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Winter Wonderland 68 | Where Glass and Copper Meet 72

“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.” – Marianne Williamson

68 HOLIDAY ISSUE 2012

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Capturing That Old Fashioned Holiday SpiritWRITTEN BY Bonnie Char Oldroyd

Do you ever long to experience the charm of the holiday season of a bygone era? If this sounds appealing to you, there are many “old fashioned” holiday festivities in Southern Utah that you and your family can experience together this winter.

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Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland

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Christmas in the CountryParowan, the gateway to Brian Head Ski Resort, nestled at the base of Patchwork Parkway, may not be the first place you think of when it comes to Christmas, however, Parowan City’s “Christmas in the Country” event has been creating an old fashioned Christmas for over 25 years.

According to Jet Smith of Parowan City Events, “Christmas in the Country is a tradition that sets the mood and brings in the holiday season”. The event includes a traditional holiday bazaar, a Santa parade, concerts, holiday home tours and a magical candle light parade. This unusual, yet wonderfully magical parade features a live Nativity processional in which spectators are invited to walk with their candles, flashlights or other lighted hand held devices while caroling along the way to the tree lighting ceremony.

Christmas in the Country is held November 23rd and 24th in Parowan. For more information call 435-477-9022 or visit www.parowan.org.

Christmas at the HomesteadEnjoy the holidays of yesteryear as the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum presents “Christmas at the Homestead”. Meander through some of Southern Utah’s oldest historic structures, and hear Christmas stories snuggled up beside a cozy fire. Make holiday crafts, write your list to Santa with ink and a quill while listening to seasonal music. Of course the evening wouldn’t be complete without our special guest, Saint Nicholas. Christmas at the Homestead is held December 3rd, 5:30pm – 8:30pm at the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum (635 N. Main St. Cedar City). There is no charge for this event. For more information pleases call 435-586-9290.

Skiing With Santa After a busy night, Santa makes his way to Brian Head Resort to spend Christmas day on the slopes. The man in the red suit can be seen every Christmas enjoying the pristine white hills with red rock views from Brian Head Resorts’ numerous runs. Kids and adults love to catch a glimpse of Santa kicking up some powder, and truthfully, he’s pretty good, especially considering how busy he was the night before.

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland

Photo Courtesy Cedar City -Brian Head Tourism Bureau.

70 HOLIDAY ISSUE 2012

Photo by Mike Saemisch.

Photo Courtesy Cedar City - Brian Head Tourism Bureau.

Winter Wonderland AdventureEveryone always enjoys skiing and snowboarding in winter but what about the more adventurous outings? If you’re up to the challenge of hearing the crunch of snow underfoot and breathing in the crisp mountain air then strap on a pair of snowshoes and tromp through fields of white. Start your Southern Utah adventure among the vistas of Cedar Breaks as you glide over cross-country trails. Alternatively, if a rush of adventure is what you seek, 10,000 feet and blazing through loads of fresh powder from on a snowmobile may be just what you’re looking for. Just because Highway 148, the road that links Cedar Breaks to Brian Head, closes temporarily during the winter months doesn’t mean Cedar Breaks National Monument is closed. The Winter Warming Yurt at Cedar Breaks serves as a ranger station and education center. It welcomes cross-country skiers, snowshoe enthusiasts and snowmobilers to stop in, warm up by the fire and sip some hot cocoa. What the heck is a Yurt? Besides being fun to say, a Yurt is a circular domed tent-like structure built around a wooden frame. This Yurt has a wooden floor but more importantly, it has a cozy wood stove and hot chocolate to warm the winter adventurer. The Yurt is open on the weekends throughout the winter months, depending on the weather conditions.

Photo by Monique Beeley.

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Storybook CavalcadeThis Cedar City holiday tradition is the largest parade of its kind in the intermountain west. The Storybook Cavalcade takes place December 1st starting at 2:00pm on Main Street in Cedar City. Notable characters such as Sponge Bob Squarepants, Big Bird, Dora the Explorer and Bugs Bunny will join the parade along with traditional storybook characters. Comic heroes like Thor, Green Lantern and the Transformers will also be a part of the Cavalcade. The final float is always reserved for the arrival of Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, their elves and The Grinch. Following the parade there will be the “Merry Tuba Christmas” concert held on the outdoor stage at Festival Hall.

Fireworks & Torchlight Parade,Family New Y ear’s Eve PartyExperience a dazzling firework display among the sparkling snow and stars at Brian Head Resort. This event is highlighted by the Torchlight Parade where skiers gracefully glide down the slopes of Brian Head an illuminated and magical path which culminates in an impressive fireworks display with festivities. The New Year’s celebrations continue indoors at Giant Steps Lodge and even more celebrating at Cedar Breaks Lodge and The Hilton DoubleTree Resort and Spa at Brian Head. Fireworks and Torchlight Parade take place New Year’s Eve, December 31st. For more information call 435-677-2035 or visit www.BrianHead.com.