NOVEMBER 2003

November 6-9�Mistletoe & Moss Holiday Market�Lake Charles, LA�A Holiday Market offering housewares, clothing, accessories, furniture, food and more that includes private shopping, continental breakfast, and discounts, happy hours, and children�s activities. Proceeds support Junior League community projects; 800-456-7952/337-494-7115; Denise Wilkinson; touristinfo@visitlakecharles.org; www.visitlakecharles.org.

November 6-February 28�Pigeon Forge Winterfest�Pigeon Forge, TN�Our four-month festival brings the magic of the season closer to home. Nestled in the foothills of the Smokies, Pigeon Forge is an easy family escape with dazzling light displays, entertainment, food and surprise special guests; 800-251-9100; www.mypigeonforge.com.

November 7-9�Fort Myers Beach Sandsculpting Festival�Fort Myers Beach, FL�The experts say Fort Myers Beach has the finest sand in the country, something the country�s master sand sculptors can�t resist as they compete to see who can create the most brilliant masterpiece from a 20x20-foot pile of sand. Also includes an amateur workshop where spectators can learn sand sculpting; 239-454-7500/800-782-9283; Barb Hauser; info@fmbchamber.com; www.fmbchamber.com.

November 7-16�West Virginia University Mountaineer Week�Morgantown, WV�The premiere event in West Virginia that encompasses the unique aspects of Appalachian life, music, food, crafts and programs. Highlight is the Craft Fair that features traditional and contemporary crafts of Appalachia; 304-293-2702; Sonja Wilson; sonja.wilson@mail.wvu.edu; www.wvu.edu.

November 8�Lake Charles Veterans Day Military Ball�Lake Charles, LA�Black tie dinner featuring an orchestra, dancing, and military ceremony to honor veterans and current servicemen. Civilians dress is formal, military-dress uniforms. 800-456-7952/337-479-2677; Captain Joe Hill; touristinfo@visitlakecharles.org; www.visitlakecharles.org.

November 9�Charleston Cup�Charleston, SC�One of the premier sporting events in the Lowcountry, offering thoroughbred horse racing over fences and hedges and sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association. Pack your picnic baskets and spend the day; 843-577-5006; www.soireecharleston.com/chascup.html.

November 11-16�World Cup Golf�Kiawah Island, SC�The world returns to Kiawah Island Golf Resort for the World Golf Championship�s fourth jewel. This two-man team event will take place on the newly renovated Ocean Course. Unlike the previous World Cup played at The Ocean Course in 1997, this international event is far bigger and more prestigious as it is now sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA Tours. 877-942-4020; Steve Wilson; www.worldgolfchampionships.com.

November 13-16�22nd Annual Dickens Christmas Show and Festivals�Myrtle Beach, SC�Lavish Victorian decorations and costumed Dickens characters set the tone for this festival that honors Charles Dickens. Features The Beggars Ball, Victorian Teas, live performances, Historic Holiday Plantation and Port Tours; 843-448-9483; Brooke Baker; dickensshow@sc.rr.com; www.dickenschristmasshow.com.

November 14-December 30�A Southern Christmas�Stone Mountain, GA�Majestic Stone Mountain will stand out even more than usual as more than a million lights illuminate the park, including the entire town of Crossroads. See the Song of the Trees musical light show, watch for the �Snow Angel,� take the kids to The Great Barn, enjoy live music and more; 770-498-5690; www.stonemountainpark.com.

November 14-16�Native American Tribal Powwow�Tullahoma, TN�Learn about Native American culture through demonstrations, dancing, music, storytelling and hands-on experience. See native dance competition and enjoy the music of Grammy Award winning Native American flutist Joseph Firecrow; 931-455-5321; Patti Wimsatt; sojack@midtnn.net; www.southjackson.org.

November 15-January 4�Tanglewood Festival of Lights�Clemmons, NC�Tanglewood�s rolling countryside becomes a winter wonderland of giant snowflakes and whimsical scenes through the magic of nearly a million lights. Enjoy the magic and splendor of the Southeast�s largest holiday light Show. 336-778-6300; Kevin Jay; www.tanglewoodpark.org.

November 15-16�Highlands & Islands Association 18th Annual Scottish Games�Gulfport, MS�Highlight is the Mississippi State Championship Men�s Athletic Competition, plus music and dancing entertainment. Also includes Clans Tents (look for your family name), Artisans, Craft Village, Genealogy Tent, Scottish Food Vendors, Celtic gifts and merchandise, Medieval Village, Living History, Children�s Games, Children�s mini Athletic Competition; 228-452-7569; Karen Green; highlandsandislands.batcave.net

November 18-December 20�Christmas at Labrot & Graham�Versailles, KY�Guests are treated to heirloom recipes crafted by chef-in-residence David Larson, plus a one-of-a-kind shopping experience and a personal tour of the beautifully decorated distillery where the super-premium bourbon, Woodford Reserve, is made; 859-879-1812; David Larson; mary_perkins@b-f.com; www.woodfordreserve.com.

