Extended Weekend Getaways Magazine - December 2021 Issue

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Table of Contents Places to Go: Jurassic Quest

By Sheeree Oney P. 6

Things to Do: Make Holiday Treats

By Kandy Derden P. 8

People to See: Santa

By Lisa Rhoden Garcia P. 10

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The Weekender Extended Magazine is Published Monthly by BarnettPRO Publishing Corp. 15 East Main St., Shiloh, OH P.O. Box 96, Shiloh, OH 44878 Branch office: 1515 W. 3rd, Sedalia, Mo 65301 PHONE; 419-687-0002 Email: info@barnettpro.com

Up Close: From the Editor

Publisher - Michael D. Arnold mike@barnettpro.com Editor-in-chief - Kathy Barnett kathy@weekenderextended.com Managing Editor - Norman Reed Norm@weekenderextended.com

Why did it take so very long for Christmas to arrive when I was a little girl? I can remember waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more. It seemed like it would never get here. Now there aren’t enough hours in the

editor@weekenderextended.com Places to Go Editor: Sheeree Oney Places to Go Team: Rebecca Embry Samantha Bradley Kelley Ramsey Things to Do Editor: Kandy Derden Things to Do Team: Geremy Sowash Beth Cantrell

Jake McFarlin People to See Editor: Lisa Garcia People to See Team: Lisa Brant Angie Offenburger Social Media Editor: Geremy Sowash Visit our Website for event coverage between regular issues at www.WeekenderExtended.com Subscriptions are FREE! Submit name and email address HERE and also be entered in our drawing for a FREE weekend getaway!

Copyright 2021 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.

day or days in the week to get everything done that needs to be done. Looking at my calendar (which is full of scribbles) I have decided I need at least two more months to complete all my “to do” tasks on my list of lists. But alas, There just isn’t that much time between today and December 25. So something will have to give.

Should I omit baking my favorite sugar cookies or the homemade fruit and nut bread? Should I drag out all the decorations or settle for one wreath on the door? Is it more important to wrap all gifts in paper suited for each individual or will gift bags do? Hand-written Christmas cards in the mail or an email letter to all contacts? Decisions, decisions. . .

What I do know is this issue is one of our biggest yet and I am thankful for all the help I had in making it possible. There were just simply too many places to go, things to do, and people to see for me to cover alone.

I am so pleased to announce the addition of two new dedicated travel writers that plan to contribute to our 2022 issues.

Renee Gordon shares her love for history, travel, and education with her articles as a columnist for the Philadelphis Sun Newspaper. Her philosophy is “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” Her articles are found on pages 34 and 42.

Robin O’Neal Smith also joins us from Pennsylvania as a freelance writer and owner of Expert Content Creation. Her article on the first Walmart in Arkansas may be found on P. 44.

For me, I still plow my way through my “things to do” list. However, I do have a Christmas dance recital to attend as two of my granddaughters are performing. Then we will go to lunch and I will let the list “go hang...”

Cover Photo: Christmas at the Seiberling Mansion in Kokomo, Indiana will continued through Dec. 31 from 1-4 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday. Photo is

by Paula Goff.

See P. 61 for article.

Have a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kathy Barnett Editor - in - Chief December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -5-

Places to Go

By Sheeree Oney Places to Go Editor

L

oved by millions, Jurassic Quest is kicking off its fall tour by launching a TBHIRD touring show for the first time ever – meaning more families than ever before can visit the age of the dinosaurs! Watch for upcoming cities and show dates here: https://www.jurassicquest.com/ upcoming-events Jurassic Quest is touring with its most beloved and unique experiences for the whole family including more than 100 life-like dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratops” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions, photo opportunities, and more.

Visitors walk through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods to see the dinos that ruled on land, and “deep dive” into the “Ancient Oceans” exhibit to come face to face with the largest apex predator that ever existed – a moving, life-size, 50-foot-long megalodon! Meet the babies, hatched only at Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex and Trixie the Triceratops – and, you may even catch one of our star dino trainers: Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick or Park Ranger Marty!

The Jurassic Quest herd of animatronic dinos – from the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes with movement and sound, allowing guests to experience them as they were when they roamed the earth billions of years ago. Jurassic Quest works in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers, drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and ancient giants of the sea looked and moved.

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the Earth and sea millions of years ago. Jurassic Quest is the largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibition in North America. Developed with leading paleontologists, each dinosaur has been painstakingly replicated in every detail including the most realistic likenesses, movement and sound. Whether their prehistoric counterpart had skin that was scaly, feathers or fur, Jurassic Quest has spared no expense in bringing the dinosaurs to life. Jurassic Quest produced 96 multi-day events in 34 states and Canada and sold over one million tickets in 2019, and has hosted over

2.5 million fans at its Jurassic Quest Drive Thru® touring throughout the country since June 2020.

For more information and tickets visit www.jurassic quest.com •Spokane, Wash., Spokane Convention Center: Dec. 3-5 •Cleveland, Ohio, Huntington Convention Center: Dec. 3-5 •Detroit (Novi), Mich., Suburban Collection Showplace: Dec. 10-19 •Seattle-Tacoma Area, Washington State Fair-

grounds: Dec. 17-19 •Jacksonville, Florida, Prime F. Osborn Convention Center: Dec. 17-19 •Los Angeles, Calif., Los Angeles Convention Center, Dec. 29-Jan. 2 •Edison, NJ, New Jersey Convention and Expo: Dec. 29-Jan. 2 •Hartford, Conn., Connecticut Convention Center: Dec. 29-Jan. 2 More cities scheduling soon. Visit www.jurassicquest.com/subscribe-now for preferred tickets.

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Things to Do:

Time to Prepare Festive Holid

I recently read an article about commonly used expressions in the movies. If you enjoy romances, you might hear, “I love you.”

Those who enjoy scary stories would be more apt to notice, “Run for your lives!” And don’t forget about the western genre where it was commonly announced, “There’s a new sheriff in town.”

There are many more, but let’s stop and consider a modern update of that last one. Of course, there is an unbelievable number of variations to this phrase. In my case, it would be, “There’s a new copier in the office.” This wonderful machine is truly indispensable for office work, even in a location which is in the process of becoming paperless.

I expected a reaction from most of my coworkers, but I was surprised by the wide variety of responses.

Some appeared oblivious to the fact that it was a different machine while others didn’t care because they never use it. There were one or two who tried to learn how to use it by poking around a bit before giving up in frustration. I didn’t have that luxury. I needed it to work. I really missed the old machine which was quite user-friendly. True, with the old one, no matter how gentle we tried to be, it would groan, make some interesting clacking and whirring noises before finally spitting out a faded, crooked and ‘nowhere near’ exact copy of the original, which BTW, it ate during the process.

I didn’t think I was asking for much. I just wanted to load paper,

make a few copies and if needed, enlarge the print. The first time I tried to use this new copier, I noticed the screen was larger than the old one. So far, so good. However, that was where things slowed down. This machine with an attitude began to flash commands with abbreviations of what to do where.

Now, this was where the problems really began because there was no sign of any labels anywhere. As a pure fluke, someone walked by who knew where to load the paper. And it is no exaggeration to say, it was not where anyone would expect it to be.

After a solid month of dealing with a machine which clearly considered me to be the enemy, it was decided we needed a training session. Ya think? Of course, we need a training session. We needed it when this thing arrived. Why wait this long? So, I rearranged my schedule to make sure I could attend. I made note of several questions I wanted to ask and a list of things I wanted to make sure I learned. I even took a pen and paper so I could take notes. The others in attendance? All two of them were only concerned about one thing; this silly machine had a tendency to spit out a blank piece of paper between every page they printed. Paper reduction act? Not with this machine, my friend.

The trainer bounced around from topic to topic like the ball in a pinball machine for several minutes before announcing that the problem was with the operators and cer-

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tainly not the fault of the machine.

Riiiiiiight. Are we talking about the same machine which you need to know how to operate in order to get to the operating instructions?

In retrospect, that trainer is probably still rolling her eyes at my ineptitude. She finally told me, “It’s just like your phone. It can do anything.” Really? Imagine my surprise to learn copiers can make calls, send texts, take photos, play music, and access the internet?

Who knew?

After training I finally approached that machine with trepidation only to find no medium rare

day Treats

By Kandy Derden

Things to Do Editor

or additions it is easy to customize to your taste. There are two versions of this but I combined them to create the perfect combination of crunchy, creamy and chewy.

SNICKERS SALAD

button on it anywhere. As a joke, I mentioned this to a coworker in an email and the answer still makes me giggle. He replied, “The moment these copiers start popping out steaks is the moment I decide this is my forever job. I’ll keep an eye out for the temp options!!”

Nothing so far, but I’m still hopeful.

Until the day that happens, I guess I’m going to have to stick with non-cooked recipes. I recently found one which I like for several reasons. For starters, it tastes good plus it is easy to make and with a few simple substitutes

4 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 (3.4 oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding mix 1 c. milk 2 c. whipped topping, thawed 4 small Granny smith apples, chopped 6 Snickers bars, cut into bitesized pieces ½ c. caramel sauce In a large bowl, stir cream cheese to soften. Add pudding mix and milk. Fold in whipped topping.

Add the apples and candy pieces.

Mix gently. Chill. Drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.

Some of you may be asking why I am including a salad recipe this time of year. It is simple really.

Even though it is not your typical Christmas menu item, in this season of heavy holiday foods it is quite refreshing to find a light, tasty and festive salad. Festive?

Absolutely! The colors are easy to achieve by using a combination of both red and green apples. Want more color? Add some red and green M & M’s.

Let’s discuss some other options. If there is a concern about a peanut allergy, substitute Milky Way or 3 Musketeers bars instead of the Snickers or Baby Ruth bars. The flip side of that would be those who want peanut butter with everything. In that case, add

Reese’s Fast Break bars. Payday bars would add a saltier flavor but would eliminate chocolate if necessary. Feel free to get creative by adding coconut, pecans, marshmallows, dried cranberries or caramel bits. As you tinker with it to create your perfect combination, remember this recipe can very easily be adapted for use as a dessert also.

I recently heard of a family who established a new Christmas tradition; they decided to try something new every year. I like that idea!

For me, this year it is the new recipe listed above. For the record, the person who told me about this recipe gave me a copy which was duplicated on a copy machine.

Yes, I’m still focused on that subject, but I figured if Erma Bombeck could write an entire column about an empty soda can, I could get some mileage out of that training session half hour which I’ll never get back. At this point, I can truly appreciate the concern caused by the announcement of a new machine in the building.

So, what really is the most often repeated phrase in every genre of the movie industry? Not I love you. Not run for your life. And certainly not there’s a new copier in the office. Nope. None of these.

And the winner is . . . (insert dramatic pause here) . . . one with which I can certainly work.

It can be applied to kitchen duty when you need to get in, get done and as the movies so commonly phrase it, “Let’s get out of here!”

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Santa C

People to See COOKIES WITH CAPTAIN SANTA

LOUISVILLE KY - Take a cruise with Saint Nick during Cookies with Captain Santa! Come aboard as the Mary M. Miller transforms into a winter wonderland for you and your family to enjoy! This family-friendly event includes a meet-and-greet with Santa, cookies and hot cocoa, a holiday goody bag for each child, and plenty of festive activities to get you in the holiday spirit. You’ll have two chances to experience Christmas magic on the River – Saturday, December 4 and Saturday, December 11. Each cruise is from 12:30 to 3:00 P.M. Find more information and get your tickets here!

Waterskiing Santa

ALEXANDRIA VA - Dec. 24, at 1 p.m. Admission: Free Alexandria’s Waterfront: Waterfront Park (1 King St. and 1A Prince St.), Alexandria City Marina (0 Cameron St.), Founders Park (351 N. Union St.) and Point Lumley Park (1 Duke St.) Now in its 36th year, this favorite D.C.-area Christmas Eve event returns to Old Town Alexandria. Gather along historic Alexandria’s Potomac River waterfront for a spectacular show by Waterskiing Santa and his merry crew. The prime viewing area is Waterfront Park (1 King St. and 1A Prince St.), with more great views from the Alexandria City Marina (0 Cameron St.), Founders Park (351 N. Union St.), and Point

Lumley Park (1 Duke St.). Come early to see the pre-show (on jet skis). https://waterskiingsanta. com

Santa Cruises In

VERMILION OH - On Nov. 27, Santa arrives on Scarlet, the bright red boat. A uniquely Vermilion tradition, watch as Santa, cruises the Vermilion River beginning at 10AM aboard Scarlet, the bright red Christmas Boat arranged by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce. Captain Edwards and Elva will also be on board ready to share a special story about a Vermilion Christmas during Story Time with Sid. The boat pulls into East Exchange Park landing at 11AM where hot chocolate from Martino’s International and sweets from Miss Kitty’s and Dunkin’ Donuts await along with a chance to take your own photos. We’ll also celebrate the winners of the Vermilion Arts Guild Christmas coloring contest, too.

Lunch with Santa is served later that afternoon Quaker Steak and Lube at 2PM. Reservations not necessary. For more information call, 440.967.3724

Tea With Santa

GLADE SPRINGS, WVa Things are a little different this year because of the North Pole Pandemic. But you’re still invited to experience the ever popular Tea with Santa.

Meet a variety of lovable characters such as Crispy the Ginger-

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bread Man, Frosty, The Grinch, the ever playful elves and Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves in this fun, interactive banquet. Decorate cookies and indulge in our famous hot chocolate as well as Holiday Appetizers & Treats to fill your bellies.

It’s been a tough year for all of us! We still want to bring the magic and spirit of Christmas to you and your families. Tea with

Claus

By Lisa Garcia People to See Editor

the door.Dec. 3rd 5 and 7p.m. $35 adult/ $25 kids 3-12

Parade With Santa

KOKOMO IN - Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas parade through Main Street in downtown Kokomo on Saturday, Dec. 4. There will be plenty of holiday cheer with lighted floats, marching bands, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. The parade starts at 6 p.m. Kids can visit with Santa after the parade in Santa’s house on the Courthouse Square.

Photos With Santa

Santa will accomplish just that! If you enjoyed Tea with Santa in the past, you’ll absolutely adore this new dinner experience featuring all of your favorite Christmas Characters.

This event can and will sell out.

Seating will be very limited. This event will be held in The Rotunda at The Resort at Glade Springs.

Please purchase your tickets early. There will be no tickets sold at

SCOTTSDAL AZ - Join Santa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where the young and youngat-heart can have family photos taken with Kris Kringle himself while meeting a few of his favorite friends along the way and taking the super secret elf pledge. Available nightly through December 24, the Santa Experience includes: *Up to 8 people per reservation *Meet and Greet with Santa and his elves *Santa’s Elf Pledge *One Digital Photo (Personal photos and videos are allowed and encouraged)

Saturday Night- Santa and Holiday Market

SAINT CLAIR, MO - Saturdays are extra festive at the Grove of Lights! The big man himself; Santa, will be onsite Saturdays, December 4th, 11th, and 18th to visit

with the kiddos and will be available for photos ($5 fee for digital photo) from 6pm-8pm.

Stick around after your walk through the lights and visit our Holiday Pop-Up Market! More than a dozen vendors will be showing and selling their creations, including soaps, teas, jewelry, toys, and more. Shop small and support your local artists this holiday season.

DANCING SANTAS!

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration is back this year with even more showstopping talent! December 3-23, head to Hilbert Circle Theatre for the beloved tap-dancing Santas, Broadway-style showstoppers, Sandi Patty, Jack Everly with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and new this year, T.3, the tenor trio known for their time on America’s Got Talent. https://www. indianapolissymphony.org/event/ yuletide/

Disney Springs Santa

ORLANDO, FL - Share your wishes and dreams with Kris Kringle at the Marketplace Christmas Tree Trail in Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney. Santa is already there and waiting for you to arrive, he is happy to meet you from 11 a.m. until 11p.m. Check-in at the podium with one of Santa’s little helpers and give your mobile number for text message.

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Get The New Mus If Every Day Could Be Christmas

By Frank Myers With many #1 award-winning songs to his credit, Grammy Award-winning songwriter, Artist and Producer, Frank Myers, has released what industry tastemakers call a new Christmas Classic, The feel good tune was written by Frank J Myers, Gary Baker and Anthony Little, produced by Jimmy Nichols and Frank Myers in Nashville. Frank had his first single hit with “You and I” for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle which stayed number one: four weeks country, number two for six weeks AC and number six for four weeks Pop. You can download and > View HERE

Deluxe Edition-An Old Time Christmas Randy Travis Deluxe edition of his classic Christmas album featuring three never-before-released songs. The album, originally released in 1989, is certified Gold by the RIAA and is the first Christmas record Travis ever released, kicking off his longtime association with the Holiday season. The Country Music Hall of Fame member has had countless songs become Christmas standards and has been featured in movie classics like “Annabelle’s Wish” and “A Holiday to Remember.” Availableat www.RandyTravis.com. Travis celebrates his 35th Anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on December 11.

