The Great Pumpkin Express train for kids in St. Mary’s, Ga. will make its first trip on Oct. 5 ( the same day as the St. Mary’s Rock Shrimp Festival). There will be a second train ride – St. Mary’s Railroad Days Celebration – on Oct. 12 (the same day of St. Mary’s annual Build a Scarecrow event).

The 90-minute rides begin and end at the Theatre by the Trax, which is just north of St. Marys’ historic downtown.

This real train includes three open-air railcars and a caboose. Locomotive rides will also be available for train enthusiasts who desire an even more up-close rail experience.

Re-live history as you ride the rails through scenic woodlands and marshlands. Beware of zombies along the way, and watch out for those hoboes! At the turn-around midway point, the pumpkin patch awaits, but don’t get too close to the scarecrows! They’ve been known to come alive. Enjoy the music and stories of hoboes at the midway Hobo Camp and watch the locomotive reverse its direction for the trip back.

When: Departures are at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Oct. 5 and at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Oct. 12.

Where: All excursions will begin and end at Theatre by the Trax, 1100 Osborne Road, St. Marys, GA.

Tickets can be purchased at www.stmarysrailroad.com. For more information: Call 912-200-5235.

TELL THEM SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM SENT YOU!

Coming soon: St. Mary’s Express Santa Express (Nov. 23, 30 & Dec 7).

St. Mary’s Express, 1000 Osborne Street St. Marys, GA 31558 , On Facebook here, tel: 912-200-5235, www.stmarysrailroad.com

FOR MORE KIDS’ HALLOWEEN EVENTS, CLICK HERE.

Turtleween Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 11-4pm : Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff and volunteers invite all turtle enthusiasts to join in some Fall fun with a sea turtle twist!

This outdoor event features educational exhibits and fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Trick or treat with the sea turtles, enjoy an old-fashioned hay-ride, or cast your line at Friendly Fisherman!

Costume contests are held every hour on the hour and hay ride tours through the historic district will be fun for everyone. Filled with treats, not tricks, it’s sure to be turtle-tastic!  Don’t forget to dress in your best costume!  No reservations needed.

Event is free with general admission to the Center – $7 adults, $5 children, 3 & under are free.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a great daytrip from the Savannah area. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center opened in June 2007 and provides state-of-the-art emergency care to sick and injured sea turtles, with opportunities for scientific research and long-term treatment. Visitors to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will explore exhibits on sea turtle conservation, rehabilitation, and their amazing journey from egg to adulthood. Visitors can also see sea turtles in the center’s hospital.

FOR MORE KIDS’ HALLOWEEN EVENTS, CLICK HERE.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527, tel: 912-635-4444, www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org

The Sandbox Children’s Museum and Lawton Stables , both on Hilton Head Is., invite you & your family to “Sandbox at the Stables” this Labor Day.

Everyone is invited to this community celebration on Labor Day Monday, September 1 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Lawton Stables, located inside Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Is. (about a 1 hr drive from Savannah).

This event will include: Music, Pony rides, hayrides and the animal farm, The Sandbox’s Imagination Hour, craft projects and mobile interactive museum exhibits A pitching radar Kids Zone’s inflatable water slides and bounce houses Cappy the Clown Face painting Family activities like bocce ball, frisbee, ring toss, horse shoes and corn hole  

There will be concessions available for purchase and refreshments including, snow cones and cotton candy.

Participants may bring their own picnic provisions and beverages.

Participants can purchase additional tickets for food, drinks and some activities.

Admission is $5 per person, children 12 months and under are free. LOTS OF FREE ACTIVITIES. (Plus $6 Sea Pines gate entrance fee per auto)

(The Sandbox at the Pope Avenue location will be closed on Labor Day)

Lawton Stables, 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928 tel: (843) 671-2586, www.lawtonstableshhi.com/

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

When you take kids to tour national parks, you never know how much they are getting out of the visit. Especially for those of us moms who aren’t exactly history experts.

