Winter 2008 Events in the Southeast U.S.

January 2008

Jan. 1, Polar Bear Dip. Run from white as snow sands around the infamous Flora-Bama Lounge into the bracing, blue Gulf! Steaming bowls of lucky black-eyed peas, hot music and New Year’s toasts! Perdido Key, FL, 800-874-1234; info@florabama.com. (www.florabama.com)

Jan. 6-Feb. 6, Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana. Festivities begin with the Twelfth Night celebration and feature 43 krewes and 2,000 royalty members in seven colorful parades. Special events for kids and seniors. Lake Charles, LA, 800-456-7952; info@visitlakecharles.org. (www.visitlakecharles.org)

Jan. 11-12, 51^st Annual Fur & Wildlife Festival. The oldest and coldest festival in the state features sporting competitions, hunting instruction, oyster shucking, retriever dog trials, food booths and carnival rides. Cameron, LA, 800-456-7952; info@lakecharles.org. (www.furfestival.com)

Jan. 11-14; 16-20, Florida Classic Clusters AKC All-Breed Dog Show. Over 18,000 four-legged friends compete in individual breed shows and judgings; obedience and rally trials. Bring your pets to the “Doggie Fun Zone!” Brooksville, FL, 813-215-3580; stolzdachs@tampabay.rr.com. (www.floridaclassicpark.com)

Jan. 19-21, Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Festival. The only MLK festival in the country salutes the monumental achievements of the civil rights activist with parades, concerts and a candlelight vigil. Free event! Lake Charles, LA, 800-456-7952; info@visitlakecharles.org. (www.visitlakecharles.org)

Jan. 12-19, 18^th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week. Naturalists host 175 seminars covering the history, mystery, past, present and future of the Great Smoky Mountains. Hands-on activities from fly-fishing instruction to mandolin lessons. Pigeon Forge, TN, 800-WINTERFEST; events@cityofpigeonforge.com. (www.mypigeonforge.com)

Jan. 12-Feb. 29, Dog Days of Winter and Bow-wow Bone-anza. Botanical Gardens goes to the dogs! Canine carnival, photographer, dog and master look-alike contest and a no leash zone. Don’t forget the Frisbee! Huntsville, AL, 256-830-4447, x290; jhacker@hsvbg.org. (www.hsvbg.org)

Jan. 17-26, Augusta Futurity. Cutting horse competition with a $1M purse attracts nearly 50,000 fans! Western Family Fun Festival and Championship Bullriding; dancing; quarter horse sale and an authentic cowboy parade. Augusta, GA, 706-823-3362; noell.inman@augustafuturity.com. (www.augustafuturity.com)

Jan. 26, Cape Fear Model Railroad Club Inc's 11th Annual Model Railroad Show & Sale. Annual fundraiser held to promote model railroading. Train supplies, trains and all types of railroad memorabilia will be sold. Free for children under 5! Wilmington, NC, 910-270-2696; BEN.JACKSON@charter.net.     (www.capefearmodelrailroadclub.org)

Jan. 26, Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade. A family friendly Mardi Gras Parade in the Twin cities of Louisiana! Activities include: live bands, a kids parade, a pets parade, dance team performances, carriage rides and shopping. Monroe-West Monr
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