If commercialized holidays have stolen a bit of twinkle from your eyes, gather your loved ones for a trip to Georgia’s state parks and historic sites. Instead of shopping-mall Santas and long register lines, you’ll find popcorn-strung trees and candlelit windows. Best of all? Low admission fees will leave plenty of spare cash in your holiday budget. You may even check off some names from your shopping list with gifts of annual ParkPasses and memberships to Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites.
Below is the Christmas 2007 calendar from Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites, including traditional celebrations such as hand-bell choirs, caroling and candle-lit tours. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaState Parks.org or call 1-800-864-7275. Georgia’s 63 State Parks and Historic Sites are operated by the Department of Natural Resources.
Christmas 2007 Events
Northern Georgia
~ Old Fashioned Christmas - Saturday, December 1, 10 a.m. -6 p.m. - Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site - Dahlonega - Santa Clause is coming to town for the grand lighting of the historic Dahlonega Square, complete with a parade where Santa will arrive by reindeer sleigh. The Gold Museum will be dressed in its finest Christmas decorations. $2.50-$4. (706) 864-3513.
~ Deck the Halls of Unicoi - Saturday, December 1, 3 -8 p.m. - Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen - This holiday celebration includes making holiday crafts, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a special meal in the park's restaurant, and an evening of music in the beautifully decorated lodge. $3 parking. (800) 573-9659 ext. 305.
~ Holiday Open House at the Gold Museum - Sunday, December 2, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. - Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site - Dahlonega - As a gift to the community, the museum will be beautifully decorated and admission will be waived. Dahlonega Gold Museum is housed in the oldest existing courthouse in Georgia, built in 1836. Free. (706) 864-2257.
~ Christmas Open House - Saturday, December 8 - Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville - Enjoy choir performances, gingerbread house creations, and holiday crafts. Then go for a winter hayride and afterwards warm up by the fire and visit with Santa. $3 parking. (706) 265-4703.
~ Christmas at the Gorge - Saturday, December 8, 2-4 p.m. - TallulahGorgeState Park – Tallulah Falls - Spend the afternoon visiting with Santa, watching holiday movies in our theater, making crafts, playing Holiday Bingo and listening to Christmas music, all while enjoying the beautifully decorated Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center. $4 parking. (706) 754-7981.
~ Christmas Tree Lighting - Saturday, December 8, 4:45 p.m. - Vogel State Park - Blairsville - Tree lighting, caroling, hayrides, Santa Claus, bonfires, hot chocolate, cider fill the day. Join in on the "Give A Gift Toy Drive" sponsored by the Union County Sheriff's Department. Please bring an unwrapped gift for kids of 0-12 years of age. No toy guns, knifes or dangerous items. (706) 745-2628.
~ A Fort Yargo Christmas - Saturday, December 8; 5 -8 p.m. - Fort Yargo State Park - Winder - Join us for Christmas carols, refreshments, hay rides and a visit from Santa. $3 parking. (770) 867-3489.
~ Cherokee Christmas Candlelight Tour - Satur-day, December 8, 6:30 -9:30 p.m. - New Echota Historic Site - Calhoun - Bring your candle lantern or modern flashlight to kick off the holiday season. We'll celebrate Christmas New Echota-style with decorations, music and refreshments reminiscent of the 19th century Cherokee Nation Capital. Dress warmly and wear good walking shoes for this one-mile tour that has become an annual favorite. $2.50-$4. (706) 624-1321.
~ Santa on the Park - Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m. -7 p.m. - Hart State Park - Hartwell - This holiday tradition includes cookies, hot chocolate and photos with Santa. Pictures will be taken for free or visitors can bring their own cameras. This event will be held at cottage #3. $3 parking. (706) 376-8756.
~ Victorian Christmas - Sunday, December 9, 2 -5 p.m. - A.H. Stephens Historic Park - Crawfordville - Confed-erate Vice President Alexander Stephens’ home, Liberty Hall, will be decorated for the holidays and refreshments will be served. $1.50 - $3, plus $3 parking. (706) 456-2602.
~ Christmas for Travelers - Sunday, December 9, 1 -5 p.m. - Travelers Rest Historic Site - Toccoa. Enjoy holiday music, treats, crafts and dancing in a 1850s decorative setting. Free, but donations appreciated. (706) 886-2256.
