Grinchmas will take place at Universal’s Islands of Adventure from December 5, 2009, through January 1, 2010. Don’t miss it!

Osceola Heritage Park is known as “Central Florida’s Event Complex!” Mark your calendar for these upcoming events at Osceola Heritage Park:

Florida Pro/Am Supercross
Silver Spurs Arena
November 14 & December 5, 2009
Admission Charged

Gun Trader Gun Show
Exhibition Building
November 21-22, 2009
Admission Charged

Shirley Caesar, Live in Concert
The Theater at Silver Spurs Arena
November 22, 2009
Admission Charged

Kenny Rogers, Christmas & Hits Show
The Theater at Silver Spurs Arena
November 30, 2009
Admission Charged

Cheersport Grand Championship (Cheerleading)
December 13, 2009
Silver Spurs Arena
Free Event

Great Florida Shootout (A 16 Team High School Prep Basketball Tournament)
Silver Spurs Arena
December 26, 28-30, 2009
Admission Charged

NCA/NDA Sunshine Classic (Cheerleading)
Silver Spurs Arena
January 9, 2010
Free Event

NCWCC Florida 2010 Regional (Watch & Clock Trade Show)
Exhibition Building
January 15-16, 2010
Free Event

MECUM Auto Auction (The High-Performance & Collector Car Auction Specialists)
Exhibition Building
January 28-30, 2010
Admission Charged

Orlando International Guitar & Music Expo 2010
Silver Spurs Arena
January 30-31, 2010
Admission Charged

2010 FHSSA Competitive Cheerleading Championships
Silver Spurs Arena
February 5-6, 2010
Admission Charged

66th Annual Osceola County Fair
On Grounds
February 12-21, 2010
Admission Charged

124th Silver Spurs Rodeo
Silver Spurs Arena
February 19-21, 2010
Admission Charged 

Planning to visit Central Florida to attend one of the above events? Enjoy great deals on spacious and comfortable accommodations at Westgate Resorts! For more details, visit http://www.westgatedestinations.com.

Celebrity narrators have been announced for the Epcot Candlelight Processional, which will take place November 27 through December 30, 2009. The Candlelight Processional, which includes a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra, will take place at America Gardens Theatre nightly at 5 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM.

Celebrity Narrator Schedule

November 27-29, 2009 – Isabella Rossellini
November 30 & December 1-2, 2009 – John O’Hurley
December 3-5, 2009 – Steven Curtis Chapman
December 6-8, 2009 – Anika Noni Rose
December 9-11, 2009 – Andy Garcia
December 12-14, 2009 – Vanessa Williams
December 15-17, 2009 – Abigail Breslin
December 18-20, 2009 – Whoopi Goldberg
December 21-23, 2009 – Brian Dennehy
December 24-26, 2009 – Edward James Olmos
December 27-30, 2009 – Angela Bassett/Courtney B. Vance

For more information about Epcot, visit http://www.orlando-florida.net.

The 2009 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will feature a “rockin’ new stage show” called “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas!” that will star Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and other popular Disney characters. The interactive musical revue boasts “songs of the season” in the style of today’s hottest Radio Disney hits. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will also include Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks spectacular plus special shows featuring Disney characters, carolers, festive tree lightings and more. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place at 7 PM on November 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 29, and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 18, 2009. Advance tickets are suggested. Visit disneyworld.com/christmasparty for more information.

House of Blues Annual Folk Art Festival – October 3-4, 2009
Local and regional artists will mingle with visitors are the House of Blues for a weekend of art, food, handmade collectibles and live music at the Folk Art Festival.

Shrimp & Jazz Festival – October 10-11, 2009
Combining the very best in live jazz and flavorful locally sourced shrimp, the Shrimp & Jazz Festival in Little River is a fall afternoon treat held each year in early October.

South Carolina Fossil Fair – October 31, 2009
Sure to bring out the inner scientist in everyone, the South Carolina Fossil Fair at the Ocean Lakes Family Campground’s Recreation Building features fossil identification and a fossil hunt.

