Weekender Extended Magazine - Dec. 2019 by Extended Weekend Getaways Magazine

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Escape into a

Magical Wonderland From natural beauty and worldly cuisines to craft culture and historic preservation, explore what makes Clarksville a must visit destination. Plan your trip today at visitclarksvilletn.com.

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The Weekender Extended Magazine is Published Monthly by BarnettPRO Publishing 71 Plymouth St., Plymouth, OH 44865. PHONE/FAX 419-687-0002 Email: info@barnettpro.com Publisher - Michael D. Arnold mike@barnettpro.com Sr. Managing Editor- Kathy Barnett kathy@barnettpro.com Places to Go Editor: Sheeree Oney Things to Do Editor: Kandy Derden People to See Editor: Lisa Garcia Assistant Editor: Rebecca Embry Assistant Editor: Samantha Bradley Photo Journalist: Kelley Ramsey editor@weekenderextended.com Technical Director - Norman Reed Managing Editor : Social Media Norm@weekenderextended.com Visit our Website for event coverage between regular issues at www.WeekenderExtended.com Online Subscriptions are FREE! Submit your name and email address & we’ll also enter it in our monthly drawing for a FREE weekend getaway! Copyright 2019 by BarnettPRO Publishing All rights reserved. Reproductions of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Advertisements in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the publishing company.

Cover Photo:

There are many, many places to see Santa listed throughout this issue. Don’t miss a chance to share you list with him.

Up Close: From the Editor

Well, the final issue of 2019 is complete and ready for your review. It’s this time of year when I have a tendancy to become a bit nostalgic. I look through all the pages of the past articles articles we were able to share with you - our readers. I am reminded of that bucket list I never finished. Then I compare the covers and try to pick out an overall favorite. How do I do that when they all feature such great places to go, things to do and people to see? We have had a great response to the additions of our editor monthly columns. Places to Go Editor, Sheeree Oney, contributes amonthly column on finding the bargains. Believe me, I’ve been shopping with her many times during our travels together and she can sniff out the good ones. People to See Editor, Lisa Rhoden, had a name change this summer. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Adam Garcia! They have also relocated closer to our home office and we are busy planning more interviews for next year. Kandy Derden, our Things to Do Editor is still cooking up a storm in the kitchen while juggling her teaching career, musician responsibilities at church, traveling for natural disaster relief projects AND (drum roll) having her first children’s book published. It is still available on Amazon: “Let’s Go to the Circus.” https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Go-Circus-Publisher-Number/dp/0986110957 Watch for her next addition to the “Let’s Go Series,” Let’s Go to the Farm, available soon. And me? I’m back in the office full - time and ready to travel again after a nasty fall on a Tennessee media trip last summer. I must thank all my staff (and extra helpers) for doing an amazing job while I was away. On to a new and even better New Year than the last one. Can we top our articles from this year. Maybe not, but we can definately match them and even add a few choices to the mix. So until next month, Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kathy, Managing Editor December, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -5-

Column Feature-Places to Go:

By Sheeree Oney Places to Go Editor

For the Bargain Hunter

The USA Luxury Shopping Consortium is a select group of ten luxury retail districts and shopping centers located throughout the USA in key travel destinations for domestic and international travelers.

The destinations include Atlanta, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas, Newport Beach, New York City, Orlando, Santa Monica, Scottsdale and Washington DC. Each center offers the finest in luxury brands and contemporary shops in addition to a collection of signature restaurants and cafes. The USA Luxury Shopping Consortium Districts and Centers have an array of events planned along with gift ideas to make this holiday season truly special. Holiday tree and menorah lighting ceremonies shine to bring a festive feel to destinations with snowy lanes or sunny skies. Visits with Santa and photo memories vary in design from location to location. Be sure to check each location’s website for hours, reservations or special access passes to avoid waits. Each location also offers complimentary personal shopping assistance to find that perfect gift. For today’s stylish travelers, each location also creates special shopping and dining experiences, amenities and services for luxury travelers with advance notice, such as car service, package return to hotels, alterations, beauty makeovers, champagne greetings, gifts with purchase and more. The following is a -6- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

preview of distinctive holiday events, performances and unique gift ideas. Cheers! SCOTTSDALE -Experience the interactive Elf Academy at HGTV’s Santa HQ through December 24th. Try on the latest elf looks with Santa’s Magic Mirror, where guests create their very own Elf-ID Card and scan themselves on the Naughty or Nice O’Meter. Also, bring your cameras for photos of “Canal Convergence” www.fashionsquare.com. SANTA MONICA - Pet Photos with Santa Dec. 18. Live musical entertainment in Center Plaza Thur. Sun. including the Santa Monica Place Beach Belles from Dec. 13-24. www.santamonicaplace.com/events. ATLANTA -Merry window displays, holiday block parties, a gift-wrapping station and the Buckhead Bake Off. Dazzling art deco décor and holiday lights will thread throughout the district’s winding streetscape, welcoming kids of all ages to join in the celebration. Festive block party Dec.14th from Noon - 4 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, activities and festivities. www.theshopsbuckheadatlanta.com/holiday WASHINGTON DC-Tysons Corner Center offers a Santa Breakfast, Yappy Hour for furry friends and a special Christmas Fitness Event to help work off all those holiday goodies! A special gift guide helps travelers find the perfect present. www.tysonscornercenter.com/giftguide2019 NEWPORT BEACH -Fashion Island invites visitors enjoy a special performance by The Young Americans and visits with Santa in his custom-designed house on the Atrium Lawn through Dec. 24. www.fashionisland.com/personal-shopping. NEW YORK CITY -The 33rd Annual Miracle on Madison Avenue is a cherished tradition, featuring Santa and costumed carolers strolling the Avenue. For further event information, visit www.madisonavenuebid.org/event-information. HONOLULU - Royal Hawaiian Center. View the 34 - foot Hawaiian Holiday Tree, enjoy hula by Hālau Hula ‘O Kamuela and a Hawaiian Holiday Concert. www.RoyalHawaiianCenter.com. ORLANDO - The Mall at Millenia understands that it’s hard to buy gifts for that “First Class Flier”. But they’ve put together fabulous fashion and gift videos at www.mallatmillenia.com. Luxury at its best!

Column Feature Things to Do:

By Kandy Derden, Things to Do Editor

Food Fun

As far back as I can remember, the word ‘eccentric’ has been reserved for people who are either artists or very, very rich. On the eccentricity scale, I am not at the top. Compared to some people I know, I’m not even close. However, I’m working on it. To clarify, I would prefer getting there by becoming wealthy, but in all honesty, I think my chances of success will be better if I utilize creative artistry. It is certainly true that being married to the love of my life is definitely helping me along the way. We frequently plan surprises in an effort to keep things interesting. Just last week I found myself placing a rubber chicken beak on a stuffed Mickey Mouse. While it did prevent boredom, it only brought my status up from ‘unusual’ to ‘unconventional.’ Alas, I was hoping to achieve the ‘off-beat’ level. One year, we put up the Christmas tree in October and played Christmas carols on Halloween. The hardest part was finding candy canes to hand out to the trickor-treaters. I can’t complain too much about confusing holidays because there were several years when I switched the Easter story with the Christmas story. It was certainly not what my Sunday School class was expecting, but once the relevance to each other was explained, it was surprisingly well-received. It’s a pity I can’t say the same

about a creation we called Chinese Tacos. Thankfully, the recipe for that one was declared off-limits decades ago. Speaking of recipes, here’s one which is great for holiday parties. It is easy to prepare ahead of time, easy to transport, easy to eat without needing a plate and fork and quite tasty. PECAN PIE BARS 1 1/3 c. flour ½ c. plus 2 Tbsp. brown sugar, divided 1/2 c. oleo 2 eggs ½ c. clear Karo syrup ¾ c. pecans 2 Tbsp. oleo, melted 1 tsp. vanilla 1/8 tsp. salt In a small bowl, mix flour and 2

Tbsp. brown sugar. Work in ½ c. oleo until dough begins to hold together. Press into bottom of greased 9” pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. In a medium bowl, lightly beat ½ c. brown sugar and eggs. Add syrup, nuts, melted oleo, vanilla and salt. Mix well. Pour over crust and bake 25 minutes or just until edges are lightly brown. Cool. Cut into bars. So there you have it: pecan pie transformed into a bar cookie. Talk about the proverbial square peg in a round hole . . . On the flip side, my version of a round peg in a square hole was the time I made brownies in a muffin pan so that each piece had those chewy edges. Traditionalists might have a problem with these ideas, but I don’t mind a bit. What might seem odd to one person is perfectly normal to someone else. Perhaps it is because I learned to look at things differently, but one thing is certain: I am never bored. Now that I think about it, perhaps some people act eccentric in an effort to prevent boredom. I can live with that. So, for the time being, I will continue to thrive on being unconventional until the day I am able to achieve ‘quirky.’

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Go, The Holiday Do, Entertainment See in the Shoals

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Go, Do, See:

Talkeetna Winterfest

Throughout the month of December, the small town of Talkeetna celebrates all things winter. The event gets off to a roaring start, as the Wilderness Woman competition and the famous Talkeetna Bachelor Auction take place the first weekend of December. In the Wilderness Woman competition, women compete by hauling 5-gallon buckets of water up and down Main Street, try their hand at chopping wood and driving a snowmobile around town and show why they are considered the true Wilderness Woman. Then, that evening, the quirky Talkeetna bachelors are auctioned off to the single women in attendance, for a drink and a dance at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. This rowdy affair raises money for social services and student organizations in the community. Other Talkeetna Winterfest events include the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a mo-

torized parade of lights through downtown and the Taste of Talkeetna, a progressive dinner that highlights the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing restaurants. At the Don Sheldon Community Arts Hangar, the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arts council puts on concerts, revues and drama productions throughout the winter, giving you plenty of options. lkeetna is the staging area for over 1,000 climbers who attempt to climb Denali - formerly known as Mount McKinley - each year, but there are ample opportunities to see this mountain without having to climb it. Talkeetna is also an excellent winter destination, as the restaurants and shops stay open year-round. You can ride the Alaska Railroad to Talkeetna and participate in a hands-on pie making class at the Talkeetna Roadhouse, for example. For More places to go, things to do,

and people to see while in Alaska, > CLICK HERE. November, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -11-

Go, Do, See

Scottsdale

SCOTTSDALE – Struggling to stay warm this winter? Ditch the freezing temperatures and parkas, grab some sunglasses and head to Scottsdale, where the holidays are just heating up here in the Sonoran Desert.

From now until New Year’s Eve, the city is aglow with holiday light displays, ﬁlled with cheer at festive events and most importantly, brimming with resort rates an average of 30% oﬀ peak season February – but with the same perfect weather. Travelers can get to planning and chase away the winter blues at HolidaysInScottsdale.com.

HOT RESORT RATES

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows: With the “Summer Never Stops in Scottsdale” offer, guests can enjoy the perks

of summer with low rates and a waived resort fee, daily breakfast for two, 25% oﬀ services at Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary and more. Valid through Dec. 31, 2019. The McCormick Scottsdale: A holiday vacation just got sweeter at this lakeside resort just blocks from Old Town Scottsdale, with rates from $99 per night. Valid through Dec. 30, 2019. The Bespoke Inn: Celebrate the season in cozy and quaint accommodations, with 25% oﬀ all stays, plus the excitement of being in the heart of downtown. Valid Dec. 1-30, 2019.

