Southern Byways

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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Hope everyone is having a great Christmas Eve day thus far or just a great holiday. With everything going on today, be sure to enjoy the time you spend with your family. Good health, family and friends make for a great holiday life and well, life also!
Be sure to to  check Southern Byways this week. I’m going to have information on weekend happenings, New Year Eve’s celebration and packages (yes, there is still time to book a room) and a very special post on what you can do with your children in the region until school resumes.
Perhaps my biggest …read more

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Do you need a jump start to get into that holiday mood? I just might know something that’ll have you feeling that holiday spirit in no time -  lights and a lot of them.
Not only does the days soon after Thanksgiving bring sales, but also large configurations of lights as well. From now until New Years, many towns and cities across the South will glow with different colors.

Prepare to be dazzled from the Holiday Trail of Lights that includes Kilgore, Texas‘ “Christmas in the Oil Patch” to Fantasy of Lights in Sumter, S.C., to Zoolights at the …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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Vote YES! to shaking those election-is-over blue feelings away at one of the many events happening around the South this weekend.
 
If you’re feeling hungry, there the…
20th Annual Heritage Syrup Festival on November 8 in Henderson, Texas.
Chile Pepperama on November 9 in Dallas, Texas.
Big Boy’s Thibodaux (La.) Main Street Cook-Off on November 7.
 

Sugar Day Festival in Alexandria, La., on November 8.
Cane Syrup Makin’ Day in Beatrice, Ala., on November 8.
Foggy Bottom Barbecue Bash and Arts & Crafts Festival in Elba, Ala., on November 8.
Chili Cook-Off in Bremen, Ga., on November 8.
Chili Cook-Off and Fall Festival in McDonough, Ga., on November 8
Chomp …read more

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You can celebrate the last weekend in October in style at any of the following events happening in the South.
Here’s a sampling of what’s going on in the region.
For foodies, there’s the…
Fredericksburg (Texas) Food and Wine Fest on October 25-26.
Texas Mushroom Festival in Madisonville (heralded as the ‘Mushroom Capital of Texas’) on October 25.
Annual Tailgating Cook Off & Fais Do Do in Iberia, La., on October 24-26.

South Louisiana Blackfoot Festival & Cook-off in Lafayette, La., on October 24-25.
Oxford’s (Miss.) Town BBQ Throwdown on October 24-25.
15th Annual Peanut Butter Festival in Brundidge, Ala., on October 25.
Syrup Sopping Days in Loachapoka, Ala., …read more

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Why stay at home this weekend when there is so much fun things going on in the South? Get out! Take time to enjoy the good weather and good times that are waiting to be had.
Unsure what to do this weekend? Here’s a sampling of the events that await you.
 
In the mood for food festivals? Bring sure to bring your appetite, because there are plenty to choose from.
In Texas, there’s the…

4th Annual Chuck Wagon Cook-off in Llano, Texas on October 17-19.
Shrimp & Wine Festival on October 18 in Wichita Falls.
14th Annual Chili Cook-Off in Dripping …read more

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From calling fire ants to celebrating a birthday of a country music institution to basically eating your way around the South, this weekend is packed with all types of events.
Do you like food? Then you are in luck, because…

the World Championship Gumbo Cook-off is taking place in New Iberia, La., October 10-12. The event features an arrange of local foods, including the Gumbo that is only served on Sunday during the cook-off.
also going on in Louisiana is the 31st Annual Boucherie Festival in Sorrento. The festival, October 10-12, highlights the many Cajun specialities including Boudin Balls and Hog …read more

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Clean, crisp cool air; roadside farmer’s markets stocked with pumpkins, apple, and hot cider – all surrounded by deep vibrant red, yellow and orange colors. The scene is set for fall. Time for harvest moons, arts and crafts festivals, and fall foliage.

Wait a minute – fall foliage in the South? You mean leaves change colors in the region, and there are actual trees?
Okay, so the South isn’t known for fall foliage like New England is, but the region doesn’t disappoint if you are looking for some places to see an array of colors.
Where (and When) to Go 
…read more

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