Songs of December Paul Anka This 10-year anniversary edition features all the treasured favorites from the original record, plus two new songs for fans to enjoy. A true holiday classic, the record features lush romantic versions of popular Christmas songs hand-picked by Anka himself such as “Let It Snow,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” all re corded with a full orchestra. New songs are “You and I Together (No Gift Could Be Better),” and “Winter Wonderland.” Listen on your choice of music service at https://lnk.to/PA-SongsOfDecember

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sic of Christmas Wrapped Up In Your Arms for Christmas

By EXILE American Country Rock band and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Members, Exile, will reissue their legendary Wrapped Up In Your Arms For Christmas album through a deal with Time Life just in time for the Christmas holiday season. For the first time ever, the multi-award winning album will all be available on all digital platforms. Wrapped Up In Your Arms For Christmas is available for streaming on all digital music platforms at https://smarturl.it/vop8k7

Take Me Home, Country Roads Mary Sarah Country singer-songwriter charms fans with the release of her festive version of John Denver’s “Take Me Home...” Mary Sarah excites listeners for the holiday season and ties in sentimental “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” vibes through her beautiful voice and cheerful spirit. Mary Sarah channels nostalgic yet joyful emotions with the addition of jingle bells to her delightful southern sound. This unique rendition of the popular song is the perfect tune for country music lovers to add to their Christmas playlists and is available to download and stream on digital platforms now! >MORE

Kingsize Manger

By Josh Turner With his first-ever Christmas album now released, he has embarked on a supporting tour called “the Holiday & The Hits Tour. King Size Manger was a family affair for Turner. His wife and four sons are featured on the album, joining him on the classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Though getting to call the family into the studio may have been fun, the country star says the project wasn’t easy.

“Making a Christmas record can be a mighty daunting task for an artist,” Turner says in a press release. “There are so many songs to choose from and there’ve been so many versions of those songs throughout history. It can be intimidating ...” Listen >Here.

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Last Minut Naughty Fruit Basket Mexican inspired dried fruit that is all-natural and travel-ready. Chewy, sweet, tangy, delicious and 100% raw! Perfectly ripe pineapple, mango, apple, and fruit medley meets the tang of lemon, chili and salt in convenient resealable pouches. A great stocking stuffer. Holiday Gift Baskets are packed with Teton Valley’s finest treats. This collection was handpicked and every piece was handcrafted with love in every bite from neighbors and good friends at the base of the Tetons. Can ship anywhere in the United States! https://www.naughtyfruit.com/

City Bonfires & S’Mores Kits This is a great idea for those traveling for the holidays and spending a night in the city. A cozy way to spend an evening around a “campfire for memories.”

City Bonfires is a portable bonfire handmade with non-toxic materials in Maryland by two cool dads impacted by the pandemic. They now are warming hearts nationwide with six holiday editions of their mini bonfires, perfect for celebrations and gift-giving.

Price: From $24.95 https://citybonfires.com/

Snugglecubs Cookies In New Mexico, Christmas Eve and luminarias go together like chocolate and mint. Our seasonal Christmas Eve cookie features a double chocolate dough and pieces of real organic candy canes. Grab a mug of hot chocolate, a few of our Christmas Eve cookies and get snuggly! Only available for a limited time!

Available in a Cuddle Box (1/2 dozen) and 1 or 2 dozen.

Price: $14.99 (1/2 dozen) https://www.snugglecubscookies.com/

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te Gift Ideas Wind Blox | Focus Biking Ear Covers TThe new Wind-Blox Pro has a low-profile and patented rim-to-clip design that sets Wind-Blox Pro apart--it stops over 80% of wind noise, allows cyclists to keep the sounds they want, is very simple to attach and maintain, is technical looking, and has a reflective label for greater nighttime visiblity. The Pro works well for adjustable-clip helmets, is 10 cm long, 2 cm wide (in use) and weighs 0.4 oz.

Price: $20 https://www.wind-blox.com/purchase

Sweet Dreams Sleep Essentials Set

By Simple Satch this is the perfect gift for the traveler. Compact and easy to pack in a carry on case for plane and hotel, a satin eye mask to help block light, a satin pillowcase to help decrease hair breakage, and a satin scrunchie to gently hold locks back are included. Whether in a hotel, on a plane or even a night at home sweet home, the Sweet Dreams Sleep Essentials Set is a staple for a restful slumber wherever you are.

Price: $35 Available at https://simplesatch.com/

Be a Broadway Star

This isn’t your typical board game. This is a Broadway board game that puts YOU in the spotlight! And that means you’ll have lots of chances to show off your stuff along the way, with interactive “make or break” cards that just might have you singing and dancing on your turn! Just remember, at the end of the game, whoever has the most fans wins!

Price: $39.99 each Available on Amazon December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -17-

Places to Go

Santa’s North Pole

**Santa Letter Packages can only be shipped to street Santa Claus’ House is one of the top attractions in Interior Alaska, and has welcomed millions of addresses inside the U.S.A. visitors from all over the world.

Enjoy a delicious piece of fudge, coffee, cookies, chocThe Santa Claus House family tradition, began more olates, or candy from The Sweet Shop while you browse, than 65 years ago by Con and Nellie Miller, and continand remember to bring your camera for some memoraues as following generble photos. A varieations of Millers build ty of unique photo on the past and look opportunities and forward to the future. special displays are If you should happen available throughto be one of the thouout the building. Of sands who visit Santa course, don’t forget Claus House each year, to have your picyou just might catch a ture taken with the glimpse of the Millers jolly man himself. as they dash about perOutside, have forming their endless a seat in Santa’s duties. But, whether sleigh, which is sending Santa letters to parked just in front boys and girls around of the World’s Largthe world, or greeting est Santa - a largvisitors to Santa Claus er-than-life three House, you know that dimensional Santa “Celebrating 65 years, this is when they wish you statue standing a “Merry Christmas!” nearly 50 feet tall. where it’s Christmas Every Day they know what they’re A variety of murals and Smiles are guaranteed. ” talking about! and exciting display Inside the world windows adorn the famous Santa Claus front of the buildHouse you’ll find ing, and other great the perfect gift or keepsake for all ages and occasions. surprises abound across the property.

Browse an amazing assortment of Christmas decor and After you’ve selected the perfect gift, mail your cards ornaments, exclusive North Pole apparel, collectibles, and letters to friends and family back home from right made in Alaska items, as well as a selection of unique here at Santa Claus House to receive a genuine North toys. Be sure to ask about the Original Letter from Santa Pole postmark. while you’re here.

Don’t forget to visit with Santa’s Reindeer Team before Now you can build your own Santa Letter Package for you leave. For more information, visit https://www.santathat special child in your life. We’ve hand-selected several claushouse.com/visit.asp items that go perfectly with our Original Letter from Santa. You have the choice to add any or all of the opFor More On Alaska, tions. Flat rate shipping is only $14 no matter how many > CLICK HERE items you add. Build a special package as unique as your child!

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Seasons Greetings from the Sonoran Desert

Holidays in Scottsdale

SCOTTSDALE – As a crisp breeze rolls through the desert and temperatures drop from triple digits to near perfect weather, Scottsdale illuminates with millions of glistening lights, myriad holiday events and festive merriment to last all season.

• Scottsdazzle (Thru Dec. 31), Old Town Scottsdale’s annual holiday extravaganza, kicks off each year after Thanksgiving with a Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The fun continues for an entire month, with activities and events for the whole family, like Meet Santa, Wine Dazzle, Small Business Saturday, Gold Palette ArtWalk, and Wonderland Whiskey Tasting.

• Christmas at the Princess (Thru Jan. 2, 2022) offers a wonderland so enchanting, visitors will forget they’re in the desert. Annual activities like a Desert Ice Rink, S’mores Land and Lagoon Lights seen via the Princess Express Train are sure to wow.

This year, sled down the 120-foot Snow Mountain at The Village and rent private fire pits or Winterland Igloos, for an extra-special evening.

• Las Noches de las Luminari-

mile ride twinkles with five million as (select dates Dec. 3 – Dec. 31) at lights and magical displays. Finish Desert Botanical Garden is a 44-year the experience at Santa’s Village, with tradition and a must-see winter event, with more than 8,000 flickering hot chocolate, snacks, shopping and more. luminaria bags lining the Garden’s • Adults in the holiday spirit trails. Discover shining saguaro cacti, should look no further than Coach succulents and lush desert flora durHouse, Scottsdale’s oldest dive bar. ing a walk through the garden, with For more than 25 years, the Bower live music and a special installation, Family has draped their landmark Chihuly in the Desert (Dec. 3 – June bar in garland, gift wrap, tinsel, can19, 2022). dy canes, bows and more than 12,000 • Next door to the garden, walk or lights, to deliver the ultimate holiday drive through ZooLights (Thru Jan. spirit.

15, 2022) at the Phoenix Zoo. This Travelers can unwrap resort rates music-in-motion light show features and more ideas for a winter getaway countless twinkling lights shaped to at HolidaysInScottsdale.com. represent zoo animals, photo booths, hot cocoa and more.

• Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Nov. 26 – Jan. 2, 2022) is the perfect way to end any day with little ones. Hop on board the Paradise & Pacific Railroad as it makes its way through the park and traverses thousands of gleaming, colorful lights.

• Get a dose of cheer from the coziness of the car this season at the >CLICK HERE Holiday Light Experience at Salt River Fields (Thru Jan. 1, 2022). This 1.2-December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -19-

For more on Arizona

A San Francisco Holiday

The holiday season really is the most wonderful time of the year.

The city is aglow with decorations and buzzing with activities and experiences from San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker to The Art of Banksy.

Even the Grinch will find something to celebrate in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO, /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- No matter where you go in San Francisco, you’ll find something to celebrate this season.

The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square What says “the holidays” more than skating under the sun – or the stars – in Union Square?

Through Jan. 17, The Safeway

Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square will delight children and adults with its holiday-themed ice park.

Everyone can enjoy skating in the iconic plaza surrounded by festive lights and Macy’s giant Christmas tree. The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink’s event roster includes the highly anticipated Drag Queens on Ice, Flashback Fridays, and Polar Bear Skate.

Admission is $19 and includes skate rental. https://unionsquareicerink.com Fire Engine Tours Take in the holiday sights and sounds from a vintage, open-air Mack fire engine with San Francisco Fire Engine Tours. Guests can celebrate the season with Christmas Carols and fun facts as you tour downtown San Francisco, The Embarcadero, and Union Square.https://www.sanfranciscofireenginetours.com

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HapPIER Holidays at PIER 39 Enjoy the PIER’s tree lighting musical moments on its 60’ Christmas tree which will come to life every half hour from 5 p.m.

– 10 p.m., through Jan. 9, 2022.

Synchronized to holiday music, the tree transforms into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors, adorned with thousands of specialty lights and ornaments. https://www. pier39.com/happierholidays/ Illuminate SF Festival of Light Through Jan. 31, 2022; https://illuminatesf.com Returning for its ninth year, Illuminate SF Festival of Light shines with more than 40 eco-friendly light installations in 17 of the city’s neighborhoods.

The light art installations, created by both local and international artists, come to life at dusk each night, making for an illuminating adventure. Some are permanent,

but others are fleeting creations that can only be glimpsed during the festival.

Let’s Glow SF Dec. 3 – Dec. 12, Downtown San Francisco will transform into an enchanting, illuminated journey to a dazzling winter wonderland. Downtown SF Night Lights will cover four towering properties throughout San Francisco’s Financial District with first ever multi-night light mapping projection event on the West Coast.

This stunning journey of light will feature the works of local artists while celebrating the festive winter season in the heart of San Francisco. https://www.downtownsf. org/events/letsglowsf/ A Christmas Carol at Broadway SF Nov. 26 – Dec. 26, 2021; This new imagining of the old Charles Dickens classic recently earned five Tony Awards.

The production at Golden Gate Theatre features dazzling staging, moving storytelling, and 12 of your favorite Christmas carols. https://www. broadwaysf.com San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Program Dec. 24, 2021; Dec. 10 and 11, 2021; Embrace the delights of the season with beautiful music and a jubilant production of “Home for the Holidays” by San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. The show, in its 32nd year, celebrates with hilarious and heart-warming songs and merriment - and some mischief.

San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker Dec. 10 – 30, 2021; Ever since Nutcracker made its American debut on Christmas Eve in 1944 at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, it’s been a beloved holiday tradition. Watch as visions of Sugar Plums—the fairy variety, that is—dance before your eyes when the world-class San Francisco Ballet takes the stage. https://www.sfballet.org/productions/nutcracker/ San Francisco Symphony’s Holiday Concerts Thru December; The acclaimed San Francisco Symphony has something for everyone this season. From traditional performances of Handel’s Messiah and

Holiday Brass to a screening of Home Alone with full symphony accompaniment and a New Year’s Eve concert with star of stage and screen Darren Criss, the Symphony is back in a big way. https:// www.sfsymphony.org/Calendar/ CYO/Holiday The Great Dickens Christmas Fair Despite having to cancel its customary Victorian London at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, this year you can experience Red Barn Productions’ The Great Dickens

Christmas Fair in your car, in your home, and under your tree this holiday season! For three weekends, beginning Saturday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 19, fans of this beloved holiday tradition will have three ways to experience the Fair’s Dickensian delights. https:// dickensfair.com The Art of Banksy Through Jan. 3, 2022; The largest touring exhibition of authentic Banksy artworks sourced from private collectors around the world—announced the San Francisco exhibition will be held at San Francisco’s iconic Palace of Fine Arts. Ticket prices start at $39.99 ($29.99 for children 16 or younger). banksyexhibit.com/sanfrancisco The Art of the Brick From Dec. 4, 2021; This captivating exhibition features intriguing works of art by renowned contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya.

The critically acclaimed collection features more than 70 works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world—the LEGO® brick.

Tickets prices start at $29. https://artofthebrickexhibit.com Harry Potter May not open until January, but we can’t contain our excitement for the return of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to San Francisco’s Curran. An original story conceived by playwright Jack Thorne, director John Tiffany, and J.K. Rowling herself, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the first and only official Harry Potter tale presented live on stage. https://sf.harrypottertheplay.com

December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -21-

Sketchfest, San Francisco Comedy Festival Jan. 7 – 23, 2022; Celebrating its 20th year, SF Sketchfest will again bring an outstanding program line-up and entertainers to the Bay Area. The multi-day festival, the longest-running comedy festival in the U.S., will take place in venues across the city and feature major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming comedic acts from around the world for non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, music, improv, films, tributes, alternative comedy, live podcasts, and panel discussions. https://sfsketchfest.com Fairmont San Francisco’s Gingerbread House The Fairmont San Francisco’s hotel lobby transforms into a holiday destination. The highlight of this year’s exhibit is a two-story giant Gingerbread House (22-feethigh and 22-feet-wide) adorned in hundreds of pounds of See’s Candies. Located in the hotel’s grand lobby, the event is open to the public and offers guests the opportunity to enjoy complimentary holiday refreshments and heart-warming music while Santa Claus poses for photos. A seasonal Moët Champagne bar will also be open throughout the festive season. An entrance fee of $10 per adult will be collected from non-hotel guests and those who do not hold dining/holiday tea reservations. Net proceeds from entrance fees will be donated to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area.

Accompanied children will be extended complimentary access. https://www.faimont-san-francisco.com/holidays

Proper Holiday Package Thru Jan. 22, 2022; The Proper hotel is packaging a holiday treat for guests this season. Stay at the hotel and receive a $50 dining credit at La Bande or their weekend Nutcracker Afternoon Tea, ice skating tickets and a Hot toddy set-up and nutcracker-inspired dessert amenity.https:// www.properhotel.com/san-francisco/ Hotel Zetta’s Photo Sessions with The Bay Shooters Guests staying at Hotel Zetta can capture their holiday getaway by booking an in-depth photography and editing session with a local expert. In partnership with Bay Shooters, a community of talented and up-and-coming photographers, guests are guided around the city to capture images with their personal cameras.

After guests spend the day taking photos of various landmarks and viewpoints, they will head back to the hotel to learn how to professionally edit their images.

Pricing starts at $550 per person.

Includes a three-hour session with a local professional photographer followed by a one-hour editing session. https://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/zetta

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Fall into Winter at alley & vine December; alley & vine will be adding an optional caviar component to a new and improved six-course seasonal tasting menu. The luxurious menu on its own will cost $185 and for $95, guests can have a total of one ounce of house-cured and sourced caviar incorporated into each course and can add an optional wine pairing. https://www. alleyandvine.com Hanukkah at One Market Restaurant Thru Dec. 6; Whether you’re looking to dine in or order delivery, One Market’s Hanukkah menu is perfectly suited for intimate celebrations and larger parties. The three-course menu includes Mark ‘n Mike’s matzo ball soup, optional potato latkes, 12-hour smoked beef brisket and sufganiyot (traditional jelly doughnut).https://onemarket.com Craft Cocktail Classes At Hotel Zelos’ onsite sultry restaurant and lounge, Dirty Habit, guests can book a private craft cocktail class with mixology maven Mariza Sabino. Highlighting a spirit of guests’ choosing. $250 www.viceroyhotelsandresorts. com/zelos

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Places to Go:

Triple C Ranch by Cuvée Authentic ranch-style experience comes to life at this fully renovated Colorado retreat DENVER/PRNewswire/ -- Cuvée introduces the newly transformed masterpiece, Triple C Ranch by Cuvée, during unprecedented global growth of more than $500 million dollars in new villa additions in 2021/22.

Going well beyond travel, the brand's in-house design team led by lead designer Cheryl Lucas (trained at New York's Parsons School of Design) uses the property's rich history as inspiration to create a showstopping representation of the immersive Cuvée experience on this 250 acre retreat in Silverthorne, Colorado.

Triple C Ranch by Cuvée is the only truly private ranch experience of its kind, complete with authentic custom design and unparalleled culinary and outdoor offerings.

