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By DAVID RAINER
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Christmas music is wafting through the air everywhere you go
these days, and the Alabama State Parks System will embrace that theme throughout
December.
The holiday celebrations begin on Dec. 1 with Santa’s
Underground Workshop at Rickwood Caverns State Park near Warrior, just north of
Birmingham. Santa will greet visitors in the cave, which will be decorated in
Christmas lights. The Underground Workshop will be open through Dec. 23. Admission
is $10.
Even if you don’t want to see Santa, a trip through Rickwood
Caverns is worth the effort. The limestone cave is estimated to be about 260
million years old. The cave is about a mile long with a path of 4,962 feet that
descends 175 feet underground. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to take the
tour of the caverns.
A tour of Rickwood Caverns is strictly done on foot, so be
aware it’s going to take a little effort to see the caverns. The cave features
the Bridal Room, where couples once chose to exchange wedding vows. There’s the
Diamond Room, named for the sparkling quartz and mineral deposits on the
ceiling, while the Animal Room gets its name from the formations that appear to
be different animals – a rabbit, bear, alligator, shark and Dachshund dog.
Heading south, Gulf State Park will hold its Coastal
Christmas Party from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 3. Activities include photos with Santa, a
children’s choir performance, nature holiday crafts, s’mores made in the
fireplace and hot chocolate and cookies.
One of the most cherished events of the Christmas season is
the Parade of Lights at Joe Wheeler State Park near Rogersville on Dec. 9. The
42nd annual event can be viewed from Daniella's Restaurant, outside along the
banks between the lodge and Marina or from a lodge room balcony. A holiday buffet
will be served at Daniella's beginning at 4 p.m. The boats,
adorned with a wide array of lights and Christmas decorations, will start the
parade along the Tennessee River at 6 p.m. To participate in the parade, call
256-247-6971 or email JoeWheeler.Marina@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Cheaha State Park near Anniston has two special events
coming up during the holiday season. On Dec. 10, the kids can visit with Santa and
Mrs. Claus to discuss their wish lists for Christmas with hot cocoa and
cookies.
On Dec. 22, Cheaha will hold a “Mount Crumpit (aka Grinch
Mountain) Christmas” from 9-10 a.m. Storyteller Renee Raney will entertain the
children with an interactive reading of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole
Christmas.” A breakfast buffet with green eggs and ham and Cindy Lou Who
pancakes will follow. Space is limited for both events, however, so call
256-225-2188 to purchase tickets or email renee.raney@dcnr.alabama.gov to
reserve a space. Tickets are $10 for the Dec. 10 event and $15 for the Grinch
celebration.
For those who just love good eats and beautiful scenery,
it’s hard to beat the Lake Guntersville State Park holiday buffet each Saturday
during December, leading up to the annual Christmas Day Dinner Buffet. The
Circle will entertain at the Christmas event with the sounds of the season.
Call 256-571-5444 for more information.
In southeast Alabama, Lakepoint Resort State Park will hold
its Christmas Buffet at the Water’s Edge Restaurant from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
Christmas Day. Call 334-687-8011 for reservations.
For those who want to get away from all the hustle and
bustle of the holiday season, DeSoto State Park near Fort Payne has just the
right answer with its Discover DeSoto Package. Couples can stay for $79 per
night at the lodge with the following morning’s breakfast included. Call the
lodge at 256-845-5380 or visit www.alapark.com
to make reservations.
If you want to do a little more than relax at DeSoto,
consider the Wild Breakfast & Nature Experience that is available for $60
for a family of four.
Robert Wilson, a naturalist and wildcraft specialist, will
offer a selection of natural harvested (gluten free) grains for a catered
pancake breakfast, complete with natural syrups derived from local blackberries
or maple and hickory trees. Chaga or sassafras tea rounds out the menu. After
breakfast, Wilson will help families make journals from natural materials,
followed by a forest discovery walk with Wilson pointing out the vast flora and
fauna of beautiful DeSoto State Park.
And veterans, don’t forget about the new Parks for Patriots program
Alabama State Parks implemented in November that provides veterans with free
admission to any state park, park facility or day use area that charges an
entrance fee – including boat ramps and the Gulf State Park pier.
Greg Lein, Alabama State Parks Director, said State Parks
has offered free admission to veterans on Veterans Day, but expanding the free
admission is the “least we can do for those who have made our freedom
possible.”
A close connection between veterans and the State Parks
System has been in existence for a very long time. Several Alabama State Parks
were built with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which gave
many World War I veterans a job during the Great Depression. DeSoto State Park
has a small museum honoring the CCC contribution to the park.
For those who want to support the Parks for Patriots
program, the general public can make contributions to the program for any
dollar amount. This will be used only to fund free entry for veterans from any
branch of the U.S. military.
Sponsorship contributions to the Parks for Patriots program
can be made in three ways. Visit www.alapark.com to make an online
contribution. Cash-only contributions can be made at any manned park gate,
while cash or credit card sponsorships can be made at most point-of-sale cash
registers in park offices, restaurants, camp stores and golf shops. Contributions
will be utilized at the park in which they are made. Online contributors will
be able to designate the park of their choice.
Visit http://www.alapark.com/Parks-for-Patriots-Veterans-Program
to learn more about the Parks for Patriots program.
For those who might want to walk off a few of those added
holiday pounds, six Alabama State Parks will participate in the nationwide
First Day Hike Program. Joe Wheeler, Monte Sano, Lake Guntersville, DeSoto, Oak
Mountain and Cheaha will offer guided hikes on New Year’s Day.
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The Parade of Lights at Joe Wheeler State Park celebrates its 42nd year during the Alabama
State Parks System's Christmas celebrations throughout December. |
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