Which is why you need to pick up the Junior Ranger booklets at the visitor centers of national parks you visit. The Junior Ranger program kids engage more during the visits.

Junior Ranger booklets have activities about the national parks for ages 5-12. Junior ranger books are free to any visitor and usually are available at the visitors’ centers. Often, similar programs with more advanced activities are also available for older kids. Just ask at the site’s visitor center.

While doing the activities, children enjoy earning a badge and a certificate.

Nearby national parks/monuments that have Junior Ranger programs include:
*Fort Pulaski National Monument, on U.S. 80 en route to Tybee Island. Info on the Fort Pulaski Junior Program here.
*Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie national monuments, Charleston, S.C. Info on these forts Junior Ranger program here.
*Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga. More info here.
*Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island. Info on the Fort Frederica National Monument Junior Ranger Program here.
*Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon. Info on Ocmulgee’s National Monument Junior Ranger Program here.

We often hear from readers looking for u-pick farms now that the u-pick strawberries & blackberries are over for the season at  @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (formerly called The Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens ) in Savannah.

So we were thrilled to spy Dempsey Farms on St. Helena Is. while en route to Hunting Island State Park recently.  Now picking at Dempsey Farms: tomatoes, sweet corn, bell pepper, cantaloupe, eggplant, watermelons and flowers. Special on canning red ripes. Please bring own containers for u-pick canning tomatoes.

Call(843) 838-3656 after 9am for daily updates on picking conditions. UPDATE: Dempsey Farms is closed for the Summer 2013 picking season & reopens in October 2013)

Dempsey Farms is located on Hwy 21 south 11 miles east of Beaufort. Email dempseyfarms@dempseyfarmsupick.com

Dempsey Farms is a working family farm growing what they sell. Availability of vegetables may be limited at times due to weather conditions. For a farm fresh experience stop by and pick with Dempsey Farms.

This would be a great daytrip to pair with a visit to the  The Kazoo Factory museum tours in Beaufort, S.C. & visit to the lighthouse at Hunting Island near Beaufort.  Info on Hunting Island here.

Dempsey Farms U Pick, 1576 Sea Island Parkway, St. Helena Island, SC, (843) 838-3656, Hours this week: 9am to 6pm Monday thru Saturday

Other u-pick farms in the area:
Boone Hall Farms (Closed for the summer 2013 season)
U.S. Highway 17, Mount Pleasant.
When/what: June, blackberries and blueberries; mid-June-October, tomatoes; August-September, muscadines.
Information: 843-856-5366; http://boonehallfarms.com/about.php

Baldwin Grape Vineyard (picking season starts at the end of August)
6517 Savannah Highway (US 17)
Ravenel, South Carolina 29470
843.889.2769 / 843.889.3034

This looks like a fun daytrip from Savannah: The Kazoo Factory, also known has Kazoobie Kazoos, in Beaufort, S.C..

We’d love to hear comments from anyone who has visited this spot with kids. Feel free to comment on our Facebook page by clicking here.

The Kazoo Factory offers museum tours where kids can see how kazoos are made. The museum tours show how kazoos are assembled,
imprinted, packaged and shipped to all corners of the world. Kids can also make their own kazoos to take home.

Factory Tour Hours
Monday – Friday
10 AM and 3:00 PM
Admission: $4.00 per person (includes a build-it-yourself kazoo)

This might be a good activity to pair with a visit to the lighthouse at Hunting Island near Beaufort.  Info on Hunting Island here.

For more kid-friendly daytrip suggestions from the Savannah/Hilton Head Is., click here.

The Kazoo Factory, 12 John Galt Road, Beaufort, SC 29906,  (800) 326-0358, http://www.thekazoofactory.com/

Camper cabins coming soon to Skidaway Is. State Park Is.

Camper cabins sleep five people, with one bedroom downstairs and a sleeping loft above. Kids are going to love the sleeping loft! The cabins are completely furnished and have a kitchen and full bath. You just supply linens and cooking tools such as pots, pans, and plates. The cabins also have a screened-in porch and outside picnic table, fire pit, and grill.

