Christmas Activities
Christmas activities kick off in area

JACKSONVILLE -- The Old Fashioned Christmas Activities in Jacksonville begins on Thursday, Dec. 7 with the Jaycees Christmas Parade.

At 6:30 that evening, beautifully decorated floats will line Commerce St., greeting the holiday season.

On that same evening, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m., the official Lighting of

Hazel Tilton Park will take place. Hazel Tilton Park is located downtown beside the Fire Station (corner of Bolton Street and Hwy. 79W). The program this year will include the special presentation of the Nativity Scene that was purchased by donations from the community.

Saturday, December 9th, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., there will be arts and crafts vendors, information booths, and children's activities all located at the Wal-Mart Super Center parking lot (1311 S. Jackson).

Free admission, free parking.

Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., TOUR OF HOMES - Advance tickets are $5 each and available at the Chamber of Commerce, 526 E. Commerce, Love's Lookout Visitor's Center, Hwy. 69 North or the Love's Nest, 106 E. Rusk.

Tickets the day of the event are $7 each and will be available at the Love's Nest, 106 E. Rusk or any of the homes on the tour. There are 5

homes on the tour this year: Bob & Laurie Brown, Brian & Julie Holcomb, Eddie & Cheryl Lumpkins, Ricky & Cindy Richards and Dr. & Mrs. Todd Parris.

The Hospitality Business this year is the Love's Nest, 106 E. Rusk.

For more information on any of the above activities, please contact the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce at 903- 586-2217 or 800-376-2217 or www.jacksonvilletexas.com.

Holiday festival shifting into high

gear NACOGDOCHES - The most-anticipated day of the 10th annual Nine Flags Festival starts with breakfast with Santa and the Jingle Bell Run, ends with a lighted Christmas parade and fireworks display and is chock full of holiday fun in between.

Visitors are invited to take part in the Dec. 2 festivities, which will also include arts & crafts and food vendors, live entertainment, competitions and children's activities.

"If you can only make it downtown for one day of the Nine Flags Festival, this is the day you don't want to miss," said Erin Drago, event coordinator for the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Start the day off right, enjoying breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Fredonia Hotel, 200 N. Fredonia St. Café Fredonia will provide a scrumptious breakfast buffet for $6.95 plus tax, gratuity and drink. Pictures with Santa will be available for $3.

The annual Jingle Bell Run, a 5K run and 3K walk, will start at 8:30 a.m. and proceed through the city's historic residential and business districts.

Registration packets are available at the Visitors' Center, located at 200 E. Main St. Fees are $15 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under.

Day one of the annual Boss Fiddle contest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Banita Ballroom of the Fredonia Hotel & Convention Center, 200 N. Fredonia St. Come and listen as some of the state's top musicians compete for cash prizes.

Sample the wares of arts & crafts and food vendors from 2 to 9 p.m. on the downtown square where a smorgasbord of unique gifts and traditional festival foods await you.

Numerous children's activities and crafts will be offered from 2 to 5 p.m.

Strolling carolers will add seasonal ambiance to the event.

The downtown merchants will be holding exciting, instore events throughout the day.

A list of participating businesses can also be picked up at the Visitors' Center. Festival admission is free.

As the day's events unfold, excitement will be building for largest lighted Christmas parade in East Texas beginning at 6:30 p.m. and winding its way through downtown, which will be also be aglow with more than 3 million festive holiday lights.

The evening will culminate in an exciting, 20-minute fireworks display to light up the sky over downtown.

"We welcome everyone to downtown Nacogdoches Dec. 2 to help us ring in the holidays," Drago said. "The Nine Flags Festival offers something for everyone - you won't want to miss it!"

The Nine Flags Festival's Platinum Sponsors are H-E-B, Mike Perry Motor Company, Regions Bank and Texas Farms Products.

For more information on the festival, call 888-OLDESTTOWN or visit www.nineflagsfest ival.com.

Events already under

way in Galveston

GALVESTON -- Sleigh bells ring... are you listening?

Right after the jack-olanterns have been put up for the year... it's time to start thinking about carving the turkey... and then of course the sound of sleigh bells right before we ring in the New Year.

This holiday season is quickly approaching, so brighten up your holiday spirit by heading down to Galveston for days and nights filled with plenty of holiday fun!

From now through January there are so many events taking place on Galveston Island that visitors might find yourself down here several weekends in a row to celebrate the holiday season.

