Perfect for Procrastinators: Explore! NYE Events

Almost New Year's Eve and you haven't made plans yet?  Consider these Explore! Options!

Almost New Year's Eve and you haven't made plans yet?  Consider these Explore! Options!

Limited rooms are still available to bring in the New Year in beautiful French Lick and West Baden! With New Year’s Eve on a Saturday celebrate the weekend in French Lick by exploring our unique history, enjoying the many local dining options, browsing our small town markets, and ringing in 2012 with all the exciting entertainment. It happens here in French Lick. Call us for reservations at 812-936-5300 or www.comfortsuites.com

The countdown is on and French Lick Resort isn’t letting 2011 slip away without plenty of fanfare. Couples can ring in the New Year at the West Baden Spring Hotel’s Romantic Rendezvous, party-goers will find plenty of action at the French Lick Spring Hotel’s Planet New Year’s Eve party while the casino will be rocking with the Easy Street Band. Kids can join in on the fun with a choice of two pint-sized parties complimentary with the purchase of a hotel package.

Looking to celebrate 2012 with your family? Big Splash Adventure is the place. Check out the great New Year's Eve package! http://www.bigsplashadventure.com

A New Year’s Eve Romantic Rendezvous
West Baden Springs Hotel
Saturday, December 31 • 7:30 pm – 1:00 am

Escape with your special someone this New Year’s Eve to West Baden Springs Hotel. Enjoy a spectacular evening surrounded by the majesty and grandeur of the storied domed Atrium, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, an exquisite multi course meal with wine service followed by dancing the year away to the Stardusters Jazz Orchestra and a champagne toast at midnight.


 Packages starting at $589       
 Cocktails, dinner and dancing only $175 (per person). Please RSVP to 812-936-5924
 Banquet seating • Jacket required

Planet New Year's Eve
French Lick Springs Hotel
Saturday, December 30 • 9pm - 1am

Now boarding French Lick Resort Flight 1901, your direct flight to Planet New Year's Eve 2011! Tickets for this fantastic voyage to Paris, Rome, London, New York, Tokyo and Sydney include the music of Souled Out and the Hunt Butler Band. From 9pm to 1am, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a dessert buffet, cash bar, party favors and a champagne toast all in the Windsor Ballroom.

Overnight accommodations and access to all three parties – starting at $369
Planet New Year’s Eve Party only - $299 (single) • $350 (couple)
Party at Power Plant with Sarah Stivers Quartet - $10 (Non-Hotel Guest)
Party at Spring No. 8 with Disco DJ - $10 (Non-Hotel Guest)
 Schedule your flight to 2012 today by calling our Reservations Specialists at 888-936-9360.

Purchase a New Year’s Eve room package at either French Lick Resort hotel and receive vouchers for the complimentary New Year’s Eve KidsFest Bash! Vouchers for the complimentary KidsFest event will be distributed at check-in.

 KidsFest New Year’s Eve Movie Party: Ages 6-12
This pint-sized New Year’s Eve Bash is from 6pm to 2am and includes a bouncy house, an obstacle course, a jungle slide, movies, dinner, soft drinks, popcorn and cookies.

 KidsFest New Year’s Eve Bowling Party: Ages 13 and up
Pluto’s Alley bowling and dinner event includes two bowling sets, shoes, two slices of pizza and a soft drink.

Easy Street
French Lick Casino
Friday, December 30 • 9pm - 1am
Saturday, December 31 • 9pm - 2am

And for the day after:

Do you love to go dancing on New Year's Eve? Then dance to the City Lights band at the Eagles #654, 1312 J St, Bedford, Dec 31 from 9 pm-2 am. Members: $10/person or $15/couple; non-members: $15/person or $20/couple includes party favors, champagne & snacks, too. Details, 812-275-3773.

Ski. Ride Tube. For updates on their Operation Schedule, stay connected at Paoli Peaks Facebook page.

The Santa Claus Land of Lights Family Christmas Light Adventure in Santa Claus, Indiana, is open through New Year’s Day.  Day.

Located inside Lake Rudolph Campground & RVResort, this custom outdoor light show tells the Shining Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in bright, energy-efficient LED lights. The Santa Claus Land of Lights is one of the only light shows in North America that tells a story in lights and storyboards. At 1.2 miles long, it is also the largest campground holiday light show in North America.

 www.SantaClausLandofLights.com.

