Southern Byways

Well, New York City may have their ball for New Year’s Eve, but did you know here in the South we tend to drop more, um, interesting items to signify the New Year?
Oh yes, where else but in the South can you find a Moon Pie (Mobile, Ala.), a peach (Atlanta, Ga.) and a possum (yes, that’s right in, a possum drop in Tallapoosa, Ga.)
When it comes to celebrating New Year Eve’s, the South tends to stand out.
For example, there’s the…

Hog (Razorback) drop in Fayetteville, Ark.
Fleur de Lis in New Orleans, La.
Pelican drop in Pensacola, Fla.
Orange (PDF …read more

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The presents are all unwrapped, the food put away; it’s another Christmas come and gone for many. What took weeks or months to plan is over in a couple of minutes. So now as you settle back in your seat to reflect on the holidays, another thought pops in your mind.
What is there to do now?
If you are looking to get out of the house this weekend, you are in luck because there is a lot going on in the region. Also, don’t forget about the holiday lights as well as “Reflections on New Orleans” and Holiday Tour of Homes …read more

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Well, you made it to the last weekend before Christmas. While events have slowed down some, there are still some holiday-related things to do in the region.
So, let’s take a look at what’s happening this weekend in the South.
Why celebrate the holidays at one place, when you can celebrate throughout the entire city and town, like at the…
Christmas on the Mountain in Mena, Ark., on December 21-24.
Christmas at the Courthouse in Longview, Texas, on December 20.
Christmas on Main in Grapevine, Texas through December 21.
Christmas in Olde Town Lancaster (Texas) on December 20.  
Kenner (La.) Christmas Village on December 20.
Victorian Christmas Festival …read more

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Do you find yourself whistling bits and pieces of holiday songs? Or maybe during the evenings, you’re flicking through channels, not looking for a sports game or your favorite show, but for holiday shows (Peanuts Christmas, anyone?) Admit it, you have it – you have some holiday spirit.
Well, to keep this up, there are a number of holiday-related events happening around the South this weekend. From holiday open houses to boat parades and more can all be found in the region.
Let’s take a look at what’s going on.
There are a number of town-and citywide holiday celebrations in the South, …read more

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From white twinkle lights to lights that glow with holiday color, you can say that the South is cover (pun intended) when it comes to holiday lights and lighted displays. From the Burns Park Holiday Lights in North Little Rock, Ark., to Sportsman’s Wonderland in Cullman, Ala., to Garden of Lights at Brookside Garden in Wheaton, Md., the South offers up some of the best holiday light displays in the country.
Here are some others worth throughout the region worth visiting.
In Arkansas, you can enjoy the lights aboard the Holiday Express (December 8-23) at Creekmore Park in Fort Smith. Don’t …read more

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There is so much going on in the South this weekend that it couldn’t fit into one calendar.
And that’s a good thing.
So this first calendar features all of the non-holiday events taking place around the region.
Here’s a sampling of what you can find happening December 5 – 7.
Spend time outside at the…
Birding Lake Tours at Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village, Ark.

Adopt a Tree at Warriors’ Path State Park (PDF file) in Kingsport, Tenn., on December 6.
1/2 Day Winter Bird Excursion at Sprewell Bluff State Park in Thomaston, Ga., on December 6.
Backcountry Geology Hike at Sweetwater Creek …read more

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Happy Thanksgiving weekend to everyone. Hope you are ready to have some fun! Because there is a lot going in the South the weekend. If the relatives are starting to overcrowd you, or you need to work off that turkey and dressing, I guarantee you’ll find some (or more) event(s) to attend.
Here’s a brief list:
 
 In you are in the “gifty” mood, there’s the…

Alma (Ark.) Holiday Market on November 28 – 29.
21st Annual Winter Wonderland Arts and Crafts Festival in Hot Springs, Ark., on November 28-29.
Eureka Springs (Ark.) Fall Art Show, November 29-30.
Harvest Art Fest, Bastrop, Texas, …read more

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You think you have a lot of lights to put for the holidays? I can guarantee you that they don’t even come close to these elaborate displays. So, put away that box and see how the professionals do it.From Athens, Texas’ Land of Lights (through January 1, 2009) to Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden(through December 30) in Columbia, S.C. to Winterfest of Light (through January 1, 2009) in Ocean City, Md.,  the South is glowing in holiday colors.Here’s a brief round-up of some of the current light displays:In Arkansas, discover the splendor of over 1.7 millions at …read more

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No doubt about it, the holidays are here. It seems as if this weekend kicks off a lot of celebrations across the region. This, combined with other events, makes for a very busy and fun weekend in the South.
If you want to start on your holiday shopping, there the…
31st Annual Holiday Crafts and Gift Sale, November 21-22, in Jacksonville, Ark.

Deck the Halls Christmas Craft Extravaganza, November 21-22, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
Marble Falls (Texas) Art Crawl on November 21-23.
Weihnachtsmrkt, November 21-23, in New Braunfels, Texas.
East Austin (Texas) Studio Tour on November 22-23. …read more

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Can you believe another week of November is almost to an end? Well, this can be good news because there are a lot of fun things happening around the South this weekend.
Here’s a preview on what’s on tap this weekend:
 
 
If you love sampling food (and really, who doesn’t), then you’ll enjoy the…

1st Annual Chili Cook-Off at Cedar Hill (Texas) State Park on November 15.
Houston (Texas) Championship Chili Cook-Off on November 15.
Lydia (La.) Cajun Food Fest on November 14-15.
Wild Gourmet Thanksgiving Dinner in Mistletoe State Park, Appling, Ga., on November 16.
Blues, Brews and BBQ at Harborwalk in Destin, Fla., on …read more

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