Southern Byways

Can’t make it to Times Square in New York City this New Year’s Eve? Don’t worry, there are other places where you celebrate the beginning of 2009 throughout the South.
Here’s a sampling of what’s happening as well as some deals.
Numerous cities across the nation are participating on First Night 2009. In the South, this includes Fayetteville (Ark.), Austin (Texas), Cocoa (Fla.), Delray Beach (Fla.), St. Peterburg (Fla.), Charlotte (N.C.), Raleigh (N.C.), and in Virginia: Alexandria, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Williamsburg and Winchester.

Don’t miss out on Big D NYE 2009. The event features parties and a very large firework display. …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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You know about Ho, Ho, H2o at the Tennessee Aquarium (don’t forget to read about my recent visit) in Chattanooga, Tenn., the holiday events at SeaWorld San Antonio (Texas) and SeaWorld Orlando (Fla.), and just learned about the 12 Days of Wild Holiday Fun at Naples (Fla.) Zoo at Caribbean Gardens.
If you are looking for more animal-related holiday events, why not…

Sing carols to the animals during the Caroling Tour at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas.
See the Holiday Light Safari at Alexandria (La.) Zoo on December 19 -23.
Enjoy cookies with Santa at Jackson (Miss.) Zoo …read more

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Lights, lights everywhere! Don’t miss out on the…
Lighted Christmas Drive in Terrell, Texas, on December 12-14.
Trail of Lights Christmas Program in LaGrange, Texas, on December 12-13.
Fair Park Holiday Lights in Dallas, Texas, on December 13-14.

Holiday Sound, Light and Water Show at DeSoto Caverns in Childersburg, Ala., through January 1, 2009.
Chickasaw State Park Christmas Lighting in Henderson, Tenn., on December 12-14.
Christmas in Hopelands in Aiken, S.C., through December 27.
Luminaries in the Plaza (Plaza de la Constitucion) in St. Augustine, Fla., on December 14.
Christmas Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk …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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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, …read more

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Another weekend where there is so much going on in the South that the best way to find out about it all is by providing the information in two calendars.
So, if you are in the mood for something non-holiday related to do this weekend, here are a few ideas.
Birding Lake Tour at Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan, Ark., on December 13.
Second Saturday Chef’s Series at Rockefeller Institute in Morrilton, Ark., on December 13.
Second Saturday Wildcat Bluff Nature Center in Amarillo, Texas, on December 13.

24th Annual Fort Worth (Texas) Train Show on December 13-14.
Rappelling Adventure in Fort Payne, Ala., …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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