Cabins are $125/night. They have a full kitchen & full bath. 2 night minimum stay for the cabins & a 2-week maximum stay.

These camper cabins are expected to be available for reservations on Tuesday, July 9. For more info, call 912.598 .2300 or email skidawayislandstatepark@yahoo.com
To see the complete list of FREE kids’ nature activities @ Skidaway Is. State Park for the month of July 2013, click here.

The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum  on Hilton Head Is. admission fee is now $6 per person instead of $7 for everyone 1 and up including adults. Children up to 12 months are free.

New summer hours: The Sandbox is now open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm through August (then will be back to Tuesday-Saturday). The museum has also added another night to their popular Parent’s Night Out program which will be Wednesdays & Thursdays from 6-9pm starting June 12. For details see below.

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum
18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church)
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Tel: 843-842-7645
Email: crinehart@thesandbox.org

Summer Fun Series Program 2013
Starts June 10

“Get Fired Up With Pottery” ($15 includes admission)
Mondays, 9:30-10:30am:
Please call 843-842-7645 to sign up, walk ins on space available basis
Your piece will be ready on Thursday

“Decorate Your Own Cupcake”
Mondays, 1:30pm
Included in Admission

“Crafty Kids”, 10:30am and 1:30pm
June
11 3D Goldfish Bowl: Included in Admission
18 Decorate Your Own T shirts: $$ ($10 includes admission
25 Beetle Visor: Included in Admission
July
2 Holiday Craft with Toilet Paper Rolls (TBD): Included in Admission
9 Paper Plate Frisbee: Included in Admission
16 Thumbprint Designs: Included in Admission
23 Sand Art: Included in Admission
30 Paper Bowl Jellyfish: Included in Admission

August
6 Toilet Paper roll craft: Included in Admission,
13 3D Goldfish Bowl: included in Admission
20 Sandpaper Star: Included in Admission
27 Turtle Pet: Included in Admission

“Arts and Crafts”, Wednesday, 10:30am, Included in Admission
June 12 Fish Puppet Made from Paper Cups
June 19 Alligator: Bring home a replica of the alligator made from repurposed products (egg cardboards)
June 26 Picture Frame Art:Keepsake of your Hilton head Vacation made with shells and sanddollars
July 3 Fish Puppet Made from Paper Cups
July 10 Alligator: Bring home a replica of the alligator made from repurposed products (egg cardboards)
July 17 Picture Frame Art:Keepsake of your Hilton head Vacation made with shells and sanddollars
July 24 Christmas in July Event
July 31 Alligator: Bring home a replica of the alligator made from repurposed products (egg cardboards)
August 7 Picture Frame Art:Keepsake of your Hilton head Vacation made with shells and sanddollars

“Parent’s Night Out, Kids Night In”, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6-9pm (except July 4th)
Starting June 12- August 15
$30 per child, $25 for members and siblings
Call 843-842-7645 to sign up, walk ins welcome on space available basis

“Imagination Hour”, Thursdays 10:30a-11:30am
Included in Admission, First come first serve

“Coastal Critters Program” Included in Admission
Fridays, 10:30am
Coastal Discovery Museum to staff and facilitate

“Christmas in July”
July 24, 2013
10am-2pm
Snow is in Santa’s forecast while you play at The Sandbox’s Fourth Annual “Christmas in July” party scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm!
Festivities include special games and activities both indoors and outdoors. Outside fun includes getting crazy in our popular Bounce House and playing in the SNOW! In addition to playing in our “cool” museum, there will be scavenger hunts, games and fun arts & crafts. You can also decorate holiday cookies and chat with Santa to let him know how good you’ve been this year.
A hot dog lunch, complete with chips, brownies, snow cones and lemonade, is also included so don’t miss out on the “coolest” day of the summer!
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and children 1 and up, $8 for Sandbox Members and Active Military and Seniors and all children up to 12 months are free. Cost includes admission to the museum, all activities and lunch. Museum will remain open after the event until 5:00 pm.

