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Holiday Activities Abound For Upcoming 2007 Season
Holiday activities and events are coming early this year to the
Shoals with open houses, themed Christmas events,
parades along city streets and waterways, and many
special Christmas events. Christmas activities are
beginning as early as the first weekend in November. You
won’t want to miss these events scheduled throughout the
Shoals. For more information, contact the Colbert County
Tourism and Convention Bureau at (256) 383-0783.
Special Events
Shell’s Christmas Tree Farm,
located in southwest Colbert County, will have several
events coming up for the Christmas Season including an
opportunity to select and tag your Christmas tree as
early as November 3. Return to the farm Thanksgiving
afternoon until December 19th to cut your
fresh tree. Prices vary and tree selections include
Virginia Pine, White Pine, Leyland Cypress, Carolina
Saphire. Also, beginning on Thanksgiving afternoon,
select from two Northern species of fur, including
Frasiers and Canaan. Prices vary according to size.
Fresh wreaths and garland are also available. Enjoy
free hot apple cider while shopping for a variety of
gift items in the shop. Enjoy Christmas music while you
take a mule/wagon ride. Hayride Party with bonfire
available at $5 per person for groups of 20 or more.
For more information, call (256) 383-4207.
Christmas in the Country
will
be held the weekend before Thanksgiving at LaGrange
College Site Park, near Leighton. This “Open House”
event will be held on Saturday, November 17, and Sunday,
November 18, and will include the sale of cakes, breads,
cookies and candies at the Welcome Center and Country
Store. Santa will be on hand for wagon rides. Hours
are Sat., from 10am-4pm, and Sun., 1-4pm. The event is
free (donations accepted). (256) 446-9324
The
Christmas Water Show in Spring Park,
Tuscumbia. Special show will begin on Friday evening,
November 23, and continue through December. Enjoy this
light and water show each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
night at 6:30pm through December 31. Free.
Beginning on Friday night, November 23, and continuing through December, come out and ride The Santa
Express Train. Rides begin at 5 pm and run
until 8 pm on Friday, Saturday& Sunday nights. You’ll
love seeing the hundreds of thousands of Christmas
Lights on displays in Spring Park. Enjoy the beauty of
the “Lights of Christmas” displays from
the train. Many new displays added this year.
Admission for the Christmas Train is $4 adults and $3
children.
Note:
The Christmas Water Show and Santa Express Train will
run every night beginning December 20 through Christmas
Eve.
(256) 389-1357
A
Plantation Christmas,
Belle Mont Mansion, Tuscumbia. On Sunday, December 2,
from 1-5pm the annual A Plantation Christmas
will be held at Belle Mont Mansion, Tuscumbia. This
holiday event is reminiscent of the “Old South” with
traditional period decorations, Christmas music, vintage
ballroom dancers, and refreshments. Belle Mont Mansion
is one of Alabama’s most distinguished homes, built
about 1828. Admission is $6 adults; $3 children (6 to
12 years). Tickets available only at the door.
(256) 383-0783
Trees
of Christmas,
the Tennessee Valley Art Center, Tuscumbia. Friday,
November 30, through Sunday, December 24. Don’t miss
this annual showing of live Christmas Trees, decorated
with a theme, by individuals and groups. Admission is
$5 adults; $3 students. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sun 1-3pm.
(256) 383-0533
Heritage Holidays at the Julian House Tea Room, Tuscumbia. December 3-15. (Excludes Sundays) Period
decorations & meal. Reservations only. (256) 383-4401.
Festival of Trees, UNA, Rogers Hall,
Florence. November 30 - December 2. (256) 765-4201
Florence Open House & Festival of Lights,
Florence. Friday, November 30, 5 pm-9 pm. Area
merchants decorate their stores for the Holidays. Enjoy
the official Lighting of Wilson Park. (256) 760-9648
Holiday Tour of Downtown Florence.
Sunday, December 2, 1 - 4pm UNA, Rogers Hall. (256)
765-4201
Musical Tour with Santa,
Tuscumbia. November 20 through December 20,
The Alabama Music Hall of Fame will
offer a special tour for student groups (reservation
only). The tour starts at 9:30 am daily (Monday
through Friday). Special guest “Tommy, The Snowman”.