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES YULE LOVE

Christmas at the Princess: Discover the place to be for the holidays when you step into a winter wonderland oﬀering ice skating, s’mores roasting, Santa’s Secret Headquarters, Mrs. Claus’

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Corner and more, complete with over four million sparkling lights. Runs Nov. 26 – Dec. 31, 2019. Las Noches de las Luminarias: Get into the spirit of the season by strolling Desert Botanical Garden’s trails lined with 8,000 ﬂickering luminaria bags, set amongst live music and hundreds of twinkling trees and desert plants. Select dates Nov. 29 – Dec. 31, 2019. Scottsdazzle: Holidays shine bright with this month-long celebration of festivals and events – like Sugar Plum Avenue and the Gold Palette ArtWalk – lighting up Old Town Scottsdale. Runs 20, 2019 – Jan. 1, 2020.

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Go, Do, See:

Lights of Ozarks

Fayetteville has three things weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all looking for every holiday season: great food, fabulous shopping, and tons of beautiful Christmas lights. Home to the Lights of the Ozarks on the Fayetteville Square, this Ozarks town is also slightly more likely to get snow. And if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to see snow this year, you definitely want to see it in the Ozarks. Since 1994, Lights of the Ozarks has turned downtown Fayetteville into a sparkling wonderland. Nightly carriages and pony rides, fresh hot chocolate and festive holiday music make the Lights of the Ozarks an event that cannot be missed. The romantic and breathtaking

display of a half- million twinkling lights will be open through Dec. 31. The kickoff opening night begins at 6 p.m. with a Lights of the Ozarks parade. Nightly holiday activities, hot chocolate, and festive music make the Lights of the Ozarks an event that cannot be missed. The Lights of the Ozarks parade is organized by the University of Arkansas Hospitality Management students with support from the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau. The Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission coordinates all other events during the festival. These lights are cherished by the locals and visitors alike that stroll or drive through the Lights of the Ozarks each year. Each year Fayette-

ville Parks and Recreation workers spend over 3,300 hours decorating the Downtown Square with over 400,000 lights. The lights illuminate the square each evening from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Nightly holiday activities, hot chocolate, and festive music make the Lights of the Ozarks an event that cannot be missed. For more information, visit www. experiencefayetteville.com/lights-ofthe-ozarks

For More About Arkansas... >CLICK HERE

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Places to Go:

Along the Coast

winkling palm trees, glistening sunsets, and brisk strolls along the coastline are what make holiday magic in California. To spread the festive cheer, Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of boutique hotels on the Pacific Coast, transforms its select hotel suites into a true winter wonderland escape. From now until December 31, 2019 with stay dates from December 1 through January 1, 2020 visitors will be enchanted by dazzling Winter Wonderland Suites at the charming coastal ambiance of Marina del Rey Hotel, Inn at the Pier, and chic-rustic inspired property, Oceanpoint Ranch. The hotel suites are adorned with whimsical festive dĂŠcor inspired each propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique location. Guests will be able to step inside their guestroom surrounded by snow dusted holiday trees, frosted foliage, golden menorahs, and sparkling festive creations. Patrons can take advantage of celebrating the splendor of the season at Pacifica Hotels through utilizing additional amenities such as $50 dining credit -14- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

and late check-outs ranging from 1 pm to 4 pm. Marina del Rey Hotel: https://www.marinadelreyhotel.com/ Rates starting at $456 Promo Code: MDRHOL Inn at the Pier: Pismo Beach https://www.theinnatthepier.com/ Rates starting at $349 Promo Code: IATPWINTER Oceanpoint Ranch: https://www.oceanpointranch.com Rates starting at $279 Promo Code: OPRWINTER

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For a romantic snowy getaway or a winter wonderland family vacation, destinations across Colorado oﬀer opportunities to create holiday memories to last a lifetime. These holiday travel itineraries will have visitors of all ages dreaming of sugarplums in no time. AURORA -Transformed into a holiday wonderland, Gaylord Rockies features a variety of seasonal activities, live entertainment and grand décor. Gaylord Rockies showcases Colorado’s alpine charm and offers an all-in-one vacation with luxury amenities, eight restaurants, an indoor water complex, spa and salon and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Guests can experience Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a critically-acclaimed Broadway musical and new Cirque adventure wrapped into the ultimate gift for the entire family. Performances begin Nov. 22, 2019 and run through Jan. 4, 2020. Gaylord Rockies also presents ICE!® featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, an experience with two-story ice slides and larger-than-life ice sculptures that tell Rudolph’s story in this winter wonderland carved from more than two million pounds of colorful ice. BRECKENRIDGE - State at the Gravity Haus Breckenr Lodge , a completely renovated ski-in/ skiout hotel located at the Base of Peak and opening in December. The first weekend in December begins Breckenridge’s annual transformation into a sparkling

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holiday scene. The Race of the Santas is a jolly event with hundreds of Kris Kringle look-alikes racing along Main Street. Guests can watch as Santa uses his magic to light up the town for the season. The festive day also includes a holiday dog parade and meet-and-greet with Santa. The Ullr Fest, Dec. 1-15, celebrates Norse mythology and features a downtown parade and bonfire, a town-wide talent show, the Ullr Ice Plunge, ice skating and fat bike racing. Attendees often dress in Viking-themed garb. Choose a scenic sleigh ride or even one that features dinner and a show.

For more on Colorado > Click Here

Things to Do:

Holiday Shopping

DELAMAR Hotels, West Hartford, Southport, and Greenwich Harbor, CT Holiday shopping does not have to be a chore! This fun holiday hotel package features local boutique discounts, complimentary cocktails, spa services and more! Connecticut’s DELAMAR Hotels, known for their unparalleled luxury and distinctive charm, invite couples to indulge in a holiday shopping and spa getaway at DELAMAR Hotels in Greenwich Harbor, Southport, and West Hartford. Holiday shopping takes two distinct forms. There’s shopping for gifts and there’s shopping for festive fashions to wear at family gatherings, office parties and seasonal celebrations. DELAMAR’s Fashion & Beauty

Binge package is designed for the latter. Guests enjoy 10% off select local boutique shops, including some of the area’s most popular retailers specializing in contemporary daywear, professional and special occasion clothing for women. After a day of holiday wardrobe enhancements, guests will receive a 30-minute massage and paraffin treatment at DELAMAR Spa-- Your hands will need it after all of the shopping!

Package includes one-night deluxe king accommodations for two, two 30-minute massages and two paraffin treatments, complimentary full breakfast buffet, valet parking and WiFi, and 10% off select local boutique shops; retailers vary by location. Rates starting from $309. Based on availability. Valid through January 18, 2019. For booking and more information please visit delamar. com.

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Things To Do

Ride the Train

This season, Wilmington & Western Railroad features two holiday train ride themes. On the Santa Claus Express, families are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture a visit with the Jolly Old Elf himself, who greets everyone on the historic first-generation diesel locomotive and offers guests a chocolate treat during a 90-minute round-trip to Ashland. There are only a very limited number of walk-up tickets available for each departure. We suggest arriving at the station early as walk-up tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Thank you for continuing to make this our most popular event each year! This trip is scheduled at 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30 on Saturdays and Sundays only. Tickets are $19 for adults and $17 for ages 2-12. If you’ve already visited with Santa this season and are looking for a relaxing evening excursion instead, experience the 45-minute Holiday Lights Express aboard the Railroad’s heated 100-year-old coaches. The trains are decked out with thousands of holiday lights and passengers are sure to enjoy the many decorated homes along the train’s route. This excursion does not feature a visit from Santa Claus. Santa and his elves visit children only on the Santa Claus Express. This event is powered by one of our historic first-generation diesel locomotives. Time schedule begins at 5 -18- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

p.m. most eventins (6 on Saturday and Sunday) with four one-hour rides available. Reservations are suggested. Prices are only $15 for adulst and $13 for ages 2-12. All trains operate rain or shine. Visit wwrr. com for the schedule of departure dates and times, fares and to purchase tickets.

For more on Delaware, >CLICK HERE

Go, Do, See!



The Historic Coast

ST. AUGUSTINE - As 2019 ends, plan to ring in the new year on Florida’s Historic Coast where there are countless events and happenings to celebrate the end of one decade while welcoming the next. Here are a few ways to finish December strong and start off the new year right. Enjoy Nights of Lights, a brilliant holiday light display that illuminates the entire city of St. Augustine through February 2, 2020. Nights of Lights sets the stage for holiday magic – from the ground to the rooftops. St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights features millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s Oldest City, and it’s free of charge. Performances of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” at the Limelight Theatre are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. A madcap romp through the holiday season! Admission ranges from $20-$26. Make your reservation today. Showing through Dec. 22. https://limelight-theatre.org/ On Saturday, December 14, the Castillo Holiday Open House will feature over 300 years of history. This free evening event includes lantern light, volunteer reenactors, and cannon firings. Between December 18 and January 5, swing by the Venardos Circus to see a new show under their classic red-and-white striped big-top. Shows fea-

ture aerialists, acrobats, comedy, magic, music, and more. This experience combines traditional showmanship with a contemporary touch. Every weekend until Christmas Eve, Santa Claus joins the crew of the Black Raven! That is until Captain Hook kidnaps him and takes him out on his ship instead. Can the children and the crew save Santa? Departure time is 2:15 p.m. http://www. blackravenadventures.com/ Finish the year with a bang at the Beach Blast Off on December 31. Fill the night with family activities from 4-10 p.m. then celebrate the end of a decade with a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. For more information on events this December, visit the Florida’s Historic Coast calendar at https:// www.floridashistoriccoast.com/events/ Click on the picture above to view the YouTube video. Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For more information call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.

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Things to Do:

Celebrate Holidays

Savannah’s a beautiful city yearround, but add holiday lights, cheer and mistletoe and you’ve got a vacation you won’t easily forget. Getting in the holiday spirit is easy to do in Savannah! In addition to the year-round sites—trolley tours, ghost walks, historic house visits, world-class restaurants—that make Savannah special, here are a few just-forthe-holiday highlights in town. Enjoy an Early 19th Century Holiday at the Davenport House The understated taste of an authentic early 19th century holiday season in Savannah is the theme of the historic house’s presentation. Tours explore how the Davenport household celebrated Christmas and New Year’s in the 1820s. Looking for holiday events the whole family will love? Check out the holiday happen-

ings with Savannah Holly Days! Throughout the holiday season, you can attend events like the Tree Lighting spectacular, Savannah’s Lighted Christmas Parade, Boat Parade of Lights, Downtown Holiday Home Tour, cozy carriage rides, City Market’s Kid’s Celebration and so much more! Find out which events you’ll be here to enjoy. Holiday Sights Tour: Enjoy caroling and tales of holiday traditions aboard a festively decorated Old Town Trolley Tour. trolley. Includes a guided tour of the Historic District and tasty treats at the Westin Savannah Harbor. Holiday Evening Tours by Candlelight at The Davenport House: Light refreshments, music and skilled interpreters, who show visitors through the home, are among the highlights of the presentation.

For More information on GEORGIA,

>CLICK HERE!

