FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381

EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Experience the Charm of an Old-fashioned Christmas during Annual Historic Decatur Christmas Tour

Decatur, Ala. – A tradition signifying the start of the holiday season, the Albany and Old Decatur Historic Districts of Decatur announce their annual Historic Decatur Christmas Tour where seven traditionally decorated homes and buildings complete with luminaries, fruit and greenery and lights welcome visitors in celebration of the holiday season. Along with carriage rides, live holiday music, and refreshments, the self-guided holiday tour provides a rare glimpse into private homes located in the city’s two historic districts sharing many untold stories of yesteryear as well as old-fashioned decorating tips. Always the second Saturday in December, this year’s event is scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. on December 10^th.

Residences in the Albany and Old Decatur Historic Districts are not normally open for public viewing except when a select number of homes open their doors for a peek in during the annual holiday tour. This year’s tour features five stunning homes, along with the Girl Scout Little House and a special event venue, The Columns of Decatur. Homes participating include the Henkel-Cox House, the Barrett-Faison House, the Edwards-Digges House, the Dancy-Polk House Inn, and the McEntire-Bennett House. The Dancy-Polk home and McEntire-Bennett home join the tour this year in celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War.

Along with the tour of homes, neighborhood churches will welcome guests for inspirational concerts and traditional holiday refreshments. The Brass Choir, Handbell Choir and other vocal and instrument ensembles of the First Baptist Church music ministry will perform, First Presbyterian Church will present “Jazzin’ the Season” featuring Trish Brown along with Keith Taylor, and First Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian Churches will feature Carillion Christmas Music. “A Collection of Nativities” will be on display at the First United Methodist Church Wesley Fellowship Hall and First Baptist Church will host a guided, narrated tour of the 111 year old Stephenson Chapel donned in beautiful holiday decorations.

Adding to the holiday atmosphere, carriage rides will be offered at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center and at Delano Park near the tennis courts beginning at 4 p.m. Cost for the carriage ride is $10 per person. Shuttle bus service will also be available from First United Methodist Church to the tour sites. Many merchants and restaurants throughout the downtown area will also be open during the tour.

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased in advance at the Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bank Street Antiques, Trish Land Designs, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, and Jimmy Smith Jewelers. On the day of the tour, tickets can be purchased at Trish Land Designs, Bank Street Antiques, Jimmy Smith Jewelers, and the Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and at the Old State Bank, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, and First United Methodist Church from 3 to 7 p.m. For a schedule of events and more information on each historic home, visit www.decaturchristmastour.com or www.historicalbanyalabama.com or call 256.350.2028.

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)

AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available from the AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting their web site at www.NorthAlabama.org.

###