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Happy Holidays 2006

Bay area greets the season

By SHARON KENNEDY WYNNE
Published November 23, 2006

In just a few hours, it will be time to focus on the Christmas season and holiday happenings all over the bay area.

For decoration inspiration, check out designer-decked halls at the annual Festival of Trees, which runs through Sunday at the Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St., downtown Clearwater.

The event, a fundraiser for the UPARC Foundation, has entertainment, gifts and crafts and trees to envy. They're for sale, too. It's open today from 2 to 8 p.m. On Friday, hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; there's a party with jazz by Eric Darius, food vendors and a cash bar from 7 to 9 p.m.

Then, on Saturday, the festival runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a Santa Breakfast at 9 a.m. ($10, includes festival admission); reservations required. Sunday hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Admission is $6, $5 seniors, $4 ages 3 to 16. (727) 797-8712, www.treefest.com.

Tree lightings

Downtown St. Petersburg holds its Snowfest Kick-off and Tree Lighting Friday night; holiday music begins at 5 p.m., the mayor flips the switch on the decorations at 7 p.m. It's all at North Straub Park, Fifth Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive, downtown St. Petersburg.

The Tree Lighting at Old Hyde Park Village on Friday will have music by Mystic Soul, children's entertainment, strolling carolers and hot cocoa, cider and cookies from 6 to 8 p.m.; it's all free.

Catch a carriage ride through the historic neighborhood; 5 to 9 p.m., $5 per person, $10 minimum per ride; S Dakota Avenue near Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa.

Donations of unused toys and canned goods are requested for Metropolitan Ministries.

Let it snow

Sure you still need your sunscreen around here, but you can pretend it's a white Christmas at the Channelside Snowfalls that are held nightly through Dec. 31. The white stuff falls at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m., in the downtown Tampa area adjacent to cruise terminals two and three.

Walk through a snow globe at International Plaza's Happy Feet, a free exhibit that brings to life key moments from the penguin film. It includes a 20-foot walk-through snow globe, with a cold Antarctic blast and falling snow. Life-sized sculptures of characters from the film, a walk-through 28-foot holiday tree and a "green screen" lets kids pose for holiday pictures that make them look like they're dancing with film characters from the movie. The snow globes will be on display until Dec. 24.

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 11:12:59]