"At Triple C Ranch by Cuvée, we are elevating the western-style ranch experience to the Cuvée level. With Cuvée design features throughout the two custom lodges — and highly personalized and experiential adventures curated for each group — this is a singular ranch experience that is entirely new to the

market, and available only with Cuvée." -- Larry Mueller, CEO & Founder Triple C Ranch by Cuvée's two expansive lodges were built with refurbished logs from the Eastern plains of Colorado. Cuvée transformed the ranch with mountain-chic interiors, sleek bar features, signature Cuvée beds and refined bathroom suites. Hosting up to 16 guests, the design leverages the ranch's history and elevates it to Cuvée's 6-star standard.

The property's main lodge, Thunder Lodge, is a treasure trove of mountain authenticity, boasting open living areas and a wraparound terrace with panoramic mountain views.

Elk Lodge welcomes guests with wide open spaces for entertaining complete with a chef's kitchen. Both are situated above three ponds, with views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

"I've worked all over the world and there is no place like Colorado. The majestic mountains and beautiful Aspen trees inspired me to design the home around floor to ceiling windows. It allowed me to get my hands on rich textures like leathers, hides, rich tapestries and velvets; these dynamic materials are a perfect complement to the warmth of the showstopping fireplace and natural wood elements December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -23-

throughout. The end result is spectacular and I can't wait for the world to see it," shares Lucas, Cuvée's lead interior designer.

Equine Experiences This Rocky Mountain sanctuary is owned by one of the most acclaimed equine families in the country, Sharon Magness Blake and Ernie Blake and is also the mountain home to the Blake's Arabian white stallion and Denver Broncos mascot, Thunder, among other award-winning horses.

Led by ranch manager and horse expert, Rudy Mendiola, Triple C Ranch offers riding lessons for children and adults, trail rides with picnic lunches, grooming and tacking lessons, and rodeo and roping demonstrations.

Culinary Experience Cuvée chefs, Jay Spicklmeier and Adam Smith, provide an authentic ranch-style gastronomic adventure with thoughtfully paired wines and an inspired craft cocktail program. Custom menus celebrate the elevated cuisine of the America west with chef specialties including local bison short rib, smoked trout canapes and cheddar biscuits with local whipped butter or Palisade peach jam. From al fresco lunches on trail rides to Michelin-star worthy dinners, the culinary experience at Triple C Ranch

by Cuvée is unrivaled.

Ranch Experience Just 90 minutes west of Denver, Triple C Ranch offers a fully immersive ranch-style experience inclusive of world-class private chef experiences, a dedicated onsite concierge and Experience Curatorto organize ranch activities, including horseback riding, fly fishing, ATV trails, hiking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

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Reserve Triple C Ranch by Cuvée offers exclusive rentals only. Pricing starts at $14,375 per night for up to 16 guests and includes curated ranch activities, premium wines, craft cocktails anda dedicated onsite concierge. Currently available: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. For reservations: cuvee. com /720.833.4533.

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Go, Do, See

Winter Garden Aglow Celebrating its 25th Year, this is a magnificent display of lights and decorations arranged throughout the garden at night.

Join this holiday season as the Garden is transformed into a twinkling wonderland.

Create memories with the ones you love and experience over 500,000 lights hung artfully among the landscape, open 6-9:30 p.m.

Swing by the Garden Cottage and strike a pose at the all-new Holiday Selfie Station, take a peek at the Santa and Mrs. Claus display, and even send the big guy a postcard! Enjoy snacks and warm drinks from local vendors while you warm up by a fire, stroll through Outlaw Field, and see what wondrous creation Illumicone has in store for you this year.

Additional Features ~Burn barrels to keep you warm ~Holiday music to keep spirits bright ~Free Cookies and Hot Cocoa ~Additional areas opened like the Treehouse and Enchanted forest! ~We might get a visit or two from our favorite Holiday Express Model Trains!

Winter Garden aGlow is open Wednesday – Sunday, through December 31! Just like last year, this event will use timed ticketing. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Space is limited and that means tickets will be limited. So, get yours early before they sell out!

Tickets are $15 Get your tickets > here...

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Things to Do:

HELENA /PRNewswire/ -- With lots of room to roam and backdrops of incredible color against mountaintops, Montana is an outdoor lover’s dream.

Crowds dissipate, temperatures turn colder, and landscapes transform to a sea of crimson and gold. Those visiting can take in all the glory in Montana with these awe-inspiring outdoor adventures.…

Outdoor Adventures

Head to the State Parks

It’s no secret that the National Parks are amazing. But not everyone realizes that Montana’s 55 State Parks are just as beautiful, with the big bonus of having fewer crowds. Big Arm State Park on Flathead Lake in northwest Montana provides an amazing opportunity to enjoy a crisp day in the outdoors. Filled with mature ponderosa pines and juniper trees, the park sits on the “big arm” of Flathead Lake, the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi. The 2.5 mile hiking trail provides excellent vistas of surrounding mountain ranges and high peaks with abundant watchable wildlife opportunities.

In Southwest Montana, visitors to Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park can walk in the footsteps of legendary explorers. Hop on the easy to moderate hiking and biking trails that lead to picturesque limestone caverns full of history and adventure. After the park adventure is complete, travelers can take an easy drive to nearby towns of Anaconda, Butte or Bozeman for a charming small-town experience.

For those heading to the eastern region of Montana, Makoshika State Park in Glendive is Montana’s largest state park. It features beautiful pine and juniper trees along with badlands formations that include the fossil remains of Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops and other prehistoric life.

Travelers won’t want to miss the Full

Moon Hike on Sept. 20 from 9-11 p.m. where they can hike by the full moon light under the night sky.

Travel a bit farther south and visitors will find Medicine Rocks State Park, known for its unique rock formations that people have been visiting for thousands of years. In addition to the unique topography, the park is full of history and culture. Medicine Rocks State Park earned its name because it was a place of “big medicine” where Indian hunting parties conjured up magical spirits. The park is perfect for fans of photography, hiking and wildlife viewing. It’s also an amazing place for night sky stargazing. In fact, the park was just recently designated as a certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International DarkSky Association.

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Biking

If biking is more your speed, Montana offers unmatched trails and undiscovered country that are ideal for cyclists. Riders staying in central Montana can pedal to Lewistown, which is surrounded by five diverse mountain ranges, each offering its own unique mountain biking challenge, from relaxing two-track routes to the more technical single track trails.

Riders visiting Northwest Montana can enjoy almost 30 miles of lift-accessed downhill and cross-country mountain bike trails on the slopes of Whitefish Mountain Resort. The trails provide gorgeous views of Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley, and plenty of leaf-peeping opportunities. After a day of riding, those visiting at the right time can grab a

Maximum Security.

A Taste of Montana

Travelers in Eastern Montana who are returning to town from a hike or bike ride on the Rimrock Trail should be sure to check out the new Midway Grille & Brews in Billings. Carb load on the rigatoni Bolognese or opt for the lighter fish special of the day—you can’t go wrong. ?” Visitors also can discover the natural beauty and outdoor adventures that put Paws Up on the global travel map, including floating down the Blackfoot River, dipping a paddle into waters once tested by Meriwether Lewis and exploring the wilderness on horseback.

SKI & STAY

cold beverage at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest, which runs Sept. 23-25 and Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

Head south and you come across the Bitterroot Valley, where roads and highways offer fabulous road biking along pastoral Rocky Mountain scenes. The Valley’s paved roads allow you to roll easily for miles and miles.

Ghost Town Adventures

Travelers seeking spine-chilling thrills this fall should experience one of these spooky haunts, starting with the Bannack Ghost Walks. These live reenactments highlight significant events throughout the history of Bannack, an old mining town once bustling with life—now the afterlife.

Those willing can meet the ghosts of Henry Plummer, Joe Pizanthia, Cyrus

Spend your days on the perfect powder of Whitefish Mountain Resort, and your nights cozied up inside one of our roaming cabins. Package includes: • Two lift tickets (for single Roaming Cabin bookings) or four lift tickets (for Pair or Haven Experience bookings).

Valid for one day of skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

• Accommodation at ROAM Beyond Skinner, Doctor Glick, Mattie Silks Glacier or Whitefish and many more rouges from Ban• Access to a weekend yoga session at nack’s colorful past.

ROAM Beyond Glacier From Bannack, outdoor enthusiasts Valid for 3-night stays only. For more interested in learning about Montana’s extended Ski & Stay packages, please mining past can head north to Garnet. reach out to bookings@roambeyond.

There’s a self-guided tour of the 30 buildings in this historic mining town, travel. including the J.R. Wells Hotel, F.A. Davey’s Store and two old western saloons. It’ll give you a glimpse of what For More on Montana life was like during the gold mining boom of the 1800s. You can also hike > CLICK HERE! the surrounding trails ranging from 1-3 miles.

For something a little more frightening, the Old Montana Prison in Deer Lodge won’t disappoint. Just a short drive from Garnet, visitors can take a guided or self-guided tour through the intimidating Cell House and into the chilling slide bar cells and black box of December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -27-

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Things to Do: Ride the North Pole Express at Heber Valley Railroad Join in on this fun and magical train ride to the North Pole! A family favorite, this 90 minute round trip includes hot cocoa and Mrs. Claus’ famous chocolate chip cookies. You’ll sing along to new and traditional Christmas favorites on the way and be entertained by the hosts, elves and cocoa chefs. When we reach the North Pole Santa will join us for the return trip and greet each child and present them with a special gift.

“North Pole” (regular class) and “First Class” tickets are available for all trains. You can also rent the Red Caboose for your private group or family (capacity 10-12), or the elegant First Class No. 100 Business Car (capacity 16). This year we have the beautiful 801 First Class Car available - a restored 1930 coach. You can also purchase tickets for a table of 4 in the wonderful First Class No. 850 Table/ lounge Car (capacity 11 tables - 44).

Your whole family will have a great time on the North Pole Express!

Adult price is $5 and children, ages 3-12, are $30. Toddlers, two and under are $10 and must sit on lap.

Toddler/lap tickets are required for children 2 and under. Toddlers receive all the North Pole Express amenities (cocoa, cookie, gift from Santa). No car seats or strollers allowed on the train* North Pole Class Seating: All North Pole Class passengers enjoy, hot cocoa, a yummy chocolate chip cookie, and a special gift from Santa. And of course great entertainment from our crew!

First-Class Seating: All First-Class passengers enjoy, hot cocoa, a yummy chocolate chip cookie, a collectible North Pole Express souvenir mug, and an extra special gift from Santa.

The First Class 100 Business Car for North Pole Express! It has room for up to 16 people. This beautiful and rare 1913 coach includes parlor, dining room, kitchen, and other cool spaces. This is the perfect space for your private First Class North Pole Express experience. We will customize the service to meet the needs of family, business groups, or friends.

You will love this unique Christmas excursion. The price is $2,500 on Preseason Days, $3,000 on Season Days, and $3,500 on Prime Season Days. Call for details and to secure your date and train time.

The elegant and newly refinished First Class 850 Table/Lounge coach is sold by tables of 4. Built in 1949 by Pullman, this stainless steel car has table seating for 44, and has a beauti-

ful art-deco interior. Prices per table for 4 are $240 for Preseason, $280 for Season, and $300 for Prime season.

NOTE: We pre-assign you specific seats in a specific train car. If you are riding with friends or family who have purchased tickets on a separate order, and don’t let us know in advance, you will not be seated together! Please contact the ticket office by phone in advance of your scheduled ride and we will do our best to seat you near your friends and family who are on separate orders.

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit https://www.hebervalleyrr.org/northpoleexpress/

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People to See

Seattle Santa Brings Joy to the Santa delivers digital presents via the Blockchain with a festive variety of non-fungible token (NFT) images for sale supporting iconic Seattle service provider for women and families experiencing homelessness SEATTLE, Nov. 29, 2021 / PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- VAST Agency, a premiere NFT service provider in collaboration with The Seattle Santa, today announced a unique, first-time collection of digitally created non-fungible token (NFT) creations of The Seattle Santa to benefit Mary’s Place, which supports women and families experiencing homelessness. With easing COVID-19 restrictions, The Seattle Santa will be back in public this year—and he’s helping raise money for a worthy cause through this series of collectible NFT art images. The imaginative, subtly animated Crypto Santa NFT images gallery and pricing is online here.

A portion of proceeds from the NFT sales will go to Mary’s Place, the largest emergency shelter for women and families in Washington State.

Santa in the Blockchain Forget collectible ornaments that gather dust throughout the year, NFT art is the new way to invest and trade digital content that can grow in value over time. For this season’s Santa Claus images, VAST commissioned renowned Seattle photographer Spike Mafford to capture Santa in creative, heart-warming poses and settings that reignite our joy and imagination for the Holiday and Christmas

season. To better understand exactly how NFTs are created, purchased, and traded on marketplaces with the use of a crypto-wallet, read about it in this CNN Business article.

NFTs for a Good Cause: Helping Mary’s Place Family Center The largest family shelter in Washington State, Mary’s Place provides women and families a safe, warm place to come inside when faced with violence and homelessness. The COVID pandemic has resulted in record-setting numbers of layoffs and work reductions that pushed many families into hunger, poverty and in need of ‘a home for now’ shelter. A portion of every Seattle Santa NFT digital art sale will go toward helping Mary’s Place reach its goal that ‘no one’s child will sleep outside’ this year.

“The holiday season is hard for families who struggle and face the challenges of homelessness—especially the children,” said Marty Hartman, executive director of Mary’s Place. “Santa brings instant joy and imagination to us all, and we love this creative idea of capturing the magic of Christmas in these beautiful collectible NFT images. What a great and fun way to embrace the future and help Mary’s Place! We’re so grateful,” added Hartman.

“I’m so excited to reunite with the public and listen to their wish-

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es and hopes for this Holiday and Christmas season,” said The Seattle Santa. “While working together with the VAST Agency who are experts in creating, establishing, and selling NFT content—I suggested that we convert a series of my Seattle Santa images into NFT collectible art—and share sales proceeds with Mary’s Place. It’s a great way for the public to get introduced to crypto and Blockchain investing, while helping one of the most deserving causes locally here in Seattle.”

The Seattle Santa will be on-location this season in the greater Se-

World with Collectible NFT Art The Seattle ‘Crypto’ Santa NFT art is available at: OpenSea and Rarible.

About Mary’s Place Since 1999, Mary’s Place provides safe, inclusive shelter and services that support women, children and families on their journey out of homelessness.

Mary’s Place helps thousands of women and families move out of homelessness into more stable situations served by five emergency family shelters throughout King County, Washington.

With a mission to keep families together, inside, and safe when they have no place else to go, Mary’s Place provides resources, housing and employment services, attle area. To see his calendar and community, and hope.

Contribute appearance locations where prints of his NFT images will be on dis- and become a donor for Mary’s play, visit: https://theseattlesan- Place at: https://www.marysta.com/. The Mary’s Place “No placeseattle.org/ .

Child Sleeps Outside” campaign The Seattle Santa runs through the rest of the year to For many years, The Seattle raise critically needed funds that help families and children stay in Santa has brought joy and merry their homes or quickly move back to children and adults throughout into housing. VAST Agency works the greater Seattle area during the with many of today’s top artists to holiday seasons. Available for both create non-fungible tokens of their public and private engagements— creations and have produced some even from his inflated ‘Snow of the most traditional, nostalgic, Globe’ during the COVID panand fun images for this Christmas demic in 2020—The Seattle Santa is dedicated to making the season and holiday season.

bright. His latest holiday magic is to share beautiful NFT artworks to support Mary’s Place shelter for families and children in need. To follow or book The Seattle Santa, visit: https://theseattlesanta.com/ The VAST Agency Vast Agency is a premiere service provider that helps artists, corporate, and individual investors adopt Non-Fungible Token (NFT) technology for their long-term digital asset portfolios. VAST Agency helps both artists and investors navigate the new realm of digital content curation and authentication via the Blockchain with its expert understanding and credentials. VAST Agency partners with clients managing: Animation, Digital Art, Film & TV, Museum Galleries, Music Industry, Blockchain gaming, E-sports, and Anime & Cosplay. For more information of how VAST Agency can assist with creating, authenticating, and creating NFT assets, visit: https://vastagency.io/

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Things to Do:

Shop, Wine and Dine WEST HARTFORD - With its many boutiques and independent retailers, West Hartford Center has always been a popular shopping destination, and, now, DELAMAR West Hartford is offering an added incentive for shoppers to visit for retail therapy and/ or holiday gift buying. It is a community collaboration encouraging people to shop locally in town centers and experience a New England vineyard.

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. After a fun day of wardrobe enhancements, guests will receive manicures at DELAMAR Spa-- Your hands will need it after all the shopping! Finish the afternoon with wine tasting at Gouveia Vineyards, complete with spectacular panoramic views of lush woodland, open fields and over 32 acres of pristine vineyards.

The Shop, Wine & Dine package includes: • Overnight accommodations for two • Exclusive 10% Discount towards purchases from local retailers and boutiques • Two (2) Regular manicures at Delamar Spa • In room bottle of Chardonnay Oak from Gouveia Vineyards • Two Complimentary Wine Tastings at Gouveia Vineyards • $25 dining credit to Artisan Restaurant • Full Breakfast Buffet Participating retailers include: Delamar Spa Treatments, Connecticut Custom Clothing, Kimberly Boutique, Daswani, J.Mclaughlin, Ten Thousand Villages, Fleet Feet, Bridgewater Chocolate, Cookshop, and Lane & Lenge Florists, Inc. For more information or to book reservations, please visit delamar.com/west-hartford or call (860) 937-2500. Offer valid through December 31, 2021.

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Things to Do:

Portland is a holiday shopping mecca for high-quality artisan gifts and handmade wares from Maine. Portland Harbor Hotel invites guests to enjoy a shopping getaway with incredible deals like no other. Tucked in the heart of the historic Old Port district, the AAA Four Diamond hotel is located one block from the waterfront and within walking distance of shops that beckon with their unique clothing, leather goods, culinary gifts and more.

