Just in time for Thanksgiving, Georgia State Parks are making it easy and affordable to enjoy time with family this holiday season, without the stress of houseguests and cleaning. Families can celebrate the holidays in Georgia’s great outdoors with a cornucopia of festive events, diverse recreational opportunities, and hotel-style lodge rooms with lower winter rates.
”Georgia’s State Parks are a practical choice for all types of holiday celebrations, from family reunions and getaways, to office parties and church retreats,” said Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Clark. “After the Thanksgiving feast is complete, our park guests can burn off those calories with an array of recreational opportunities. From hiking and biking trails to championship golf and playgrounds, there is something to fit every interest and fitness level.”
Traditional Holiday Events & Fun in the Great Outdoors
Families looking for budget-friendly activities during school break can participate in array of holiday events, from visits with Santa to Christmas tree displays. Below is a sampling of the holiday festivities, and a complete calendar is listed at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.
• Appalachian Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 26, 11 a.m.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville
Experience a traditional Thanksgiving buffet with old-fashioned fun. Displays and Appalachian cultural demonstrations will be presented at the lodge. Reservations for the Thanksgiving buffet are required (space fills quickly). Ask about lodge room availability. $5 parking. (706) 344-1505.
• 2009 Festival of Trees
Friday, November 27 through Saturday, December 12,
Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen
View beautifully decorated trees throughout Unicoi Lodge. This event is hosted by White County Chamber of Commerce. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.
• Christmas Open House
Saturday, December 5, 4 p.m.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville
Enjoy musical performances and gingerbread house creations, and then go for a winter hayride. Afterwards warm up by the fire and visit with Santa. Save time for a meal in the park’s mountain-view restaurant. $5 parking. (706) 265-1969.
• Deck the Halls of Unicoi
Saturday, December 5, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen
This celebration includes making holiday crafts, hayrides (weather permitting), visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a special meal in the park's restaurant, and an evening of live music in the beautifully decorated lodge. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.
Affordable Family Entertaining & Recreation
Large families interested in a casual affair can take the holiday reunion outdoors and rent covered picnic shelters or enclosed group shelters, allowing more time for connecting and less time in the kitchen. For those interested in leaving the food preparation behind, full-service catering and restaurants are available at five of Georgia’s State Park Lodges. Catering services accommodate banquets, receptions, private parties and even special food requests such as restricted and budget-friendly diets.
Diverse Lodging Options for Every Lifestyle
Families travelling for an extended holiday can choose from a variety of lodging options at Georgia State Parks. Accommodations include modern campsites, fully equipped cottages, memorable yurts and even hotel-style lodges, so those not excited about sleeping under the stars can still hit the trails by day and sleep in a comfortable bed by night. Lower winter Lodge-ical Rates begin at $59 at George T. Bagby State Park on Lake Walter F. George, Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae and Red Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona, and $69 at Amicalola Falls State Park near Dawsonville and Unicoi State Park near Helen. Some blackout dates apply. Guests can call 1-800-864-PARK (7275) to book their vacations with the Lodge-ical Rate.
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North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
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Labels: Georgia, holidays, state parks
Alpharetta Downtown Historic District will light up at the 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 pm on Sunday, December 6, 2009. The celebration will take place in the Milton Square City Park at Milton Avenue and Main Street.
Creating special memories for area families for over 30 years, the celebration began in 1977 with about 100 people gathered around a 6-foot live blue spruce tree. Alpharetta’s annual holiday event has grown to approximately 3,000 people celebrating the lighting of the 45-foot tree.
“The Christmas Tree Lighting has brought the Alpharetta community together for years,” said Mayor Arthur Letchas. “It is a perfect time to enjoy the simple traditions of holiday season.” The children’s classic book, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, will be read on the main stage by Mayor Letchas and his wife Sally.
An entertainment program will feature live music and caroling with James Casto. Plus enjoy holiday performances by City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department Rhythm n’ Shoes Dance Program, and Alpharetta Christian Academy Children’s Chorus.
Alpharetta’s Christmas tree will come aglow with 10,000 twinkling lights at approximately 5:40 pm, just before the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on a City of Alpharetta fire truck, which has been a local tradition since the first event thirty-two years ago. The Christmas Tree Lighting will offer the opportunity for children to talk with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the park gazebo. A North Fulton Jaycee’s volunteer will be on hand to help take FREE online photos, or parents may bring their cameras to take photos.
On Milton Square City Park, entertainment will consist of strolling elves creating FREE balloon sculptures, bubbles, glow necklaces and holiday crafts provided by City of Alpharetta; and FREE face painting provided by Milton High School’s Interact Club. Dancing candy canes, marching soldiers, and the beautiful ballerina Clara from the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker will also entertain guests. Beware of the evil mice as they may make an appearance!
Black Magic Carriage horse drawn trolley rides are FREE and will take you to the 1935 Future Farmers of America Log Cabin where you will be greeted by the Alpharetta Historical Society volunteers available to give a tour of the historic site. The shops and restaurants of Historic Downtown Alpharetta will also feature holiday activities so make sure to visit the local businesses.
Starbucks will warm the evening with complimentary hot chocolate and coffee drinks. Smokejack, A Southern Grill will be available for dinner fare. Philly Pretzel Factory will be providing assorted savory and sweet pretzel creations with fifty percent of the proceeds from the evening donated to Toys for Tots!
The 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is free to the public. Free parking is available at City Hall and Milton Center (the old Milton High School). The event owes its success, in part, to the generous volunteerism of the Dr. James J. Awbrey IV, D.M.D and Staff, Milton High School Interact Club, Milton High School Key Club, North Fulton Jaycees, and Hopewell Middle School Jr. Beta Club. For more information, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us or phone 678-297-6078.
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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: Alpharetta, christmas tree, christmas tree lighting
Production at Kia's new auto assembly plant in western Georgia officially begins Monday.
THE $3 billion plant in West Point will employ about 1,000 people by the end of the year.
It's expected to attract an extra 20,000 jobs to the area by 2012.
Troup County -- where the plant is located -- has had one of the highest rates of unemployment in the state because of textile mill closings.
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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: Georgia, jobs, Kia