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Go - Do - See

New Years Eve

SPRINGFIELD -In the Land of Lincoln, kick off your New Year’s celebrations with a night of music and revelry. Springfield’s Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party is back! The Crowne Plaza Springfield & Capitol Radio Group are offering a memorable way to ring in the New Year. Avoid the hassle of trying to make a decision on what to do on the craziest night of the year. Stay overnight and experience the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party in style at the nicest hotel in Springfield! The Crowne Plaza has devoted to making this year’s party even bigger and better than last year. There will be 3 ballrooms of live band entertainment starting at approximately 9PM! You may choose from Captain Geech, Lick Creek or The Collective. Go from room to room to experience them all as you dance the night away. This year we are also adding an acoustical trio, 3’s Company, to get you prepped to have a great night. They will perform in the 2nd floor lobby between the restaurant and bar area from 530pm830pm. At midnight, ring in the New Year with friends and fam-

ily as you toast with champagne. We’ve upgraded the package this year to include: 2 drinks tickets per guest, for use on call brand liquor drinks, draft beer (Coors Light, Blue Moon, and Miller Lite), house wines, soda, hors-d’oeuvres, midnight snacks, breakfast buffet the next morning to include Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar, and late checkout. This year we are featuring a Prime Rib Buffet as an additional option before the party gets kicked off. This buffet can be added as an additional cost at the time of booking. Come Experience the Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party at the Crowne Plaza! Click on the FAQ link at the top of the page for more detail. The Crowne Plaza features 288 spacious guest rooms with 14 suites, all with luxurious bedding, featuring plush duvets, feather pillows, and pillow-top mattresses. Hotel amenities include a fitness center, a 14th-floor indoor pool

and whirlpool, sauna, sundeck with an amazing view of our great city, sundry shop, Hydro Massage Chairs, slot machines and a 24hour business center. Enjoy meals in the Long 9 Restaurant or relax in the Long 9 Bar & Grill. We also offer over 70,626 sq ft of event space fit for any occasion, including conferences, meetings and more. The Holiday Inn Express features 140 comfortable guestroom accommodations at our convenient location just off I-55. Travelers will find all the updated guestroom amenities they need, along with free Wi-Fi and daily hot Express Start breakfast. With complete access to the Crowne Plaza Hotel’s facilities next door, we are in the unique position to offer full-service amenities at a great value. Allow our Express to provide you with a fresh and comfortable stay.

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People to See:

Choirs and the Doo

ome to Holidays on the Circle Saturday, Dec. 14 & 21 for holiday performances, General American Donut Co. treats, The Shop gifts and food trucks from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Listen to winners from B105.7’s Choir Competition and other local acts live on the Circle this Saturday. Then The Doo! band will welcome family and students home for the holidays Dec. 21. Ride the HandleBar with Santa, too! Catch the nightly Signature Salute and holiday presentation from 6:30 - 6:48 p.m. Get ready for a virtual snow globe on Monument Circle as two new elements are soon to be introduced as part of the spectacular Shining A Light. Beginning Dec. 7 and the following two Saturdays, Dec. 14 & 21, Holidays on the Circle will take place from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., programmed by Downtown Indy, Inc. Holiday performances, signature treats and festive music will fill Monument Circle. The events are free and open to the public. The Circle will transform into a snow globe as a holiday video presentation, designed to complement the festive decor, will follow immediately after the patriotic Signature Salute that runs at approximately 6:30 p.m. nightly.

Salute & Special Holiday Presentation - Timing 6:30 p.m. - 10 Minute Countdown 6:40 p.m. - Signature Salute 6:44 p.m. - Holiday Countdown Begins 6:45 p.m. - Holiday Presentation (through Dec. 31)

Monument Circle

Additionally, holiday projections will wrap the buildings encompassing Monument Circle. The event will include signature treats from General American Donut Co., holiday gifts from The Shop and grub from local food trucks. Attendees can take a ride on the HandleBar Santa Express. Themed Holidays on the Circle Saturdays include: Dec. 14: Downtown Indy & B105.7 present Voices of the Community Enjoy entertainment from St. Joan of Arc Choir, Carmel Middle School Choir, Rosie & The Thorns and two soloists from Circle of Lights auditions. Dec. 21: Holiday Homecoming A live band will welcome friends, family and students home for the holidays on Monument Circle. Shining A Light Signature

December 7, 2019–December 21, 2019 Every Saturday, 4:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. FREE Dec. 14: Downtown Indy & B105.7 present Voices of the Community Listen to winners from B105.7’s Choir Competition live on the Circle. Dec. 21: Holiday Homecoming The Doo! will welcome friends, family and students home for the holidays on Monument Circle. Every Saturday, you’ll enjoy… 1) Entertainment and live performances 2)Signature holiday creations from General American Donut Co. 3)Holiday gifts from The Shop 4)Grub from local food trucks 5)Appearances by Santa 6) Free games, activities and holiday merriment!

For more on Indiana, > Click Here

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Places to Go:

Christkindlmarket

DES MOINES - Experience a German-inspired Christmas Market at Principal Park’s Main Lot December 6 - 8, 2019. Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of the holidays as you participate in a 700 year old tradition. Learn about European culture through this holiday tradition! Fifteen decorated holiday trees will be on display for the annual nonprofit Tannenbaum Silent Auction. For the first time, a covered Weihnachtswald (Christmas Forest) will provide a more protected space for the trees and visitors from the weather. Shop regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls. Select from old-world, artisinal, hand-crafted products representing various European cultures.

Enjoy lively performances of polka music, traditional dance and choirs in the entertainment tent. Nowhere in Iowa will you experience such a diverse artistic offering on our entertainment stage.

market Des Moines. This event is free and open to the public. Dates and times are as follows: Friday, Dec. 6: 11am – 9pm Saturday, Dec. 7: 11am – 9pm Sunday, Dec. 8: 11am – 5pm

Participate in children’s activities. Visit the KinderKorner where your kids can hear stories, sing songs, and participate in other cultural activities.

A Christmas Market is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany and Austria but are now held in many other countries. German immigrants brought their Christmas market celebrations to the United States. According to Wikipedia, there are currently 20 Christmas markets held in the United States each year. For more information, visit http:// www.christkindlmarketdsm.com

Sip Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and savor European-style Iowa craft beer. Christmas markets aren’t the same without warm, mulled-wine enjoyed out of a commemorative, keepsake mug! Enjoy bratwurst, candied nuts and authentic German foods. Des Moines European Heritage Association, a 501(c)3, tax-exempt non-profit, produces Christkindl-

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Places To Go:

Little Sweden

LINDSBORG - Join for this wonderful annual event kicking off the Holiday Season! Activities include: Main Street caroling by the Smoky Valley Madrigals Holiday BORGO game with chances to win a Lindsborg Holiday Shopping Spree by spending $50 to $100 in participating businesses. Season of Giving Food Drive Holiday Shoppers will have the opportunity for a free holiday photo downloadable after the event. Lindsborg businesses and galleries will be decked out in full holiday style and ready to help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Enjoy snacking, in-store drawings, and so much Holiday fun! Sunday, Nov. 3 - Sunday, Jan. 5 | Annual Holiday Gift Show | Birger SandzĂŠn Memorial Gallery, 401 N First St | 785-227-2220 Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 AM - 5 PM | Holiday Open House | Downtown Lindsborg | 785-227-8687 Saturday, November 30, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Small Business Saturday | Downtown Lindsborg | 785-227-8687 Saturday, Nov. 23, 1 - 3 p.m. | Wagon Rides with Mrs. Claus | Bank of Tescott, 202 N Main St | 785227-8830

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Things to Do:

At the State Park

The Kentucky State Parks will be ready for the winter holidays this year with special meals, decorations, candlelight tours, entertainment and other special events. State parks are a great place for Christmas and holiday gatherings. The resort parks have restaurants, meeting areas and gift shops that offer unique gift ideas. That includes Kentucky Unbridled Spirit gift cards, which are valid at Kentucky State Parks, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. For more information, call the park. Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas Breakfast and the Grinch, Dec. 9 Get in the Christmas spirit as you enjoy a breakfast of green eggs and ham, visit with the Grinch, make a fun craft, listen to a story, and check out Santa’s House at Barren River Lake State Resort Park! Don’t forget your camera! Limited seating each session; registration required. Spots are available for the 7:15-8:45 a.m. session. Tickets are $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 4-12, 3 & under free. For more details call 270-646-2151. Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas Santa’s House, Dec. 9 Visit Santa in this festive cottage decorated for the holiday season at Barren River Lake State Resort Park. During your visit, give Santa your wish list and tour the cottage. Bring your camera to take pictures with Santa! Free. Open 8:30-11:30 a.m. -26- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

Blue Licks Battleﬁeld State Resort Park Christmas Dinner and Movie, Dec. 22 MOUNT OLIVET - Come out to Blue Licks and enjoy a family-friendly dinner buffet and a Christmas movie. Decorate cookies, enjoy some hot chocolate and watch a Christmas classic. Tickets are $10 a person. Dinner starts at 5 p.m., cookie decorating from 6-7 p.m. Movie starts at 7 p.m. Call 859-289-5507. Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill Breakfast With Santa, Dec. 16 Have breakfast with Santa on Dec. 16 at Carter Caves! Photos start at 9 a.m. and the breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. Story time will follow breakfast. Cost is $13 for adults and $10 for children (includes drink, tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 606-286-4411. Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville Breakfast With Santa, Dec. 16 Santa and Mrs. Claus have made their way to Dale Hollow. Bring your camera and spend the morning participating in holiday-filled activities, including face painting. Special story time will feature Mrs. Claus reading “The Night Before Christmas.” A breakfast buffet featuring pancakes, chocolate gravy and all the trimmings will be available. Call 270-4337431.

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Things to Do:

Cajun Christmas Traditions

Head to St. James Parish for the Festival of Bonfires, in Lutcher This tradition dates back to the 1800s and was a carryover from French and German traditions of lighting bonfires around the holidays. The bonfires are constructed as four-sided wooden plank structures that easily burn bright. The festival is, of course, accompanied by live entertainment, food and even carnival rides. Learn more about the Festival of Bonfires. Lafayette rings of zydeco beats throughout the holiday season at their annual Cajun & Creole Christmas Celebrations. The celebrations include everything from Christmas parades and tree lighting ceremonies, to symphony orchestras, caroling and shopping extravaganzas. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the Noel Acadien au Village in Lafayette to view more than 500,000 lights illuminating the night.

Enjoy nightly entertainment, local cuisine and photos with Santa. View the full Lafayette Holiday event calendar for complete schedules and information. Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana knows how to get in the Christmas spirit. With parades, concerts, fireworks, food and Santa Claus, Southwest Louisiana is the place to be to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.. Discover the 12 Days of Christmas in Sulphur that include holiday theater and concert performances, carnival rides, a holiday market, live music, a balloon parade and the Spectacle of Lights. Have some Community Coffee and breakfast with Santa at the Christmas Under the Oaks of Sulphur Festival. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the Light Up the Lake Christmas Celebration that starts with a street parade through downtown Lake Charles and ends

with a lighting ceremony and Lighted Boat Parade all culminating with a fireworks finale! Get the full calendar of holiday events taking place in Lake Charles and the surrounding area or see the top seven events in Lake Charles. Discover even more Christmas events in Northern Louisiana on the Holiday Trail of Lights. Celebrate with eight cities across central and northern Louisiana. On the Holiday Trail of Lights, there are eight towns to celebrate all the festivities of the season. They create the Christmas spirit with beautiful displays of holiday lights, parades, live music, theatre performances, visits from Santa and more. For more on Louisiana, >CLICK HERE!