Activities for New Year's Day at Spring Mill St Pk are: Make a New Year's Resolution Penny Doll; Pioneer Village Stroll. Drop in crafting happens every day at the Nature Nook in the Inn. Yay!!

Looking for something to do?

Explore! Has Some For You

Kids & adults can drop in at the Spring Mill Inn & make a holiday craft - Free - from now thru Dec 30th! Lots of fun abounds around here, stay posted for the latest events. Details 812-849-3534.

Activities for Spring Mill St Pk for Sat, Dec 31 (New Years Eve!) are: 3 pm, Pop in the Nature Nook & make a New Years Hat; 5-8 pm, Craft & Game Time in the Nook. Yay! Another New Year coming! Resolve to visit us & have some grand fun!

Do you love to go dancing on New Year's Eve? Then dance to the City Lights band at the Eagles #654, 1312 J St, Bedford, Dec 31 from 9 pm-2 am. Members: $10/person or $15/couple; non-members: $15/person or $20/couple includes party favors, champagne & snacks, too. Details, 812-275-3773.

Spring Mill State Park is offering their Needle Felting Workshop again Wed, Jan 11, 2012. All supplies are provided & program is limited to 12 adults. Cost is $30 & includes lunch at the Inn. Details or to register call 812-849-4081. Check out other Jan events at the park at the link.

 

Ski.Ride Tube. For updates on their Operation Schedule, stay connected at Paoli Peaks Facebook page. 

The Santa Claus Land of Lights Family Christmas Light Adventure in Santa Claus, Indiana, is open through New Year’s Day. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Located inside Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, this custom outdoor light show tells the Shining Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in bright, energy-efficient LED lights. The Santa Claus Land of Lights is one of the only light shows in North America that tells a story in lights and storyboards. At 1.2 miles long, it is also the largest campground holiday light show in North America.

A portion of proceeds from the Santa Claus Land of Lights will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley. Discount coupons ($4 off per vehicle) for the Family Christmas Light Adventure are offered at McDonald’s locations in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. A complete list of coupon locations may be found at www.SantaClausLandofLights.com.

Let It Snow!

Enjoy the elegance of French Lick Resort

Hit the slopes at Paoli Peaks!

Winter lovers will want to check out our new Orange County photos http://bit.ly/sBxAVS

We Win Awards and We're on TV -- How Cool is That?

 

Indiana Outdoor Adventures Comes to Southern Indiana

Even if you didn’t catch them on TV, Episodes 27 and 37 are available on Indiana Outdoor Adventures Website.

Episode 26 on Indiana Outdoor Adventures, which aired last spring, showcases wild turkey hunting in Southern Indiana as well as a trip through Crawford County’s Marengo Cave. Catch it here.

Episode 37, “Limestone Quarries,” featured hosts Troy and Mac on a Limestone Adventure in Bedford and Bloomington to see how limestone blocks are quarried from the ground and shaped into architectural and commercial products. Click here to watch the show.

Indiana Outdoor Adventures is a hunting fishing and outdoor activity television show that includes deer turkey rabbit and quail hunting, bass and catfish fishing, spelunking, hiking, camping and more. Visit their Website at http://indianaoutdooradventures.com/

AAA Inspectors Pick Favorite Places to Enjoy Holiday Magic

West Baden Springs Hotel, West Baden Springs, Ind., AAA Four Diamond Classic Historic Resort Hotel

The expansive domed atrium of this 1902 historic spa hotel is impressive in its own right, but with the added beauty of a 40-foot Christmas tree and hundreds of twinkling lights, the atmosphere is downright magical. Perfect for a romantic holiday retreat, couples can take advantage of the on-site spa to relax from the stress of the season.  

Stephen Colbert in Spencer County

We at Explore! loved this post on the HoliBlog that we "borrowed" it and posted it here.

A little background here for those who didn't see the original broadcast of the Stephen Colbert program back in 2006 Santa Claus, Indiana was featured as part of The Colbert Report's "Blitzkrieg on Grinchitude" series - and Holiday World has the video to prove it!

Colbert set up a Lincoln-versus-Santa debate, with two representatives from Spencer County.

The late Will Koch -- who we all dearly miss -- president of Holiday World, was chosen by producers to be the "Santa Guy" and local historian Jerry Sanders was the "Lincoln Guy."

