everyone can have a good time at the 2008 Destin Harbor Summer Festival happening now through August 23.  Hosted by the Destin Harbor Association, every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights, the area is hopping with all types of events. Enjoy live entertainment, fireworks and much more.

Photo credits: Travel Journal, flickr, creative commons by refractedmoments

Post from: Southern Byways

Welcome to what is considered to be the mother of all yard-sales  – the U.S. 127 Corridor Sale (aka the “World’s Largest Yard Sale”), where it’s a known fact that if you can’t find what you are looking for here, you probably don’t need it. In its 21st year, the sale is scheduled for August 7-10. 

The four day sale was the brain child of then- Fentress County, Tenn., executive Mike Walker. In 1987, his vision was two-fold: lure people away the interstates travel along the scenic routes of the backroads as well as provide residents with an opportunity to sell crafts and antiques. Through the years, the event has attracted people from all across the country and from around the world. They come by car, truck, motor home or plane (and have their items shipped back) to take a part of this yard sale extravaganza. 

Today, the sale has an additional a couple 180 miles. From Defiance, Ohio to Chattanooga, Tenn., and a handful of places in between, you find everything, including a couple of kitchen sinks, for sell. The route in the south includes Lookout Mountain Parkway, dipping into the corner of northwest Georgia and continuing through DeKalb County, Ala., and Gadsden, Ala.

Aside from the sale items, the route highlights numerous sights along the way. It was said when the officials first put together a list of attractions accessible from the sale route, there was well over three hundred places.

Here is a sampling of some worth visiting in between bargain hunting and deal making:

In Kentucky, be sure to visit MainStrasse Village, a restored 19th century German neighborhood. This historic village is  filled with shops, restaurants and entertainment

The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill happens to be the largest restored 19th century Shake Village in America. 

Penn’s Store  in Danville is the country store in America, open for business, and still operated by the same family since the late 1800’s.

While in Tennessee, there’s Sgt. Alvin York Historic Park located in Pall Mall. The site is the home and museum dedicated to one of World War One’s most decorated hero.

Don’t miss out on all that Chattanooga has to offer, either! Whether it’s the Tennessee Aquarium and their new eco-cruise or exploring Bluff View Arts District, you are sure to find a lot to do.

In Alabama, DeSoto State Park in Ft. Payne, is great for camping, hiking and kayaking.   There are also mountain chalets and motel accommodations available. Also in Ft. Payne, the Little River Canyon National Preserve offers breathtaking views of the 700-foot gorge and waterfalls along the 23-mile drive along the rim.

Photo credits: (top left) Used Book Sale, flickr,creative commons by revolutionarygirl; (upper right) Yard Sale Find 1, flickr, creative commons by pigstubs; (mid-right) Diversity, flickr, creative commons by JimmyMac210; (lower left) Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, flickr, creative commons by janet.powell; (bottom right) DeSoto Fall in DeSoto State Park, flickr, creative commons by Indhslf72

Post from: Southern Byways

Tickets are required for each event and need to be purchased in advance. If you’re thinking about driving in for a few days or staying for the entire event, different hotels in the area are offering special rate packages.

Photo credit: Sazerac Detail, flickr, creative commons by Experiment33

Post from: Southern Byways