Celebrate the Holiday Season with Florida State Parks

?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 northwest Florida include:

21st Annual Camellia Christmas
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee
Friday, December 4, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
A candle-lit stroll through the gardens accompanied by holiday music performed by local artists is the perfect way to share the holiday spirit with friends and loved ones. Bid on holiday finery or for a gift at the silent auction, which will include items donated by local merchants, artists and florists. Hot apple cider and holiday cookies will be served. Park entrance fee is waived for participants. For more information, call (850) 487-4115.

Christmas Crafts for Kids
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee
Saturday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Children age five and up are invited to attend a morning of Christmas crafting. Guests should bring an imagination and creativity, and have fun creating gifts for family and friends. Reservations are not required and the program is free with paid park entry. For more information, call (850) 487-4115.

Tea with Mrs. Claus
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee
Sunday, December 6, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Get dressed up and bring children ages five to nine years old to enjoy this special afternoon tea with Mrs. Claus. Tea time will include crafts, story time, tea and cookies, a photograph with Mrs. Claus and a gift for each child to take home. Park entrance is free for participants. The tea party is $20.00 per child and requires advance reservations for a personalized invitation to be mailed to participants from Mrs. Claus. For more information and to register, call (850) 487-4115.

Holiday Greenery Workshop
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee
Thursday, December 10, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sponsored by the Friends of Maclay Gardens, Inc., the public is invited to a greenery arranging workshop in the Gardener?s Cottage in the historic Maclay Gardens. Participants will create their own arrangement to take home. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. The cost is $15.00 per person and all materials are furnished. Participants should bring their own clippers. Park admission is waived for those who are registered. For more information and to register, call (850) 487-4556.

Christmas Light Show
Three Rivers State Park, Sneads
Friday, December 11 - Sunday, December 13, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 18 - Sunday, December 20, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Three Rivers State Park invites visitors to join enjoy a scenic drive through the park decorated with beautiful light displays. Park entrance fees are waived for participants. For more information, call (850) 482-9006.

Christmas in the Park
Big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola
Friday, December 11 - Saturday, December 12, 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Big Lagoon State Park and the Friends of Pensacola State Park, Inc. will host the Christmas in the Park event to say thank you to the public for their support through the year. Come for a walk through the park to enjoy beautiful Christmas lights and holiday decorations. Crafts, entertainment and food will be available and Santa Claus will arrive at 6:00 p.m. This event is for children of all ages and park admission will be waived for event participants. For more information, call (850) 492-1595.

Holiday Cruise and Dinner
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Wakulla
Saturday, December 19, 5:00 p.m.
Participants will enjoy an evening out for a cruise on the Wakulla River followed by dinner in the historic lodge and an old-fashioned sing-a-long in the lobby by the Christmas tree.
Tickets are $32.00 for adults and $20.00 for children 12 and under. Reservations are suggested. For more information, call (850) 926-0700.

Candlelight Tour of the Wesley House
Eden Gardens State Park, Santa Rosa Beach
Saturday, December 19, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Eden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden invite visitors to enjoy a holiday tour. The tour will walk through the luminaries to the Historic Wesley House to enjoy it's beautifully seasonally decorated rooms and be greeted by Civil War re-enactors in period garb. After the tour is completed, the Friends of Eden will provide refreshments in the pavilion and the re-enactors will welcome guests to the small encampment on the North lawn of the house beyond the Reflecting Pool. Admission fees to the park and the event will be waived. Donations to the Friends of Eden Gardens are welcome and appreciated. To volunteer or for additional information call (850) 267-8322.

Christmas Day Nature Walk
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, Pensacola
Friday, December 25, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Spend some time in nature on Christmas day with this mile long nature walk on the sidewalk and boardwalk trail. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring binoculars and water. This event is free with regular park admission. For more information, call (850) 492-1595.

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.