Poor Will - during the satellite interview, his audio earpiece worked sporadically at best, so during much of the interview he had a quizzical look on his face. It played well, though, and Colbert was delighted.

The piece is still available for viewing here on The Colbert Report's website.

Meanwhile, the towns of Santa Clans and Lincoln City continue to exist peacefully, just four miles apart, despite what that troublemaker Colbert was trying to stir up five years ago. It was a fun experience and it's now a Christmas tradition for all of us here at the park to watch the video each year.

Santa Claus Land of Lights Open Through January 1

For those who never want the holiday to end (and we at Explore! are among them), there's good news. Santa Claus Land of Lights will remain bright and twinkly until the beginning of 2012.


WHAT: The Santa Claus Land of Lights Family Christmas Light Adventure in Santa Claus, Indiana, is open through New Year’s Day. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Located inside Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, this custom outdoor light show tells the Shining Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in bright, energy-efficient LED lights. The Santa Claus Land of Lights is one of the only light shows in North America that tells a story in lights and storyboards. At 1.2 miles long, it is also the largest campground holiday light show in North America.

A portion of proceeds from the Santa Claus Land of Lights will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley. Discount coupons ($4 off per vehicle) for the Family Christmas Light Adventure are offered at McDonald’s locations in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. A complete list of coupon locations may be found at www.SantaClausLandofLights.com.

NEW: Improvements for the 2011 Santa Claus Land of Lights include the addition of thousands of LED lights and a free photo with Rudolph per vehicle.


WHEN: The Santa Claus Land of Lights will be open from 5:00pm – 9:00pm CST nightly through January 1 and is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information or to purchase pre-paid express lane passes, visit the website at www.SantaClausLandofLights.com

New Reality Series "Saw Dogs" Featuring Jason Emmons of Bear Hollow Wood Carvers airs January 7th


Bear Hollow Wood Carvers owner
Jason Emmons is featured on episode 9 of the new reality show series "Saw Dogs" (Date for episode 9 TBA).  The series premiers January 7th on the Veloicity Channel with Episode 1 and 2 airing back to back.  Two other Bear Hollow Wood Carvers are also featured on various episodes - Ken Tynan and Mark Colp.

                                                              Series Synopsis:
A team of the world's top chainsaw sculptors battle short deadlines, tight budgets and conflicting artistic sensibilities to complete a series of beautiful commissioned carvings.  Master carver Steve Blanchard pulls from a pool of the best carvers around, matching their special skills to each over-the-top project, to craft some of the most intricate woodcarvings imaginable.  Confronting the dangers of chainsaw carving requires a steady hand and a fearless disposition.  At Blanchard's Saw Valley ranch, chainsaws scream, sawdust flies and
imagination rules!

Saw Dogs airs on OLN on January 24, and on Velocity in the US on January 7th.

Jason Emmons is an Indiana Artisan.  His sculptures can be found at his gallery, Bear Hollow Wood Carvers, in French Lick, Indiana.  Jason also
travels the United States doing exhibitions throughout the year.

Watch the trailer at: http://www.cableready.net/5390/saw-dogs/

Ring in 2012 Your Way at French Lick Resort

End of year celebrations offered for all ages and interests at Southern Indiana destination

  

The countdown is on and French Lick Resort isn’t letting 2011 slip away without plenty of fanfare. Couples can ring in the New Year at the West Baden Spring Hotel’s Romantic Rendezvous, party-goers will find plenty of action at the French Lick Spring Hotel’s Planet New Year’s Eve party while the casino will be rocking with the Easy Street Band. Kids can join in on the fun with a choice of two pint-sized parties complimentary with the purchase of a hotel package.

A New Year’s Eve Romantic Rendezvous
West Baden Springs Hotel
Saturday, December 31 • 7:30 pm – 1:00 am

Escape with your special someone this New Year’s Eve to West Baden Springs Hotel. Enjoy a spectacular evening surrounded by the majesty and grandeur of the storied domed Atrium, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, an exquisite multi course meal with wine service followed by dancing the year away to the Stardusters Jazz Orchestra and a champagne toast at midnight.
 Packages starting at $589         Book Now
 Cocktails, dinner and dancing only $175 (per person). Please RSVP to 812-936-5924
 Banquet seating • Jacket required

Planet New Year's Eve
French Lick Springs Hotel
Saturday, December 30 • 9pm - 1am

Now boarding French Lick Resort Flight 1901, your direct flight to Planet New Year's Eve 2011! Tickets for this fantastic voyage to Paris, Rome, London, New York, Tokyo and Sydney include the music of Souled Out and the Hunt Butler Band. From 9pm to 1am, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a dessert buffet, cash bar, party favors and a champagne toast all in the Windsor Ballroom.