“Countdown to Kindergarten”
Who: SC Rising Kindergarteners and Their Families
Where: The Sandbox Children’s Museum
When: August 9, 2013 (5-8pm)
Resources for Parents on Keeping Kids Safe and Healthy,
Games, Face Painting, Arts and Crafts, Bounce House and much more
FREE Admission! FREE Fun! No RSVP Necessary!

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, www.thesandbox.org, 18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Tel: 843-842-7645 email: crinehart@thesandbox.org

Why not extend your Memorial Day weekend a little longer with a cooler Smoky Mountains getaway?

Select properties @ Cabins For You  are 40% off if you arrive 5/27/13 and depart 5/29/13.  Click here to check out the properties that are 40% off:

Cabins For You is a family-owned, professionally managed cabin rental company providing mountain cabins in the Smoky Mountain for all different budgets and needs.

Please call 1.800.684.7865 for more info. or to make your reservation! http://www.cabinsforyou.com

Cabins For You, www.cabinsforyou.com , emailbrittani@cabinsforyou.com , 1-800-684-7865 Cabins For You is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

This weekend is the kickoff of Charleston S.C.’s Piccolo Spoleto, which starts this Fri. May 24 and is the official outreach festival to Spoleto.

The annual festival is a fun, laid-back, kid-friendly time featuring music, dance, parades, story-telling and more.

Saturday’s (May 25) events include the FREE Children’s Festival in downtown Charleston; the zany Seed & Feed Marching Abominable Band from Atlanta, Georgia, dressed in their kooky outfits; free outdoor concerts and literacy events and more.  Click here for more info.

Piccolo Spoleto 2013, May 24-June 9 2013, Charleston, SC

One of the best ways to save $ on a Walt Disney World vacation is to take advantage of the popular FREE dining plan promotion. This discount offers incredible savings on most arrivals September 2^nd through 25^th at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. For example, a family of four (2-daults, 1-junior, & 1-child) staying at a Moderate Resort can save over $900 on a 5-night/6-day stay.

FREE Dining Plans are available at select Walt Disney World Resorts and require a minimum 3-night stay with 2-day base tickets.

Guests staying in a Value Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining Plan and guests in Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the Disney Dining Plan. You can even upgrade your dining plan by paying the cost difference between your complimentary plan and the plan you want. This is a very popular time for my clients to try out the Deluxe Dining Plan!!

Availability is extremely limited, and dining reservations are already open so get your FREE DINING vacation package secured now! Contact Tara McCoy at Enchanted Travel for your no-obligation vacation quote or details. And remember, Tara’s travel planning services are 100% FREE!!

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel
843.284.3241
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel, 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Disney’s most popular promotion, FREE DINING, is back for Fall 2013!

Currently, this promotion is open to Chase Disney Visa Cardholders, but is expected to open to the general public on Thursday, May 9^th. The FREE DINING PLAN is available to guest arriving most nights September 2-25, 2013 that purchase a non-discounted Magic Your Way Package (which includes resort room and theme park tickets). This is an incredible value.

FREE Dining Plans are available at select Walt Disney World Resorts and require a minimum 3-night stay with 2-day base tickets. Guests staying in a Value Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining Plan and guests in Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the Disney Dining Plan. You can even upgrade your dining plan by paying the cost difference between your complimentary plan and the plan you want. This is a very popular time for my clients to try out the Deluxe Dining Plan.

Availability is extremely limited, and dining reservations are already open so let’s get your FREE DINING vacation package secured now! Contact Tara McCoy at Enchanted Travel for your no-obligation vacation quote or details. And remember, Tara McCoy’s travel planning services are 100% FREE!!

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel
843.284.3241
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel, 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Experience the magic of Disney on an exciting Disney cruise vacation and take advantage of some great deals too! Some September 2013 sailings onboard the Disney Dream are only $720 per person, and that’s with an Oceanview Verandah Stateroom. WOW!! That’s an incredible price for a Disney Cruise Vacation.