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Go , Do, See

Victorian Mansion

PORTLAND - Every holiday season, the Mansion transforms into a Victorian winter wonderland for a six-week celebration featuring decorations by some of the community’s leading and up-and-coming artists, florists, designers, and fellow non-profit organizations to highlight the Mansion’s original 19th century interiors. Today Victoria Mansion contains over 90% of the original interiors including almost all of the original wall paintings by the Italian-born artist Giuseppe Guidicini, a master of the trompe l’oeil (“fool the eye”) style; many surfaces in the house appear to be three-dimensional and warrant a second look. Now in its fourth decade, it has been a long-standing tradition for many in the Southern Maine area and beyond. Along with daily tours, an exciting roster of holiday programming and events are offered including Night of the Nutcracker with Portland Ballet, Stories on the Staircase preschool story hour, and the annual favorite Holiday Gala. The annual Holiday Gala, this year scheduled for Dec. 4, is an elegant evening of celebration and one of the Mansion’s biggest fundraisers of the year. Guests tour the exquisitely decorated Mansion, meet the designers, and enjoy live entertainment, appetizers provid-28- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

ed by the Cumberland Club, and an open bar. Join in the elegance for our annual six-week celebration of ‘Christmas at Victoria Mansion,’ featuring decorations by some of the community’s leading and up-and-coming artists, florists, designers, and fellow non-profit organizations to highlight the Mansion’s original 19th century interiors. This year, for the theme of ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’ celebrating the unique nostalgia of the season, our talented team of designers are: Saco Festival of Trees Design Committee Danny R. Hatt, Don Chouinard & Marcedas Hatt O’Toole / Harmon’s Floral Co. Dodge the Florist/ Clipper Merchant Tea House/ Maine Irish Heritage Center/Dan Gifford Karen & David Cole / Mimi & Mum Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from the day after Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, tickets are $16 for adults, ages 6-17 is $5. https://victoriamansion.org

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Places Go: Go, Do,toSee:

Fright at the Forte Christmas Festival

BOSTON - On November 8, 9, & 10 the Boston Christmas Festival will be held at the Seaport World Trade Center. This award-winning show is the largest arts and crafts festival in New England! There are 350+ pop up shops by American Artisans that come together once a year for these three days only! You can go on a treasure hunt to find handmade, unique holiday gifts, and specialty foods for everyone on your list, including your four-legged friends. Then tuck away a goodie or two for yourself. There will be numerous scrumptious foods to sample, buy and cook with There is something for everyone, and in all price ranges. The

array of handmade products includes stunning jewelry, seasonal decorations, photography, distinctive home accessories, children’s toys and clothes, pet specialties, gifts for the sports minded, specialty foods from over 60 pop-up boutiques and much much more. These are items that will not be found on store shelves, but rather cater to those looking for “something more.” most of the fun from this event comes from the magic of discovering lots of new and interesting treasures. Get your tickets online now for $2 off! If discounted online tickets are purchased, they are valid for any of the three scheduled days. Hours are:

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Friday: Noon - 7 pm Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm Regular Ticket Price is $16 (At Door) Discounted Ticket Price = $14 (Advance Purchase) For more information and a $2 off admission coupon, visit online at www.bostonchristmasfestival. com. This is the final year for holding this festival at the Seaport World Trade Center.

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Things to Do:

Breakfast with Santa BOSTON - Due to popular demand, the annual Breakfast with Santa event at Royal Sonesta Boston will be offered over two weekends on Dec. 7,8, 14,and 15. A favorite holiday traditions, time available is 9-11:30 a.m. each morning. Brighten your season with this extra special holiday breakfast, featuring traditional favorites and sweet treats. Children of all ages are welcome. This special morning includes a seasonal brunch, holiday cookie crafts and a dramatic reading of the Night Before Christmas by Santa himself, all designed to warm hearts and elicit smiles. Children will meet Santa and take home a special gift. To help make this a special moment for all children, we ask that you bring an unwrapped gift to benefit Toys for Tots. For those who want to make a full weekend out of it, whether coming from near or far, the hotel is offering a special “Take the Elevator Home” room rate starting at $99. Nestled along the Charles River where Boston and Cambridge meet, Royal Sonesta Boston offers modern hospitality and stunning views of the Charles River and the Boston skyline. A respected AAA Four

Diamond Award winner, the hotel boasts newly renovated stylish spaces and first-class amenities, in addition to a unique dedication to visual arts. The hotel hallways double as art galleries, featuring original art from many vital and respected contemporary artists. Acclaimed for its vibrant dining options, the hotel features ArtBar Cambridge, Restaurant dante, and Studio, a specialty on-the-go pastry & coffee shop. Royal Sonesta Boston sets the standard for a memorable location, modern design, chic comforts and gracious hospitality. Extend the spirit of the season before or after Royal Sonesta Boston’s Breakfast with Santa event for an entire day of seasonal fun and some holiday shopping at nearby boutiques and national retailers! Enjoy a special guest room rate starting at $99 when booking with promo code SANTAWKD, click here to book. The price for this speial breakfast is $26 for adults, $30 for children, and free for ages three & Under. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breakfast-with-santa-tickets-70768082239

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Things to Do:

See the Holiday Lights

MANKAO - Walk or drive through this glorious display of more than 1.5 million LED holiday lights from now until Dec. 31 located at Sibley Park. This celebration of Kiwanas Holiday Lights for the Greater Mankato area and region builds on past traditions and promotes the communities it serves. At the same time, this organization is using it as a means for raising non-perishable food donations for those in need. There will be ice skating offered with a warming house available. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be offered. Take your

picture with live reindeer and more. There is a different theme listed for each evening. For instance, come Dec. 14 or 18 for Winter Wonderland. Come Dec. 15 for Holiday Cheer. An Ice Sculpture will be demonstrated Dec. 20-21. Come and see the ice sculptors complete a holiday train out of the ice. Once the sculpture is completed, the Kiwanis Holiday Lights team will add lights to the train to make it light up! See a complete list online at http:// www.kiwanisholidaylights.com/ events Visit Santa Friday, Saturday

and Sunday evenings through Dec. 22.Admission is free for all vehicles and walkers. Cash donations are accepted while non-perishable food items are collected each night for area food shelves. NEW THIS YEAR! You can also donate by texting KatoLights to 44321 Regular hours for guests are 5-9 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit online at www.kiwanisholidaylights.com.

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Places to Go:

Bay B

By Kathryn Walls Guest Editor/ www.AmericanRoads.net

100 Men Hall is one of Bay Saint

Louis, Mississippi’s best kept secrets. In 1894, 12 African Americans in Bay Saint Louis created an organization called the Hundred Members Debating Benevolent Association. The group’s main purpose was to “assist its members when sick, bury its dead in a respectable manner and knit friendship.” Each member put up a between twenty five to fifty cents a month and then if disaster struck a member, he or she was given funds by the group to help out. The group grew bigger. One of the men worked on the railroad right nearby. He saw land for sale for $100. They bought it and first built an outdoor pavilion and then in 1922 they built the hall. They did fund raisers to raise needed money and were a popular venue for musicians on the Chitlin’ Circuit to play. Until 1982 it was the heart of African Americans in the Bay. Some of the all-time greats like Etta James, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Ernie Kaydo, Professor Longhair, and James Brown preformed there. It was named a stop on the Mississippi Blues Trail. When you step inside you feel the history. It suffered deterioration over the years. Katrina almost ended it; but Kerrie and Jesse Loyas saved it and restored it. They recently sold it to Rachel Dangermond. Rachael expanded from music to cultural events of every nationality and plans to add writer workshops and retreats. She has plans to restore a shed on the property for an artist in residency. They are doing a Day of the Dead celebration. There will be a Kwanzaa celebration. For Christmas there is a Black Santa. For Thanks-34- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

giving, there is a potluck event where the neighbors are welcome to pop in with their favorite dish to share. The Hall even has its own resident ghost, Richard. Rachel said when the previous owners were there would move a heavy table around and open and close doors. They brought a psychic in and she confirmed that Richard is present but not malignant. She told them to just tell him “Stop it, Richard,” when he manifests. That works. Rachael said she had not seen him but often feels his presence. It was convenient for Black musicians back in the day. The L and N Railway stopped at the depot just a few blocks away. After playing the Hall, a musician could just head over to the depot and hop the next passing railcar to hitch a ride to New Orleans

Blues

or their next gig. Today, the Depot has been beautifully renovated and functions as the city’s visitor’s center. It has multiple claims to fame. It once served as the centerpiece of the film, “This Property is Condemned” starring Robert Redford and Natalie Wood. It is also a museum showcasing the elaborate costumes of its two Mardi Gras krewes, some of the Bay’s history and a museum for the art of folk artist, Alice Moseley. The historic L and N Train Depot is designated a “Mississippi Landmark.” The 100 Men Hall is still operated as a 501 C nonprofit. They still raise money for things like a musician who recently died to be buried with dignity. After all these years, it is still serving its community.

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CAMDENTON - Old Kinderhook’s annual Christmas Village is now open for the season on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Horse-drawn carriage rides are one of the most popular features. Other activities include carols with Santa Claus and his helpers, gingerbread house-decorating stations, fun games, storytelling with elves, s’mores, and bonfires. You can even eat breakfast with Santa on Sundays. The Ice is the only outdoor skating ice rink in Mid-Missouri. The Ice is open for casual skating sessions throughout the week and weekends. Skate sessions are $13 and include rental of skates. Special character nights are featured on the ice Friday nights from 5-9 p.m. Ice skating birthdays are offered as well.

Old Kinderhook is a year-round resort ideal for vacations, weekend getaways, and one-of-a-kind events. Make an extended weekend getaway out of your visit and stay in one of the guest rooms at the resort. Relax and unwind in one of the 84 tastefully appointed guest rooms overlooking Old Kinderhook’s award winning golf course. A blend of units offers king-sized beds with sleeper sofas and others with two queen beds, complete with select amenities to accommodate business and recreational guests. Old Kinderhook offers three unique dining venues located within the resort. The Hook offers quick and tasty meals in a casual setting for those looking to refuel. It is open for breakfast and lunch. The Trophy Room Restaurant provides exquisite

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options for dinner. The Food and Beverage team strives to deliver great food and service which will create a great restaurant experience. Enjoy gorgeous views and a warm ambiance. Executive Chef Andy Raynor’s menus offer options for every occasion. Then join friends and new acquaintances in the Trophy Room Bar for live musicical entertainment every Friday and Saturday night from 7-10 p.m. For more information on the Christmas Village and The Ice, visit OldKinderhook.com.

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Stay & Skate PA C K A G E S

Ice Skating Rink opens Thanksgiving, November 28th

STAY AND SKATE PACKAGE $129 ~ One Night Stay for 2 People $149 ~ One Night Stay for 4 People Guaranteed Noon Room Check-In 4 Ice Passes (Includes Skate Rental Fee)

ACTIVITIES • Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides • Santa & Mrs. Claus • Elf Storytelling • S’Mores around the Fire Pits • Fun Games for the Family

Christmas Village Join us for our

Festivities are November 29th to December 21st every weekend Visit www.oldkinderhook.com for more information.

Visit OldKinderhook.com for menu or reserve your table at 573-317-3560 or OpenTable.com. 12MM on the Big Niangua by water 5 minutes from the Camdenton Square

678 Old Kinderhook Drive • Camdenton, MO 65020 • 12MM on Big Niangua • 888-346-4949 • Oldkinderhook.com •

OldKinderhook

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Places to Go:

Union Station

Open Hours are: Mon: 10 a.m.-5 p.m./Tues: 10 a.m.-8 p.m./Wed-Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m./Sun: 1-5 p.m. It’s the most wonderful time of the year at The Durham Museum! Christmas at Union Station is back for another season of festive fun. From the region’s largest Christmas tree to holidays around the globe and visits from Santa himself. Santa visits the Durham on Sundays, 1:30 - 4 p.m. until Dec. 22, Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m on Dec. 10 & 17, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Dec. 21. Make sure you plan a visit and see the big guy before it’s too late to get on the nice list! This long standing tradition has become one of the top holiday destinations in the region. Admission is $11 for Adults/$8 Seniors (62+)/$7 Children (ages 3 - 12)/Free Children 2 years & under. Visit https://durhammuseum. org/christmas-at-union-station/ for a schedule of events.

