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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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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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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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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