With four beautiful ships, convenient ports, and exciting itineraries, there has never been a better time to sail on a Disney Cruise. These cruises offer a unique vacation experience that blends entertainment and adventure with comfort and convenience. There is something for everyone on a Disney cruise: relaxing “me” time for the adults, imaginative fun for the kids and exciting family time for all. Every voyage features the world-class hospitality that only Disney can provide, and of course, all of your favorite characters.

Contact Tara McCoy at Enchanted Travel for your no-obligation vacation quote or details.

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel
843.284.3241
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel, 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Cabins For You – a family-owned, professionally managed cabin rental company providing mountain cabins in the Smoky Mountain for all different budgets and needs – is offering this Spring special: all remaining dates in April are now 30% off

Please call 1.800.684.7865 for more info. Begin browsing and call Cabins For You now to make your reservation! http://www.cabinsforyou.com

Cabins For You, www.cabinsforyou.com , emailbrittani@cabinsforyou.com , 1-800-684-7865 Cabins For You is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Our little ones don’t stay little for long, and with only 18 summers to make lifelong memories, what are your plans for this summer?

Maybe a family trip to Walt Disney World? For a limited time you can SAVE UP TO 30% on your resort stay at Disney this summer.

This promotion is available at select hotels and stays most nights from June 13 to August 13, 2013. And when you add a minimum 4-day Magic Your Way Ticket to make it a package, you’ll get a discount on your tickets too!

Some 6-day, 5-night packages are as low as $67 per person, per day for a family of 4 at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort.

Hurry, because booking for this promotion ends on June 14th and availability is limited. Contact Tara McCoy at Enchanted Travel for your no-obligation vacation quote or details.

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel, 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited to the 5th Annual Marsh Tacky Horse Races, Sat April 27, on the beaches of Daufuskie Island, located across from Hilton Head Is.

Horses and riders will compete for infinite bragging rights from 2-4pm in front of the Melrose Beach Club.

Additional events include a Meet-n-Greet the Horses and Breakfast Buffet at the Sportsman’s Lodge inside Melrose Equestrian Center from 8:00 – 11:00am, then make sure to cheer on your favorite horse during the procession to the race grounds beginning at 1pm from Melrose Equestrian Center.

There will also be the Tacky Hat Contest during race intermission at 2:45-3:15.

Throughout the day, there will be food and drink specials, a selection of Daufuskie Island artisans’ work and merchandise for sale, entertainment and more. Approved transportation shuttles will run from Freeport and Melrose Marinas to the event grounds throughout the day. Once inside Melrose Resort gates, island traffic and parking will be designated for golf carts and approved, licensed and insured motorized vehicles only. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Beach chairs and coolers with items in non-glass containers are welcome.

More info here.

Copyright Beaches/Sandals

Need an escape to a tropical paradise? Sandals and Beaches luxury all-inclusive resorts are located on some the most popular islands throughout the Caribbean including, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Bahamas, & among others. Currently, both are offering incredible deals like 65% off, airfare credits up to $555, and for a very limited time you can receive a $250 spa credit for booking with Enchanted Travel.

Sandals Resorts are adults-only and perfect for a romantic getaway without the kiddos. You’ll enjoy exotic rooms with private pools, butler service, and captivating views . Beaches Resorts were designed with families in mind, featuring large rooms, waterparks, and children’s programming including nanny services. Beaches also is home to your kids favorite Seasame Street characters!

No matter if you choose a tropical getaway with (or without) the kiddos everything is included in these resorts. Gourmet restaurants… check! Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages…check! Scuba diving…check! Seriously, everything at Sandals and Beaches is included from food, drinks, activities, and the childcare (at Beaches) is all included in the price.

Get your no obligation Sandals or Beaches vacation quote today, and start planning your tropical getaway!

