Brown County Holiday Highlights
Brown County offers many opportunities for giving, shopping, and sharing memorable traditions during the holiday season.
Here are a few highlights:
The 2018 Pack the Sleigh Holiday Passport can be picked up at the Visitor’ s Center at 211 South Van Buren Street in Nashville starting November 23. As you’ re out looking for gifts you get a stamp each time you spend at participating merchants. Get double stamps when shopping on November 24( Small Business Saturday), December 8, and December 23. When the passport is filled you will be entered in drawings to win gift certificates, a $ 500 cash grand prize, and a Brown County getaway vacation for two. For more information < browncountypassport. com >.
Bean Blossom Lights is a new interactive Christmas experience. At the Bill Monroe’ s Music Park & Campground in Bean Blossom, just north of Nashville, there will be Lights that dance to the music in your car, live music, Santa, and live characters beginning on November 29 for every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through New Years.
Santa is celebrating his 29th Annual Santa Train ride to Brown County on Friday, November 30 at 8:30 p. m. in Helmsburg. The Indiana Railroad brings Santa and his characters to visit with families.
The 5th Annual Stuff a Stocking event, hosted by the Brown County Community Foundation, will be held on Saturday, December 1. Ticket holders receive a commemorative Christmas stocking and a map to Nashville merchants for treats, ornaments, and toys. You can purchase advance discounted tickets online at < browncountygives. org > or on the day of the event. Call( 812) 988-4882 for more information.
Downtown Nashville will be decked out with lights covering floats for the Holiday Light Parade & Toy Drive on Saturday, December 1. Bundle everyone up for this parade beginning at 6 p. m., overseen by the Brown County Chamber of Commerce. Visitors and locals can bring new unwrapped toys to the Light Parade, to fill Santa’ s sack for less fortunate families. The Salvation Army will collect these offerings and distribute them to Brown County homes.
There are many other activities and events to share in the tradition of Christmas in Brown County, including a live musical production of“ Believe, a Brown County Christmas” at the Brown County Playhouse, craft shows, breakfast with Santa, Christmas Log Cabin Tour, zip lining, and a Steele’ s Country Christmas. For more information stop by the Brown County Visitors Center or visit < ChristmasinBrownCounty. com >. •
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Christmas Bird Count
Dec. 15, 9:00-noon, at Brown County State Park Nature Center Canvas the park to estimate the numbers and kinds of birds in Brown County. Bring binoculars! Then meet at the lodge for lunch to tally up the list to be submitted to the National Audubon Society.
Indiana Raptor Center
Live birds of prey, tours by appt. only. Wed.-Sun. 11:00-5:00 Group programs available 812-988-8990 www. indianaraptorcenter. org
Brown County Art Guild
Features the Marie Goth Estate Collection and contemporary art by more than 40 award-winning member artists. 48 S. Van Buren St. 812-988-6185 www. browncountyartguild. org
Brown County Art Gallery
Nov. 24 Paint‘ n Party Event Now-Dec. 2 Gustave Baumann:
Brown County and Beyond Dec. 1 Uplands Winter Wine Market Features works by 60 contemporary artists and early Indiana masters Corner of Main St. & Artist Dr. 812-988-4609 www. browncountyartgallery. org
38 Our Brown County • Nov./ Dec. 2018