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Go, Do, See

Nevada holidays

LAS VEGAS - Santa’s Wonderland is the ultimate free family Christmas event. The magic returns to Bass Pro Shops beginning Saturday, Nov. 16 and continiuing through Tuesday, Dec. 24 Families are invited to enjoy this free enchanting Christmas village including free 4×6 studio-quality photos with Santa and free family holiday activities including fun crafts and games. Features include rustic Christmas cabins, holiday characters and live elves set amongst a dazzling backdrop of snow-covered hills and illuminated Christmas trees. The Santa’s Wonderland Christmas village offers remote control trucks, laser/ foam toy arcade, Lincoln Logs building area and much more. Kids can also enjoy free crafts, coloring stations and write a letter to Santa.

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Guests can reserve their free visit and photo with Santa using the free Bass Pass system. Visit the Bass Pass Ticket Depot located at the entrance of Santa’s Wonderland to pick up a time-stamped pass. Guests can register online for a digital Bass Pass to see Santa, allowing them time to explore Santa’s Wonderland or shop while they wait. Updates and reminders will be sent via text messages. In addition, Bass Pro Shops stores are designated toy drop-off stations for Toys for Tots. Families that bring a new toy to donate Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 will receive a FREE premium photo package valued at $20. For more information, hours and details visit https://www.basspro.com/ shop/en/santas-wonderland

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Winter Break at The Glen House

Go, Do, See:

GREEN’S GRANT- This award-winning 68-room hotel at the base of Mt. Washington is ready to greet skiers AND their dogs for another great winter in the White Mountains. Man’s Best Friend is always a welcome guest at The Glen House. For those who’d just like to come and chillax with their canine companion in front of a cozy fire while gazing out at the Presidential Range, there’s the Winter in the White Mountains package, which is 20% off the best available rate throughout the winter. Just ask for a dog-friendly guest room* and bring a loyal four-legged companion along for fun in the snow. For travelers who really want to get out and play, now’s the time to take advantage of the new Ski & Stay package, a two-night deal that comes with two adult 2-day lift tickets to Wildcat Mountain Ski Area and/or Attitash Mountain Ski Area, which are just a short drive from The Glen House. To get fueled up for a great day on the slopes, the hotel is adding a daily $30 credit to The Notch Grille for breakfast. Enjoy the Great Outdoors at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center Guests of The Glen House can do more than ski the slopes and take their favorite pooch on a

wintery walk. Every guest of the hotel gets access to complimentary Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snow Tubing and Fat Biking at the adjacent Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. There’s 45 kilometers of classic and skate groomed trails at the base of Mt. Washington as well as groomed and backcountry trails for snowshoers. The Snow Tubing is the traditional walk up/slide down style while Fat Biking is available any day that snow conditions allow. Equipment rentals are available for an additional charge. To really experience a White Mountain winter, guests can ride the 12-passenger Mt. Washington SnowCoach four and half miles up the snow-covered Auto Road to tree line at approximately 4,200 feet on the 6,288 foot mountain, the highest peak in the Northeast. Take the SnowCoach back down or cross country ski, telemark or snowshoe down the snow-covered Auto Road to the hotel. SnowCoach tours last approximately 1.5 hours and depart daily, weather permitting, December through March. Reservations can be made online. Après Ski at The Glen House At day’s end, The Glen House extends a warm welcome at the bar, which was recently named “The Most Beautiful Bar in New

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Hampshire” by Architectural Digest. Sit in the great room by the towering fireplace and views of Mt. Washington and neighboring peaks. Or opt to catch sunset from the deck, which has a fire pit for après ski enjoyment, and let the pooch have one more run in the snow. Tired skier muscles can relax in the indoor saltwater swimming pool. Dinner at The Notch Grille is a welcome feast of comfort food favorites like Lobster Mac and Cheese, Bacon Wrapped Seared Scallops and Mediterranean Pasta (note that menus are seasonal and subject to change). Ski & Stay Package •Two night stay • Two Adult 2-Day day lift tickets • Daily $30 credit per room to The Notch Grille for breakfast.•Complimentary Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snow Tubing and Fat Biking •Starting rate from $239 per night • Valid Dec. 13 to March 20, 2020. *Note that there is a nightly pet fee of $20. \https://theglenhouse.com/

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Places to Go:

The place to celebrate the holidays from Thanksgiving up until Christmas; this monthlong family event kicks off on the Sunday after Thanksgiving with Santa’s rooftop arrival and welcome ceremony. The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green will once again bring the magic and the wonder of the season to the town’s famous Green. Decked out in holiday finery, the Morristown Green will become a wonderland of nostalgia during the month-long festival. Family activities and entertainment add to the dazzling “Lighting of the Green” ceremony with brilliant lights and wreaths adorning streetlights town-wide – a 100+ year tradi-

tion! Each weekend throughout December thousands of attendees from all over Northern New Jersey visit and enjoy Santa visits and photos, holiday crafts, miniature train rides around the Green, gingerbread house & ornament making, music by local choirs and entertainers, ice sculpting demonstrations and free treats! Ice sculpture demonstrations, a vintage-style rocking horse and rides on a miniature train will all return to delight the children while families bask in the glow of thousands of dazzling lights. The evening will continue with from 5:45 to 8 p.m., with seasonal entertainment and hot chocolate and cookies, courtesy of event

sponsors. All activities and Santa visits will continue noon to 7 p.m. each weekend through December until Christmas Eve. New this year, Santa photos will be FREE with a current receipt from one of the following restaurants: Mega BBQ on Spring Street or End of Elm, George & Martha’s American Grille and the Grasshopper Off the Green, all three located on Morris Street. (Note: receipts must be for a minimum purchase of $10 and within 24 hours of Santa visit)

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Go, Do, See

Swim through a River Story and photos by Kathleen Walls Publisher/editor www.americanroads.net Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reason the Travel Channel cites Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden as one of the top 12 in the country. It is composed of an array of garden scenes winding through more than 1.5 miles of paths through formal and whimsical gardens. Their River of Lights occurs nightly from December 1-23 and December 26-30 makes the holidays a perfect time to visit this natural paradise. The aquarium on the same property makes it a two for one treat.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Gardens covers more than 1.5 miles of paths through Old World Walled Gardens, Mediterranean Conservatory, Desert Conservatory, Camino de Colores, Rio Grande Heritage Farm, Sasebo Japanese Garden, Curandera Garden, Butterfly Pavilion, Railroad Garden, Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fantasy Garden, Dragonfly Sanctuary Pond, Cottonwood

Gallery, and the BUGarium. In December it transforms itself into a River of Lights. You step into a gate decorated for the holidays and then enter a archway leading to the gardens that is covered with greenery and bright Christmas lights beckoning you into a wondrous world of plants. You travel past a lake with a fountain. The outer gardens leading to the tall conservatory are mainly desert plants such as cactus and prickly plants but once inside the glass enclosed replica of a flying saucer honorbuilding beautifully colored flow- ing the legacy of nearby Roswell, ers from all over the world greet New Mexico. you along with desert plants. Orchards and flowers that are so brightly colored and perfect you might think they are artistic reproductions. They are not. They are real plants showing off wondrous pinks and oranges against the green foliage. Outside again you arrive at the Japanese garden with more formal settings. The Rio Grande Another represents a typical Heritage Farm displays old piec19th century New Mexico family es of farm equipment as well as a inside their pueblo preparing to barn. There is a garden of herbs celebrate a holiday meal. called El Jardin de La Curandera Throughout the garden holiday or Healers Garden. It honors the lights are set up preparing to custom of the curandera, a healer, transform the garden into a River usually a woman, found in alof Lights. most every New Mexico village, who used her knowledge of herbs Aquarium to heal and cure villagers. Just inside the Aquarium enThe Garden displays sculptures trance you see a 1950 Hudson both old and modern as well as as it passes over the Rio Grande plants. One interesting one is a at Central Bridge. A big part of

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r of Lights in Albuquerque

what the aquarium does is bring together historical and present day aquatic life in the Rio Grande and throughout the aquarium in showing results of pollution on our sea life. The aquarium is divided into many sections besides this section, Rio Grande at Central Bridge. There is Atlantic Coral Reef, Eels, Gulf Coast Gallery, Inside the Wreck, Jellies: Aliens from the Sea, Pacific Coral Reef, River Otters, Salt Marsh, Sea Turtles, Shallows & Shores, South Pacific Gallery, Southern stingrays Touch Pools and the ever popular Shark Tank. There is even an exhibit about the people who earn a living from the sea where you get a glimpse of life on a shrimp boat. The displays are large and filled with many different fish and water dwelling animals. The Moon Jellies tank is interesting. It is in a dark room with a light inside the large round tank highlighting the

umbrella shaped jelly fish as they swim around the tank. Dainty little seahorses seem to dance around their tanks while the Manta rays seem to fly. The touch pool offers a way to really get a feel for sea life. One fascinating display shows how sea life makes use of sunken ships. The encrusted sides provide food and shelter for fish. Many of the ones in this tank are nocturnal. Because of this they have large eyes to see well in the dark and are often reddish in color as red is one of the first colors in the spectrum thus becomes less visible after dark. There is an otter pond but unfortunately the two inhabitants, Chaos and Mayhem, were taking a break somewhere underwater

when I visited. The aquarium is well done. For example when you go to the Atlantic Coral Reef exhibit, you enter through a tunnel that appears to have you underwater traveling along with fish that inhabit the region. You step out to face a large glass tank where you can observe the multitude of fish that inhabit the Atlantic. Both Atlantic and Pacific Coral Reef displays show the dangers there delicate and beautiful life forms are facing. Throughout the aquarium there are educational placards telling of the environmental damage things like plastics and oil spills are doing and steps we can take to help prevent the destruction of these precious and beautiful life forms. These are just two of the treasure Albuquerque offers to visitors both for the holidays and anytime you travel there.

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BRONX—The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) announces tickets to the upcoming Holiday Train Show® and Bar Car Nights. The Holiday Train Show Runs from Nov. 23 through Jan. 26, 2020. This year’s show will showcase Central Park’s Iconic Architectural Treasures —with its landscape fashioned in mosses and hollies—in the 28th year of this much-loved holiday event. Visitors to New York City can explore the actual Central Park in Manhattan and then take a 20-minute train ride on Metro-North Railroad to NYBG, entering a miniature wonderland as model trains zip through an enchanting display of more than 175 New York landmarks, each re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. On select evenings, Bar Car Nights will offer after-dark viewing of the exhibition for adults 21 and over, along with food, specialty cocktails, live entertainment, and more. New replicas of Central

Park’s iconic architectural treasures will include Belvedere Castle, the Dairy, the Old Bandstand, the Angel of the Waters sculpture atop the Bethesda Fountain, and two graceful pedestrian bridges. They will be arrayed in a tableau with existing Central Park replicas in NYBG’s collection, including the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater. In addition, famous New York buildings that are either adjacent to the park or just inside it will be on display, including the Plaza Hotel, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space, part of the American Museum of Natural History. This year, the Holiday Train Show will be presented in an immersive indoor winter wonderland adjacent to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory as the Conservatory’s palm dome undergoes restoration, part of the routine maintenance and operations of the Botanical Garden’s facilities. The spacious, climate-controlled exhibition

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space will be located on the Conservatory Lawn. The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants located at Bronx River Parkway and Fordham Road. It is easy to reach by Metro-North Railroad, bus, or subway. It is open Tuesday–Sunday, and Monday, December 16, 23, 30, and Jan. 20, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Extended hours, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Dec. 26 and 29. The Garden is closed Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving) and December 25 (Christmas); it closes at 3 p.m. on December 13 and 24 (Christmas Eve). All-Garden Pass tickets start at $23 for adults and $10 for children (ages 2–12) and differ during weekends and holiday weeks. Members and children under 2 are free. Advance timed tickets are strongly recommended and are available at nybg.org. or call 718-817-8687.