November 21-December 31�Christmas on the Rocks�Gadsden, AL�A fantastic display of more than two million twinkling lights. Enjoy the excursion train ride through the lights, Historic Pioneer Village and the spectacular view of Noccalula Falls; 256-547-0783; Quent & Barbara Pavey.

November 22�Light Up Ocala 20th Anniversary�Ocala, FL�The Holiday season makes Ocala glow with Christmas lights, the JuniorSunshine Christmas Parade, live musical entertainment, children�s performances, face painting, clowns, pony rides, crafts exhibits, the grand opening of the ice skating arena and more; 352-629-8401; Jennifer Blair; jblair@ocalafl.org.

November 27-January 1�Celebration in Lights�Newport News, VA�Light up your holidays with a two-mile drive-through of 200 spectacular scenes, 70 of them animated, aglow with 650,000 lights in Newport News Park. View whimsical toys, elegant swans, leaping reindeer, multi-colored snowflakes and scenes from Virginia�s past portrayed in a kaleidoscope of dazzling color; 888-493-7386; www.newport-news.org.

November 27-December 31�Galaxy of Lights�Huntsville, AL�Enter through a poinsettia wreath into the biggest holiday light extravaganza in the Tennessee Valley, a twinkling fantasy world where lamp posts are shooting stars and Santa flies high through the night sky. The magnificent one-mile lighted drive features more than 150 exhibits in five major theme areas; 256-830-4447; Sharon Jordan; www.hsvbg.org.

November 28-January 1�100 Miles of Lights�Richmond, Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, VA�Millions of lights and hundreds of holiday events will entertain visitors to Central and Southeast Virginia as 100 Miles of Lights shines brightly. Drive-through and walk-through light shows, lighted boat parades, city illuminations, music festivals, theatrical performances and living history re-enactments; 757-926-1429/888-493-7386; Suzanne Pearson; www.100milesoflights.com.

November 28-December 31�Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home�Theodore, AL�Bellingrath Gardens and Home brings to life the magic of Christmas with millions of twinkling lights, festive music performances, holiday food, Nativity and more. Rekindle your holiday spirit and begin a tradition for the entire family; 251-973-2217/800-247-8420; www.bellingrath.org. 

DECEMBER 2003

December 1-31�Christmas New Orleans Style�New Orleans, LA�Amidst twinkling lights and garland-draped lacework of French Quarter balconies, strolling carolers herald the season while historical characters share tales, New Orleans chefs share culinary secrets in free demonstrations, majestic St. Louis Cathedral hosts concerts and much more; 504-522-5730/800-673-5725; Laurie Toups; laurie@fqfi.org; www.christmasneworleans.com.

December 1-26�Christmas Town, U.S.A.�McAdenville, NC�Almost overnight this small textile town along the South Fork River is transformed as more than 375 trees come to life in glowing red, white and green splendor, so beautiful it even gained notice by the late CBS legend, Charles Kuralt; 704-824-3551, x 261/704-823-2330 (media); Vicky Alexander; www.mcadenville-christmastown.com.

December 1-January 1�Christmas in Charleston�Charleston, SC�Residents of the historic area get into the spirit by decorating homes to rekindle the spirit of Christmas past. Delight in the Holiday Festival of Lights, Plantation Days at Middleton Place, Gospel Christmas, walking tours, concerts and more; 800-868-8118; Katie Chapman; www.charlestoncvb.com.

December 4-6�Majestic Middle Tennessee Plantation Christmas Tour of Homes�Columbia, TN�Explore the beautiful interiors of some of the finest homes in the area, festively decorated for Christmas. Don�t miss the 14-foot tree at the Frierson-Hardison home, filled with 7,000 lights and 4,000 ornaments; 931-381-4822; Byron Cox; www.athenaeumrectory.com.

December 4-14�Festival of Trees�Florence, AL�A holiday spectacle at historic Coby Hall on the University of North Alabama�s campus with majestically decorated Christmas trees, mantles and tables, plus original hand-crafted items from the artists of North Alabama and food in the Festival Tea Room; 256-765-4201; Carol S. Lyles; www.una.edu/alumni/events.htm.

December 5-7�27th Annual Chimneyville Crafts Festival�Jackson, MS�More than 140 regional craftsmen display their works, including quilts, jewelry, blown and stained glass, wood carving, furniture, decorative accessories, baskets, beadwork, handwoven wearable art, pottery, homemade paper, metal arts, toys and more; 601-981-0019; Kit Davis Barksdale; mscraftsmen@aol.com.

December 5-7�Christmas Candlelight Tour at Historic Brattonville�McConnells, SC�See over 70 costumed interpreters re-enact a multitude of holiday scenarios, including a slave wedding, 19th Century dance lessons, gift preparation, carolers, storytelling, bonfires; 800-866-5200; hbratton@comporium.net; www.yorkcounty.org.

