Texas State Parks Celebrate The Holiday Season

AUSTIN, Texas — For families seeking to spend time together during the holidays without spending a lot of money, try looking outdoors. Texas parks host plenty of activities during the holiday season that cater to all varieties of interests and age groups. From cookie decorating to Christmas concerts, there is something to interest every member of the family.

December 6, 2008 — Purtis Creek SP — Christmas in the Park — Join park staff for the lighting of the parks' Christmas tree. Stay for hot chocolate and hot cider, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and watch a Christmas movie by the campfire. Campers, decorate your campsites for prizes. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 6-9 p.m. (903) 425-2332

December 6, 2008 — Tyler SP — 3rd Annual Christmas Caroling and Pine Ride — Sing carols as you ride through the park on a fragrant bed of pine enjoying all the sights and sounds along the way! And don't miss the opportunity to pick up some unusual Christmas gifts at the park store, while enjoying hot apple cider and cookies. 5-8 p.m. (903) 597-5338

December 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 2008 — Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery SHS — Trail of Lights — Enjoy a fantastic quarter mile trail illuminated with thousands of lights that decorate the Monument Hill and Kreische House portions of our park. Walk a trail overlooking the town of La Grange. Experience the more traditionally decorated 1850s-era German home of H.L. Kreische, bedecked in Christmas splendor, in a Texas- German style. Bring your children to tell secrets to Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and enjoy the genuine seasonal hospitality of the Friends of Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery, who sponsor the event. No pets please. 6-8 p.m.; fees $3 adults, $1 children 3-12 (979) 968-5658

December 11, 2008 — Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center — Christmas on the Border — Join us in celebrating the holiday season in West Texas border fashion. Local community performers will provide the entertainment. Refreshments and treats will be served and we will have a special visit by Santa Claus for the children. Accessible for the mobility, visually and hearing impaired. 6:30-9 p.m. (432) 424-3327

December 12, 2008 — Sebastopol House SHS — Holiday Classic Movie — There's nothing like a classic holiday film to get you into the holiday spirit. The parlor at Sebastopol has been turned into an old fashioned theatre in order to bring you a 1948 Holiday Classic-"Miracle On 34th Street," starring a very young Natalie Wood. If this warm family film doesn't soften the heart of the Grinch in your life-nothing will! Seating is limited. 6:30 p.m.; reservations required (830) 379- 4833.

December 12-13, 2008 — Cooper Lake SP/Doctors Creek Unit — 2nd Annual Christmas in the Park — Load up the family for a drive through the park and enjoy the holiday decorations. We will also have refreshments and Santa will be here for a visit. Sponsored by The Friends of Doctor's Creek. 6-10 p.m. For more information, call the Friends of Doctor's Creek at (903) 395- 4314 or the park at (903) 395-3100

December 13, 2008 — Barrington Living History Farm-Washington-on-the-Brazos SHS — An Old-Fashioned Texas Christmas — This is a time for gathering with family and friends, for singing carols around the open fire, for making surprises tucked away in pretty packages, for feasting on goodies made with love, and for making special memories. Join the farm staff in decorating, singing and celebrating this wonderful holiday season with many more surprises to come. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 3-8 p.m. (936) 878-2213

December 13, 2008 — Battleship TEXAS SHS — Santa's Swingin 40's Christmas — Visit the Battleship Texas and enjoy the spirit of the holidays. Write and mail letters to Santa, enjoy hot wassail, meet and have your picture taken with Santa, and much, much more. Accessible for wheelchairs on main deck only. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (281) 479- 2431

December 13, 2008 — Fort Richardson SP&HS & Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway — Christmas Fun — Start the day with a fishing tournament from 9 a.m.-noon, then Santa Clause will come and visit from 1-2 p.m., and finish the day with Dianne Martin who presents her "The Night Before Christmas" collection of Victorian stories, books, antiques, figurines, object de art, etc. from 2-4 p.m. (940) 567-3506.