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Places to Go:

Don’t miss the annual Tanglewood Park’s Festival of Lights featuring the drive-thru light display, A gift village, and Santa himself. CLEMENS - Through Jan. 1, light up your holiday season by experiencing more than a million twinkling lights—one of the largest holiday light displays in the Southeast. Hours open are 6-11 p.m. Tanglewood Park’s rolling countryside transforms into a shimmering Winter Wonderland featuring more than 80 light displays. Ride along to festive tunes on the interactive musical displays playing original compositions from the UNC School of the Arts music technology students. For added charm and excitement, festival attendees can also enjoy the light show on a tractor-pulled hayride or horse-drawn carriage. Horse-drawn Carriage Rides with our professional staff will take you and up to three guests for a ride through the Tanglewood Festival of Lights. Experience the light show in the comfort of a traditional white carriage drawn by a Percheron horse. Carriage rides are scheduled by reservation only. Call early for reservations while

they last. Lowes Foods has brought back the marshmallow cooking experience to Festival of Lights with S’moresville! This long-loved family tradition is located in the Gift Village, right outside the Gift Shop. Do your holiday shopping at the Gift Shop located at the Red Barn. The Gift Shop is located approximately halfway through the light show route. Here you will find holiday crafts, wood workings and other fine gifts made by local artisans. Don’t forget to visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and their special helpers. Santa will be at the show until 10 P.M. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Friday and Saturday hours are from 5:45 P.M. until the Gift Shop closes. Santa will offer hard copy and digital images. Visits with Santa are ALWAYS Free. They’ll be poised and ready for the perfect holiday picture. The cost is $15 per family vehicle. Running of the Lights (Dec. 31st) Start off the New Year with a race through the Festival of Lights at midnight! See website, http://www.forFor more articles syth.cc/Parks/ on North Carolina, Tanglewood, for >CLICK HERE ticket details. December, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -47-

A Taste of Christmas

At the Historic Lyme Village

Sample delicious foods of the season as you visit each of the decorated buildings located in this historic village on Dec. 14 from 2-8 p.m. The annual event is hosted by volunteers of the nonprofit Historic Lyme Village Association, which represents life in the Firelands from the arrival of the first settlers between the early 1800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to the early 1900â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. All a-glitter, there are also activities planned to help ring in the holiday. The kids can visit the Merry School House to write a letter to Santa (aka Father Christmas). Next, they can stop by the Lyme Post Office to mail it. Then they can visit with Father Christmas himself at the John Wright Mansion. Believe it or not, he will already know what was asked for!!! The path is lighted during evening hours to set the glowing holiday atmosphere. Within The John Wright Mansion are Christmas decorations, appropriate for the time period. This second Empire Victorian home was built between 1880 and 1882. The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When Wright decided to build the present house, he chose to employ the Second Empire style of architecture. This combination was quite unusual: Second Empire houses are found far more often in urban settings, and massive residences of the style are very rare on farmsteads in the region. Each year, Victorian Christmas dinners are held only two or three evenings in December with a particular theme to fit the occasion. This year, the decorations are Morovian to match the theme. It takes as many as 35 volunteers to successfully present these six-course dinners. These formal dinners have become so popular, reservations are reequired and should be made very early in the year. The meal, however, is worth the wait. The John Seymour House, an 1836 Greek Revival House, was used as a stop on the Underground -48- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

Railroad. The village is home to 14 other 19th Century buildings including log homes, barns, one room school, general store, town hall, and the Detterman Log Church. The village also has the Schug Hardware Museum and the National Postmark Collectors Museum and Research Center. The gift store willl be open during the Taste of Christmas. On Dec. 28, tours of the mansion and village will take place from noon to 5 p.m. A cafe will be open to offer beverages, cakes, and cookies. Again, admission is $6 per person with children, for and under free. Admission is $6 per person. Those ages under four are free. For more information, visit www.lymevillage.org

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Things to Do:

See the Lights

t just can’t be Christmas without the glittery, festive holiday light displays. One of the most popular in Ohio is in the Harrison Smith Park, located in Upper Sandusky. Through the volunteer efforts of many individuals, organizations and businesses in the community, the 33 acres of this park becomes a spectacular show with different scenes each year. This year’s featured display is “The Pastime of Life” sponsored and created by Diamond Rollup Door. Each year, a commemorative postcard is handed out to each visiting vehicle from Dec. 2-5, while supplies last. The photo on the postcard will be of the featured display. For the early birds who just can’t wait until December, a kick-off “Fantasy Walk” is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 (weather permitting). This is a free event with cash donations being accepted which benefit all Wyandot County food pantries. The opening ceremony will be held at 6pm at Santa’s House. Come and watch the park light up! Since 1997, Harrison Smith Park, just east of downtown Upper Sandusky, is transformed into a fabulous light show for the month of December. A donation of $5 per car is requested and the proceeds will benefit a local charitable organization that is selected annually. For commercial vans, the suggested donation is $15 while tour busess are $50. Horse-drawn carriage rides through the park are very popular and are enjoyed several nights during the season. The rides are by reservation only and are sold out for this year. Reservations began October 1 and all available rides were booked by mid October. For more information about the Fantasy of Lights, please feel free to call the Wyandot County Visitor’s Bureau at 419-294-3556 or check out our website at www.uppersfantasyoflights.org. Like us on Facebook where we keep all weather announcements up to date. December, 2019 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -51-

Places to Go:

Sandusky County

andusky County is full of community events, fun places to visit and has a wide variety of educational programs. During the holidays, schedule an extended weekend getaway and experience all the special activities offered at Spiegal Grove, estate of President Hayes. Go exploring at the Wilson Nature Center. Drive through the Winter Wonderland lights display at the fairgrounds. During the weekend of Dec. 13-15, the Bellevue Society of the Arts is presenting “BACK HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS,” a gathering of friends and family celebrating the Christmas season with songs and stories. Being held at the Hirt Theatre, this production is a sequel to 2006’s HOME

FOR THE HOLIDAYS, and 2012’s HOME AGAIN FOR THE HOLIDAYS. On the same weekend, Kids Days will be celebrated at the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums. From 1-2 p.m., kids can create a Christmas craft and discover Victorian Christmas traditions, including how the Hayes family would have celebrated the season. The fee is $3 for kids through age 12. While there, be sure to view the holiday operating model train display. It runsthrough an intricate Victorian holiday scene. Interactive buttons allow visitors to control aspects of the trains’ movements along the winding, multi-tiered, 12x24-foot layout. Prefer to wait until New Year’s Eve to visit Sandusky County? In

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honor of the county’s bicentennial to be celebrated throughout 2020, the theme for the evening will be “Party Like It’s 1820!” The featured entertainment at the Elks Lodge will be by the Classic Trendz. With open seating and a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres will be served and a midnight champagne toast will be presented. The fee is $20 per person. For information on more activities for the holidays, check out the listings on the next page and event calendar online at www. sanduskycounty.org.

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Things to Do:

Relive Old English Charm at D by Beverly Kerr God bless us every one! Those words of Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” ring out over Cambridge, Ohio each holiday season as their downtown is magically transformed into Dickens Victorian Village. Charles Dickens would have enjoyed walking Wheeling Avenue in Cambridge, Ohio during November and December. The downtown becomes Merry Olde England with scenes from Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” as well as those that portray life at that time. Stroll down the street as you view the 94 scenes with 164 life-size mannequins dressed in Victorian style. They can be found under every lamppost for five blocks. Read the brass plaques to discover the connection to Charles Dickens and Victorian times. The Dickens Creative Team refurbishes the scenes each year working from February through October. Repairs are made on everything from damaged clothing to problems with the framework. The small details they include with hats, capes, and jewelry make the scenes come to life. This year a special book has been created for Dickens Victorian Village by a local writers’ group, Rainy Day Writers, with pictures and stories of each of those 94 scenes. Pick up a copy for a great memory of your visit back to Victorian times. Stop at the Dickens Welcome Center and Curiosity Shoppe to learn more about the events taking place each weekend. Here you will also find Imagination Station where guests can dress in Victorian costume and have their pictures taken with the figure of Charles Dickens himself, or in front of a beautiful Christmas tree. Fourteen years ago Dickens Victorian Village -54- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

began and has been expanding ever since. Enjoy the small-town flavor of unique shops, home-style food, and local holiday events from November 1 through January 1. Everything for a happy holiday feeling is happening in downtown Cambridge. Notice that small town glow from the unique gift shops that line the main street. Stop at the locally-owned restaurants for old-fashioned home cooking. Review the schedule in the Visitors Guide to find special events such as Victorian teas, Dickens Marathon Book Reading, musical shows, trolley rides and others that you might enjoy. Have a Dickens of an experience!

Dickens Victorian Village

evening with families who want to sit back and enjoy the show. Children dance on the lawn as the music plays. Many families have made their visit a family tradition year after year. If the weather is cold, you can sit in your car and turn the radio to a local station to hear the music from the warmth of your vehicle. Before heading home for the evening, stop at the Courthouse Holiday Light Show. This spectacular show begins each evening at 5:30 and goes on continuously until 9:00. There are over 60,000 lights synchronized to holiday music with an entire hour of different programming that makes this an extra-special attraction. Benches on the courthouse lawn are filled each

Visit their website at www.DickensVictorianVillage.com for a calendar of events to find just the right time for your family to visit. Mark your calendar now for a step back into Victorian times to catch the holiday spirit. Believe in the magic of Christmas!

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Places to Go:

Light Up Middletown

Light Up Middletown, celebrating its 20th year in existance, is a fantasy drive-thru light display in Middletown, Ohio’s downtown 100 acre Smith Park. We’re open 6-10 PM every night through New Year’s Eve regardless of the weather, including all holidays. Santa and Mrs. Claus,will be on the premesis every Friday and Saturday, from 7-9 p.m. through Dec 21. Get yur momento photo with Santa for a cash donation. Enter through the tunnel of lights to enjoy a sparkling fantasyland. Several themed displays include a floating Sea Serpent in the reflecting lake, Santa’s Workshop, American Flag, Penguin Village, Deer Leaping Over the Road-

way, Helicopter, Whales and much more – all with thousands of twinkling LED animated lights. The fun expands every year. Motor Coach Tours are welcome. All arches over roadways accommodate buses. Presenting a spectacular light display is not all that Light Up is about. With the donations received at the gate and the many business sponsors thru the years, several upgrades have been made available throughout the area. The organizations mission is to continue making needed improvements, while at the same time, make Middletown the hub of holiday activity. For more information, visit online at http://www. lightupmiddletown.org.

