Georgia Magazine - December 2011 - (Page 18-2)

 lage Annual Lighting of the Vil- Main Street, Helen; (706) 878-2181; helenga.org. Every year, residents and visi- tors alike visit downtown Helen for the Lighting of the Village. The band shell features afternoon music, and thousands of Christmas lights strung around the buildings and a giant Christmas tree will be lit on Nov. 25. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves are also taking a brief break from their North Pole duties to take a few lastminute requests from all the boys and girls. A Christmas parade takes place Dec. 3, and Christkindlmarkt, a traditional German event, is Dec. 3-4.  Lights The Rock Ranch, 5020 Barnesville Highway, The Rock; (706) 647-6374; therockranch.com The Rock Ranch is a 1,250-acre cattle ranch and family destination owned by Chick-fi l-A founder Truett Cathy. The ranch is dedicated to “Growing Healthy Families” by providing a unique blend of family entertainment in an agricultural setting. From Dec. 6-31, The Rock Ranch features A Country Christmas In Lights, Journey to the Manger on Dec. 1-3, and breakfast with Santa, Dec. 3. A Country Christmas in The Annual Lighting of the Village is a special time in Helen; a Dec. 3 parade kicks off a month of events in Georgia’s Alpine town.  Festival of Lights The Parks at Chehaw, 105 Chehaw Park Rd., Albany; (229) 430-5275; www.chehaw.org This Albany tradition was ready to sparkle right after Thanksgiving on Nov. 25, when the gates opened for the fi rst guests. The Festival of Lights is a magical ride through Chehaw, aglow with thousands of lights in holiday-themed displays. The light show runs through Dec. 31, and features more than 400 new displays. This year’s layout of lights has been completely redesigned to give guests a new and unique drive-through experience. Chehaw employees put in 12- and 16-hour days in order to craft the setup on time for their visitors to enjoy.  Christmas at Pettit Creek Pettit Creek Farms, 341 Cassville Rd., Cartersville; (770) 386-8688; www.pet titcreekfarms.com This holiday show lights up as soon as the sun goes down. It differs from the many More than 400 new displays are in the Festival of Lights at the Parks at Chehaw in Albany. At left is “3 French Hens.” Employee Lonnie Hamm, far left, is shown working on improvements to an existing light display. 18-2 More online at www.georgiamagazine.org others because you can choose to drive through on your own or take a hayride. The mile-long light show offers new and larger light exhibits each year. As the hayride pulls out, you will pass by Santa’s live reindeer and thousands of twinkling lights on display while the sleigh bells ring. Whether it is a 2-foot bush or a 60foot tree, it will be fully decorated from top to bottom. Guests will also have the chance to see sheep, goats, camels, buffalo and zebra, and can even feed these zoo animals from the trailer with purchased food.  History Jekyll Island Holidays in Jekyll Island Welcome Center, 901 Downing Musgrove Causeway, Jekyll Island; (877) 453-5955, (912) 6353636; www.jekyllisland.com Jekyll Island is transformed for the holiday season as the Historic District is decorated in Christmas grandeur. Special themed tours take guests back in time to Christmas during the Club era. The season begins with the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on Nov. 26 and offers pictures with Santa at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, plus storytelling, caroling, craft workshops and more through Jan. 2, 2012. For more light displays in Georgia, see our “Magical nights, holiday lights” feature on page 16. GEORGIA MAGAZINE COURTESY HELEN CVB COURTESY THE PARKS AT CHEHAW http://www.helenga.org http://www.chehaw.org http://www.therockranch.com http://www.jekyllisland.com http://www.pettitcreekfarms.com http://www.pettitcreekfarms.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - December 2011

Georgia Magazine - December 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Georgia News
Picture This?
Calendar of Events
Currents
Magical Nights, Holiday Lights
Between the Covers
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - December 2011