Overnight accommodations and access to all three parties – starting at $369
Planet New Year’s Eve Party only - $299 (single) • $350 (couple)
Party at Power Plant with Sarah Stivers Quartet - $10 (Non-Hotel Guest)
Party at Spring No. 8 with Disco DJ - $10 (Non-Hotel Guest)
 Schedule your flight to 2012 today by calling our Reservations Specialists at 888-936-9360.

Purchase a New Year’s Eve room package at either French Lick Resort hotel and receive vouchers for the complimentary New Year’s Eve KidsFest Bash! Vouchers for the complimentary KidsFest event will be distributed at check-in.

 KidsFest New Year’s Eve Movie Party: Ages 6-12
This pint-sized New Year’s Eve Bash is from 6pm to 2am and includes a bouncy house, an obstacle course, a jungle slide, movies, dinner, soft drinks, popcorn and cookies.

 KidsFest New Year’s Eve Bowling Party: Ages 13 and up
Pluto’s Alley bowling and dinner event includes two bowling sets, shoes, two slices of pizza and a soft drink

Easy Street
French Lick Casino
Friday, December 30 • 9pm - 1am
Saturday, December 31 • 9pm - 2am

The dedicated and talented musicians of Bowling Green, Kentucky's Easy Street take the stage at French Lick Casino. A modern country band with a full touring schedule throughout the Midwest and Southeast, we are lucky to have them in our spotlight. Having opened for national recording acts as well as headlined their own show, Easy Street's second EP, One More Time, features memorable words and melodies with an attractive twang-slinky yet sometimes nostalgic guitar and thoughtful arrangements with a distinct pulse.

 

French Lick Resort is a $500 million historic restoration and casino development project that includes the West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick Springs Hotel and French Lick Casino. This Midwest premiere resort destination features 689 guest rooms and suites; a 51,000-square-foot, single-level casino; 45 holes of golf, including the fully restored 1917-designed Donald Ross Course at French Lick and the18-hole Pete Dye Course at French Lick; two full-service spas with a combined 36 treatment rooms totaling 42,000 square feet; meeting and event space totaling 115,000 square feet and an array of dining and entertainment options. 

Winter Wine Walk to be Held December 17th in Historic Downtown Corydon

 

Historic Downtown Corydon is hosting a Winter Wine Walk this Saturday, December 17^th from 3 to 7 p.m.  

Guests will be able to shop for gifts, taste wine and purchase wine by the bottle.  Tickets are $10 and will be available at the Blaine H. Wiseman Visitors Center the day of the event.  The price includes wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres and a map of the participating businesses.  The first 300 guests will receive a souvenir wine glass.   

 Downtown businesses participating in the wine walk are:  Abigail’s Antiques, Albin Jewelers, Arlston’s Booksellers, Cellar on the Square, Collections of the Homeplace, Colokial, Harrison County Artisan Center, Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Liquors, Kintner House, Little Texas Consignment Shop, Magdalena’s Restaurant, Ozzie’s, So Dear to My Heart, Star Cleaners, Uniforms on the Square, Viola’s Gallery, and The White Cloud Window.  Participating wineries include:  Buck Creek Winery, Cedar Creek Winery, Monkey Hollow Winery, Salt Creek Winery, Carousel Winery, Turtle Run Winery, Indian Creek Winery, Scout Mountain Winery, Best Vineyards Winery, Huber Winery, Madison County Winery, Grateful Goat Winery, and River City Winery.

The Winter Wine Walk is sponsored by Cellar on the Square.  Owner/Operator, Nathan Blank explained that the goals for this event are to, “increase foot traffic and merchant sales in the Downtown Corydon Historic Shopping District during the holidays, help promote the local wineries and provide a relaxing holiday shopping experience for people this holiday season”. 

New highlights to this year’s walk include a live ice sculpting demonstration by Joe Autry and food sampling by J. Gumbo’s and Tastefully Simple.  Live entertainment will also be featured throughout the downtown area during the hours of the walk.