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Go, Do, See:

Winterfest

TULSA - Step into a magical winter wonderland with a spellbinding trip to Tulsa’s Winterfest. This annual holiday tradition, held in the heart of the downtown area, sets the season aglow with everything from an astounding 44-ft. tree decked out with over 35,000 lights to cozy horse-drawn carriage rides along the streets of T-town. ARVEST WINTERFEST returns for its 12th year on Nov. 23. The seasonal celebration provides entertainment and activities for 44 days this year, giving everyone a chance to enjoy skating beneath Tulsa’s skyline. In addition to the 9,000 square foot outdoor ice rink, the brand new WINTERFEST EXPRESS train has rolled in from the North Pole. Fueled by FOX23, it is free and open for all ages. Hop on the train as it chugs along outside of Winterfest every Saturday before Christmas Eve from 12-3PM. Make your way to the BOK Center, the enchanting epicenter of Winterfest, for live entertainment, a holiday-themed marketplace and candy canes. Free entertainment takes place on the outdoor stage adjacent to the rink beside the glass icon wall of BOK Center. Mark your calendars for the festival’s stunning parade of lights. Festivities run through the -58- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

New Year. http://tulsawinterfest.com/ While in Tulsa, visit the free 45-minute Bethlehem Walk a guided walk through a realistic living nativity scene. A cast of over 150 members of Tulsa’s Christview Christian Church in authentic costumes, detailed sets and a wide variety of live animals including camels, donkeys and sheep bring the story of Jesus Christ to life this holiday season. The story unfolds in a beautiful outdoor setting complete with a lighted path for safety. Each visitor to Bethlehem Walk will become a member of a family that travels to Bethlehem to be counted in the census and pay their taxes. Guests will encounter Roman soldiers, beggars, lepers and even a host of heavenly angels along the road to Bethlehem. Each person has their tax papers stamped before being allowed into the city, which is alive with activity. Shopkeepers and dancers in the streets welcome each guest and visitors will learn about the life of Jesus Christ through a dramatic presentation. Enjoy an exciting and entertaining pre-show and free refreshments after the walk. Reservations are recommended for this free event. For more information on Oklahoma,

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Go, Do, See:

SILVERTON - Enjoy an immersive holiday event at the based on a traditional European-style Christmas Market, where you can experience the sights, sounds and smells of the season. Christmas in the Garden is nestled into a ten-acre forest within the 80-acre Oregon Garden. Its remote location makes it a charming event venue, and takes a little extra time to get to. Stroll through the forest to experience one million lights, while sipping a warm, spicy gluhwein. Winding through the forest is dotted with merchants, food booths, fire pits and games. Guests are welcome to visit and take their own photos with Santa for a suggested $2 donation. Santa’s schedule will be 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday: Nov. 29 – Dec. 16 and daily: Dec. 17 – 23. Santa’s House will be located just past the main entry this year. Follow the signs to the North Pole and look for the

large heads of reindeer! Feast on a variety of international dining options from pizza to fondue. Explore participating market vendors and find the perfect Christmas giftf Enjoy music from choirs and cozy up to a wood-burning fire pit. Those who are more adventurous will enjoy ice skating or snowless tubing, while the rest of the crew can relax and watch from the comfort of the fully-covered, heated tents. The event is designed for friends and family to linger, enjoy time together and experience the traditions that make this time of year so special. Make it an Extended Weekend Winter Getaway because Christmas in the Garden is adjacent to the Oregon Garden Resort. Resort guests enjoy on-site parking, expedited event entry, and the opportunity to stay awhile and enjoy all that downtown Silverton has to offer. Book your 2019 Christmas package now!

The new Kid Corral is a covered, floored, and fenced-in play area where toddlers can break free of their strollers without the worry of them running off. When the little ones have had enough, but you’re not ready for the fun to end, head up to Frosty’s Family Room in the Resort. There is a kids menu featured, coloring, holiday movies, and a full lounge menu and bar for the grown ups. In the event of extreme weather like ice, wind or lightning, for the safety of our guests and staff, we may choose not to open or shorten our hours. Join us December 15th & 22nd for our Dinner Theater events held in the heated family-friendly Biergarten, 2:30-5pm. For more information, visit online at https://christmasinthegarden.com/

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LANGHORNE - At Christmastime, Sesame Place is transformed into a one-of-a-kind winter wonderland with millions of twinkling lights and festive decorations all around. This holiday celebration features appearances from everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends. Make magical winter memories at the Merry Marketplace, located in Oscar’s Wacky Taxi™ courtyard. Enjoy tasty treats of the season including specialty hot chocolate and kettle corn, as you browse unique gifts and holiday items. NEW FOR 2019 – Take a step into our all-new immersive snow globe photo experience, sponsored by Dasani®! Families can enter the 12-foot winter wonderland-themed globe for a unique photo opportunity! At the center of our 1-2-3 Christmas Tree show, is a 30-foot fully-illuminated pixel-based tree, that will project festive animated images while guests can dance along to festive hol-

iday soundtrack – all making for the ultimate light show experience! Sing along at three special Christmas shows and take a train ride tour through the Twiddlebugs’ Gingerbread Cookie Factory on the Sesame Place Furry Express! Don’t miss the fantastic Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade with music and dance moves that will have everyone dancing along and joining in the fun. Be sure to visit Santa’s Furry Workshop for an elf-guided journey to meet the jolly man himself, Santa Claus who will be here through January 1! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is spending the holiday season with us. The lovable reindeer along with his friends Clarice, Bumble and Sam the Snowman (NEW FOR 2019!) will be available for photos with guests in Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland. The fun doesn’t stop there; try your luck by playing our two games of skill! Open through Jan. 1, the cost of

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tickets are Free for children under 2; $52 for children and adults 2+ Save 30% online and visit any operating day before Jan. 1. PLAY - Free child admission with each paid adult! Black Friday Special: Save 70% on our Christmas 2-Day Ticket. Valid for two visits 11/23/191/1/20.*** STAY - Book a minimum one-night stay at a Sesame Place Oﬃcial or Partner Hotel EAT - Kids eat FREE when you reserve Christmas Dine with Elmo and Friends with your hotel package** For more information or to reserve tickets, visit https://sesameplace.com/ philadelphia/events/a-very-furrychristmas/

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Places to Go:

The Dickens Christmas Show & Festivals is a unique national award-winning event comprised of a multitude of shopping and entertainment options, for individuals and groups alike. Visit the Victorian Holiday Marketplace held in the 100,800 sq. ft. exhibit hall of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. this year the event is scheduled for Nov. 14-17.

Dickens Christmas Show

Here against a Victorian Holiday background, one will find hundreds of period clad vendors hawking everything from jewelry, gifts, toys, arts and crafts, gourmet foods, holiday décor, and much much more. There probably is truly something for everyone on your holiday list. For full event details & to purchase tickets visit dickenschristmasshow.com. One-third of The Dickens Christmas Show is dedicated to Non- Profit Run Festivals. Each festival is created around the Victorian Period and its’ Age Old Holiday Traditions. All of the Magnificent Pieces that create the Festivals are for sale, by Silent Auction at the Show. To make things even more intriguing, an assortment of Gift Certificates of all kinds, Show Tickets, Restaurant Vouchers, and so Much More, come with each of them, creating an even more Irresistible Ensemble! Back by popular demand is the “The Victorian Snow Globe Challenge” with a chance to win 100 presents and “Scrooge’s Hunt for the Missing Presents” which will both be held on the show floor for any one that chooses to participate. -62- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees is a 37 Year Old Festival, comprised of Fifty Fabulous Christmas Trees in various Styles, Shapes, Color Schemes and Themes from Classic Red and Gold to Sports themes, Santa themes, Toy themes…you name it. Each year the Trees seem to get more Beautiful. 100% of all the Tree Sales, go to Coastal Carolina University’s “Life Program”. The Life Program is a fabulous, four year, post- secondary education and transition program for adults who have mild to moderate intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. It prepares the students with the life skills they need to work and live Productive, Independent Adult Lives.

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Things to Do:

To Celebrate Chr

By Michelle Dickerson Visit Clarksville, TN CLARKSVILLE – Ahh, the holiday glow. You know, the lights – twinkling lights that make everything sparkle and create that once-a-year comforting, luminous glow. If you’re searching for that in a destination, you’ll find it in Clarksville, Tennessee. This historic city 40 miles northwest of Nashville sparkles as millions of lights adorn the city’s Cumberland RiverWalk and downtown city center.

Christmas on the Cumberland, on Tuesday, November 26. Over one million lights in captivating displays illuminate the half-mile walk along the river. Special crafts, dances, choirs and other activities will take plan on December 9 and 16. This free event has become a treasured tradition for residents throughout the region. Christmas on the Cumberland continues through January 1 and is open Sunday-Thursday from 5-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5-11 p.m. Kicking off the holiday season “A Christmas Carol” is featured for Clarksville is the opening of at the Roxy Regional Theatre in -64- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

the heart of downtown. Charles Dickens’ most recognizable story is a regional favorite. A Christmas Carol sees Ebenezer Scrooge, an aﬄuent curmudgeon who places personal wealth above the happiness and comfort of others, come to understand and show love to others with the help from his visitors, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. The special Christmas production runs through Saturday, Dec. 22. For performance dates and times, or to purchase tickets online, visit roxyregionaltheatre.org.

ristmas in Clarksville

Downtown Commons Winter Ice Rink returns to Clarksville for its third season. Downtown Commons is now open for ice skating. Admission for ice skating will be $10 per person, which includes the cost of renting ice skates within a specified time block. The ice rink will be open weekends and other designated times through January 20. For dates and times, visit facebook. com/downtowncommonstn. Drive Thru Christmas Lights at the Clarksville Speedway through January 1. Enjoy over one mile, and over a million lights, from the comfort of your car. See admission and special discount nights at clarksvillespeedway.com. Erin’s Farm is ablaze with Christmas activities. The seasons kicks off with WinterFest on Sunday, December 8. The day includes hayrides and hot cocoa, food, activities and crafts for the kids, smore making, and family fun and games. You can also select and cut your own fresh Christmas tree on Friday-Sunday, thru Dec. 15. Also during this time,

the farm hosts glass blowing workshops where you can blow your own glass ornaments. A gift gallery carries a variety of local artisan produced goods, crafts and artworks. Visit their website at erinsfarm.com for workshop schedules. The city’s 60th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. Winding its way from Austin Peay State University through historic downtown, the sights and sounds of this event will thrill the young at heart of all ages. SpiritFest, now in its fourth year, is a pre-parade event that includes a bounty of free activities. Visits with Santa Claus, rides on the Polar Express, inflatables, live music, art and gift markets, food trucks and a live nativity with animals begin at 2:00 p.m. on December 7. Visit fpcclarksville.org/spiritfest_microsite/ for more info on parking and schedules. More than 20 trees decorate the rooms of the historic Smith Trahern Mansion during Trees of

Christmas. now open from 2 -5 p.m., Each tree in this display is designed and decorated by a local club or organization. The exhibit is open through Dec. 20. Call (931) 6489998 for details. Learn how our ancestors celebrated Christmas during the Civil War at A 19th Century Christmas at Fort Defiance Interpretive Center on Saturday, December 14 with two sessions at 3:00p.m. and 5:00p.m. Santa will be on-site to read The Night Before Christmas, and guests will enjoy period refreshments, parlor games, reenactors and caroling. Attendees must register in advance for a 3 or 5 p.m. time. If you’d simply like to sit back and enjoy the sites, our downtown area restaurants have a picture-perfect seat for you. Enjoy a fresh-fromscratch meal or local brew and enjoy the view of illumination. Start planning your holiday getaway at visitclarksvilletn.com or download our handy app to customize your trip.