After an exhilarating day of shopping and exploring along the cobblestone paths, guests will enjoy sitting by the fire with a specialty cocktail followed by dinner at BlueFin, an acclaimed chef-driven restaurant located within the hotel, before retiring to their cozy guest room featuring navy, khaki, and white nautical décor, custom-made Thomas Moser furniture, hardwood floors, and plush bedding.

Shopping Trip Weekend

The Portland Shopping State of Mind Package includes: • 10% off daily room rate for a 1-night stay, 20% off daily room rate for a 2-nights stay, 30% off daily room rate for a 3-nights stay • A shopping pass entitling guests to a 10% discount at participating local retailers Participating retailers include: Dean’s Sweets, Fat Face, Lisa Marie’s Made in Maine, Edgecomb Potters, (excludes mugs, sales, and cannot be combined with other offers), and Sea Bags (discount not valid on “Your Design” Custom bags, Limited Edition Items, Vintage Lounge Chairs, Sale Items, Gift Sets, Gift Cards, Auction Items, or non-Sea Bags brand third-party items).

For more information or to book reservations, please visit portland-

harborhotel.com or call (207) 7759090. Offer valid through December 24, 2021. Rates starting at $147 based on a 3-night stay. Based on availability. Blackout dates apply.

Portland Harbor Hotel is located at 468 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101.

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Places To Go

The National Harbor, Ameri

Just as the National Mall in Washington, DC is often referred to as America’s Front Porch, Maryland’s National Mall, 9-miles away, is known as America’s Backyard Playground. Located along the South Potomac Heritage Scenic Corridor, stretching from DC to the National Farm, the region is both a destination and a point of departure for exploration of area nature, history and heritage.

The earliest Europeans to enter the region encountered the Piscataway Indians who had resided there from 1300. Other indigenous tribes had inhabited the expanse for approximately 13,000 years and it was the Algonquin natives who named the river Potomac, meaning “great trading place”. They gathered there for trade and recreation. John Smith was first to map the area and much of it still looks as it did in 1608 and visitors can experience the corridor by land and water.

George Washington traversed the territory as he rode home to Mount Vernon from points north. It was he who first documented the potential of the district as a multi-use governmental, commercial and cultural center because of its proximity to the river, Alexandria and Georgetown. nationalharbor.com Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center anchors the 300-acre National Harbor. The resort recently underwent a $64-million renovation that features state-of-the-art designs complimented by chic furnishings in a specially selected color palette. There are 2,000 accommodations, each featuring a menu of amenities, including designer linens and bath products as well as turndown service, complimentary wireless, cable and concierge services. A full-service, 20,000-sq. ft., Relache Spa, health club and indoor pool are located on the property. relachespa.com The 19-story atrium is the star of the show and is the hub of the resorts’ activities. It offers stunning Potomac and sunset views and nightly laser light and fountain shows, movies and disco dance parties. Shops are located on the lower levels as well as Harbor Marketplace. Meals at the market-34- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2021

place are grab n’ go or can be delivered to your room. Belvedere Lobby Bar offers signature cocktails as well as drinks of your choice complete with great views.

My favorite atrium activity is the Wildlife Safari.

Guests download the Wildlife Rescue app and set out to explore and locate animals including snow leopards and Black Rhinos. This is an augmented reality experience and the animals are life-sized, move and are photographable. Stand beside a rhino for a photo op. @GaylordNational

ica’s Playground Gaylord’s signature restaurant, Old Hickory Steakhouse, features premium beef, locally sourced ingredients, fine wines and artisanal cheeses in an elegant setting. The service is exceptional and dining is an experience.

The 80’S Replay Pop Up at Pose Rooftop Lounge is a retro adventure showcasing 80’s music, neon, arcade games and specialty drinks that are both creative and tasty. You can literally party like its 1999.

Special winter holiday attractions are on view at the Gaylord National November 26 – December 31, 2021 and the offerings are numerous and employ the latest technology to present traditional holiday themes.

Every inch of the resort is decorated with twinkling lights enhanced with music. Three times each evening laser lights wow the guests with a seasonal light show. “The Greatest Story” stage show provides complimentary seating to a multicultural retelling of the nativity by six international storytellers.

Additional family-oriented activities include Ice Bumper Cars, Gingerbread House decorating corner, Ice Skating and Snow Tubing. “I Love Christmas Movies” is arguably the highlight of Gaylord National’s holiday immersive activities.

Guests walk through life-sized scenes from five classic holiday movies and photo ops are plentiful.

Gaylord holiday creates memories for a lifetime.

Couples, families and individuals will discover that they can spend their entire vacation without ever leaving the property. Should you decide to explore further afield only steps away guests can board the free Harbor Circulator Bus, take a water taxi with stops in DC, Maryland and Virginia or purchase tickets for a narrated D.C. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley tour of Washington’s main sites.

The Circulator stops at Tanger Outlet Mall. Where you can holiday shop in any or all of 85 upscale

By Renee S. Gordan Travel Writer phillysmoothtraveler. blogspot.com/

stores. While there take note of the “Judah and Resistance Marker” situated in the Salubria Memorial Garden. A 1666 law made all blacks within the province slaves for life and they remained so until 1864. This region, because of its Potomac location, took on an important role as a path to liberty for freedom seekers. In 1834 Judah, a 14-year old enslaved girl, admitted poisoning her owner’s children and as a result was executed. Her execution made her the first Maryland female and the youngest woman in the country to be executed.

Gaylord National Resort and Spa is a complete family holiday destination. The resort adheres to all COVID protocols and guests have the option to participate in activities at their personal comfort level. Enhance your holiday with a Gaylord National adventure.

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December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -35-

Things to Do

In Cape May CAPE MAY-What better place to get into the true spirit of Christmas than Victorian Cape May? This seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events.

Christmas arrives in Victorian Cape May with great fanfare during Holiday Preview Weekend.

Santa Claus, himself, flips the switch and illuminates the huge evergreen Christmas tree at the historic 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, The 1879 Physick House Museum is authentically decorated for a Victorian Christmas during the holiday season . The wonders of the season are on display in An Old-fashioned Christmas Exhibit in the Carroll Gallery at the Physick Estate’s Carriage House. Stand beneath the boughs of a giant Christmas tree! This exhibit features holiday traditions through the years that bring to life a child’s Christmas fantasy, complete with a Dept. 56 Dickens Village, model trains, vintage Christmas family photos, toys and much more. Admission is free.

CAPE MAY – Cape May MAC (Muse-36- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2021

ums+Arts+Culture) launched the Cape May Christmas Candlelight House tour in 1973 and ever since it has been a highlight of the Christmas season in Cape May, America’s only National Historic Landmark City. On three nights in December visitors travel to homes, inns, B&Bs, churches and hotels, stepping across the thresholds to take in interiors beautifully decorated for the holidays. This self-guided tour is one of Cape May MAC’s largest fund-raisers. Enjoy strolling musicians along the historic streets of Cape May and beautiful holiday decorations. Maps and wristbands for ticket purchasers are provided in advance or at central locations at the start of the tour and must be presented at each participating location for entry. Tour is limited. A trolley shuttle travels on a planned route with limited stops, but walking is encouraged. Advance purchase is highly recommended.

The three Christmas Candlelight House Tours of the 2021 season are Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., but the Dec. 4 tour is sold out!

Christmas Candlelight House Tours include admission to Cape May’s Victorian House Museum authentically decorated for Christmas, the Physick House Museum at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048

Washington St., and the exhibit “An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions through the Years” in the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House located on the grounds of the Physick Estate. The exhibit’s main attraction is a display featuring a Dept. 56 Dickens Village, model trains and vintage Christmas memorabilia, all beneath the boughs of a giant Christmas tree. While there, letters to Santa can be deposited for mailing to the North Pole.

Admission to the Christmas Candlelight House Tour is $45 for adults and $30 for children (ages 3 to 12). The tour is limited; it is strongly recommended that tickets be purchased online by visiting www.capemaymac.org or reserved in advance by calling 609-884-5404.

Any remaining tickets on the day of the tour may be purchased

at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, Washington and Ocean Streets. Properties on the tour are subject to change.

Last season, Cape May MAC announced a new way to experience Cape May at Christmas: the Virtual Christmas Candlelight House Tour Video. This virtual video tour created in 2020 is an intimate look inside 10 Cape May homes and inns, with the stories behind each that can be enjoyed over and over. What began as a response to COVID-19 continues today as a timeless Cape May experience, for viewing anytime, anywhere. It is available for purchase for $30. Watch the trailer to purchase when you visit https://capemaymac.org/experience/christmas-in-capemay/ christmas-candlelight-house-tour.

Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) is a multi-

faceted, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. Cape May MAC membership is open to all. Visit capemaymac.org/support/membership to learn more. For information about Cape May MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, visit capemaymac.org. For information about historic accommodations, contact Cape May Historic Accommodations at capemaylodging.com. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.

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December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -37-

Places to Go

NYBG Glow and Train Show

T

his holiday season, let it GLOW at The New York Botanical Garden.

Discover the beauty of this landmark landscape and historic buildings after dark, breathtakingly illuminated with a newly expanded 1.5-mile colorful experience. Families and friends can start a new holiday tradition as day turns to night on select dates, exploring the Garden’s festively illuminated landscape and enjoying music, dance, food, and more at NYBG GLOW, These lively nights return for their second year at NYBG with more displays to wander through and explore. See NYBG’s iconic sights and buildings come to life as dramatic, glittering canvases with the Haupt Conservatory and Mertz Library Building as the centerpieces. Colorfully lit paths and trees, thousands of dazzling LEDs, illuminated plant stories, and whimsical, picture-perfect installations reflect the surrounding gardens and collections—creating a spectacle not to be missed!

Lively performers help light up

the night with music and artistic ice sculpting as you explore GLOW. From 5-9:30 p.m. the steel pan ensemble, Khuentertainment, will perform while holding a profound respect and understanding for the titans that have built this distinctive musical tradition. Marvel as carvers from Okamoto Studio NYC transform ordinary blocks of ice into massive wintry works of art.

The Holiday Train Show®. another favorite holiday traditio, is back at The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) for its 30th year. Visitors will marvel as model trains zip through an enchanting display of more than 175 New York landmarks, each delightfully re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods, and cinnamon sticks. As day turns to night on select dates, families and friends can start a new holiday tradition exploring the Botanical Garden’s festively illuminated landscape and enjoying music, dance, food, and more at the expanded outdoor colorand-light experience NYBG GLOW. It will be the perfect night out this holiday season.

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The Holiday Train Show features a miniature wonderland in the warmth of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Famous New York landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, and many other favorites, are crafted from natural materials such as pine cones, acorns, and seeds. To celebrate the 30th year of the Holiday Train Show, a showcase of NYBG’s buildings and structures will feature a new replica of the majestic LuEsther T. Mertz Library Building along with the iconic Haupt Conservatory. Both are designated New York City Landmarks.

The holiday train show will be open to visiters from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Jan. 23. Tickets are $32 for adults and $18 for ages 12 and under. Combination tickets are $49 adult and $34 for 12 and under for the combination tickets with NYBG GLOW. For more information, visit nybg.org For more on New York >CLICK HERE!

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December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -39-

Things to Do:

See Lights in Philadelphia

During the holidays, Greater Philadelphia lights up and a festive spirit spills from shops, restaurants, theaters and parks, where halls are decked, trees are trimmed and tables are set to celebrate the season — with time-honored traditions and brand-new festive offerings.

New this year are the Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade, celebrating all of winter’s holidays; the Visit Philadelphia New Year’s Day Fireworks Spectacular, adding first-ever booms to the New Year; and the walk-through Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

Every must-do holiday list includes a visit to Macy’s for the iconic Christmas Light Show, a

seat at the Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the perfect gift purchase from Christmas Village in Philadelphia; a walk through the splendid horticultural display that is A Longwood Christmas; and a prime view of the Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.

On Dec. 4, visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade – This all-new parade is the city’s first to celebrate all of winter’s holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the Chinese New Year. Reps from Wawa will be handing out free hot chocolate and coffee between 2nd and 3rd Streets.

Mummers Parade – This only-in-Philadelphia New Year’s Day tradition dates back to 1901

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and includes 10,000 adults and children wearing feathers and sequins while dancing to music and parading along the street.

The indoor Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center focuses on Broadway-inspired music-and-dance routines.

Tickets for bleacher seating at City Hall and for the Fancy Brigades are available at the Independence Visitor Center.

LumiNature returns to transform the zoo into a nighttime winter wonderland. Occupying the zoo’s entire footprint, the display features over a dozen illuminating and interactive experiences, including a menagerie of 500 colorful flamingos, a 25-foot-tall flamingo holiday tree, over 200 glowing penguins and a 21-foot-

tall colored snake. Timed tickets required. Thru Jan. 9.

The Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO makes this historic square twinkle, with free shows featuring more than 100,000 lights that dazzle viewers through most of winter. Featuring comfort food, local beers and hot beverages, all available in the Franklin’s Winter View. Now through Feb. Wild Lights, Elmwood Park Zoo – Norristown’s zoo adds even more to the millions of LED lights that illuminate its 16 acres over the holidays during Wild Lights. Each night of the festival features live entertainment, animal encounters, holiday music and Santa appearances thru December 30.

A Longwood Gardens Christmas– This year’s display highlights the contrast between fire and ice with a clear blue alpine stream with flocked trees, a waterfall and suspended icicles in the Exhibition Hall, as well as a 22-foot-tall Fraser fir outfitted with flame lanterns and red, gold and amber ornaments in the East Conservatory.

Outdoors, expect 500,000 lights glittering in trees, a 200-foot tunnel of light and spectacular fountains and fire pit flames dancing to seasonal music. Timed tickets required. Thru January 9, 2022.

Holiday Light Show, Shady Brook Farm – This Bucks County farm kicks off its three-millionlight Holiday Light Show with Dashin’ Through the … Lights, a family-friendly two-miler through

the attraction. Guests can also visit with Santa and cozy up around a campfire, thru Jan. 30.

Holiday Lights Display, Herr’s Snack Factory – Responsible for some of the region’s most celebrated snack foods, Herr’s lights up its factory exterior in Nottingham during its annual (and free) light display. Guests drive through the grounds to see the impressive arrangement, which features more than 600,000 lights, thru Jan. 2.

West Chester Griswolds – The

Plummer family of West Chester takes cues from the hilarious Griswold family of the popular National Lampoon movies with this massive annual holiday light display at their home. It features more than 100,000 lights controlled via computer. Kids can drop off their letters to Santa here. Thru Jan. 2.

NEW: Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular Presented by Dietz & Watson, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center – This brand-new event in Oaks invites guests to walk through a winter wonderland of light sculptures and displays, including illuminated recreations of local landmarks like the Liberty Bell, boasting over a million bulbs. Also on the dock-

et: ice skating, photos with Santa, shopping, and seasonal treats and drinks. Thru Jan. 2.

American Heritage Credit Union Drive Through Grand Illumination – During the holiday season, this Bustleton credit union serves as way more than a place to do banking, doubling as a mustsee holiday attraction featuring two 40-foot-tall trees and over 400,000 lights.

Miracle on South 13th Street – A homegrown South Philly tradition with national traction, this festive light display brings neighbors along the 1600 block of South 13th Street together to decorate their homes with holiday lights and over-the-top decorations, which turn on each evening, thru Jan. 1.

Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular – The Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular has illuminated the 2700 block of Smedley Street for over half a century. From blowup decorations to trees covered in string lights, thru Jan.10.

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December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -41-

America’s Christmas Ci

By Renae S. Gordon

worked at more than 35 trades in the self-sufficient community. A self-guided walking tour consists http://phillysmoothtraveler. of more than 22 locations. Visitors can experience blogspot.com/ Bethlehem’s old-fashioned holiday with a modern Annually people travel to spend ambience. Decked out for the holidays, with more the holidays in locations that offer than 50 events and activities, you can’t fail to feel great views, attractions, activities, the seasonal spirit. www.bethlehempa.org The north side of the city contains the historic dining, shopping and best of all, area and numerous Christmas-themed tours are total immersion into the true holoffered. Visitors can take guided tours led by cosiday spirit. They can find no better destination than Bethlehem, PA, declared the official “Christmas City tumed docents, carriage, horse-drawn trolley, walking or custom tours designed for your group. The USA” in 1937 and is on a tentative list for declaradistrict is decorated with illuminated Christmas tion as a UNESCO site. discoverlehighvalley.com trees and wreaths and storefronts make great viewing as you stroll along. Along the trail you must On April 2, 1741, the Moravians, a pre-Reformastop in the worktion religious ing Blacksmith sect and the Photos by Tara Henninger for Historic Bethlehem Shop, the 1740’s world’s oldest Museums & Sites.