December 5�Gatlinburg �Fantasy of Lights� Christmas Parade�Gatlinburg, TN�Enjoy lighted floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons, Christmas music and live entertainment. Be sure to attend Santa�s pre-parade autograph party at Riverbend Mall; 865-436-0500; George Hawkins; www.gatlinburg-tn.com.

December 6-7�Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour�Marietta, GA�Go behind closed doors into Marietta�s historic homes, for a tour of six private homes, lovingly restored and decorated for the season, and eight heritage public buildings; 770-429-1115/800-835-0445; Theresa Jenkins; www.mariettasquare.com.

December 6-7�Old Wilmington by Candlelight�Wilmington, NC�Tour a dozen of Wilmington�s finest historic homes and churches decorated for the holidays, connected by streets lined with luminaries and resounding with festive music; 910-762-0492; Cathy Myerow Boettcher; latimer@latimerhouse.org.

December 6-14�Festival of Trees and Children�s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade�Atlanta, GA�Stroll through 150,000 square feet of decorated trees, wreaths and decorator vignettes created by the city�s top artists and designers. Also features gingerbread houses, specialty shops, children�s activities and continuous live entertainment; 404-325-NOEL; Saundra Minnich; www.choa.org/festival.

December 7�Plantation Christmas�Tuscumbia, AL�Belle Mont, North Alabama�s only mansion that is open to the public on a daily basis, celebrates Christmas as it was done in the early 1800s with decorations inside and out with period live greenery, fruits and berries while vocalists, accompanied by the melodeon, Celtic harp, recorder and harpsicord, sing Christmas songs and guests enjoy homemade cookies, cakes, fruit tarts and hot cider; 256-383-0783/800-344-0783; ctourism@hiwaay.net.

December 11-12�Victorian Christmas�Thomasville, GA�Take a carriage ride or stroll down Thomasville�s famous brick Main Street with costumed locals, join in street corner caroling, sample seasonal delicacies and let the kids visit with Saint Nicholas aboard his reindeer-pulled sleigh; 229-227-7020; Sharlene Celaya; mainstrt@rose.net; www.downtownthomasville.com.

December 13�Christmas on the Coosa�Wetumpka, AL�As dusk falls, Wetumpka welcomes the holiday as only a river town can. A flotilla of brightly lighted, beautifully decorated boats parade down the dark waters of the Coosa River, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. Also features a street parade and fireworks; 334-567-1313; Hazel Jones; wetumpkaevents@bellsouth.net.

December 13�Cingular Wireless Winterfest Boat Parade Presented by Nokia�Fort Lauderdale, FL�More than 100 elaborately decorated yachts parade along a decorated shoreline from Fort Lauderdale to Pompano Beach, creating a holiday spectacular on and off the water. Festivities include the Winterfest Black Tie Ball, Intracoastal Decorating Extravaganza and fireworks; 954-767-0686; Lisa Scott-Founds; info@winterfestparade.com; www.winterfestparade.com.

December 13��Just One More� Invitational Art Festival�Tallahassee, FL�Tallahassee�s richest historic area provides a cultural playground for nearly 100 artists and craftsmen to show their talent with live entertainment to add to the pleasure of the moment and great food to sustain the body and spirits; 850-980-8727; Susan Stratton; susan@downtownmarket.com.

December 13�Holiday Tour of Historic Inns�St. Augustine, FL�St. Augustine�s 26 historic bed and breakfast inns, each paired with one of the city�s top restaurants, invite you for a merry taste of hospitality where visitors can sample specialty treats and enjoy seasonal entertainment. Includes a keepsake Bed & Breakfast Recipe Book; 904-824-0887; Kathleen Hurley; www.staugustineinns.com.

December 13-14�Colonial Christmas�Wilmington, NC�The Burgwin-Wright Museum House, built in 1771, is decorated for the Holidays in traditional Colonial style and celebrates with period music, Colonial food demonstrations, hot wassail and re-enactments to enhance the visitor�s experience; 910-762-0570; Jackie Margoles.

December 31�Gatlinburg�s New Year�s Eve Ball Drop and Pyrotechnic Show�Gatlinburg, TN�All eyes go to the Space Needle in the center of Gatlinburg as midnight approaches and the throng of 35,000 anticipates the drop of the lighted ball from the 365-foot-high structure. Then the fireworks start as the old year ends and the New Year begins. 865-436-0500; George Hawkins; www.gatlinburg-tn.com.

About Southeast Tourism Society
Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society (southeasttourism.org) is dedicated to the promotion & development of tourism to its member states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention & visitors bureaus, airlines, bus companies, car rental agencies, newspapers, magazines and other travel related organizations as well as corporate partners American Express, Amtrak, Delta Air Lines, Morrison Printing Company, Smith Advertising, Southern Living Magazine, StateNets Radio Network and TRIPsouth. STS marked its 20th anniversary this past September.

Contact:
Chuck Bonelli
Southeast Tourism Society
404-364-9847
chuck@southeasttourism.org