Celebrate the Holiday Season with Florida State Parks

NORTHEAST FLORIDA - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection?s (DEP) Florida State Parks invite Floridians and visitors to create a new holiday tradition this year by attending a state park special event. With festive decorations and activities, state parks are a great setting for friends and family to enjoy natural Florida while celebrating the season.

?There are few greater treasures than sharing the holiday season with family and friends and there is no better place to do so than in Florida?s state parks,? said DEP?s Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. ?From visits with Santa to displays of millions of lights, we hope all visitors will enjoy the festivities that park staff and volunteers work diligently to offer during this time of year.?

Following the holiday season, in 2010, DEP?s Florida State Parks will celebrate 75 years of recreation and preservation. Florida?s 160 state parks offer white sandy beaches, vast open prairies, steep ravines, lush semi-tropical forests, cultural sites and crystal clear lakes, rivers and springs. State parks also offer countless locations to learn about Florida?s cultural history and serve as outdoor classrooms for students of all ages. Affordable, family-friendly activities, such as swimming, hiking, bicycling, paddling, diving, fishing, camping, horseback riding, birding, photography, events and ranger-led tours are just a few ways people enjoy our natural resources.

Special events for the holiday season in northeast Florida include:

Union Holiday Encampment
Fort Clinch State Park, Amelia Island
Saturday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Fort Clinch State Park Union Holiday Encampment will feature re-enactors decorating the fort for Christmas. Volunteers in Civil War-era costumes will place fresh greenery on the mantle, decorate a period Christmas tree and portray daily life as it was in the winter of 1864. The ladies will string berries and popcorn while fires burn in the fireplaces and soldiers answer questions about what it is like to be stationed at Fort Clinch. Regular park entrance fees apply, plus $2.00 per person for Fort admission. For more information, call (904) 277-7274.

Holiday Tea Party
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Palm Coast
Saturday December 5, 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Mrs. Claus will welcome boys and girls ages five to eight years old, as well as their favorite stuffed animal, to join the tea party festivities, including a wish list session, storytelling, a souvenir photograph, a stocking with goodies and tea and cookies. Children are encouraged to dress up for this special event. The tea party fee is $20.00 per child, including park entrance. Space is limited and advance reservations are required. For more information and to register, call (386) 446-6783.

Festival of Lights
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs Saturday, December 12 - Thursday, December 31, 5:00 p.m. ? 9:00 p.m.
Enjoy millions of lights on display throughout the park, including the majestic oak trees adorned with thousands of lights, the antebellum museum dressed in full holiday splendor, a gingerbread village located at the gift shop and craft square. On Saturday, December 12, in conjunction with the Town of White Springs, the park will have a full day celebration to kickoff the beginning of the Festival of Lights. Santa Claus, children?s crafts, a Christmas parade and hot dogs and cookies will be offered, as well as an evening concert inside the park?s carillon tower, and a bonfire and marshmallow roast will be held at the gift shop & craft square. Regular park admission fee is waived for the festivities at the park on December 12, but a donation of canned goods or a new toy is requested. Entrance Fees for the evening event from December 13-31 are $2.00 per person. For more information, call (386) 397-4331.

Holiday in the Gardens
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Palm Coast Saturday, December 12, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Visit Santa?s Garden Celebration where children can share their holiday wish list with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the gardens. This event will also include a souvenir photo with Santa, Santa?s playground with crafts and games, complimentary hot chocolate, pizza available for purchase, a gingerbread house contest, ornament making, entertainment and other vendors. Park entrance fees waived will be waived with the donation of a toy and non-perishable food item. For more information, call (386) 446-6783.

Caroling in the Ravines
Ravine Gardens State Park, Palatka
Saturday, December 12, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Ravine Gardens State Park will host the first annual Christmas event with an old fashion evening of friends, family and fellowship, with wagon rides around the ravines while local church groups, school groups and organizations sing seasonal carols. Entertainment will also be provided on stage in Civic Center and under the pavilion and holiday refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, call (386) 329-3721.

Peace at Last
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs
Thursday, December 31, 1:00 p.m.
Celebrate the New Year with a peaceful gathering among friends for a carillon concert and poetry readings on the banks of the Suwannee River. This event is free with regular park admission. For more information, call (386) 397-4331.

To learn more about Florida State Parks and the 75th Anniversary, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org, and follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/FLStateParks.