Apothecary Muorganized Protseum, the 1746 estant religion, Moravian Bookreceived a deed store, the oldest for 500-acres continuously opof Pennsylvaerated bookshop nia land at the in the world and juncture of the the 1751 Central Lehigh River and Moravian Church Monocacy Creek. designated one of On Christmas the Ten Greatest Eve of the same Places to Reflect year they met in on Christmas a two-room cabin Eve. Special note functioning as a should be takstable and a barn en of the 6-ft. Moravian star suspended inside the in thanks and celebration. Count Nicholas Ludwig church belfry. von Zinzendorf, the colony’s patron was visiting from Germany and named the settlement “BethleThe 1810 Johann Goundie Federal-style home hem”. The settlements’ location in the heart of the is the oldest brick home in the city. Goundie was fertile Lehigh Valley and the industriousness of the a Moravian brewer and a house tour recounts the Moravian community guaranteed success for more history of beer brewing in the area. It is filled with than a century. fascinating information and artifacts including the fact that ale was sold to wedding guests and the Historic Moravian Bethlehem was designated money was given as a gift to the bride, hence “bride a National Historic Landmark District in 2012, ale”, or bridal. inclusive of 20 historic sites dated 1741-1845. The Moravians were a closed religious community that The 1741 Gemeinhaus is home to the Moravian included blacks and Native Americans. Members

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ity ~ Bethlehem Museum. It was a communal gathering place and housed the Saal, a place for worship. The enormous structure, 94-ft. by 32-ft., remains the nation’s largest log building in continuous use and the oldest building in Bethlehem. A Christmas tour includes examples of the earliest Christmas trees, wooden pyramids with tree boughs attached to them, decorated with candles, apples and Bible verses and holiday Putz scenes.

Putz scenes recount the story of the birth of Christ in miniature from the Annunciation to the Flight into Egypt.

Three adjoining houses make up the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts.

The themed galleries often take the form of room settings. Permanent exhibits include the country’s largest collection of 1830-1930 dollhouses, showcasing 40 houses and more than 5,400 furnishings.

From November 19, 2021 - January 9, 2022 the city will offer the Trees of Historic Bethlehem Tour.

The twenty-six trees are adorned with decorations inspired by holiday movies. The trees were decorated by the Bethlehem Garden Club and are on display in five historic locations.

The Bethlehem By Night Christmas Tour is extremely popular and is the ideal way to see the city. It includes a visit to the iconic Moravian Star set atop South Mountain. The stars were originally used in Moravian classrooms to exemplify geometric principles and later as symbols of the nativity. The

first star was a $460 wooden construction. Bethlehem Steel donated the second star. The current LED star is 91-ft. tall, is illuminated nightly and can be seen for 20-miles. www.christmascity.org Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem® is recognized as one of the top holiday markets in the U.S. The annual market will be open November 19 -December 20th.

Artisans and vendors are both indoors and outdoors and the experience is enhanced by performances, scheduled activities and photo ops.

Main Street’s Historic Hotel Bethlehem is situated where the settlement’s first house was built in 1741. The site has functioned as a hotel since 1794. During the holidays the hotel is decked out with festive trees, colorful nutcrackers and more than 40,000 lobby lights. The Sunday Brunch is legendary year round and has been named one of the “Top 100 Brunches in the Country”.

The Beaux-Arts hotel has hosted everyone from Kennedy to the Dalai Lama and Sting to Ali. It offers luxury accommodations and even “A Room With a Boo”, room 932, investigated and deemed haunted. www.hotelbethlehem. com

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December, 2021 ~ WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM | -43-

Places to Go:

Walmart Museum: The Sto

Christmas is right around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, then you’ve already begun your search for that perfect gift, fun Christmas decorations, and those much-needed supplies for the holidays. Walmart is often at the top of my list for Christmas supplies like hooks, wrapping paper, and bows. And don’t forget stocking stuffers. As usual, Walmart has tons of affordable items at great prices, so I can stock up on supplies and add to my decoration collection. When it comes to Christmas, I go a bit crazy!

I also usually shop for some of their food items around the holidays, and I can always find something unusual that isn’t available at my local grocery store.

Walmart has been around for quite some time, and I sort of took the store that has about everything for granted until last month. In October, my husband and I visited Bentonville, Arkansas, and the Walmart Museum. We were fortunate to have a private tour of the museum that allowed us to view areas not open to the public. I enjoyed the visit so much; we returned the following day for a second visit to go through and read everything and shop in their gift shop.

Walmart Got It’s Start

On July 2, 1962, Sam Walton opened up his first store in Rogers, Arkansas. He was a man ahead of his time, and he quickly grew from a tiny town store to becoming an international corporation with a net worth of over $405 billion! Sam Walton used some clever marketing techniques to help grow his business into what it is today.

Sam Walton made many contributions to our country, including helping families save money on their groceries. The mission statement for the business is “Saving people money so they can live better.”

He created “Walmart,” which is now one of the world’s largest companies with over 11,000 stores -44- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2021

worldwide. Sam once said, “When customers thought of Walmart, they should think of low prices and satisfaction guaranteed.

Sam Walton received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George H. W. Bush. The medal is on display in the museum. His entrepreneurial spirit should be an inspiration to us all!

History lovers will get a kick out of visiting the unique museum. It is full of all sorts of fun facts about the company that started out as Walton’s Five and Dime! Visitors can learn about Walton’s values and principles that led to his success with Walmart.

By Robin (O’Neal) Smith

ory Behind The Brand

well as clothes for all occasions and age groups.

The Walmart Museum

If you are visiting the northwest corner of Arkansas, be sure to visit the Walmart Museum. It’s located in Bentonville, Arkansas - less than an hour from Fayetteville or Rogers, Arkansas, and just about an hour from Eureka Springs, making it easy to visit on vacation or for work!

The Walmart Museum is a fun and quirky museum with a leisurely tour, no steps involved, and flat walking areas. It is entertaining, and you get a chance to see how the retail giant has evolved over time from a small one-room store to the mega-giant it is today.

Reasons to Visit

If you need some reasons to visit, here are a few:

Interesting Walmart Facts

1. Walmart is the largest corporate employer in the world.

2. There are 11,443 stores worldwide and 2.3 million employees 3. Walmart generated 559 billion in revenue last year. In fact, according to QuerySprout, On average, Walmart makes a whopping $17,000 per second, $1.1 million per minute, and $68 million per hour in-store sales!

4. Wal-Mart is an international company with stores operating in 24 countries outside the U.S. 5. Some of the most popular items sold at Walmart include electronics such as televisions or laptops as

The museum is free.

There is no charge to visit; they only ask for your zip code to track where visitors reside.

Walk Through History The museum takes you through the Wallmart history timeline, from its humble beginning to its current status as a leading retailer.

A Movie is Included You can sit down and watch a short video about Sam Walton and Walmart. It only takes about 10 minutes to watch it entirely.

Interactive Displays are Entertaining There are interactive displays throughout the museum that show how Walmart has changed over time.

Walmart Employees Are Honored If you are a Walmart employee and you let them know when you arrive, they often honor you with

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Walmart...Cont. a small token of appreciation.

Artifacts on Display There are artifacts from Sam Walton’s life and career on display. His office, desk, etc., are included, his wife’s wedding dress, and other memorabilia are included.

Considered A Top Company Museum According to Mental Floss, it is one of the Top 10 Company Museums to visit.

Photo Opportunities There are several photo opportunities, including having your photo taken with Sam’s pickup truck.

The Ice Cream Shop The Spark Cafe is an old-fashioned Ice Cream Shop at the end of the tour, or you can just walk up and purchase from the street window. They have great hand-dipped ice cream and other fountain treats at low prices, just like Sam did when he first opened his stores. We enjoyed a cone when we visited.

Rob

The Gift Shop Visiting the gift shop is like going back in time to your childhood. They have toys and things that I played with as a child. It was fun just to browse, and yes, I made a few purchases.

Plan A Visit If you’re in Bentonville, Arkansas, and want to learn more about the history of one of the world’s most recognizable brands, visit the Walmart Museum. You can find out how Sam Walton started his empire with just pocket change and see how executive decisions have shaped the company over time by visiting exhibits on various topics such as sustainability or social responsibility. It’s an interesting way to get insight into one of America’s largest corporations.

When you visit a Walmart near you to purchase that Christmas gift, stocking stuffer, or decoration, remember Sam’s motto of saving people money so they can have better lives.

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Editor’s Note: Robin O’Neal Smith is a freelance and travel writer. A young baby boomer, Robin and her husband have traveled throughout North America, many of the Caribbean Islands, and Europe.

She loves cruising and inspiring others to live their dreams of travel. Follow her travels on her personal site at https://robinonealsmith.com/

Places to Go:

St. Augustine Give the Gift of Vaca tion Experiences at Florida’s Historic Coast.

for shoppers to share a variety of local dining options through bonus gift certificates. Southern Table Hospitality Restaurants, which include Valley Smoke, Palm Valley Fish Camp, Jullington Creek Fish Camp and St. Holidays in St. Augustine l Augustine Fish Camp RestauPonte Vedra are always special, rants provide a $20 bonus gift especially during the November through January Annual Nights card for every $100 purchase, while Salt Life Food Shack and of Lights Celebration. But you can give the gift of special experi- Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille ences to your friends and family each offer $30 free for every $100 purchase, and Kingfish Grill to enjoy throughout the year. will offer an additional $10 card for every $100 in gift cards purSurprise your family and chased. Pusser’s Caribbean Grille friends with tickets to one-ofat Ponte Vedra Beach offers a $10 a-kind great events! Tickets are now on sale for the St. Augustine gift card for purchases of $50 or more through Dec. 5. Prohibition Food + Wine Festival, recently Kitchen offers a $10 free gift card named “One of Florida’s Top 10 for every $50 card purchased.

Food & Wine Festivals” May 4 – 8, 2022. Tickets for the most fan Really Special holiday dining friendly golf tournament in the world, The PLAYERS® Champi- experiences include Terrace Dining at Casa Monica’s Costa Brava onship at TPC Sawgrass March Restaurant, a prix fixe dining 8-13, 2022, are now on sale. experience with exclusive seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. every There is nothing like the gift of music. Tickets to great perfor- Thursday, Friday and Saturday mances at the St. Augustine Am- evening. phitheatre and the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, as well as performance at the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series in February are on sale. Share the gifts of great performers like Puddles Pity Party, Gaelic Storm, Emmylou Harris, Styx, and Taj Mahal to name just a few.

But you do not need to wait for the big events to share Florida’s Historic Coast with your friends and family. Many local restaurants offer great incentives

The best of all holiday stocking stuffers are direct flight air tickets. New this year; non-stop air service between St. Augustine l Ponte Vedra and Newark Airport is available. Give the gift of a warm Florida getaway, or a fun New York City adventure to your loved ones. Flights are twice weekly, Mondays and Fridays. Tickets start at $129 each way and are available for sale at 877-393-2510 and EliteAirways. com.

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Go, Do, See:

Nights of Lights Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit to the most amazing Holiday Light Display in the South!

St. Augustine – This year is St. Augustine, Florida’s 28th Annual Nights of Lights Celebration.

Nights of Lights has more than 3 million white lights draping the city’s unique Spanish Colonial architecture that glow through Jan. 31, 2022. The spectacular display drapes the trees and bayfront downtown and rooftops, over the Bridge of Lions, along historic buildings, public spaces, hotels, restaurants, and inns throughout Nation’s Oldest City’s Historic District.

This magical setting begins with a Light Up! Night ceremony in the City’s Plaza de La Constitucion and is the perfect stage for dozens of nighttime tours, by land or sea, and dozens of holiday events like the December 1 Luminary Night at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum; the December 4 St. Augustine Colonial Night Watch Torchlight Parade; or the December 11 Holiday Regatta of Lights Boat Parade.

On select nights through the season, the City of St. Augustine will offer free parking and shuttle service to make it just

a little easier to get downtown during this festive time of year.

And it’s not just lights that make Florida’s Historic Coast such a brilliant place to be during the holiday season. There are dozens of other events including musical performances, like A Christmas Story, A Peter White Christmas, Holiday Pops and many others that celebrate holiday traditions.

There are dozens of ways to save on your holiday getaway to Florida’s Historic Coast. Visit https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/places-to-stay/deals/ to take advantage of great deals during Nights of Lights.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast is home to St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the US and attracts visitors from all over the world to experience its old-world charm, historic landmarks, pristine beaches, and world-class golfing as the home of the PGA Tour and location of THE PLAYERS® Championship. For more information on events, activities, holiday getaways and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com, become a fan on Facebook or call 1.800.653.2489.

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By Kathleen Walls Editor/Publisher of American Roads and Global Highways If you haven’t visited Jekyll Island yet, now is the time to do it.

This holiday season, you can visit Jekyll and ride Jekyll’s jolliest trolley to see more than half a million lights around the island. There are lights from Beach Village to the Historic District. Trolley riders will enjoy festive holiday beverages, and sing along to Jingle Bells and other carols.

In case you don’t know about Jekyll Island, here is some of what is there for you to see and enjoy. It’s a historic spot filled with natural wonders. The beaches are unique. There are seven designated beaches. The most unusual being Driftwood Beach. After you pass through a tunnel formed by low-hanging trees and scrub bushes, you emerge into a view unlike

any other. The ancient driftwood that has occupied this beach for decades form strange shapes like giant petrified sculptures.

The Island’s Historic District is decorated as it might have been when it was a millionaires’ playground. The “cottages” and clubhouse of the millionaires who bought this island for their playground in 1886 sparkle with lights and tinsel.

Mosaic is Jekyll’s history museum and recalls events from the Timucuans, who were here when the first white settlers came. It tells of William Horton, the first owner of the island. His home, The Horton House, built it in1743, is one of the oldest tabby buildings in Georgia. You can drive out Beachview Drive to view it.

The next owners were the DuBignon Family, from 1790 to 1886.

They lived in the Horton House from 1790 until the mid-1800s. The cemetery where the DuBignon

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family is buried is just across the street from the house.

The Wanderer, the last large slave ship to bring illegal slaves into the country, has several exhibits telling its sad story in Mosaic. There is a Wanderer Trail on the other side of the island that recalls this fateful voyage.

The museum also tells of more modern events, like how the island became the Jekyll Island Club, private playground of 100 of America’s wealthiest men. It

records events of world importance like the first transcontinental telephone call in 1915, when Alexander Graham Bell, in New York, remade his famous call to his assistant, Thomas Watson, who was in San Francisco. AT&T President Theodore Vail was on the call from Jekyll Island, and President Woodrow Wilson from the White House.

Faith Chapel has one of the most beautiful Tiffany windows.

“David Set Singers Before the Lord,” the chapel’s rear window is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. The two stained glass windows are more beautiful than any lights decorations.

The many cottages, like Indian Mound, a nine bedroom, nine bath, with servant quarters winter retreat owned by William Rockefeller, are framed with lights.

The DuBignon Home, the island’s simplest Victorian, built in 1884 by John Eugene DuBignon, the man who sold the Island to the Club, is decorated in simple garlands and poinsettias.

The magnificent Clubhouse, now the Jekyll Island Club Resort, has more elaborate decorations, both inside and out.

Even what was once the simple buildings in the area where servants lived and have been converted to shops like the Commissary.

It served much the same purpose in the Club era as general store.

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Go, Do, See

A Cajun Christmas Submitted by Monee Luckey mbpr! mindybiancapr.com

The perfect Cajun Christmas ornament is this one – Papa Noel and one of his alligators painted on an oyster shell.

Covington’s Twelve Days of Christmas in Covington, (Louisiana Northshore) A new holiday tradition in Covington, 12 lighted silhouettes depicting larger-than-life images from the traditional Old English Christmas carol, “12 Days of Christmas,” are exhibited at various locales in the downtown historic district.

Visitors are invited to stroll through the city to view “four calling birds, three French hens,” and other familiar images from the well-known Christmas carol. The images will be illuminated seven days a week from dusk to dawn from December 10 through January 6, 2022.

Oyster Shell Ornament Contest in Raceland, Louisiana (in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou) Last year, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou had a shell of a time adding this oyster ornament

contest to its holiday offerings.

The joyous activity continues this year as it welcomes artists (and artists at heart) to help decorate the Christmas tree located in the visitor center -- which is an all-new (temporary) setting thanks to Hurricane Ida back in August.

While the hurricane may have torn through the former visitor center, that hasn’t stopped the community from bouncing back … and getting more excited about the holidays than usual. To participate in this contest, all you need to do is stop by one of the predetermined locations and pick up a real oyster shell to decorate.

Use any materials you’d like and return your masterpiece to one of the pickup locations.

And, most importantly, be creative (and have fun)! Three winners will be chosen to receive a special prize.

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Holiday House at Christmas Under the Oaks in Sulphur.

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, then head over to Sulphur’s Christmas Under the Oaks Festival, where it snows every year! Located at the Henning Cultural Center complex, Heritage Square is transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, holly wreaths and yes, even snow!

The Holiday House returns on December 3 and 4. The annual event makes it easy to deck your halls with two full days of shopping, music, food, and plenty of Christmas cheer.

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Go, Do, See

Christmas in the Delta

CLEVELAND - Amid the farmlands, legendary juke joints and Southern legends of the Mississippi Delta, Cleveland is a town with a character all its own. With its brick-paved sidewalks, Victorian lighting and restored storefronts, Cleveland has been named one of Southern Living’s “Best Small Towns” and a “Small Town to Visit” by Smithsonian Magazine.

Midway between Memphis and Vicksburg, this classic railroad town on famed Highway 61 has stayed true to its roots while nurturing a hip vibe. Here, the sparkling lights of the holidays run through December.

The Crosstie District, including Cotton Row, can be seen on a paved rail-trail that runs through the city’s charming downtown, anchored by the Railroad Heritage Museum, home to one of the largest “O” Gauge model train exhibits in the country. This season, a Christmas tree with more than 100,000 lights presides over the town’s legendary 50 Nights

of Lights to Dec. 31, with events planned throughout. More than 350 holiday displays, some as large as 65 feet, fill the District and its walking trail, perfect for social distancing and also drivable by car. Take in a holiday event at the Bologna Performing Arts Center at Delta State University, a premier arts venue, presenting an impressive array of concerts, dance, Broadway touring shows and cultural programs. For example, on Dec. 7, “Mountain Holiday” will feature Chloë Agnew of Celtic Woman, John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band, IBMA Entertainer of the Year Balsam Range and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra.