 Proceeds from the Winter Wine Walk benefit Hayswood Theatre.  

For more information visit the website www.southernindianauncorked.com and click on the Winter Wine Walk link, contact Nathan Blank at 812-968-5510 or the Harrison County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 888-738-2137 or www.thisisindiana.org.  

The Word is Out! And we're in the news (again)

Guess they learned our secret --Northwest Indiana Times  lists holiday happenings for down here in Southern Indiana http://bit.ly/vZAzlp

Did you know the longest underground river in the U.S. is near Bedford, Indiana and you can travel on it by boat?  http://bit.ly/u7AicQ

Oh My! So Much Holiday Fun in Southern Indiana

Explore! Southern Indiana

French Lick Springs Resort

Glen Campbell - The Goodbye Tour

Friday, December 16
Doors open at 7pm

For over five decades, Campbell has released more than 70 albums and is best known for classics like Wichita Lineman, Galveston, Rhinestone Cowboy and Southern Nights.

Wynonna Judd & The Big Noise

Saturday, January 14
Doors open at 7pm

No One Else On Earth can sing country with the heartfelt soul and authenticity of Wynonna. Starting as half of one of the most successful country duos ever Wynonna Judd’s equally successful solo career is still going strong with hits like Girls with Guitars, To Be Loved by You and Rock Bottom.

For more information or to buy tickets visit: http://www.frenchlick.com/entertainment#concerts

French Lick Springs Hotel Holiday Packages

Fall Into Winter

Available to December 30th

Package includes overnight stays for two and resort credit.

Sunday – Thursday Starting at $189 per night

Friday – Saturday Starting at $229 per night

AHH Spa Package

Available through December 30th
Package for two includes one overnight stay at French Lick Springs Hotel, one Swedish massage and one foot therapy per guest.
 Weekday Package - (Sunday - Thursday) Starting at $479
Weekend Package - (Friday or Saturday) Starting at $519

Just for Couples Holiday Package

Available through December 29
Package for two includes one overnight stay at French Lick Springs Hotel, flowers and chocolates in the room.
Weekday Package - (Sunday - Thursday) Starting at $199
Weekend Package - (Friday or Saturday) Starting at $239

Leavenworth Inn Packages

Winter Special $119

Relax by the fire and let the world go away. Enjoy two cozy nights in a regular room at The Leavenworth Inn, breakfast Monday-Friday at The Leavenworth Inn or Saturday and Sunday at The Overlook Restaurant, all of our standard amenities, friendly staff and the peace and quiet of our quaint country inn.  Suites $159.00.    

Valid November 11, 2011 - March 31, 2012.  Prices do not include tax and aren't valid with any other packages or discounts. 

Perfect Winter Getaway $195

What a perfect way to get away! Take advantage of this wonderful value to rest and unwind in the tranquility of our Inn. This package includes two nights in one of our deluxe rooms or suites, breakfast Monday-Friday at The Leavenworth Inn or Saturday and Sunday at The Overlook Restaurant, a $20.00 Gift Certificate for dinner at The Overlook, plus a Winter Getaway basket with items to make your stay more enjoyable, which includes either champagne, wine or sparkling cider. 

Valid November 11, 2011 - March 31, 2012.  Prices do not include tax and aren't valid with any other packages or discounts. 

http://www.leavenworthinn.com/packages.html

 

Harrison County Happenings Derby Dinner Playhouse presents Sanders Family Christmas November 15, 2011 - December 31, 2011

525 Marriott Dr

Clarksville, IN 47129 877-898-8577; http://derbydinner.com   An Old Fashioned Christmas December 17, 2011 - December 17, 2011 Old 135 S. Corydon, IN 47112 Phone: 1-800-933-0079 Take a walk back in time to a log cabin and experience the sights, sounds and smells that will remind you and your family of old fashioned Christmas traditions. Winter Wine Walk December 17, 2011 - December 17, 2011 Corydon, IN 47112 Website: http://www.southernindianauncorked.com/www/index.htm Shop at locally-owned downtown businesses, sample wines from twelve local wineries & enjoy the sights & sounds of the season.  Begin the walk at the Blaine H. Wiseman Visitors Center (310 N. Elm Street).  Admission is $10, with proceeds benefitting Hayswood Theatre. 3pm - 7pm