As Ferris Bueller noted: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” This is true especially during the holiday season. Fortunately, there is a lot to look around at this weekend in and around the Albany region. So get out and make holiday memories to cherish for years to come.
File Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected] https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f714026fc83d6150ab9a4350b4169940?s=100&d=mm&r=g
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open each weekend through Dec. 31.Where: Thronateeska Science Museum, 100 W. Roosevelt Ave.The annual Santa exhibit at the Thronateeska Heritage Center in Albany brings out hundreds and hundreds of versions of the Jolly Old Elf the holidays. The collection, owned by former Albany resident Don Fisher, has been a seasonal delight for decades. Visitors can see how St. Nick has appeared across the years and throughout the world.
When: All weekend; shows start at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.Where: Albany Municipal Auditorium.The Ballet Theater South production of the timeless holiday tradition brings a cast of more than 40 school-age dancers and guest dancers for feature roles that will entertain the entire family.
When: Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.Where: Mark’s Melon Patch, located in Sasser.The patch will be open with no entrance fee for two days, and no charge for movies and pictures with Santa. An all-activity pass of $10 per person covers wagon rides, corn maze, ornament painting, monster slides, trike track,doggie jumper and more.
When: Saturday, starts at 1:30 p.m. Repeats each weekend through the end of the year.Where: Flint RiverQuarium, 100 Pine Ave.The RieverQuarium’s holiday show, Season of Light, created by Loch Ness Productions, uses images, video, animation, and sound to tell the story of how our holiday traditions are connected to the sky above. December is the darkest month of the year and people all over the world have held festivals, lit candles, and tried to bring light to the darkness of the winter sky. Season of Light also explains the seasons, the winter constellations and speculates about the Star of Bethlehem.Admission: $5, free for members.
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When: Saturday, 5 p.m.-6 p.m. and each weekend through Dec. 21.Where: Chehaw Park & Zoo, 105 Chehaw Park Road.Drive through the lights, enjoy hot cocoa, and roast marshmallows by the fire pits.Admission: $8 per car for Artesian Alliance members, $10 for non-members.
File Photo: Carlton Fletcher
When: Saturday, parade starts at 10 a.m., with festival continuing until 2 p.m.Where: Parade will take place on Main Street. The festival will be located on Starksville Avenue.The 34th annual Spirit of Christmas Parade and Festival will feature vendors, entertainment, food, a doggie pet parade and kid’s play areas and rides.
File Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected] https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f714026fc83d6150ab9a4350b4169940?s=100&d=mm&r=g
When: Saturday, starts at 4 p.m.Where: Pine Avenue, Albany.The 32nd annual Festival of Lights parade will feature a Christmas Village, with vendors and a food truck frenzy starting at 4 p.m. The tree-lighting ceremony is set for 4:45 p.m., followed by the parade at 5 p.m.
Alan has been a reporter for 30 years, including at The Moultrie Observer, Thomasville Times-Enterprise and The Albany Herald. His favorite book is “Catch-22,” and he has an Australian shepherd/American bulldog mix named Maxwell.