This event is available for groups and includes:
refreshments, story (What Snowmen do at Christmas), tour
of museum, singing video with Santa and gift. Call Dixie
Connell at AMHF to book (256) 381-4417. Cost is $5 per
student; $4 adults. Teachers & bus drivers free.
Holly
and Ivy Luncheons, Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts,
Florence.
Monday, December 3 through Friday, December 7. Cup
O’ Cheer, 11:30 am, Lunch at noon, Reservations only,
tickets must be purchased in advance. (256) 760-6379.
Pope’s Tavern Christmas Open House,
Florence. Friday, December 7, 6 pm. Free The Tavern is
decorated for the period with live greenery. A special
lighting ceremony “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” and
caroling. (256) 760-6439
Holiday Tour of Homes,
Sheffield. Sunday, December 9, from 1-5pm. You’ll love
visiting several homes in Sheffield where holiday
splendor will abound. Decorated beautifully for the
holidays. A “must-see” for area residents. Admission is
$10. May be purchased in advance at Sheffield City Hall
& Sheffield Library. (256)383-0250
“The
Best Christmas Pageant Ever”,
Ritz Theater, Sheffield. One afternoon performance for
the public on Sunday, December 16, at 2pm (Admission is
$5 adults; $3.50 students). For advance tickets call
(256)383-0533
Holiday Trolley Tours, Tuscumbia, Ala.
Three historic homes in Tuscumbia will be featured as
“porch and parlor” style tours via Tuscumbia Trolleys on
Saturday, December 15, 2007. The tours will depart
ColdWater Books in Tuscumbia on Saturday, December 15,
at 2 pm, 4 pm, and at 6 pm Three historic homes and one
church will be featured on the tour. Cost is $10.00.
Tickets are available in advance at the ColdWater Book
Store and at the Colbert County Tourism office on
Highway 72, Tuscumbia. For more information (256)
383-0783.
Helen
Keller Home Christmas Open House,
Tuscumbia. Sunday, December 16, 1-4pm. The
Muscle Shoals Council of Garden Clubs decorates the
Helen Keller Home each year with live, traditional
holiday décor. Enjoy a free tour of the home on this
day. (256)383-4066
Christmas Parades
Tuesday, November 27, 6pm,
Tuscumbia.
Parade begins in front of Calvary Baptist Church on Main
Street, continuing south on Main, then east on 6th,
and back up North Dickson Street. Santa and Mrs. Claus
make an early appearance in this parade. (256) 386-7200
Saturday, December 1, 10am,
Leighton.
Parade will form at Colbert County High School located
on New High School Street. In case of rain, the Parade
will be held Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2pm. (256) 446-8409
Friday, December 7, 7pm,
Muscle Shoals.
This parade begins at the corner of Gusmus and Avalon
and continues east to Sheffield Avenue and turns right
by the Muscle Shoals Post Office. Sponsored by the City
of Muscle Shoals and Muscle Shoals Businesses. (256)
386-9200
Friday, December 7, 7pm,
Florence.
Downtown Florence Christmas Parade, Court Street,
Florence. (256) 765-0365
Saturday, December 8, 6:30pm,
Sheffield.
Begins near the Stand Pipe on North Montgomery and
travels down to 1st Avenue where parade turns
right and comes back up Raleigh. Community joins
together for the official lighting of the tree followed
by carolers and community singing. (256) 383-0250
Boat Parade
Pickwick Lake Parade of Lights (Florence Harbor).
Saturday, December 8 at 6:30 pm A prize of $100 is given
for the best decorated vessel. Line up at Florence
Harbor and parade down past Seven-Mile Island and around
by Riverfront Park in Sheffield, where you have a
perfect view of the parade. (256) 768-1299
Wheeler Lake Parade of Lights (Joe Wheeler State Park).
Saturday, December 8, (dusk). Approximately 20
boats (some very large) line up at Joe Wheeler State
Park and parade along the area’s waterfront. You’ll
have a perfect spectator’s view from the park’s
restaurant that will be serving a buffet meal. (256)
247-5466
All events subject to change without notice.
Events list compiled from information provided
to the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau
(256) 383-0783
Updated 11/06/07

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