South Baldwin gearing up for holiday events

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 11/23/21

It’s beginning to look a lot like a South Baldwin Christmas. As lights go up and Christmas trees are decorated, this year will see the return of many holiday events that were unable to take …

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South Baldwin gearing up for holiday events

Posted

It’s beginning to look a lot like a South Baldwin Christmas. As lights go up and Christmas trees are decorated, this year will see the return of many holiday events that were unable to take place last year, as well as a few new events for the whole family to enjoy. Check out just a few of the holiday happenings that South Baldwin County has to offer.

Bon Secour

 

Swift-Coles Historic Home will host Christmas on the Grounds on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 1 - 4 p.m. The event costs $10 per person (cash only). Admission includes one professional digital photo with Santa and a self-guided tour through the home, which has been decorated for the holidays. The historic home is located at 17424 Swift Coles Lane.

 

Elberta

Donations for Decorations is back. Beginning Thursday, Nov. 25, decorations and lights will go up on the trees lining the streets of downtown Elberta. Take a drive or walk through the town center this holiday season to enjoy the lit-up Christmas trees. The trees are decorated by local businesses, school clubs, organizations and individuals. Decorations will remain up until around Saturday, Jan. 8 for viewing.

A Toy and Coat Drive will take place at the town’s baseball fields on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Head out to enjoy fun, food and the gift of giving this holiday season. The event is coordinated by The Gathering Place Outreach Ministry and the Elberta Youth Sports Association.

 

The Elberta Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, Santa and Movies in the Park is set for Saturday, Dec. 11. The parade rolls through the streets of downtown Elberta at 5:30 p.m. The tree lighting, Santa, and Movies in the Park will take place at the Elberta Town Park immediately following the parade. Elberta High School organizations will be handing out cookies and hot chocolate during the event, and Santa will be available for photos.

 

Foley

 

Visit Tanger Outlets Foley now through Dec. 24 to participate in Tanger Outlets Foley Scavenger Hunt, part of Tanger’s new partnership with The Elf on the Shelf. Guests can prepurchase a Scavenger Hunt booklet online at tangeroutlets.com/elfontheshelf, via special QR codes on signage throughout the center or directly at Shopper Services. The Elf on the Shelf Magical Mornings will take place on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. - noon, featuring a reading of The Elf on the Shelf, crafts, cookies and refreshments. Participants will then search for the Scout Elves. The event will take place in the Family Fun Park near Tanger Outlets Foley’s new Christmas Tree.

The Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt complements additional holiday happenings at Tanger Outlets Foley, including Santa’s arrival on Nov. 27, where professional photos by David Hagood Photography will be available every Saturday and Sunday Nov. 27 – Dec. 19, as well as Dec. 23 and Dec. 24. Visit the website above for full details.

Legends in Concert at the OWA Theater presents a Classic Christmas. The show runs until Jan. 2, and features Elisa Furr as Celine Dion, Nathaniel Cullors as Young Michael Jackson, Sally Olson as Karen Carpenter, and Leo Days as Elvis. The show will also feature The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s rendition of “Jingle Bells,” a tribute to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Carol of the Bells” and a cast performance of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Legends in Concert page at visitowa.com.

54th Annual Trim-A-Tree is open now through Thursday, Dec. 23. Come browse over 135 local artists and craftsmen who have created one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and décor. These unique offerings were all handcrafted by local artists, and are perfect for loved ones, and perhaps a little gift for yourself, too. Trim-A-Tree is located in Tanger Outlets, Suite 182. Visit www.FoleyArtCenter.com for more information.

There are plenty of holiday events taking place at OWA this year for the whole family to enjoy. The North Pole Experience at OWA will  be open to guests every Friday, Saturday and Sunday beginning Nov. 26 - Dec. 19. The experience will take place daily the week leading up to Christmas, Dec. 20 - 23. The new Mrs. Claus’ Crafty Christmas at OWA is a paid interactive experience and will take place on select dates from Nov. 26 - Dec. 19. Reservations are required for this limited seating event and can be booked online. The first Brunch with Santa at OWA will take place Saturday, Nov. 27. The event will occur on select dates from Nov. 27 to Dec. 23 at Shady Arbor inside The Park at OWA. Admission to The Park will not be required to partake in the event, but a seat reservation for $14.99 per person plus taxes and fees will be required.

