Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Athens' Scenic Fall Foliage Trail Named 'Best Scenic Drive'

In 2012, the City of Athens Department of Tourism created a self-guided driving trail for visitors to take who were looking for places to see the fall colors of East Texas. Now just two years later, the Scenic Fall Foliage Trail has been named the best scenic drive in upper East Texas in the annual survey conducted by County Line Magazine.

The 55-mile self-guided driving trail includes several points of interests in Henderson County such as the NY-TX Zipline Adventures, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, the East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society and Tara Vineyard and Winery. Visitors can zip through tree tops, walk the interpretive wetland trail, stroll through gardens and visit the oldest winery in Henderson County all while enjoying the beautiful fall foliage displays.

During the fall foliage season, fall foliage trail maps are available online at www.AthensTX.org and at the City of Athens Department of Tourism located at 201 W. Corsicana Street.

A couple of other local gems made the list including the East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society for best afternoon stroll and Gallery 211 for best art gallery.

For more information about Athens including accommodations and upcoming events, please visit www.AthensTX.org or call 1-888-294-2847 to request a free visitor's guide.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Christmas Park Land of Lights Open for Holiday Season through Jan. 3

Open nightly through January 3, Christmas Park Land of Lights is a drive through Christmas Park in Athens with over four million lights, 2,000 wood cut outs, more than 60 scenes over one mile long! There are 50 motion controlled lighted scenes, seven tunnels, fourteen arches and a concession stand.

Christmas Park Land of Lights opened in 1998 and has grown each year with visitors from all 50 states and many visitors from out of the country. All the wood cut outs and the majority of the metal art were designed and constructed on the park grounds. Each year they try to add new scenes, new art, and new music in hopes that it will bring out the child in all of us and help everyone to remember and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Park Land of Lights is open from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. through Jan. 3. For more information including prices, please click here.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Athens Christmas Parade Winners Announced

Congratulations to all the winners of the Athens Christmas Parade. Pictured here are Athens City officials and parade judge presenting the first place winner, Eye on the County, a check for $500. Second and third place winners are Athens Tractor and Equipment and Grace Bible Church. The second place winner will receive a check for $300 and third place $200. Prize money is sponsored by Republic Services and Kevin Lilly's McDonald's. The annual lighted Christmas Parade, sponsored by the City of Athens, took place on Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown Athens.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Athens Christmas Parade Scheduled for December 6

Plans are in full swing for the annual lighted Christmas Parade, Magical Christmas in downtown
Athens, sponsored by the City of Athens.

The annual lighted Christmas Parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Athens on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Parade winners will be announced downtown at the judges' staging area 30 minutes after the parade. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners, sponsored by Republic Services and Kevin Lilly's McDonald's. The first place winner will receive $500, second place $300 and third place $200.

The fun doesn't end yet; stick around for the Christmas Parade Street Celebration, sponsored by local churches, which will include a petting zoo, bounce houses and displays that will take place around the square in downtown Athens.

Come early for Holiday on the Square, sponsored by the Light Up Athens committee, that will take place downtown on the Courthouse Square from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature a Holiday Market, arts and crafts for children, visits with Santa, and the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Keep Athens Beautiful will have a food booth with pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and Frito pie, while supplies last.

Bring the entire family and join us for a Magical Christmas in downtown Athens.

For more information, please click here.