Loris Bog Off – October 17, 2009
The community of Loris’ annual Bog Off is a celebration of heritage expressed through a top-notch cooking competition to determine the best chicken bog – a spicy blend of rice, chicken sausage, onion and black pepper served in a “big ‘ol bowl.” The festivities include a parade, arts/crafts and live entertainment.

Brookgreen Gardens Harvest Home Weekend Festival – October 24-25, 2009
Visitors of all ages will enjoy the fall festivities at the Harvest Home Weekend Festival at Brookgreen Gardens. Highlights will include live entertainment, scarecrow building contest, pumpkin painting, hay rides and more.

Murrells Inlet Annual Oyster Roast – November 21, 2009
The historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet serves up an afternoon filled with bushels and bushels of sweet local oysters during the community’s annual Oyster Roast. Oyster fans can enjoy a great all-you-can-eat afternoon of steamed oysters and great offerings from Dead Dog Saloon, Drunken Jack’s, Divine Fish House, Bovine’s, River City Cafe and more.

Seeking affordable accommodations during your next Myrtle Beach getaway? Look no farther than Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort, which features spacious accommodations, a variety of onsite amenities and an ideal location that provides easy access to area attractions. For more information about Westgate Myrtle Beach, visit www.wgmyrtlebeach.com.

One of the best (and busiest!) times to visit the Great Smoky Mountains is during the month of October – the peak season for fall foliage when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park comes alive with a brilliant blaze of red, orange and yellow leaves, as well as fresh, crisp mountain air. Some of the best fall colors can be viewed along Newfound Gap Road, the scenic 32-mile stretch of U.S. 441 that winds the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina.

An abundance of festivals and special events also take place throughout the Smokies during the autumn months. For example, the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, which runs from September 18 through October 31, 2009, features live entertainment, old-fashioned hayrides, local crafts and more. Dollywood’s National Gospel & Harvest Celebration, which takes place October 2-31, 2009, offers the best in Southern gospel music, along with the talents of more than 100 craftspeople. Named as one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeastern United States” by the Southeast Tourism Society, the 34th-annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (October 8-25, 2009) boasts more than 200 talented artists and craftspeople in the areas of pottery, woodworking, broommaking, stained glass, basketmaking and more. Old-fashioned Wagon Rides depart approximately every 45 minutes from the Mountain Mall at Traffic Light #6 in downtown Gatlinburg Sunday through Thursday from 5 PM to 9 PM (September 1 – October 29, 2009).

In addition, fall is the perfect time to drive through the 8-5-mile loop that comprises the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, which contains numerous studios, shops and galleries. Founded in 1937, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community has evolved into the country’s largest organization of independent artisans. Mountain crafts that can be purchased here include woodcarving, pottery, quilting, painting, weaving, candlemaking, broommaking and more. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community lies just 3 miles from downtown Gatlinburg on U.S. 321 North.

With great weather, colorful foliage, a multitude of lively festivals and a diversity of accommodation choices, the Great Smoky Mountains provide the perfect fall vacation destination. The fall traveler can choose from either resorts, hotels and motels convenient to downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, or rustic cabins and chalets nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. For instance, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort offers great deals on spacious accommodations that provide easy access to Smoky Mountain area attractions, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.wgsmokymountains.com.

Two major Christian Music Festivals are scheduled at Central Florida theme parks in September 2009: Night of Joy, September 11-12, 2009, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Rock the Universe, September 11-12, 2009, at Universal Studios Florida. Don’t miss this opportunity for great music and fellowship.

2009 Night of Joy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – September 11-12, 2009
The 27th-annual Night of Joy, an immensely popular contemporary Christian music festival, will take place September 11-12, 2009, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The musically diverse event will feature P.O.D., MercyMe, NewsBoys, Skillet, Flyleaf, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, Jars of Clay, GRITS, Leeland, Needtobreathe, Superchick, Mandisa and Family Force 5. Seven acts will perform each night between 7 PM and 12:30 AM at stages throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One night tickets for Night of Joy 2009 are $49.95 in advance or $54.95 on event day (if available). Two-night tickets are $84.95 plus tax. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is located just off I-4, south of Orlando.