Hours and dates for all activities are subject to change. Detailed information, reservations, and a full list of holiday events can be found online at VisitOWA.com/Christmas.

Head to Heritage Park in Foley on Friday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. for Christmas in the Park, which includes the lighting of Foley’s official tree, holiday music and a visit from Santa and his elves. The Foley Caboose Club will provide free train rides around the park, and the miniature lighted village features some new displays for this holiday season. Take a stroll down Christmas tree lane, featuring trees decorated by local businesses, churches and civic groups. For more information, go to visitfoley.com or call the city of Foley at 251-943-1300.

The Foley Kiwanis Club’s Annual Christmas Parade returns this year on Saturday, Dec. 4. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Maps of the parade route are available online at VisitFoley.com and at the Foley Welcome Center, 104 N. McKenzie St. Then, head over to Heritage Park for Let It Snow. This year, enjoy the marketplace filled with local vendors and artisans. The marketplace will be open from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Beginning at 11 a.m., delicate “snow flurries” will fall in the park. An art village, bounce houses, WhoVille Hair Salon and other activities will be available. The Foley High School Band and The Magnolia Dance Company will perform during the event. Don’t forget to stop at the decorated pavilion for Christmas photos. Santa will be available from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for photos.

For more information, go to visitfoley.com or call the city of Foley at 251-943-1300.

The Graham Creek Nature Preserve presents the inaugural Christmas Trail on Saturdays Dec. 4, 11, and 18 at 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Walk the boardwalk at Graham Creek Nature Preserve and view the lights in classic Christmas scenes, take photos in the photo station and send a letter to Santa. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 2 get in free.

The Baldwin Pops Christmas Concert will take place on Monday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Foley Civic Center (407 E. Laurel Ave.). No ticket is required for the event. Event is first come, first served. Visit baldwinpops.com to learn more.

Want to add a little mystery to your holiday season? Check out HO HO Homicide - Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner Show Presented by ICMTheatre Group, taking place at the Brandon Styles Theater at OWA (101H OWA Blvd.) The show takes place on Thursday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 10 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6. The audience becomes part of the show as they work with the actors to solve the “murder” through physical clues, spoken dialogue and inferred character motives. Tickets are general admission dinner and show and cost $50 per person. Purchase tickets on brandonstyles.com, or call 251-237-3330 for more information.

The Foley United Methodist Church will host its Annual Pancakes with Santa and cookie sale on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8:30 - 11 a.m. in the church’s Spirit Center (915 N. Pine St.). Tickets are $5 per person and include children’s activities, crafts, pictures with Santa and story time with Santa at 10 a.m. Tickets are available in the church office, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., or at the door on the day of the event. Proceeds benefit United Methodist Women’s missions. Call the church office at 251-943-4393 for more information.

The Copper Kettle will host the 7th Annual Charles Dickens Tea on Saturday, Dec. 11 beginning at 10:30 a.m. The tea is a formal sit-down afternoon tea service with lots of entertainment and visits from Dickens characters. It will be held at the new Copper Kettle Cottage located at 202 Myrtle St. Call 251-609-2832 for more details or to reserve your table for the event.

The Baldwin County Youth Orchestra will perform at the Foley Civic Center (407 E. Laurel Ave.) on Monday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. The event is hosted by the City of Foley and is free to attend. Visit bcyorchestra.com for more information.

Magnolia Springs

 

The Magnolia Springs Community Association is looking to light up the streets of Magnolia Springs this holiday season. The association is planning the first Red Bird Christmas, which will see community members place luminaries on the street sides along Oak Street, Woodland Drive and Pecan Street. Luminaries will be lit from 5 - 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5. Also on Dec. 5, the association will host Cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus at 3 p.m. and the town’s Christmas Tree Lighting will be at 5:30 p.m. Follow the Magnolia Springs Community Association on Facebook for more details.

Summerdale

 

The Summerdale Christmas Parade will roll through the streets of downtown on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m. The parade begins on Fourth Street, and travels Broadway, N.W. First Street, Jefferson, W. Fourth Street, Broadway, and ends at Pioneer Park. For more information, call town hall at 251-989-6202.

The Summerdale Public Library will hold a Christmas Party with Santa on Thursday, Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. The event is free to attend. For more information, visit www.summerdalelibrary.com.