Cleveland is also home of the GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi (800 West Sunflower Road, Cleveland, Mississippi 38732), an interactive and engaging attraction including films, memorabilia and more, and the town’s unique live music vibe combines signature Delta blues with rock, new coun-

try and other genres at locations throughout the town and surrounding countryside. Explore the 19 sites of The Mississippi Blues Trail in the surrounding Bolivar County, including the Dockery Farms home of blues pioneer Charley Patton. Bolivar County also has deep roots in the Civil Rights movement, and some of those stories are told through the Mississippi Freedom Trail markers that sit in front of the Amzie Moore home in Cleveland, as well as the T.R.M. Howard home in Mound Bayou.

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Delta - Continued...

Lodging includes the new Lyric Hotel (1300 Highway 8 West, Cleveland, Mississippi 38732), bringing Delta traditions and modern luxury together in Cleveland’s West End District. The much anticipated 65-room boutique hotel is the centerpiece of the new lodging, dining and entertainment venue. Or stay at the boutique Cotton House Cleveland (215 Cotton Row, Cleveland, Mississippi 38732) and enjoy luxurious lodging and award-winning cuisine from James Beard Award nominated Chef Cole Ellis. Have a festive drink overlooking the colorful sparkle at Bar Fontaine, its rooftop bar and restaurant, or peruse the provisions at Delta Meat Market, a butcher shop, restaurant, bar and boutique grocery.

Other dining options include Hey Joe’s Cafe and Record Shop (118 East Sunflower Road, Cleveland, Mississippi 38732) a modern-day juke joint known for burgers, craft beer and live music, as well as more than 30 additional choices from classic Southern and international cuisine to barbecue, crawfish and the Delta’s iconic hot tamales.

For presents and indulgences, explore one-of-kind shops–more than 30 in all–ranging from boutiques to antiques to bookstores and more. Nearby, internationally known earthenware artists offer even more opportunity for unique gifts. McCarty’s Pottery (101 Saint Mary Street, Merigold, Mississippi 38759) is known worldwide for the distinctive McCarty design. The studio grounds also include a garden listed on Smithsonian’s registry of gardens, as well as a café. Just up the road, Peter’s Pottery (301 Fortune Ave, Mound Bayou, Mississippi 38762) has gained fame, as well. Peter Woods’ family business is creating pottery in a vast assortment of forms, from delightful to functional. Stop by the historic depot and visitors’ center (101 South Bayou Avenue, Cleveland, Mississippi 38732) to design a memorable experience, find hidden gems, comfortable lodging and delicious dining. For more information, please go to VisitClevelandMS.com.

While traveling, please heed area COVID safety policies and guidelines. Check each attraction’s COVID announcements and follow any additional safety precautions you’d take at home.

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Things to Do:

Magical Winter Lights HOUSTON/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Tickets are now on sale for Houston’s iconic event at its new venue, Houston Raceway.

Magical Winter Lights, held through Jan. 2, 2022, is a 20-acre, 45day larger-than-life Christmas light show with themed lantern light sections, local entertainment on select nights, carnival rides and games, an interactive dinosaur area, and lots of holiday fun for the whole family. Returning visitors can expect the iconic Magical Winter Lights landmarks such as the entrance castle, dinosaur exhibits, and Houston’s beloved displays.

“This is a new beginning as we rebuild our event following the pandemic cancellation of last year,” said Magical Winter Light organizer, Yusi An. “Our resources are still limited to put together the full festival, but we are looking forward to welcoming back guests and providing them with joy and memories after going through such a challenging time.”

The 2020 event was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, organizers are eager to build back the world-class event in the new venue of Houston Raceway in Baytown, Texas.

“We believe this new venue provides us better parking, increased food options and organized ticket entrances,” added An. “Canceling in 2020 was tragic for our international team of lantern artists and performers but we have big dreams moving forward built upon our win of the Great Christmas Light Fight in 2019.”

“Houston Raceway Park is thrilled to welcome the largest holiday lighting event in the Houston area, and the largest lantern festival of its kind in the U.S. to our venue”, said Seth Angel, Houston Raceway Park General Manager & Vice President. “Magical

Winter Lights is a great addition to our diverse portfolio of events, and we look forward to working with the MWL team to produce the Holiday experience for our guests this fall.”

Venture into this enchanted journey to tour more than 100 individual lantern sets in eight unique themed sections built by expert lantern artists. Find renditions of landmarks from around the world, a Christmas village, the skyline of Houston, a dinosaur fun zone, festival foods, carnival rides and games, Santa and Ice Sisters meet-and-greet, plus local cultural performances on select nights.

“We invite you on an experiential adventure to explore illuminated tunnels, world landmarks, or stand beneath life-sized dinosaurs and dip into imaginary lands of joy and happiness to create memories that will last a lifetime,” said An. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.magicalwinterlights.com. The event opens daily at 5 p.m., including holidays. Parking is $10 charged onsite.

Ticket prices range from $17 to $27 at the door.

Savings can be found by purchasing in advance Children 2 and under are free.

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Places to Go:

Alamo City For More on Texas

>CLICK HERE SAN ANTONIO/PRNewswire/ -- The return of traditional favorites and new exciting additions promise to make this a must visit for the holidays.

Don’t miss the San Antonio River Walk holidays, with the return of the Parade, caroling and 100,000 twinkling lights.

New this year is Lightscape at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, through Jan. 2. This massive light extravaganza debuts in Texas after sold out shows in the UK. Visitors can enjoy the unique flora of the 38-acre gardens immersed in the magical glow of thousands of twinkling lights and displays set along a beautifully illuminated one-mile path.

The show includes installations unique to Texas created by local and international artists.

Visitors will not want to miss the cherished River Walk activities – kicking off with the return of the Ford Holiday Parade November 26 under 100,000 multicolored lights twinkling above the winding River Walk, draping from some 300-year cypress trees and creating a magical canopy through January 10. For the parade itself, more than 20 highly decorated barges with costumed characters, music and more float by entertaining all. San Antonio’s holiday spirit on the River Walk continues after the parade. The first three weekends of December,

the Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias returns with more than 2,000 luminarias (small sand-filled bags with candles) lining the banks of the River Walk as singers from the Ford Holiday Boat Caroling float by on the river (December 2-23).

A city of blended cultures and always in Fiesta-mode, activities can be found across San Antonio for all tastes and ages. Here is a sampling of what the Alamo City has lined up for 2021: • The Alamo – the Alamo grounds will be decorated with festive lights and decorated tree in the plaza, November 19 – January 3. Homemade Christmas will feature historical crafts, 19th century trades, and carols to showcase Texans celebrated Christmas in the mid-1800s.

• Pearl – Celebrate the season with Holiday Night Markets, Chanukah celebration, Posada carols, and more.

• Morgan’s Wonderland – the world’s only ultra-accessible theme park hosts Wonderland Christmas on select evenings through Dec. 23. The fully inclusive Morgan’s Wonderland features special holiday entertainment, thousands of shimmering lights and festive decorations at the 25-acre park. Those with physical and cognitive special needs receive free admission.

• Natural Bridge Caverns –

Christmas in the Caverns returns this year with live Caroling in the Caverns, the Trail of Lights walk-through, synthetic skating rink, outdoor s’mores station, AMAZEn’ Reindeer Round Up, a 30-foot musical Christmas tree, and Spelunker Claus.

• Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park – Ice skating and a decorated tree at historic Travis Park downtown will run to Jan. 22.

• San Antonio Zoo – At Zoo Lights, guests see life-sized animals from the savanna, including a 15-foot-tall illuminated giraffe in Starry Safari while sipping hot cocoa; stroll under a unique display of lights, roast s’mores, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, and visit Santa. There is a high-energy Lakeside Light Show featuring pixel technology combined with a custom soundtrack guaranteed to have all dancing to favorite Christmas tunes along with Latin inspired songs.

• SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration – The largest Christmas event in Texas returns November 11 – January 2. The marine life park will transform into a holiday wonderland featuring millions of sparkling lights, decorations, holiday festivities, and delectable holiday treats and eats. This year’s event also includes brandnew shows and entertainment, and an exclusive pass member scavenger hunt.

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Places to Go:

AMAZE Light Festival

Rosemont’s Impact Field will transform into the ultimate holiday destination with the debut of a new AMAZE Light Festival. Take a journey through golden lit paths from the North Pole to the Whimsical Forest...

Visitors are welcome to enjoy outdoor holiday activities for all ages amongst an immersive display of more than one million holiday lights. The Village of Rosemont, The Dogs partnered with Artistic Holiday Design to create the Amaze Light Festival. This might seem like an overnight introduction, but it has been more than two years of planning and preparation, according to Shawn Hunter, owner of the Chicago Dogs.

In addition to enjoying timed light shows and seven theme-based illuminated worlds, AMAZE guests can take advantage of tubing on “Polar Peak,” a holiday market, festive food and beverages, a candy shop, and more. Children can also enjoy visits to Santa’s Workshop, holiday craft making, and even festive train rides on the “Arctic Express.”

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When you come into the main gate, there’s a huge candy show, similiar to that of Willie Wonka’s factory. There’s also a holiday village serving holiday food and drinks. Then when you get down on the field, that’s when you get to experience the light show. At the center of the field, is a three-story tree that is the focal point of the light show. It will be like a winter festival theme park.

Tours are scheduled in three-hour segments to help control social distancing. Visit Amazerosemont.com to buy your tickets! Tickets are $23 for adults and $18 for ages two to 12.

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t

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INDIANAPOLIS - Christmas Nights of Lights is returning to the Indiana State Fairgrounds for the 2021 season! Come see over 1 million lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your car stereo. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the drive-thru show and begin a new Christmas tradition with us. The Nights of lights is open nightly from 6-10 p.m. through January 2, 2022 ONLINE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED No cash or credit will be accepted at the ticket booth.

With the new reservation system, wait times should be under an hour. Reserved tickets allow for a 2-hour period of your choice from 6-8 p.m. or 8-10 p.m. This will help diminish your wait time.

based on availability. Exchanges can only be made 5 days prior your original ticket date.

To purchase, go to https://www.indianastatefair.com/events/2021/christmasnights-of-lights To exchange your tickets, please call 317-593-4046.

Use entrance at Gate 12 - located on 42nd Street

PRICING $30 per car (up to 8 passengers & must ride together in a single vehicle) GROUP PRICING $50 for 9-15 passengersTICKET EXCHANGES With limited tickets available each night, there are NO REFUNDS. Exchanges for a different night or time slot -60- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2021

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Christmas at the Seiberling

KOKOMO - The Victorian elegance of the Seiberling Mansion is a perfect setting for a stunning collection of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and garlands, and more. The theme this year is “Different Decades of Christmas.” Inside the Seiberling, take in all the holiday beauty, get some ideas for your own tree, and marvel at the dozens of trees in 20 rooms on all three floors of the mansion. Vote for your favorite tree and help pick the People’s Choice.

The Seiberling will be closed in the run-up to the holiday season to let the decorators do their magic. In the meantime, mark your calendar to start the holidays with your family at the Christmas at the Seiberling Opening Night Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. Timed-ticketing will allow for social distancing and provide attendees lots of room to see everything. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. on Opening Night to help flip the switch and light up the mansion and grounds. Then, the first ticketed group will be able to enjoy the holiday decorations. Tickets can be purchased on the website at hchistory.org. Carriage rides through

the Old Silk Stocking neighborhood are back again this year on Opening Night. Reservations are required, and there are a limited number of rides available. Call the Historical Society at 765452-4314 to schedule a romantic ride for two – or for the whole family.

Christmas at the Seiberling regular hours will be Tuesday-Sunday from 1-4 p.m. until Dec. 31.

Timed tickets can be purchased online for contact-less payment. Admission during Christmas at the Seiberling will be $10 for adults and $5 for children with all proceeds supporting the museum and mansion.

In addition, free sponsored evenings will be offered Dec. 2-3, 9-10, and 1617, from 4-8 p.m. with limited, timed tickets required for all evening tours.

Tickets are available on www.hchistory.org. Masks and social distancing are recommended. Also, on Saturday, Dec. 18 from 4-8 p.m., guests will enjoy a special “candlelight” evening at the Seiberling with the opportunity to explore the museum in the softer light of a bygone era. Limited, timed tickets are required and can be found online.

Not able to visit in-person this year?

No problem! A free virtual tour of the mansion will be available via the HCHS’s Facebook page. Santa will once again visit the mansion and narrate a whimsical tour.

People will be able to visit remotely and see all of the decorators’ creations, and then vote on their favorite on the HCHS website. The virtual tour will be available to view starting Nov. 27 at https://www.facebook.com/HCHistory.

The mansion is home to the Howard County Museum. For more information, call 765-4524314 or visit their website and Facebook page.

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Go, See, Do:

Two Light Displays LE MARS - With 2021 marking its 25th year, Christmas Acres has become a staple holiday event.

Located at Rob and Joyce Scheitler’s family farm, this festive display features 181 lighted sculptures, several inflatables, music from 15 speakers and an estimated 200,000 lights is open through Dec. 31. Visitors can experience the display on its walking paths as well as enjoy hot chocolate and coffee sold by the Christian Needs Center and baked goods sold by the Scheitlers. The light display is free, though visitors are encouraged to leave a donation for the Christian Needs Center. Masks are required.

For more information and directions, visit https://www.facebook. com/christmasacres/ AMES - Announcing the return of its outdoor walk-through holiday light show, Reiman Gardens is inviting you to explore their brightly immersive light display on the 17-acre site. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from 5 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., until Jan. 1, visitors can walk through brightly lit tunnels, meander through fantasy lights falling like stars, view massive disco balls twirling to laser lights and a wide array of other sparkling wonders. Purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged. Masks are required. For more information, visit https://www. reimangardens.com/events-programs/ winter-wonderscape-holiday-light-show/

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Places to Go:

Frostfest in Hays

Voted as having the most beautiful main street in Kansas, the downtown area of Hays is decked out for the holidays. Downtown Hays is home to hundreds of businesses catering to your every shopping need.

Frostfest is a season of magic in Downtown Hays from November through December. It kicks off with Holiday Open Houses and culminates with an Illuminated Parade!

Flix is new event this year featuring two different movies offering free admission. First show is “The Grinch.” Then after the parade is finished, “Polar Expres” will be shown.

Come take pictures Santa and Mrs. Clause bring letters, say hi. parade . past the theatre / Frostfest has been a popular ongoing event in the downtown community since 2006. grown and evolved. New owners -live performances / movies / concerts.

Dec. 3/5-7 p.m. Annual Tree Lighting at the Union Pacific Park Pavilion, sponsored by the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Dec. 4/9 a.m. to noon. Winter Craft Fair and Market

The Fox Theatre, 1202 Main Street Frostfest Flicks on the Bricks, Downtown Dollar Giveaway, and the Illuminated Parade December 18th | 1- 9 p.m.

The Fox Theatre, 1202 Main Street 2021 Parade Theme: Starry Christmas Night Complete Schedule for December 18th 12:30p | Doors open for Frostfest Flicks on the Bricks | The Fox Theatre Sponsored by The Fox Theatre 1p.m. Showing of the 2000 version of “The Grinch Brought to you by Astra Bank 3:00p | Photos with the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who 5 p.m. Downtown Dollar Giveaway | at The Fox Theatre 6 p.m. Frostfest Parade | Main Street Sponsored by the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau 7:30p | Showing of “The Polar Express” and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus Brought to you by Insurance Planning Incorporated

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Brighten your holidays in downtown Rochester with The Big, Bright Light Show. The buildings in downtown Rochester will be covered with more than 1.5 million points of glimmering holiday light. It will be lit every evening through January 6, starting at 5 p.m. ending at midnight.

As a bonus, the lights will be aglow every weekend in January through the Fire & Ice Festival. Be sure to check out the wonderful Rochester businesses while you gaze at the city’s lit-up beauty.

Most stores will be open until 9 p.m. each evening.

Celebrate National Cookie Day with 12 Cookies of Christmas!

Purchase your official Downtown Rochester Cookie Tin and take a stroll downtown to collect your dozen delightful cookies on Saturday, December 4th. There is a

maximum of two tins per order.

Tin(s) are not available for shipping. Tin(s) must be picked up a the DDA’s Downtown Collaboration Studio (431 Main) between December 1 - 3 during the DDA’s business hours. *The DDA will be open until 8 p.m. Dec. 2.

The Downtown Rochester Kris Kringle Market was inspired by the 700-year old tradition of the openair Christmas markets throughout Europe. The event will feature oneof-a-kind shopping, specialty foods, fresh greens & wreaths and handcrafted gifts for the holiday. Located on West Fourth St. between Main & Walnut, dates and times are Dec. 3-4, 4-10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m.

Saturday. Visits with Santa! Friday 4 - 10 pm & Saturday Noon - 10 pm.

Santa’s thrown will be located in the Rochester Lions Tent.

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On Dec. 12, old-fashioned Caroling in the City will take place from 5-8 p.m.

Join us for more holiday spirit than you can shake a candy cane at! Christmas Choirs, Ugly Sweater Contest, Christmas Cookie Station, Strolling Carolers and the return of the Rochester Community Carolers!

You won’t want to miss it when we transform Downtown Rochester into Whoville with the grand finale of the community caroling around the Christmas tree in the middle of Main Street.