~ Cherokee Christmas by Candlelight - Friday, December 14 to Saturday, December 15, 6 -9 p.m. - Chief Vann House Historic Site - Chatsworth - In 1805, Cherokee Chief James Vann opened his new brick mansion to the Moravian missionaries to hold one of the first Christmas celebrations in the Cherokee Nation. To honor this tradition, visitors are invited to enjoy the sights and sounds of a 19th century Christmas in one of America’s best-preserved Cherokee homes. $2.50– $4. (706) 695-2598.
~ Festival of Trees - Friday, November 23 through Saturday, December 8, 9 a.m. -9 p.m. - UnicoiState Park and Lodge - Helen - View beautifully decorated trees throughout Unicoi lodge. This event is hosted by White County Chamber of Commerce. $3 parking. (800) 573-9659.
Southern & Central Georgia
~ Lighted Boat Parade - Saturday, December 1, 6 p.m. - George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge - Fort Gaines - Warm up to a bonfire at the marina while enjoying a holiday parade of boaters, or you can enter your own boat. Prizes awarded. $3 parking. (229) 768-2571.
~ Christmas Candlelight Tours - Saturday, December 1, 6 -8 p.m. - Jarrell Plantation Historic Site - Juliette - Take a 1/4-mile evening stroll to two of the Jarrell family homes with natural decorations and lighting, stories, entertainment around a bonfire and refreshments. Event may be cancelled due to rain or ice. $2.50 - $4. (478) 986-5172.
~ 1860s Southern Christmas - Saturday, December 1, 7 -9 p.m. - Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site - Fitzgerald - Visitors will be guided by candle light to stations that represent the changes that happened to Christmas during the 1860s, while a handball choir plays period Christmas songs. Afterward, visitors will be treated to pictures with Santa in period clothing, refreshments, and making hand dipped candles and salt-dough Christmas ornaments. $1.75 - $3. (229) 831-2335.
~ Breakfast with Santa - Saturday, December 8 & 15, 10 a.m. - George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge –FortGaines - Santa will visit the park’s lodge and pose for photos with children. $3 parking. (229) 768-2571.
~ Pioneer Christmas - Saturday, December 8, 11 a.m. -4 p.m. - Mistletoe State Park - Appling - See how our ancestors celebrated the holidays. "Pioneers" in period clothing will show how they made their gifts, and visitors will be able to take some home for folks on their shopping lists. $3 parking. (706) 541-0321.
~ Christmas Workshop - Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. - Providence Canyon State Park - Lumpkin - The young and young-at-heart can make Christmas decorations out of natural ornaments such as pine cones, sweetgum balls, magnolia seedpods and seashells. Register in advance. $1 plus $3 parking. (229) 838-6202.
~ A Florence Christmas - Saturday, December 15, 1 -5 p.m. - Florence Marina State Park - Omaha - Ring in the holidays with Santa. Enjoy crafts and games. Don't forget pictures with Santa. $1 - $3. $3 parking. (229) 838-4706.
Coastal Georgia
~ Christmas on the Old Plantation - Saturday, December 1, 7-9 p.m. - Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site - Brunswick - This magical experience will demonstrate how Christmas was celebrated on a Southern rice plantation during the 1850s. Take a candlelit stroll down the old carriage road to the owner’s home, then take a tour for an exclusive peek into domestic life on the plantation during the antebellum period. There will also be carols being sung in the visitor center theater. $3-$6. (912) 264-7333.
~ Colonial Christmas at Wormsloe - Sunday, December 9, 2-4 p.m. - Wormsloe Historic Site – Savannah - Join us for a Christmas celebration 18th century style, with caroling and dance, the burning of the Yule Log, holiday observances of the Colonial period, games and refreshments. $2-$4. (912) 353-3023.
~ Colonial Christmas - Saturday, December 15, 7-9 p.m. - Fort King George Historic Site – Darien - Join the Garrison for a traditional dinner in the soldiers’ barracks and an evening of colonial-style Yule Tide merriment. Reservations required. $30. (912) 437-4770.
For more information check out the website at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.
