Food Traveler Magazine Winter 2013 | Page 104

Winter Southern Style Don’t miss visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, nightly snow fall on the Zoo’s Great Lawn, and festive holiday music. Jacksonville, FL J acksonville’s HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR AT ST. JOHN’S TOWN CENTER is filled with family-friendly activities including holiday carolers, ice sculpture demonstrations, cupcake decorating, roaming characters, face painting, holiday cooking demonstrations, sledding hills, sleigh rides, and snow in Jacksonville! Last year 25,000 people celebrated the city’s first tree lighting of the season at St. Johns Town Center, Jacksonville’s premier shopping and dining destination. The annual event leads up to a live performance from headliner Kellie Pickler, winner of the 2013 Dancing with the Stars, Santa’s arrival, the official lighting of the 32’ tree and fireworks. The event is free. Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 2-8 p.m. Don’t miss visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, nightly snow fall on the Zoo’s Great Lawn, festive holiday music throughout the path, fire pit for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores, special one-way Train Ride 102 FOOD TRAVELER | WINTER 2013 around half the Zoo with special light displays, activities, games, animals and more While in town enter the magical world of childlike imagination at one of Jacksonville’s greatest holiday traditions. The First Coast Nutcracker will enchant the whole family, showcasing internationally renowned principal dancers, the area’s finest young dance corps and Tchaikovsky’s best-loved melodies played by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Principal dancers Yumelia Garcia and Oğulcan Borova, both members of the Joffrey Ballet, return to the Fi