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel, 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

If you’ve got a little Padawan, Stormtrooper, or Wookie in your home then visiting Disney’s Star Wars Weekends is a must!

Starting May 17th through June 9th, each weekend Disney’s Hollywood Studios will celebrate the legendary saga and animated series with high-energy fun for everyone.

There are celebrity meet & greets/autographs with actors (& actresses), a parade featuring the largest ensemble of costumed Star Wars characters, special shows, and more! Not to mention every evening ends with Hyperspace Hoopla featuring all things Star Wars and pop culture. Best described as dance-off meets comedy show… simply can’t miss this!!! And did I mention that all of this is included in your regular park admission??

This event is truly for kids of all ages, and adults too! And you don’t have to be a geeky to have a great time at Star Wars Weekends. In my opinion, this is the most high-energy and just overall fun special event at Disney.

It’s not too late to make your plans to attend Disney’s Star Wars Weekends 2013. Complete the online form for a no-obligation vacation quote. And remember, as a wise Jedi master once said… “Experience Star Wars Weekends you must!!”

Contact Tara McCoy at Enchanted Travel for your no-obligation vacation quote or details.

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Now is your last chance to save up to 30% at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays this Spring and early Summer. Add a minimum 4-day Magic Your Way Ticket to make it a package and get a discount on your tickets too!

This offer is available at select Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts on stays April 2 – June 14, 2013. Some 6-day, 5-night packages are as low as $67 per person, per day for a family of 4 at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort.

Hurry, because booking for this promotion ends on Sunday, March 31^st and availability is limited. Contact Tara McCoy at Enchanted Travel for your no-obligation vacation quote or details.

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel
843.284.3241
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel
Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited to Wingfest 18 presented by Hargray
Saturday, March 23, 2013
11 am – 6 pm
Hilton Head Shelter Cove Community Park

The Island Recreation Association and Hargray are proud to present the 18th annual Wingfest, where over 6,000 lbs of chicken wings will be served. 15 – 20 local restaurants will cook their best wings from 11 am – 6 pm on Saturday, March 23 in a fun-filled, family friendly festive atmosphere. There will be many activities such as a kid’s zone, rock climbing wall and bungee jump. Custom Audio Video provides a big screen television to watch all the March Madness Basketball. Live music from 107.1’s Brad Wells Band, Deas Guyz and the Good Times Band will play while Adventure Radio will be on hand broadcasting all the excitement.

Back again is the People’s Choice Award! Your vote counts but vote before 4 pm when the voting ends. The professional judging for the best wing starts at 12:00 pm. Admission is $5 with children 10 & under getting in free. All event proceeds go to the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association’s Children’s Scholarship Fund, “where no child is denied recreation opportunities.”

More details including location address etc. here.

Planning a trip with the kids to Atlanta soon?

Now you can check out a free Center for Puppetry Arts museum pass at Live Oak Public Library branches in Savannah, Effingham & Hinesville.

Thanks to a new partnership between the Center for Puppetry Arts and Georgia’s Public Libraries, if you have a valid library card, you can now check out the Center’s new “Passport to Puppetry” at all Live Oak Public branches.

The “Passport to Puppetry” is valid for up to four free museum admissions—a potential savings of up to $33 per family. Parties with children must include at least one adult.

If you haven’t checked out the Center for Puppery Arts yet, the museum is a real treat, providing educational fun with more than 350 puppets from around the world as well as fun, unique puppet show performances.

The museum at the Center for Puppetry Arts is open Tuesdays through Sundays with hours varying upon day and programming. In addition to four free admissions, the “Passport to Puppetry” also entitles library patrons to attend a performance at the Center and/or participate in a Create-a-Puppet Workshop at a 25% discount, when space is available.

Complete details, including valid dates, show times, hours of operation, and reservation information are available online at www.puppet.org.

Visit www.puppet.org/museum/galibrarypassport.shtml  for full details on accessing and how to use the “Passport to Puppetry.” Live Oak Public Libraries will have information about the free pass on their Web site here soon!