First, light up your Holiday Season by visiting Moody Gardens as it's once again transformed in to a win- a winter wonderland. Already under way activities go on through Jan 6, festive sights and sounds will fill Moody Gardens during the 5th Annual Festival of Lights. Come see the normally lush gardens transformed into an arrangement of with more than a dozen light displays.

There's also an outdoor ice rink, so be prepared to strap on a pair of skates and glide against the ice while the sounds of holiday music are played in the background by area bands.

This event draws more than 60,000 people every year and has become a holiday favorite for families.

For more information call 800-582-4673, or visit www.moodygardens.com.

In December step back in time... back to the age of Charles Dickens when the British Empire was at the height of its glory and power.

Listen to the sounds of carolers, handbell choirs and bagpipers echo through the street as Historic Downtown Galveston is transformed in to Victorian London.

On Dec 2-3, the Galveston Historical Foundation will present the 33rd Annual Dickens on the Strand; Galveston's Victorian Christmas Festival. During this island favorite event enjoy delicious foods and extraordinary merchandise from traveling artisans and craftsmen as the streets are overtaken by Victorian-clad Bobbies, Beefeaters, gentlemen and Ladies. For more information, a complete schedule of events and ticket information v i s i t www.dickensonthestrand.org, or call 409-763-7834.

Dec. 2-3

32nd Annual Dickens on the Strand: Galveston's Historic Downtown District, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m - 6 p.m.

"The Nutcracker" is a timeless ballet classic that is synonymous with the holidays. On Saturday, Dec. 9, The Grand 1894 Opera House will host "The Nutcracker Tea"; an event for children that includes both an afternoon tea filled with goodies and tickets to the performance of "The Nutcracker" presented at The Grand by the City Ballet of Houston.

Visit www.thegrand.com or call 409-765-1894 for ticket information.

Dec. 9: "The Nutcracker Tea," The Grand 1894 Opera House, 1 p.m.

The actual performance of "The Nutcracker" at The Grand will take place on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10.

The City Ballet of Houston will return to the Grand with their annual presentation of this holiday ballet classic.

In this holiday favorite, Clara, her beloved Nutcracker, the Mouse King, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince all come to life on The Grand's stage! Visit www.thegrand.com or call 409- 765-1894 for ticket information on "The Nutcracker Tea" and performance of "The Nutcracker" presented by the City Ballet of Houston.

Dec. 9-10: "The Nutcracker." Presented by the City Ballet of Houston, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Saturday: 2:30pm and 8:00pm, Sunday: 2:30pm

The citizens of Tuna, are back in town, just in time for the holiday season. Laugh your way through the holiday season as the Grand 1894 Opera House brings back a holiday favorite: "A Tuna Christmas." Starting on Dec. 12 join original stars Joe Sears and Jaston Williams in more roles than there are ingredients in a tuna casserole as they attempt to cope with the traumas and dramas of the holidays. Laugh your way through the holidays with this classic holiday treat. For ticket information visit www.thegrand. com or call 409-765-1894.

Dec. 12-17: "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Tuesday - Friday: 8 p.m., Saturday: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Then, The San Luis Hotel, Spa & Conference Center can help anyone celebrate.

On Dec. 25 a Christmas buffet filled with an array of holiday favorites and other unique offerings will be offered by the San Luis. Banquet Chef Bryan Shumaker and his culinary team have prepare the feast. Dinner selections range from traditional holiday favorites to other holiday specialties. For more information email cteaff@sanluisresort.com or call 409-744-1500.

Dec 25: Christmas Holiday Celebration Buffet,

The San Luis Hotel Spa & Conference Center, (The Caf Restaurant, 3rd floor - lobby level), 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (reservation times).

After Christmas has come and gone it's time to ring in 2007. Kick off the New Year with the San Luis Hotel as they present their annual New Year's Eve Celebration: "A Tango to Remember."

Located in the hotel's elegant Grand Ballroom, guests will enjoy pre-celebration tango dance lessons followed by a decadent four-course dinner with free flowing libations. Cost for the celebration is $150 per person. e-mail: cteaff@sanluisresort. com or call 409-744-1500 for reservations.

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve a "Tango to Remember," The San Luis Hotel & Conference Center, (Grand Ballroom, 3rd floor), 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Once the New Year has arrived that means its time to gear up for a longstanding tradition that brings more than 250,000 people to Galveston Island every year. The Galveston Park Board of Trustees and Mardi Gras Galveston Committee have already started gearing up for the Mardi Gras Galveston 2007 celebration which will take place from Feb. 9-20.

For more information on any of these events visit www.galveston.com or call 888- GAL-ISLE.