Lone Star Travelers Blog

Christmas in Texas State Parks, Stephen F. Austin State Park

joanie7 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:19:52 +0000

On Saturday December 13th, 2008 from 8AM-1030AM Stephen F. Austin State Park invites you to a pancake breakfast featuring homemade syrup, sausage, juice and coffee with special guest Santa Claus at the head of the table. The fee for this special Christmas breakfast is $4 per person. From 6PM-8PM that same day Stephen F. Austin State Park will host a caroling hayride through the park. Stay to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies after the hayride. Admission is one canned good per person. Stephen F. Austin State Park is in the Prairies and Lakes Region.

Christmas in Texas State Parks, Purtis Creek State Park

joanie7 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:14:03 +0000

On Saturday December 6th, 2008 from 6PM-9PM Purtis Creek State Park invites you to join the park staff for the lighting of the park’s Christmas tree. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand as you enjoy hot chocolate and hot cider and watch a Christmas movie by the campfire. Campers may show off their holiday decorations at their campsites and compete for prizes. This event is free. Park entrance fees do apply. Purtis Creek State Park is in the Prairies and Lakes Region. Purtis Creek State Park is located in the town of Eustace, Texas 60 miles east of Dallas, Texas in Henderson and VanZandt counties.

Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Football and the Jonas Brothers

joanie7 — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:33:19 +0000

The Dallas Cowboys play their last Thanksgiving Day game at the Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on Thursday November 27th, 2008 at 3:15 PM versus the Seattle Seahawks. The nationally televised game will feature half time entertainment by the Jonas Brothers. An American Boy Band group the three brothers gained fame from appearances on the Disney Channel. For the past 11 years the Thanksgiving Day football game half time show at Texas Stadium had kicked off the Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign. More than 25,000 volunteers though out the country will ring bells over the familiar site of the red kettles, soliciting spare change donations from holiday shoppers. In 2007 they collected a record $118 million for the Salvation Army. Note: The Cowboys final season at Texas Stadium is sold out.

Christmas in Texas State Parks, Cedar Hill State Park

joanie7 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:19:34 +0000

On Saturday December 13th, 2008 bring the family to Cedar Hill State Park for an evening of Christmas caroling. At 6PM a lantern lit tour of the historic Penn Farm kicks off the activities which include a sing-along around the campfire, hot chocolate and apple cider will help to keep you warm and cozy as the cookie plate is passed your way. Christmas caroling will continue until 730PM. 972-291-3900×232 Cedar Hill State Park is an 1826 acre urban nature preserve located on the shores of the 7500 acre Joe Pool Reservoir, just 10 miles from Dallas, Texas in the Prairies and Lakes Region..

Halloween in Texas State Parks, Lake Texana State Park

joanie7 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:23:38 +0000

Lake Texana State Park invites you to come out and explore their Haunted Halloween Trail. The entire family will enjoy carnival games, a pumpkin carving contest (bring your carved pumpkin for judging) and a costume contest for children 12 years of age and under. The fun begins at 7PM on Saturday, November 01, 2008. Lake Texana State Park is located halfway between Houston and Corpus Christi in the Gulf Coast Region. The event is free however state park entrance fee does apply, or show your Texas State Park Pass. 361-782-5718.

Halloween in Texas State Parks, Martin Dies, Jr. State Park

joanie7 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:23:24 +0000

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park invites your family to an evening of Haunted Halloween Fun on Saturday, November 01, 2008 from 6PM-8PM. There will be a Halloween Trail to explore where you may come across scary monsters! Cozy up to the campfire where the monsters dare not venture to cook your hot dog and roast marshmallows. Later on play games, win prizes and get a terrifying Halloween tattoo. This event is free however park admission does apply, or show your Texas State Parks Pass. Martin Dies Jr, State Park is located in Jasper Texas in the Pineywoods Region. Note: The park is closed until the end of October, 2008 due to damage from Hurricane Ike. Call 409-384-5231 to confirm availability of this event.

Christmas in Texas State Parks, Rusk and Palestine

joanie7 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:27:50 +0000

As of September 01, 2007 operational control of Rusk and Palestine State Parks along with the Texas State Railroad was transferred to American Heritage Railways. Camping is still available at both the Rusk and Palestine parks. The Rusk Park offers shaded sites, some are full hook-ups, under the big trees with front row views of the historic steam and diesel trains chugging in and out of the depot Tent camping only is available at the Palestine Park. On selected dates beginning November 28th thru December 27th The Polar Express will depart Palestine Depot on a magical trip to the North Pole. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas as they read along with the story and excitedly make their way to a visit with Santa. The sounds of Christmas carols across the clear night air with hot chocolate to warm you up will stay in your memories long after the journey ends. Each child will receive a special gift. Ticket prices range from $28-$49.95 for adults and $18-$24.95 for children ages 2-11. polarexpressride.com 1-888-987-2461 The Palestine Park is located in Anderson County in the Pineywoods Region.

Christmas in Texas State Parks, Goliad State Park

joanie7 — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:38:42 +0000

From Thanksgiving through December the grounds around Goliad State Park’s Mission Espiritu Santo will glow with Holiday Lights. The Mission was established more than 250 years ago by Spanish missionaries and soldiers at Goliad on the San Antionio River. It stands today, rising above the landscape, an imposing image on a vantage point overlooking the park. Goliad State Park is located just south of Goliad Texas on U.S. 83 and 77A in the South Texas Plains Region.

Fort Davis Texas, 2008 Distinctive Destination

joanie7 — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:53:50 +0000

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Fort Davis, Texas to it’s 2008 list ‘Dozen Distinctive Destinations.’ They make note of the lack of traffic lights, absence of chain stores and they call the town “an extraordinary blend of majestic scenery, abundant wildlife and cultural resources. fortdavis.com

World Record Beach Ball, Dallas Texas

joanie7 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:25:23 +0000

The world’s largest inflatable beach ball will be bounced down Elm Street on Saturday the 25th of October and Sunday the 26th of October 2008. Carnival Cruise Line in partnership with the Dallas Film Commission will be filming the fun for a commercial to be nationally aired on TV. Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand to record the feat of bouncing this ball, 35 feet in diameter and 3 stories tall. (The current record is 33 feet.) Festivities at this Main Street District event kick off at 12Noon on Saturday and Sunday and will include a Carnival Cruise Line Fun Booth in Pegasus Plaza with live music, free ice cream and lots of giveaways. You will have a chance to win one of 5 free cruises for a family of four on a Carnival Fun Ship. 972-341-2514 for more information.