Cabins For You – a family-owned, professionally managed cabin rental company providing mountain cabins in the Smoky Mountain  for all different budgets and needs –  has a buy one, get one deal on their cabins this weekend (Jan. 31-Feb. 6 2013) only!

BUY ONE NIGHT, GET ONE NIGHT FREE! This special applies to ALL of Cabins For You  cabins, beginning now (1/30/13) and good through next Wednesday (2/6/13). They have 90 cabins available for this weekend and would love to have YOU stay with them!

This special applies to the nightly price only, please call us at 1.800.684.7865 to inquire about prices. Begin browsing and call Cabins For You now to make your reservation! http://www.cabinsforyou.com

Cabins For You, www.cabinsforyou.com , emailbrittani@cabinsforyou.com , 1-800-684-7865  Cabins For You is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

This upcoming weekend of Feb. 2 & 3 means free weekend access to some of nearby museums through Bank of America’s Museums on Us program. Free admission is for the adult cardholder only. Regular admission applies to children and additional guests.

Nearby participating museums include:

EdVenture Children's Museum

EdVenture Childrens Museum in Columbia, S.C.
211 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Atlanta History Center
High Museum of Art in Atlanta
Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville

The Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville (MOSH), Fla.
Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, Fla

Who is eligible?

To qualify for Museums on Us, you must be a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch card customer. Simply present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain one free general admission to any participating institution. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission.

When is it available?

With qualifying identification, customers can enjoy free admission on the first full weekend of every month.

For a full list of participating museums, please visit the Museums on Us site.

2012 Grand Prize Photo

The beginning of a new year means that it’s time for the annual Cabins For You Photo Contest. With a chance to win some fabulous prizes, Cabins For You wants everyone to enter their favorite photograph of the Smoky Mountains!
Here is how you enter:
■Visit (website) http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/309800
■Fill out all contact information and required fields.
■Attach your picture.
■Add a caption.
■Hit “submit” and you’re finished!

Only one entry per person please. Entries will be processed automatically and will be added to the “2013 Photo Contest” album on Cabins For You Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cabinsforyou. They will try and process your photo within 48 hrs. Submissions via the Facebook wall will not be considered for eligibility. You must enter via the link above to be eligible.

After submitting your photo, you will have the option to send messages to your friends and share your submission on your own Facebook wall. Recruit all of the clicking fingers you can to help you get your photo to the top spot!

This is what Cabins For You is looking for: your best picture showcasing the character of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Children playing in the creek, elk grazing in the Cades Cove, and a foggy sunrise are great examples of pictures that they love to see. You can submit any picture that was taken in the Great Smoky Mountains!

To get an idea of pictures Cabins For You loves, have a look at their 2012 Photo Contest Winners.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so choose a picture that best represents your Smoky Mountain story.

The winners of this photo contest will be determined by two ways:
■By the number of “likes” their Facebook photo receives.
■The Cabins For You staff’s favorite picks.

To help your picture get noticed, campaign your picture on your Facebook! Share the image in the 2013 Photo Contest album on your wall and encourage your friends and family to “like” your photograph. The number of “likes” each photo receives will help select the winner, and every vote counts!

Cabins For You will be awarding prizes to the top five photographs. The prizes are as follows:

Grand Prize: $500 Cabins For You Gift Card & an iPad Mini

Runner Up: $300 Cabins For You Gift Card

Third Place: $200 Cabins For You gift card

Fourth Place: $100 Cabins For You gift card

Fifth Place: $50 Cabins For You gift card

The contest will begin accepting entries on January 7, 2013. Submissions must be made by February 25, 2013. Cabins For You reserves the right to change rules, prizes, and processes of this contest at any time.

Cabins For You is very excited to see all of your entries and can’t wait to announce the winners!

Make sure you check out their Official Rules for all information.

Cabins For You, www.cabinsforyou.com , emailbrittani@cabinsforyou.com , 1-800-684-7865  Cabins For You is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.