Category: Family Friendly

Dazzling Nights

Debbie Roney Smith on

Jacksonville’s Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is hosting Dazzling Nights until January 9th! Dazzling Nights is a special holiday lights event worth the travel time. It features almost a mile of Christmas-themed lighting through the beautiful botanical gardens. Some of the highlights include a 30ft Christmas tree, interactive ground lights, a winding path through a forest of multi-colored lights, snow, and a 65ft lighted tunnel. Additionally, there will be holiday music, food, and beverages. 

Please note that tickets MUST be purchased online; they are available for specific times and dates, and are not available at the door. Tickets are $22/person on weekdays and $25/person on weekends. Luckily, children 2 and under are free.

Visit the Dazzling Nights website for more information and to purchase tickets. 

Ice and Lights

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Dothan Leisure Services is once again bringing Dothan and surrounding areas Ice & Lights (located at 171 N. Foster St.) this year! Ice skating is available for $10/person (includes the skate rental) all week long as listed: Tuesday – Thursday, 10 AM – 9 PM; Friday, 10 AM – 10 PM; Saturday, 9 AM – 10 PM; Sunday, 1 PM – 8 PM.

Additionally, there will be a themed special event tomorrow, December 21st. The hours are still 10 AM – 9 PM but there will be special events occurring in the evening. At 5 PM, Frozen characters will be onsite for photos and fun. Then, at 6 PM, Frozen the movie will play in Porter Park. 

Visit the Ice Skate in Dothan website for more information and to get discount tickets. 

Cookies with Santa

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The Sneads Assembly of God (located at 2062 River Road) is hosting a free, kid-friendly holiday event this afternoon. From 4-6 PM CST, there will be cookies and cocoa for the kids. There will be an opportunity to take pictures with Santa, and he will also be reading the true Christmas story will be read by Santa. Pajamas are encouraged!

Christmas at Mayhaw

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Tomorrow, December 18th, Christmas at Mayhaw will take place at Clay Mary Park in Blountstown. Starting at 1 PM, the event will feature fun family activities such as pictures with Santa, face painting, ornament decorating, and a viewing of The Polar Bear Express. There will also be baked goods, candy bags, chili and hot dogs, popcorn, and hot chocolate. For more information, call (912) 409-6306. 

Polar Bear Express

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It is time for the annual Polar Bear Express held in Bristol. Hosted by the Veterans Memorial Railroad, tickets are only $10. Rides are available from 7-10 PM EST from December 16-20th. This event is perfect for kids of all ages. To learn more information or buy tickets in advance online, visit the Veterans Memorial Railroad website.

Lynn Haven House Light Show

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David Price’s annual house light show is up and running! Located at 1306 Vermont Avenue in Lynn Haven, the light show is synced to the 104.9 FM radio station. The show will run nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until early January.

This year’s theme is Disney, with Price reporting that he has added about 18,000 more lights, 12 new control panels, five spotlights, and increased one of the mega-trees by ten feet! The show is about 20mins long with a message that “Everybody can have a better life, you just have to put your heart into it. It’s okay to have friends help you along the way. It’s looking forward to a better future within yourself. set goals and achieve these goals,” as Price said.

For the second year in a row, Price is partnering with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office to collect unwrapped toys for Project 25. They’re also collecting non-perishable food items to benefit Angels Pantry. 100% of everything collected goes back into Bay County and it can be brought when you come to visit the show. 

Vintage Campers Club Christmas Campout

Debbie Roney Smith on

The 12th Annual Vintage Campers Club Christmas Campout is tomorrow! Held at Three Rivers State Park, there will be decorated vintage campers and light displays from 5-8 PM – right after the Sneads Christmas Parade. There will also be an opportunity to meet Santa Claus from 5:30-7:30 PM. Admission is $3 per vehicle.

Christmas Card Day

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Tomorrow is National Christmas Card Day!

First Christmas Card Design

Christmas cards as we know them today were created in 1843 to encourage the use of the new British postal system. They were the outcome of the combined effort of Sir Henry Cole and his artist friend, John Horsley. Cards were originally sold for the equivalent of 24 cents. Thanks to the rise of the printing press, sending Christmas cards became a standard holiday affair by the end of the 1860s. Nowadays, National Christmas Card Day is designed to help people spread cheer and joy during the holiday season. So grab your supplies today in anticipation of creating, filling out, and sending your annual holiday cards to your friends and family tomorrow. 

Bennett Christmas Light Show

Debbie Roney Smith on

A local family is hosting a Christmas light show set to music. Directions: head towards Marianna from Altha on Highway 71 and turn down Sam Duncan Road. Tune into the 103.7 radio station after you pass Altha Co-op Road to hear the sounds of the show. The light show is 13minutes long and runs all week. You can turn down SAM DUNCAN road and watch a 13-minute show. Sunday-Thursday the show runs from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Friday-Saturday the show will run for an extra hour, ending at 10:30 pm.

 

Sneads Christmas Parade

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The Sneads Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 11th. The Town of Sneads announced that the parade will start at 4 pm with participants scheduled to line up at 3 pm. They are currently accepting forms for participants – click on the image to the right to visit the form website, fill it out, and return it to Sneads City Hall as soon as possible. Visit the Town of Sneads City Hall Facebook for more information, to keep up-to-date on parade announcements, and more!