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Things to Do:

Flip The Switch

ADDISON - Holiday fun for the whole family begins Friday, Nov. 29, when the Vitruvian Park transforms into North Texas’ most spectacular holiday destination. Located West of Midway of Spring Valley, Vitruvian Lights will feature more than 1.5 million sparkling LED wrapped around 550 selected trees and will be turned on during a special “Flip The Switch lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public, guests will enjoy live music by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra. Take FREE photos with Santa. Have the kids write and send letters to

the big guy and even pet Santa’s reindeer.Other classic holiday characters will be on hand. When hungry, you can purchase goodies from the gourmet food trucks. Once the switch is flipped by Mayor Joe Chow, the lights will remain on every evening from 5 – 11 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2020. Enjoy additional performances during FREE Magical Nights of Lights celebrations from 6-10 p.m. on: Saturday, Dec. 7, with Phat Strad and Saturday, Dec. 14, with Sonny’s Holiday. Both nights will feature Santa and his reindeer, holiday characters and a letter-writing station.

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Admission to the daily outdoor events are FREE and open to the public. Event Parking is $10 cash-only and available at the following locations; Alfred J. Loos Sports Complex (3815 Spring Valley Road, Addison, TX 75001), and Vitruvian Park (Bella Lane Parking Lot & Ponte Avenue Parking Lot). Mingle with family and friends, dance and sing along to your favorite holiday songs, enjoy the food and beverages. Make this a must attend every year! For more information and performance schedules, visit: https:// www.udr.com/vitruvian-park/ vitruvian-park-events/

Places to Go:

Christmas Village

Woodstock is the Christmas Village In Vermont That Becomes Even More Magical Year After Year There is a draw to Vermont when it’s approaching the most wonderful time of the year, and there’s a good reason for that. Warm lights glow from houses decorated with festive cheer while the snow blankets everything with a perfect winter white. So where should you go to experience all this quintessential charm? The answer is simple, really. Anywhere in Vermont! However Woodstock is bursting at the seams with charm. So without further ado... Often named one of the prettiest small towns in America, the village of Woodstock becomes the ultimate holiday destination during its annual Wassail Weekend. The nonstop schedule of fun includes multiple concerts, craft fairs, a holiday house tour, parade, community yule log, and much more. This year’s event is scheduled Dec. 13-15. As you pass through the village stores swathed in garland and lights that twinkle like stars, step inside the ones that catch your eye for a touch of warmth and shopping. Throughout the town, you’ll find pottery/glassware, sweet confections, local cheeses, piping hot coffee, beautiful clothes, curated home goods, antiques, and locally-made wares perfect for holiday presents. Historic village homes appear to be something right out of a fairytale – and you can tour them inside and out. Visitors will travel door-to-door via a horsedrawn wagon to walk the bedecked halls of Woodstock’s most charming homes.

Step back in time with Christmas at Billings Farm! From 10 AM – 4 PM, walk through the 1890s farmhouse dressed in historic holiday splendor, catch a farm exhibit, craft your own authentic ornaments, take a refreshing sleigh ride (Sunday only), and more! Tickets are $4-$16 depending on age, available at the door.

Wassail Weekend at Billings Farm! Immerse yourself in the traditions of a 19th century Vermont Christmas,

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Places to Go:

Loudoun County

An extended weekend getaway to this destination puts everyone in the heart of Americana, offering adventure with a scenic backdrop, a ménage of boutique wineries and craft breweries, complimented by farm-to-table and celebrity-chef cuisine. Visitors can experience the true spirit of the holidays in Loudoun where the historic towns take them back to a quieter time, making family and the magic of the season the center of festivities. Here are a few upcoming Holiday events for your review: Lighting of the Vines: Celebrate the spirit of the season along with drinkable spirits, as well as wine, beer and cider at Bluemont Vineyards. Visitors can sip on featured tastings and continuous libations. Catoctin Creek Distilling, Dirt Farm Brewing and Henway Hard Cider will offer up their wares too, while mingling over handcrafted hors d’oeuvres and visiting stations by Bluemont Vineyards’ talented culinary team. The highlight of the night is the dazzling illumination of 10,000 vines as they magically come to life under the spectacular night’s sky. Artisans will have holiday wreaths on display for a silent auction with all proceeds going to support The Arc of Loudoun. The vines will be illuminated until New Year’s Day, January 1, 2020. Middleburg Hunt: Christmas in Middleburg is particularly famous for the annual Christmas in Middleburg Parade. Visitors and locals will witness the spectacular parade down Middelburg’s Main Street with over 150 men in full hunting attire and riding horses leading over forty hounds. Afterwards, children head to Santa’s Workshop for animal encounters, crafts and caroling, while parents indulge in a very merry progressive food and craft beverage experience throughout town. Salamander Resort & Spa: Salamander Resort & -68- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2019

Spa is located in Middleburg, Virginia, at the heart of the horse and wine country long associated with Washington, D.C.. Known for its fox hunts, lavish parties, elegant estates, and vineyards, Middleburg dates from pre-Revolutionary times and boasts more than 145 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The resort hosts several events for its guests who come to celebrate the holiday spirit including Santa Brunch and Holiday Cookie Decorating. In addition, guests have the chance to meet the sweetest member of the team, Cupcake the miniature horse! This miniature horse has a big personality and hangs out in the Living Room to greet guests and welcome them to their home-awayfrom-home every Friday and Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Leesburg Christmas: The historic downtown of Leesburg is a reveler’s delight, featuring a parade, tree lighting ceremony, entertainers and carolers in period dress, serenading the streets. Christmas in Purcellville: Visitors kick off the holiday season at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Purcellville Town Hall. Festivities will include a Holiday Lights Tours, the Christmas Parade, Holiday Festivities at the Historic Bush Tabernacle with a Lego train display, face painting, family-friendly activities, live music, pictures with Santa and an ornament workshop at the Historic Train Station. While enjoying all of the Town’s hometown holiday festivities, local shops and restaurants, be sure to keep an eye out for decorative custom, hand-painted ornaments and the winter-wonderland scene throughout Town. For more information in Virginia,

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Things to Do:

Fright Before Christmas

DANIELS - The Resort at Glade Springs announces a new Christmas themed haunted attraction to take place on Friday the 13th of December. The Fright Before Christmas, a one night only event, will take place at the new Fright Nights location which launched in October 2019 inside Glade Springs. “Our goal is to give the community something new and exciting to do on Friday the 13th.” says Ashley Long, Creative Director at The Resort at Glade Springs. “Christmas themed haunted attractions have become more and more popular across the country and we have the unique ability to host a one night event that people will remember right here in southern West Virginia.” The holiday haunt will feature 4 different themed sequences that all transition into each other. Evil elves, scary snowmen, and the famous Christmas monster Krampus will all be a part of the terrifying experience. Guests will also have the option to get have a professional photo taken with Krampus: The Beast of Christmas. Tickets are expected to sell quickly for the one night only event which already has over 1,000

interested guests on its Facebook event page. More information about The Fright Before Christmas can be found at frightnightswv.com. The hotel and resort are set in the midst of a gorgeous 4,100-acre property in the lap of the Appalachian Mountains! Our premier, full-service West Virginia resort, specializes in golf, ski, fly-fishing, and offers a mindboggling variety of other recreational activities, as well as 200 lodging rooms for guests in West Virginia. The resort features a stateof-the-art conference center, a beautiful wedding venue and group lodging facilities for meetings and family reunions. On site are three championship 18-hole golf courses, an indoor leisure center, full-service spa and salon, world-class fly fishing, boating, miles of hiking and biking trails and so much more. This premier full-service resort offers a unique combination of recreational activities and upscale accommodations, making it a perfect getaway for escaping everyday life.m/ For more places to go, things to do, and people to see in West Virginia

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People to See...

Krampus

EAGLE - Move over Santa, Krampus is coming to town! This mischievous holiday creature from Central European folklore is just one of the many traditions that will be explored December 7 and 8 at Old World Wisconsin’s “An Old World Christmas.” Guests will immerse themselves in engaging and interactive experiences inspired by holiday customs brought to the state by the diverse cultures that helped shape the traditions many Wisconsin families continue to practice today. Old World’s 1880s Crossroads Village will be decked in holiday greenery and full of buildings bustling with holiday prepara-

tions. Guests can help prepare Vanocka, a traditional braided bread; listen to live music, carols, and hymns; learn about holiday traditions like St. Nicholas and English Boxing Day; enjoy a scenic horse-drawn ride; take a photo in Santa Claus’ Victorian workshop and in front of the largest Yule Goat in North America; and visit with a few of the site’s four-legged residents in the barns. Remember to watch out for Krampus, who will be wandering around the site taking selfies with guests. Hot beverages are available for purchase. “An Old World Christmas” will also be held Dec. 14-15. Admission is $12, ages 5-12, $9. Ages 4 and

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under are free. “An Old World Christmas” would not be possible without the generous support of the Old World Foundation. Old World Wisconsin documents the settlement of 19th- and early 20th-century Wisconsin. It comprises an 1870s crossroads village and 10 ethnic farmsteads located on 576 acres of wooded hills in the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest. https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Event/ EV6680

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Places to Go:

First Holiday Festival

SEATTLE/PRNewswire -Lumaze Lost in Lights -- an all-indoor Christmas festival and market -- is making its debut this holiday season at Pier 91 on Seattle’s new Waterfront. From Nov. 28 to Jan. 5, attendees can escape the winter elements and enjoy nearly 100,000 sq. feet of beautiful twinkling light displays set inside Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. The festive environment. is fully enclosed --family, date and friend friendly-- and comes complete with a Christmas market, interactive light maze, food, beverage and live entertainment. There’s something for everyone. “It’s the ideal place to plan annual holiday get-togethers and parties or celebrate birthdays or anniversaries. We love to provide our guests with an environment where they can create memorable moments and new traditions.” said Lumaze Seattle Event Supervisor, Kristi Savoy.

What to expect: • Illuminated structures perfect for family photos and #selfies • Interactive activities and festive playgrounds to entertain kids for hours • Plenty of options for adults to kick-back at bars and enjoy seasonal beverages and live music • Holiday market with artisan vendors where guests can take care of their shopping list • Local culinary options from Seattle’s sought-after food trucks • Suggested arrival times to keep entry waits to a minimum • Ticket control to ensure the event is never too crowded • Parking shuttle to and from designated event lots “We use local vendors for the marketplace and food and beverage options, and engage local charities, organizations and entertainers to ensure the event is uniquely Seattle.” said Savoy. Admission for adults starts at

$19.99 with discounts for family, seniors, military, and weekday admissions. Children under three are free. Pass benefits include unlimited visits, flexible no-hassle rescheduling, along with a 56 percent discount on ticket prices for the whole family. Lumaze Lights Seattle will run Nov. 28 to Jan 5. See website for specific hours Lumaze brings people together to laugh, stroll and play under the twinkle of a million lights. Lumaze also gives back to the communities they operate in by creating fundraising opportunities during the event. Local vendors and entertainers, charities, sponsors and ambassadors interested in the event may apply online. Lumaze is also being held in Pittsburgh Nov. 29 to Jan. 4. Visit https://www.lumazelights. com/ for more information. For more in Wyoming

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BarnettPRO DBA: Weekender Extended 71 Plymouth Street Plymouth, Ohio 44865

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Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Plymouth, Oh Permit No 71