2009 Rock the Universe at Universal Studios Florida – September 11-12, 2009
Billed as “A Weekend of Music and Thrills That’ll Rock Your Soul,” the 10th-annual Rock the Universe will take place September 11-12, 2009, at Universal Studios Florida. 2009 Rock the Universe will feature some of the hottest names in the Christian music scene for an unforgettable weekend of fun at fellowship at Universal Studios Florida. Scheduled performers include Switchfoot, David Crowder Band, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, Casting Crowns, tobyMac, Pillar, Fireflight, Remedy Drive, Seven Stories Up, Hawk Nelson, The Afters, Group 1 Crew and New Method. Tickets for 2009 Rock the Universe are $49.99 plus tax for one night and $75.99 plus tax for two nights. Universal Studios Florida is located off I-4, Exit 75.

Seeking spacious and affordable accommodations during your stay in Orlando to attend one of Central Florida’s premier Christian music festivalsl? Look no farther than Westgate Resorts, which offers spacious villas, first-class amenities and convenient access to Orlando’s Disney World theme parks and area attractions. Choose from Westgate Resorts properties such as Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.orlando-florida.net/hotels.

April 16-26, 2009
Central Florida Fairgrounds, Orlando, Florida

The 11-day Central Florida Fair features carnival rides, live music, regional arts and crafts, livestock shows and amazing interactive exhibits from April 16-26, 2009. Don’t miss it!

March 28 – April 27, 2009
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

An international celebration, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations offers live entertainment, culture exhibits and great food. “Imagine presented by Le Grand Cirque” will make its debut at Dollywood’s Festival of Nations in 2009. Closed Tuesdays.

March 16-18, 2009
Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and it’s not even March yet! Christmas is coming early to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as Santas, Mrs. Clauses, elves, helpers and reindeer from around the world prepare for the jolliest even ever seen – Celebrate Santa 2009! Sleigh bells will be ringing as the Celebrate Santa convention kicks off on March 16, 2009, at the W.L. Mills Auditorium and Convention Center with opening ceremonies. The convention will continue until Wednesday, March 18, 2009. For three days, workshops, exhibits, entertainment, vendor showcase and a parade fill the agenda. The local public is invited to attend the spectacular Santa Showcase on the main floor of the Gatlinburg Convention Center.  The showcase runs for the course of the convention. Everything from Santa suits to Christmas-related items will be featured. The Santa Showcase is open to the general public with a $3 admission. St. Nick meets St. Patrick in one of the most unique parades you will ever see. On March 17, 2009, the Holly and Shamrock Parade steps off in downtown Gatlinburg at 4:30 PM. The parade will feature floats, Santas, Mrs. Clauses and even Santa’s spectacular Cyber Sleigh.

Looking for comfortable and affordable accommodations during your stay at Celebrate Santa 2009? River Terrace Resort & Convention Center lies in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and provides convenient access to the Gatlinburg Convention Center, downtown Gatlinburg attractions and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Private balconies overlooking the scenic Little Pigeon River, a full-service restaurant and lounge are just a few of the onsite amenities that can be found at River Terrace. Each of the guestrooms features cable TV, micro refrigerator, data port, microwave, balcony, coffee maker, voice mail, hairdryer and iron/ironing board. For more information about River Terrace Resort & Convention Center, visit www.riverterrace.com.

July 9-12, 2009
Various Locales, Park City, Utah
Billed as an “Epicurean Extravaganza,” the 5th-annual Park City Food & Wine Classic in Park City, Utah, will take place July 9-12, 2009. The most comprehensive wine event in Utah, the Park City Food & Wine Classic features three days of wine tastings and pairings, gourmet dinners, educational seminars and culinary competitions. Note: Purchase your tickets as soon as possible to guarantee your attendance at this immensely popular Park City annual classic.