For more information, visit online at https://www.downtownrochestermi.com/

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Places to Go:

Landscape Arboretum CHASKA - Get outside and enjoy the crisp, fresh air of a winter evening, as you experience 16 outdoor light displays, featuring flowers, nature and winter fun, on an accessible, stroller-friendly walk that’s just over a half-mile. Warm up midway through the walking tour at a bonfire and roast marshmallows over the fire -- s’mores packages will be for sale. Artist Jennifer Hedberg’s luminescent ice sculptures will also be part of the display. Embrace all that a Minnesota winter has to offer -- dress for the weather!

Inside the Oswald Visitor Center, you’ll find festive decor, the Arboretum’s Gift & Garden Store, several bars serving hot cocoa, cider and alcoholic beverages and the Arboretum Cafe, offering snacks, sandwiches, salads, desserts and a rotating featured hot entree.

Want to avoid parking at the Arboretum? Buy tickets to take a Southwest Metro Transit Bus to Winter Lights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday general admission nights. Purchase the “bus tickets” and park at the Southwest Transit East Creek Transit Station (2120 Chestnut St. N., Chaska). Buses will run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 10 p.m., with the first bus leaving the station at 4:45 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale. Tickets must be purchased in advance of your visit and are $15 for ages 16 and over. Those 15 and under are free. Fore more information or to buy tickets, visit https://arb.umn. edu/

-66- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2021

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Things to Do:

Candy Cane Institute BLOOMINGTON — Mall of America is excited to announce the return of the Candy Cane Institute holiday experience, this year in person, available for families and guests of all ages. The oneof-a-kind ‘holiday research lab’ launched last year at Mall of America exclusively as a virtual experience for families, but this year, beginning November 26, Santa and his top team of elves are looking forward to welcoming guests to step inside their research lab as they continue seeking assistance to help design the perfect holiday season.

Ticket reservations for the Candy Cane Institute (CCI) will offer guests a guided and interactive experience with Santa’s merry mischief elves to aid in continuing the mission of CCI: find the true meaning of the holiday season and use those findings to make each year merrier than the last.

Inspired by the onset of the information age, the often-misguided elf analysts of CCI believe the answers to finding more joy can be found by collecting data and using in-depth research. Guests will interact with the elves throughout the experience to identify everything from the optimal candy cane shape and size to the best holiday sweater design. They can even check their naughty or nice status. Additionally, the boss of CCI, AKA Santa, will make an appearance to check in on the elves and their new research assistants visiting CCI.

“At long last, guests can help Santa’s team of data driven elves, in person, research the most awesome and efficient ways to bring forth holiday cheer,” said Chris Grap, Vice President of Experiential Entertainment for Mall of America.

“Santa and the elves are looking forward to discovering the magic of the holiday season with all who step inside Candy Cane Institute. We can’t wait to welcome families and have them experience this new holiday tradition that is guaranteed to be both merry and bright.”

Reservations are required for a visit to the Candy Cane Institute. The cost for the holiday experience is $25 + tax per group of up to 8 people. Time slots are limited. Guests should expect their Candy Cane Institute experience to last 15 – 30 minutes. To learn more, visit mallofamerica.com/holiday and view a sneak peak of the Candy Cane Institute Experience here.

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-68- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2021

BONNER SPRINGS, KS, – – Knights of Lights is in its second dazzling weekend at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival grounds. Stroll through the beautiful displays in the King’s Gate and Cotswold Common areas, enjoying food, beverages, vendors and performers, plus activities just for the kids. You can even take a ride on a Giant Rocking Horse!

Tickets are on sale at kcrenfest.com and will be available at the box office. Advance tickets

are $14.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 5-12. At the gate, prices are $18 for adults and $13 for kids 5-12. Get coupons for $3 off at any Kansas City area Minsky’s Pizza location. Children 4 and under are always free!

Bring your dog for $5 and get free treats!

Hours: Thursdays and Sundays: 5-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays: 5-11pm, December 20th24th: 5-10pm. Closed Christmas Day.

On New Year’s Eve, we will be open for a special celebration from 5pm-1am! More information can be found at www. kcrenfest.com Our light show is provided by Landers’ Visions, a local, family-owned company with nearly 35 years of experience creating decorative environments for all types of events. Information is available at landersvisions.com.

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Things to Do:

See the Holiday Lights Nea CENTRAL MISSOURI’S LAKE OF THE OZARKS SHINES BRIGHT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON - LIGHT PARKS OFFER FAMILY FUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, One of the Lake of the Ozarks’ most popular and enduring holiday traditions involves the area’s different drive-through light parks. The Lake’s four different light parks remain open until January 2, 2022 at the latest. Admission to the different light parks is free, but donations are welcome.

The Enchanted Village of Lights, the Lake of the Ozarks’ largest light park, meanders through 27 acres of the Laurie Fairgrounds and is celebrating its 28th season of warming hearts.

The Enchanted Village opens on November 20 and runs through January 2. The light park is open daily from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on weekdays and closes at 10 p.m. on weekends.

The Festival of Lights at the Shrine of Saint Patrick is also located in Laurie just a mile from the Enchanted Village on Highway 5. The Lake’s oldest light park, the Festival of Lights

is now in its 40th year and has continued to grow each season.

Thousands of lights decorate the buildings and grounds and, as this site is the home of the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, the lighted displays focus on Jesus and His mother, Mary. The St. Patrick Festival of Lights will be open daily from 6-10 p.m. from Thanksgiving through January 1.

Versailles joins the lighting celebration from Nov. 25 through Jan. 1 with its own Unity Circle of Lights, featuring 40 lighted holiday exhibits in the city park, at the junction of Highways 5 and 52 in Morgan County.

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In Osage Beach, the 92-acre Osage Beach City Park, located on Hatchery Road off of Highway 54, will be dressed in holiday lights from November 29 through December 31. The Osage Beach Holiday Lights Park will be open daily from 5-9 p.m.

Visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks area have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to com-

ar The Lake of the Ozarks fortable accommodations for the holiday season. There are full-service large-scale resorts and smaller family-owned and operated resorts as well as charming bed and breakfasts or rustic cabins and cottages.

There is no shortage of fully furnished vacation rental homes and condominiums. There also is a selection of familiar hotels and motels at the Lake. For those who prefer sleeping under the stars, there are spacious campgrounds and RV parks interspersed throughout the area.

Christmas lights and festive decorations. Learn more about all the festive events, holiday shopping, musical events and specials on lodging and dining options available at the “Best Recreational Lake in the Nation” at www.FunLake.com or by calling the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

The Lake of the Ozarks glistens during the summer months but, during the holidays, it glitters with

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Things To Do:

Christmas Around the World in Omaha

Make Omaha your home away from home this holiday season. The destination comes alive in a magical way through festive entertainment and holiday traditions from around the world.

Celebrate a German Christmas at the German American Society Center. Enjoy a holiday program of dancing, singing and food! Listen to traditional German holiday favorites by the Men’s Choir. Shop for crafts & items imported from Germany at the Christmas Market! Experience the German dancers as they perform various holiday dances from various regions of Germany. The evening ends with a sing-along of the song “Silent Night.”

See the traditional A Christmas Carol performance at the Omaha Community Playhouse, which has been offering this quality holiday performance for 35 years. It has become an Omaha family holiday tradition! Enjoy a professional production of Dickens’ classic tale with musical score, special effects and elaborate costumes. The setting is Victorian England, in the city of London, during the 1800s. Dickens often criticized the Victorian era in many of his popular works, mainly because of its social structure and its division of the people between rich and poor, as well as its social injustices and socioeconomic inequality.

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For a visit to Greece, visit the St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church for dinner and tour of the Byzantine Style church.

Groups are amazed by the décor of gold and traditional icons. Tour includes a presentation of the meaning of the décor and the history of the Greek Orthodox Church. After tour, travel downstairs via elevator where members of the congregation will join your group for dinner and holiday program. Learn about how Christmas is celebrated in Greece. Listen to Christmas carols in the Greek language.

Last, but certainly not least, visit “home” where hundreds of poinsettias are on view including trees consisting of 700 poinsettias at Lauritzen Gardens. Miniature trains travel across the display which includes replicas of famous Omaha Landmarks. https://www.visitomaha.com/

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N

Ride The Christmas Train

elsonville’s longest-running annual event at the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, is the Santa Train. It has been a long-standing family tradition for more than three decades to arrive at the depot, hop on the passenger car, enjoy Christmas music, the beautiful country scenery, and to top it all off - a visit from Santa!

a special candy cane treat! Make sure your child or grandchild brings his or her Christmas wishlist to share with Santa! Tickets are $21 for adults and $16 for children ages 3-12.

On Dec. 9 only, you can enjoy an evening of fine dining on the Elegant Dinner Train as it travels through the Hocking Hills These ever-popular trains conof Southeast Ohio. During this tinue each Saturday and Sunday 3-hour excursion enjoy a fourthrough Sunday, Dec. 19th. Two course dinner prepared by Chef trains depart the Nelsonville Depot Alfonso Contrisciani. The main traveling round-trip to East Logan course offers a choice of Slow and back each Saturday and SunRoasted Apple Smoked Turkey day at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Breast or Pineapple Glazed Country Ham. Tickets for this particular Each train features the same dinner train are $75. To check out theme – Santa gets on board the the full menu and/or reserve ticktrain and visits with each child ets visit https://www.hvsry.org/ as the train traverses the historic train-rides/ (and with any luck, snow-covered) Hocking River Valley. Each coach The last train of the season is the is decorated and heated, Christmas New Year’s Eve Special. Party on music plays throughout the train the train as you ring in the New over the audio system, and after Year with pizza and pop or wine Santa’s visit, each child receives and cheese! The train comes to a

stop around midnight to watch the fireworks and celebrate the new year! Two seating sections are available: “Pizza & Pop” and “Wine & Cheese.” Only those over age 21 are permitted in the Wine & Cheese section. Each coach is heated.

These train rides are incredibly popular and do tend to sell out, so order as early as possible to secure your spot! To order tickets in advance or for more information, visit online at https://hvsry.org.

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A Drive - Through Fantasy Light Display Open Every Night Through New Year’s Eve 6:00 PM - 10: 00 PM - Open in all weather & Holidays Admission by cash donation - you set the price!

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, we have planted dozens of trees, helped with electrical updates and recently working with the City and Middletown Youth Soccer and the Ohio Challenge, have started repaving the roads in Smith Park.

The mission of Light Up Middletown is to raise funds to make improvement to Middletown City Parks and to present a first-class holiday event that will draw guests not only from the immediate area but from a wider region. By working with other local holiday event planners and light displays, Light Up Middletown hopes to make Middletown a hub of holiday activity.

STORYTIME WITH SANTA Join Santa at the SORG Opera House Theatre for an evening of stories as he reads “The Polar

Express” and “The Night Before Christmas.”

Thursday, December 23rd at 6:30pm This free event is perfect for small children as runtime is about a hour total. But, all are welcome. Reservations are required as seating is limited. Please email lynnelakeman@gmail.com with the number of chlidren and total number of your party.

Our Address: Located at Smith Park Tytus and Verity Parkway 500 Tytus Avenue Middletown, Ohio 45042 Directions: From 75 North or South take EXIT 32 (OHIO 122) and head WEST follow the red Light Up Middletown signs to Smith Park

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Go, See, Do...

The Nutcrackers in STEUBENVILLE – The holiday season is an especially joyful time in Steubenville, Ohio, where Nutcrackers, model trains, StoryWalks, and glorious lights have made visiting the city a holiday tradition for many families.

Beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving through the beginning of the new year, the historic downtown is transformed into the Steubenville Nutcracker VillageTM, with over 180 life-sized Nutcrackers that inhabit the sidewalks, parks, and storefronts 24/7.

Each unique Nutcracker, designed and produced by the local artisans at Nelson’s of Steubenville, depicts a character from history, literature, music, popular culture, or profession. Meet Rosie the Riveter, Jack Frost, and all the Rat Pack personalities while taking memorable selfies to send home.

Chief designer, Therese Fedoryka, says she is enthusiastic for this seventh year of the event.

“Our latest addition to the collection, a dazzling Peacock Nutcracker, was designed by Sonya Godfrey for our first nutcracker competition, and will be revealed at the start of the season! We’re looking forward to the continuation of many holiday traditions here, such as Hayrides, the Children’s Corner, and a Nutcracker StoryWalk organized by the Jefferson County Public Library, as well as some new additions to the festival that will be announced soon!”

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To add to the celebration, on four weekend evenings there will be a light and music show on the Jefferson County Courthouse on Market Street.

Historic churches and buildings in town will light up for the season and offer special tours and concerts.

Historic Fort Steuben – 120 S. 3rd Street - hosts Christmas at the Fort, with colorful walkways of light, music, Nutcrackers, and fairy tale figures surrounding the spectacular 30’ Christmas Tree in Fort Steuben Park. Weekends are special as the Advent Market, will be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Nov. 26 to Dec. 19, and features decorated booths with vendors selling crafts, food, and souvenirs.

Choral groups filling the air with song, Milly’s Kids’ Zone, the Holly Trolley, and tours of the reconstructed Fort Steuben add to the fun. The Fort Steuben Visitor Center features an art exhibit, a model train village and a Christmas Shop that carries a variety of gifts, books, and mementos of your visit.

The Ohio Valley Model Railroad Display, located just a few blocks from the center of town at 248 N. 4th Street, will be open on weekends presenting a massive, detailed exhibit of an industrial Ohio Valley landscape including bridges, factories, creeks, buildings, and mountains -- finely detailed down to the junk in the railyards -- with O-Gauge model trains clickety-clacking through it all.

Steubenville For those who enjoy winter hikes, Beatty Park on Lincoln Avenue has trails through this historic nature preserve. A Christmas at the Park event on Dec. 4th will include a Nativity, community choir, holiday hikes/ rides to the old holiday-decorated stone lodge, campfires, and a blacksmith who will be sharing pioneer and historical stories.

Earlier that day, the annual Eastern Gateway Community College Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade will bring floats, marching bands, classic cars, and dance troupes down Fourth Street.

North Fourth Street is the place for shopping - for gifts and souvenirs at Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe, locally roasted coffee at Leonardo’s Coffeehouse, treats from Steubenville Popcorn Company, new and used books from BookMarx, and specialty items from The Prodigal Daughter.

“This is truly a community event,” explains Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla. “We have received major support from Trinity Health System, Eastern Gateway Community College, Franciscan University of Steubenville, TEAM Automotive as well as from dozens of businesses, organizations, and volunteers. It’s wonderful how everyone catches and spreads the Christmas spirit… it’s magical!”

For more information on the Nutcracker Village go to SteubenvilleNutcrackerVillage. com or for Christmas in Steubenville, go to VisitSteubenville.com or call 740.283.4935.

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Things to Do:

Kings Island Winterfest

MASON-Kings Island’s Winterfest, the Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade and more popular end-ofthe-year attractions are back in action this winter and expected to once again draw considerable crowds to Warren County, Ohio, according to the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB).

Kings Island’s Winterfest will be back and bigger than ever this holiday season. Featuring ice skating on the park’s iconic Royal Fountain, state-of-the-art light displays, live shows, festive food and a brand new nightly holiday parade, the seasonal celebration will welcome back guests select dates November 26 through December 31.

Also back this year is Lebanon’s historic Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival. Once again featuring more than 100 decorated carriages pulled by mini horses, Clydesdales, Percherons and more, the event will also offer live entertainment, specialty shopping and food and craft booths when it returns December 4.

Historic Downtown Lebanon will also be the site of holiday-themed train rides on the Lebanon Mason & Monroe (LM&M) Railroad’s North Pole Express.

Offered select dates and times November 19 through December 26, the North Pole Express experience includes visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, entertainment from elves, hot chocolate and holiday cookies.

LM&M will also be hosting a holiday season kick-off event this Thursday, November 18. Proceeds from that event – The Holiday Train Illumination – will go to benefit Dayton Children’s Hospital.

Great Wolf Lodge will once again transform into Snowland beginning November 28. In addition to its sprawling 84-degree indoor waterpark, the lodge will feature life-size gingerbread houses, visits from -80- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2021

Santa, holiday activities and more seasonal offerings.

Showcasing its nationally renowned outdoor walk-through display of approximately one million LED lights, The Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio, will welcome back guests November 19 through December 23. Holiday shops, pictures with Santa, themed train rides and festive food and drink offerings will round out the guest experience.

Home to decorated, historic Main Streets, a variety of locally owned dining options and more than 100 antique, boutique and specialty shops, the towns of Lebanon, Waynesville and Springboro will once again be among the region’s most popular smalltown holiday shopping destinations. Waynesville’s Christmas in the Village will be held December 3 through December 5. Springboro’s La Comedia Dinner Theatre will play host to live, Broadway-style performances of the holiday comedy classic A Christmas Story select dates now through December 30.

Finally, Yuletide Village, a 16th Century-styled holiday celebration complete with era-inspired light shows, music, live entertainment and more returns to the grounds of the Ohio Renaissance Festival in Waynesville select dates through December 18.

More information on all of Warren County’s winter events and attractions is available at OhiosLargestPlayground.com.

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Things to Do

Come - Bring a carload - Drive Thru - Enjoy Hours between December 1st - 30th are Friday, Saturday & Sunday 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday Thursday 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Check daily for weather related information.

a right turn onto E. Wyandot Avenue (RIGHT TURN ONLY). This will help with traffic flow. See directions and traffic information for the Fantasy of Lights.

