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.

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.

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.

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.

Scenic Fall Foliage Driving Trail

Cool, crisp temperatures of the fall season are arriving in Athens and with that comes an onset of autumn color. Each autumn in Athens, the picturesque landscape transforms to vibrant colors throughout the East Texas woodlands.

The City of Athens Department of Tourism offers a scenic driving trail for visitors to take this fall season to view the fall foliage of East Texas. Here you will find beautiful autumn color displays of the deciduous trees including oaks, maples, sweetgums and sumacs.

The 55-mile self-guided driving trail includes several points of interest such as the NY-TX Zipline Adventures, located atop the highest point in Henderson County; the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, where visitors can walk the interpretive wetland trail and learn about the hatchery; next visitors can stroll through the gardens at the East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society and visit Tara Vineyard and Winery; the oldest winery in Henderson County.

Autumn color is expected through late November. Please click here to check foliage reports or call 1-888-294-2847 to request a free visitor's guide.

Haunted Trail at the East Texas Arboretum Oct. 21-25

The East Texas Arboretum will be a frightful place to visit Oct. 21-25 during the Haunted Trail.

The Haunted Trail will be open at 6 p.m. for small children for $4 per child. Tickets for performances after dark are $8, and will be geared toward older kids. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Starting at 6 p.m., small groups will be led down the trail by their own Zombie tour guide. As guests enter a darkened world, they will encounter fog and flashing lights that will reveal live and animated creatures including ghosts, more zombies, as well as a series of other scary, very active, night creatures.

A best scream and best costume contest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25.

A concession stand under the gazebo will have edible treats for sale. Frito pie, hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate and other drinks of True Blood will be on the menu. Scary movies will be playing for viewing while you eat.

For more information, please click here.

Halloween at the Hatchery Coming Up Oct. 30

Halloween at the Hatchery provides a safe trick-or-treating atmosphere for thousands of guests
annually.

Local businesses and organizations will hand out free candy, and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center will be decorated throughout with a Halloween theme.

The Anglers Pavilion will be the site of a fright-free area featuring prizes and game booths for small children. Parents wishing to visit this area should park in the overflow parking lot on Peninsula Point Road and enter through Gate C.

The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30. Cost is $1 admission, donation to local charities.

For more information, please click here.