Holidays in the Parks

Looking for something fun to do during the holiday break? Why not head out and check into some of these special events offered by the Park Service! Here is a selection of offerings around the country you may enjoy:

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
  6th ANNUAL INVITATIONAL WREATH EXHIBIT
  The Exhibit is available for viewing daily, between November 19th and January 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More than forty one-of-a-kind wreaths, created by Island artists, and fashioned from fresh foliage and lasting materials are on exhibit. All are highly individualistic and creative. These inventive and inviting wreaths are made from gourds, paper, gilded Norfolk pine needles, found objects, vintage fabrics, and more. Some are clever, some are humorous, and all are beautiful.
  
  


• Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
  VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AND ST. LOUIS HOLIDAY
  From November 25 through January 1, 2006, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis will present its Victorian Christmas and St. Louis Holiday Traditions program. Visitors will be treated to music, dancing, and historic vignettes presented by staff and mostly volunteers dressed in period clothing. Refreshments will be provided. The Courthouse Rotunda will be decorated in the Victorian style featuring evergreen and fabric trimmings to go with the 25-foot Christmas tree. The 19th annual Arts for the parks art exhibit will also be on display at the Courthouse during the holidays through January 10, 2006. This exhibit features the top 100 entries honoring artists whose paintings best capture the "essence" of the landscape, wildlife, and history of the National Park Service.
  
  


• George Washington Birthplace
  A WASHINGTON CHRISTMAS
  George Washington loved music, dance and festive social occasions. Like other colonials, the Washingtons celebrated the Twelve Days of Christmas, beginning Christmas Day and extending until Twelfth Night, January 6th. Celebrate a colonial Christmas at George Washington Birthplace, on Monday, December 26th, the Second Day of Christmas. The historic area will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and the Memorial House will be decorated for Christmas, candlelit and filled with colonial music. Throughout the day, the plantation will be busy with demonstrations and activities performed by volunteers and staff in colonial attire.
  
  


• Golden Spike National Historic Site
  WINTER STEAM FESTIVAL
  On December 31, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Golden Spike National Historic Site will present a Winter Steam Festival. The park will bring out one of the old steam locomotives and offer steam demonstrations throughout the day. It is a great opportunity for photographers as the cold winter air and the steam, make dramatic photo opportunities.
  
  


• Boston Harbor Islands National Park
  24th ANNUAL SEAFARERS ISLAND HOLIDAY ON THOMPSON ISLAND
  Sunday, January 1, 2006, from 12:00 noon - 5:30pm, the Volunteers and Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands will present a special holiday event on Thompson Island. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance go online at www.BostonIslands.org.
  
  

For a complete list, check here. Have you been to any of these events? Tell me about it.