December 13, 2008 — Lake Texana SP — Christmas Crafts — Make your own, unique crafts to keep or give using materials such as pine cones, paper and clothespins. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 2-3 p.m. (361) 782-5718.

December 13, 2008 — Martin Dies, Jr. SP — Holiday Celebration in the Park — Help us celebrate the holidays with an afternoon of family fun! We provide all the materials needed to construct a gingerbread house and decorate a gingerbread man ornament. Join in and sing carols and holiday songs with a live band. 2-4 p.m. (409) 384-5231

December 13, 2008 — Sheldon Lake SP — Wildlife Christmas in the Park — Children can make fruit wreaths, seed cones, and other special ornaments to be hung outside as a special treat for backyard wildlife. There will be a special tree in the park that ornaments can be hung on. Holiday music and treats will be provided at this free event. Accessible for the mobility, visually and hearing impaired. 1-4 p.m. (281) 456-2800

December 13, 2008 — Stephen F. Austin SP — Christmas Caroling Hayride — Take a caroling hayride with us through the park and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate afterwards. 6-8 p.m.; admission is one canned good per person (979) 885-3613

December 13, 2008 — Stephen F. Austin SP — Pancake Breakfast with Santa — Join Santa for a breakfast of pancakes with homemade syrup, sausage, juice and coffee and let him know all your dreams for this Christmas. 8-10:30 a.m.; fee $4 per person (979) 885-3613.

December 14, 2008 — Bastrop SP — Christmas in the Pines — The Friends of the Lost Pines host this event featuring sugar cookie ornament decorating, clay ornament decorating, pine cone decorating, story corner and pine needle basket making. Santa Claus will visit from 3:30-5:30 p.m. with the opportunity for pictures. Refreshments will be provided. Held in the Refectory. 1-6 p.m.; fees $2 adults, free for children 12 and under (512) 321-2101.

December 18, 2008 — Fort Leaton SHS — Posada at the Fort — Come celebrate Christmas with us with a traditional Mexican Posada. Walk and sing with Mary and Joseph as they search for shelter. Enjoy the play "Christmas with the Leatons" along with refreshments and see the historic structure come to life in the candlelight of 600 luminarias. Wheelchair accessible for most of the event. 6:30-9 p.m. (432) 229-3613

December 20, 2008 — Goose Island SP — Christmas Campfire — Join us at the Recreation Hall for an evening of food and fun as we get ready for Christmas with an old-fashioned campfire gathering. Bring your s'mores fixin's and enjoy the hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows as we sing Christmas carols and share our favorite Goose Island holiday stories. 7-8 p.m. (361) 729-2858

December 20, 2008 — World Birding Center — Estero Llano Grande SP — Breakfast With the Birds and Santa — Come have breakfast on our magnificent covered deck situated right on one of our lakes and spend some time visiting with a special guest, Santa. There will be photo opportunities galore, with both Santa and the birds that often come very close to the deck. Join Santa as we have a light holiday breakfast on the deck and then follow our knowledgeable guides as they take you on a guided nature walk. 8:30- 11 a.m.; fees $7 adults, $5 senior citizens, free for children 12 and under; reservations required (956) 565-3919

December 21, 2008 — Lyndon B. Johnson SP&HS — Centennial Celebration Series: 39th Annual Tree Lighting — This year's events are dedicated to Lyndon B. Johnson "Celebrating the Life of a Man & the Land that He Loved" in the 100th year of his birth. Come join the Texas Hill Country community in this special tradition started 39 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson. Enjoy carolers, a live nativity, Santa Claus, refreshments and of course, the spectacular tree lighting. Then step back in time to the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm for cookies amid glowing lanterns and a traditional candlelit German Christmas tree. LBJ Park Bookstore and Gift Shop will be open and many other things to help you get into the holiday spirit. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 6-10 p.m.; donations accepted (830) 644-2252.