Photos by Stan Kear

Since 1997, Harrison Smith Park, just east of downtown Upper Sandusky, has been transformed into a fabulous light showduring the month of December. Through the volunteer efforts of many individuals, organizations and businesses, the 33 acres of the park are ablaze with millions of lights and a myriad of unique light displays along the drive through the park

Carriage Rides

the Bay” which is the 2021 featured display sponsored by Dick Eyestone.

Suggested Donations

A donation per car is requested: proceeds benefit a local charitable organization that is selected yearly.

Cars - $5.00 (Monday through Thursday) or $10.00 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Commercial Vans - $15.00 Tour Buses - $50.00 Fantasy Walk Events are scheduled, free and open to the public.

However, donations are again accepted to benefit the Wyandot County Food Pantries.

Traditional carriage rides are available certain evenings only.

Reservations are required. There are 8 carriage rides per night with the first ride at 5:40 p.m. Each ride can seat 5-6 people. Dates available at the time of this article are Dec. 6-8, 13, 26-28.

A Special Momento

Postcards will be given to all vehicles starting Monday, December 6 while supplies last. The postcard this year will feature “Christmas on

Directions and Traffic Information

All traffic entering the park will come from the west, down the hill from the courthouse. There will be 2 lanes beginning at the courthouse with the lane closest to the curb designated for incoming Fantasy traffic.

The center lane will be for through traffic going to gas stations, Walmart, Bob Evans, or other fastfood restuarants. When exiting the park after viewing the light show, make

Be a Sponsor or Volunteer: Make a donation to make a difference!

Sponsorships due by November 1st to have your name or business recognized in the program. More information is available on our Sponsors page.

Many hands make light work!

Many volunteers are needed to make the Fantasy of Lights a success. If you are interested in being a Fantasy volunteer, visit our Sponsors page.

2021 Donation Recipients are; All Species Adoption Program, Angeline Industries, No One Fights Alone, Village of Wharton Gift certificates are available at Koehler Drug Company in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. For more Information call the Wyandot County Visitor’s Bureau Office at 419-294-3556 or email: fantasyoflights@gmail.com

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Places to Go

Christmas Mountain Village The winter holidays are upon us, and the community is embracing this time of year with festive decorations and activities throughout the season.

In Wisconsin Dells, a fresh coat of snow to enhance the area’s natural beauty is almost as enticing as an 84-degree waterpark in the middle of winter. Whether you prefer appreciating the glistening landscape from inside or outside, we have an experience that’s sure to warm your heart.

If you’re looking for inspiration to get you and your family in an especially jolly mood this holiday season, then this story is for you. Find out what the Dells is up to with these Christmas vacation ideas in Wisconsin.

At Christmas Mountain Village, Nature lovers will appreciate the quiet majesty of the Wisconsin Dells and the area’s many outdoor activities, as well as over 77 other local attractions, shows and theme parks. Situated just west of the Dells,, Christmas Mountain Village™ is a year-round playground that offers downhill ski runs and 27 holes of golf. As you approach the resort, you pass endless rows of picturesque pine trees, beautiful farmland, rolling hills, woods and golf course greens.

Resort accommodations range from rustic yet well-appointed cabins, cottages, villas, timers and townhomes.

Each features all the comforts of home, from full kitchens and baths to washers and dryers, separate living and dining areas and spacious bedrooms, plus cozy fireplaces.

Frolic in the year-round indoor pool complete with splash features, soak in the hot tub or visit the resort’s two dining establishments. Mulligan’s Bar N’ Grill is the perfect place to kick back and watch your favorite sports teams and events on 10 big-screen TVs. The cozy lodge ambiance compliments the awesome view overlooking the golf

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course, slopes and lighted tree line. Jolly’s Burgers. Brats & Fun is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite for all members of the family.

At the end of the day, melt away your cares in front of the cozy fireplace featured in each of our various vacation homes: cabins, cottages, villas, timbers and townhomes.

For a RV enthusiasts, Christmas Mountain Village also offers RV sites! Both back-in and pull-through sites are available for reservation with Vacation Points.

Each site features an asphalt pad with water, sewer, electric and cable hookups, plus a fire ring, grill and picnic table.

Shower/bath houses are available on site. One small tent permitted on each site with RV (no stand-alone tents please). Complete details below Resort Notes. Subject to availability, restrictions apply. https://www.christmasmountainvillage.com/

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Go, Do, See

Chetola Resort Festival of Lights

BLOWING ROCK - Chetola Resort once again welcomes guests to its drive-through tour known as the Festival of Lights. The display includes close to 30,000 lights throughout the resort and around Chetola Lake.

The Festival of Lights is free and open to the public through Jan. 30, 2022. Drive through the resort and see lighted displays of carolers, a Nativity scene and other holiday symbols. Park and walk around Chetola Lake and the property.

Roll down your window to hear a merry melody.

New this year: Winterland Kids Stroll invites kids to complete a game of self-guided activities around the lake. Upon completion, kids check in at the recreation center for a holiday treat.

Get game instructions at the hotel front desk or entrance gate.

Pro Tips: • Weeknights afford less traffic and wait times.

• The lights come on at dusk and end at 10 p.m.

• Expect to be greeted by friend-

ly security pros at the entry gate.

• Call 828-295-5500 for questions.

• Timberlake’s Restaurant is open to “cruisers,” and reservations are strongly recommended due to staffing shortages.

• Set your GPS for 185 Chetola Lake Drive, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 if you are coming from out of town.

front of guests.

Chetola Resort is North Carolina’s premier family-friendly mountain resort located in Blowing Rock, N.C. It welcomes guests with three types of accommodations across 78 acres in a woodland setting adjacent to Moses Cone Memorial Park and within walking distance of downtown Blowing Rock and around the corner from Tanger Outlets. The resort offers a spa, fly-fishing with an Orvis®-endorsed guide, on-site dining, and a sporting reserve.

Chetola.com and www.instagram. com/chetolaresort

Skater Lights at Chetola Resort Festival of Lights On-site lodge rooms, inn and condo offerings are available for overnight visitors, pending availability. Masks are encouraged (not required) upon entry to the restaurant and indoor hotel facilities. Staff will continue to mask in

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A Speedway Christmas CONCORD – While many are putting the finishing touches on their costumes and gathering candy in preparation for Halloween, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s elves are already hard at work stringing lights for the Southeast’s largest drive-thru holiday light display, Speedway Christmas, which opens Nov. 19.

For more than a decade, Charlotte Motor Speedway has transformed into a Christmas wonderland, welcoming fans from across the country to a festive holiday escape featuring more than 4 million twinkling lights strung throughout a 3.75-mile drive-thru course.

Many of the lights will be synchronized to lively Christmas music that guests can listen to on their car radio as they wind through the show.

To bring the elaborate show to life, crews will rack up an estimated 5,000 work hours stringing, testing and connecting lights. More than 800 individual displays, including some more than 80-feet tall (eight stories high), will be assembled over the next several weeks.

“Putting on an event of this magnitude is a huge undertaking, but visitors have come to expect the very best from Speedway Christmas, and our team always looks forward to delivering exactly that,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Crews started setup immediately following the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 NASCAR weekend and they’ll be hard at work right up until opening night. The smiles on the faces of our guests as they drive through is well worth all the effort, and we’re proud to continue this wonderful Christmas tradition.”

Back by popular demand for 2021, Speedway Christmas will again feature the infield Christmas Village, where visitors can exit their cars amid the beautifully lit displays and enjoy a bevy of holiday activities from photos with Santa to shopping for gifts and making s’mores by the fire, every Thursday through Sunday night. Also on those nights, guests can enjoy a variety of popular drive-in Christmas movies – from “Elf” and “Christmas Vacation” to “The Grinch” and “A Christmas Story,” on the 16,000-square-foot Speedway TV. TICKETS: Speedway Christmas will open nightly from Nov. 19 through Jan. 16, with the exception of limited private bookings and Christmas Eve. Tickets are sold per vehicle (up to 15 passengers), starting at $30 every Monday through Wednesday night and $40 Thursday through Sunday. A new, dedicated Fast Pass lane will allow guests to skip the lines on busier nights for just $70 per vehicle. The new Fast Pass route will feature entry off Morehead Road at Entrance P behind the speedway.

Tickets are available online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or at the gate upon entry. Advance online purchases are recommended and fans should download their digital tickets before arrival.

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Winter Wonderland at The Beach brings the magic of the holidays to life, right in the heart of Myrtle Beach. Here at The Beach, snow boots are swapped out for sandals and cookies are a great substitued for crab legs. With all the food, fun attractions, and entertainment, you are sure to be as merry as you can be!

During this festive season, the downtown and boardwalk areas will be transformed into a sparkling holiday dreamland, filled with twinkling lights and family fun. Each Friday and Saturday in December from 2-6 p.m., bring the family out to meet Santa and his helpers while enjoying free live entertainment, kids crafts, and much more.

Myrtle Beach during the holidays has everything you are looking for – warmer weather, dazzling holiday shows, fantastic shopping, festive events and pa-

rades, superb restaurants, comfy accommodations – and of course, The Beach!

Join in for an extended weekend getaway at the new holiday festival, Winter Wonderland at The Beach, featuring walkthrough light displays and a real ice-skating rink in downtown Myrtle Beach. Create new holiday memories to cherish all year long by taking pictures with the light displays or on the ice rink, remembering that your happy place is always The Beach. This event will continue every evening until January 2, 2022. Winter Wonderland at the Beach is a cashless event. No cash will be accepted on site. So be sure to bromg a credit or debit card to purchase tickets and other items at the event. For more information on the Winter Wonderland at The Beach and other holiday events along the

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Boardwalk, please visit the festival website – WinterWonderlandAtTheBeach.com.

There are fees for the light show, ice skating, skate rentals, and combined package offers of $25 for all.

For more Myrtle Beach cheer, check out our Holiday Vacation Guide, filled with holiday shows, deals, itineraries, events and more! Walking in a Winter Wonderland…at The Beach!

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t

Clarksville Dazzles for the Holidays

Need an extra dose of the holiday spirit? The Christmas glow you’ll find along Clarksville’s Riverwalk and downtown streets deliver a dazzling experience for all ages. From its Hallmark-worthy small-town charm to its beautiful scenery

and array of activities, a getaway to Clarksville this holiday season is sure to create lifetime memories…and maybe even new traditions for your family.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is back. The Winter Ice Rink at the Downtown Commons opens on November 20. The seasonal outdoor ice rink will stay open through the holiday season with a closing date of January 10. Regular operating hours will be Thursdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9

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p.m., and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hours will vary on holidays, during school breaks, and special events. Ice skates are provided and included in the cost of the ticket. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for 12 and under. For updates follow the park’s Facebook page. Downtown Commons is also home to Montgomery County’s Christmas tree and a large sleigh that’s designed for photos. Take a few minutes to capture your adventure with some snapshots.

Christmas on the Cumberland

Christmas on the Cumberland is Clarksville’s most popular and treasured seasonal tradition. Over one million lights in dazzling display illuminate the half-mile Riverwalk at McGregor Park. The free event

rium-style setting.

Admission is $5 per person. For showing dates and times, or to purchase tickets, visit roxyregionaltheatre.org.

Christmas Village & Noel Night Experience a season-best at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center.

See the artistry of hundreds of porcelain pieces that construct a festive Christmas Village.

Drive-Thru Christmas Lights With moving parts and lights, and a model train making its Stay in the safety of your car way through the village, the to experience the Clarksville Speedway’s Drive-Thru Christ- exhibit is sure to bring smiles to all ages. Experience Christmas mas Lights. This light show continues through Jan. 1. Cruise Village from November 16 the one-mile track to take in the January 1. glow and sounds of the season Noel Night at the Museum is in the over three million light an open-house event with spedisplay. Cost is $25 per carload cials in the Seasons gift shop, and the display opens nightly free gift wrapping, food, music at 5:30 p.m. View admission and a special guest from the and special discount nights at www.clarksvillespeedway.com. North Pole. continues through January 1.

Christmas on the Cumberland is open Sunday-Thursday from 5 -10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5 -11 p.m.

Roxy Regional Theatre Movies The Roxy Regional Theatre will be the host to many holiday events this winter. This year’s seasonal movie lineups include: “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical,” Elf, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and Santa Claus. A Wonderful Life opens November 25 and extends through December 18.

In addition to these holiday classics, December 15, the Roxy will be showcasing Holiday Hits Cabaret. This event will be the ideal time to enjoy holiday classics in a beautiful audito-

Spiritfest & Lighted Christmas Parade SpiritFest is an outdoors pre-parade event at First Presbyterian and Trinity Episcopal Churches downtown. Activities begin December 3 at 2:00 p.m. and include musical performances, a petting zoo, hot chocolate and snacks, arts and crafts, along with storytelling.

The event culminates with the 61st Annual Lighted Christmas Parade at 5 p.m.

Erin’s Farm Enjoy outdoor games, a free craft for the kids from Arts for

Hearts, Xander’s Pizza food truck, and family fun at Erin’s Farm’s Winterfest on November 27 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

While attending, you can pick and cut your own farm-fresh Christmas tree. The Christmas tree farm will also be open November 26, 28, and December 3-5. A gift gallery carries a variety of hand-blown glass and other work by local artisans - perfect for your holiday shopping State Park First Day Hikes Start the New Year with a commitment to fitness and wellness. January 1 join other fitness and outdoor enthusiast on First Day Hike. Both Dunbar Cave State Park and Port Royal Historic State Park participate in America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states. Each park hosts a short guided hike through the park with a ranger highlighting winter foliage, wildlife and interesting historic facts. For times at each location check the TN State Parks website.

The events listed above are just a small glimpse into what Clarksville has to offer this holiday season. Visit www.visitclarksvilletn.com or download our VisitClarksvilleTN app to customize your holiday getaway. Happy Holidays.

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Go, See, Do

Alexamdria Holiday M ALEXANDRIA — Experience holiday magic on historic streets in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, located just minutes from Washington, D.C. Recognized by Oprah Daily as one of the Most Magical Christmas Towns Across the World in 2021, Alexandria brings an old-fashioned sense of holiday wonder on centuries-old brick-lined streets, twinkling with holiday traditions that make visitors feel transported.

This holiday season marks the return of Alexandria’s biggest holiday weekend featuring the Campagna Center’s 50th Anni-

versary Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and the 21st Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon.

Don’t miss cherished holiday traditions throughout the season, including Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon and Waterskiing Santa on Christmas Eve. Throughout the season, holiday markets abound citywide for festive al fresco experiences. Lovers of the arts can soak up live performances from the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Little Theatre of Alexandria, and more. For parades, candlelight tours, festive

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performances and more, check out the upcoming events below.

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Dec. 4/Old Town Alexandria’s historic waterfront will shine for this 21st annual event sponsored

by Amazon at 5:30 p.m. as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline. Enjoy dockside festivities from 2 to 8 p.m. in Waterfront Park including a popup beer garden from Port City Brewing Company and holiday music and giveaways Admission

Magic is free; however bring money for food/drink and some activities.

Parade viewing areas: Founders Park, Alexandria City Marina, Waterfront Park, Point Lumley Park, Shipyard/Harborside Park, Windmill Hill Park and Ford’s Landing Park VisitAlexandriaVA. com/BoatParade Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon Dec. 17-18, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Kick off the holiday season with sparkling fireworks overlooking the Potomac River. Tour the George Washington’s Mansion Mt. Ver-

non to learn about holiday celebrations during Washington’s time with live 18th-century music.

See the lantern-lit historic area, the Mansion aglow in beautiful amber light, and the Upper Garden and Greenhouse dazzling in blue and lavender with moving wintry light patterns. You’ll hear classic holiday music and patriotic inspirational quotes on the Bowling Green. Admission: $26-60, mountvernon.org/illuminations For more holiday events and activities, visit VisitAlexandriaVA. com/holidays.

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People to See:

T

The Ghosts of Christm

HE RESORT AT GLADE SPRINGS ANNOUNCES ITS 12TH YEAR OF FRIGHT NIGHTS WITH BRAND NEW THEMES AND EVENTS DANIELS - Fright Nights WV at The Resort at Glade Springs will once again hold its popular Christmas - themed haunted attraction, named “The Fright Before Christmas,” over two weekends this December. The holiday haunt which was named one of the top ten scariest Christmas themed haunts

by Travel Channel in 2019 will run this Christmas/Krampus-themed haunted attraction on Fridays and Saturdays, December 12, 11, 17, and 18 from 7-9:30 p.m.

“We’re swapping out pumpkins for Christmas lights and unleashing evil elves, scary snowmen, and Krampus himself,” said staff members of the Resort at Glade Springs.

“If you thought our Halloween event was scary, then you better watch out, you better not cry…”

General admission is $25 per person and reserved by appointment to help with long waiting lines. Those who are interested in attending this year’s event can get tickets at frightnightswv.com

Springs. “We didn’t really know what to expect the first time we tried a Christmas themed haunt, but we were blown away by the response we received. This inspired us to continue the holiday tradition and give our community even more opportunities to attend by extending the event to “The continued growth of Fright two weekends.”

Nights year after year made us The hotel and resort are set in realize that the community wanted the midst of a gorgeous 4,100more when it came to haunted atacre property in the lap of the tractions”, said Ashley Long, CreaAppalachian Mountains! Our tive Director at The Resort at Glade -96- | WEEKENDEREXTENDED.COM ~ December, 2021

premier, full-service West Virginia resort, specializes in golf, ski, and offers a mindboggling variety of other recreational activities, as well as 200 lodging rooms for guests in West Virginia. The resort features a state-of-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

mas Past, Present, Future For more on West Virginia

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indoor leisure center, full-service spa and salon, 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.

For more information and to make reservations, visit online at https://gladesprings.com/

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