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Welcome to Your Weekend: Holiday Madness
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So much to do, so little time! This is the time of year where holiday madness kicks into high gear. It's a good problem to have, in a way. People are coming together for social events, charitable events, family events and more. There's trees to decorate, gifts to buy, turkeys to cook, family to host or to travel to, and of course Black Friday Sales to attend. You're inspired to do more, see more, give more. And it can be overwhelming.

Remember, choose one or two things, do those and enjoy those, and don't worry about the rest. No, the world is not going to come crashing down if you don't get a gift for every single one of your child's teachers or coaches. No, the house does not need to look like the Sugar Plum fairy spewed tinsel in every corner.

In fact, there's no rulebook that says you have to do anything at all for the holidays. If you find yourself getting overly wrapped up, take a step back and make yourself some cocoa, cider, coffee or beverage of your choice. Sometimes the best holiday is doing nothing at all with the people you love.

But if you are itching to get out of the house, here's a few things in town choose from, to help get into the spirit.

 

Whistle Post Pre-Thanksgiving Blow-Out (Conyers)
5 p.m. - 2 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26
Come down to the Whistle Post Tavern on the Wednesday before thanksgiving for their annual blow-out! Dinner and drinks will start around 5p.m., and with live entertainment and the drink specials, this celebration won't end until the wee hours of the morning. $5 drink specials include Neopolitan holiday, Santa dude's o'politan, S'mores hot chocolate
http://whistleposttavern.com/index.php/events/special-events/180-pre-thanksgiving-blow-out

Gunderson Memorial Scholarship Race (Conyers)
7:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
Cost: $16
The Aubrae Gunderson Memorial Scholarship 5K/1M/High Heel race fundraiser takes place Saturday, Nov. 29 with 7:30 a.m. registration, 8:30 a.m. race time at Heritage High, 2400 Granade Rd. Pre-registration is $16 registration online at http://aubraegunderson.com. This annual race is in memory of Heritage High School cross country runner Aubrae Gunderson, who was killed while running along the side of Ga. Highway 138.
http://aubraegunderson.com

A Choral Guild Christmas (Conyers, Covington)
(First Baptist of Covington, Rockdale Auditorium)
8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4 at First Baptist Covington and Friday, Dec. 5 at Rockdale Auditorium
Cost: $10
The Covington/Conyers Choral Guild presents its annual Christmas music extravaganza with "A Choral Guild Christmas: A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas." The internationally known guild will give two local performances of "A Choral Guild Christmas." The first will be on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, on 1139 Usher St, Covington. The final performance will be on Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. at the Rockdale Auditorium on 903 Main St, Conyers. The CCCG is an internationally known Guild under the direction of Musical Director and Conductor Roger Walters and Assistant Director/Accompanist Joni Jones. The Guild has performed major works for audiences both nationally and internationally, including performances at New York's Carnegie Hall in 2003 and touring Normandy, France and London, New England in 2011.
For more info: www.choralguild.org

Snow Mountain (Stone Mountain)
Saturday, November 22nd -February 22nd 2015
Cost: $28
No need for another Snowpocalypse to douse Atlanta to go sledding, Stone Mountain has transformed into a snow paradise! Go tubing with friends down Avalance Alley, or take a solo trek down Tube Runners. There's something for guests of all ages to enjoy, as they not only have an area dedicated to the little angels in your life, as well as a place to roast s'mores for the not so daring. While the price is steep, the fun you'll have riding down these frosted hills makes it all worth it. For more details, check out the link below.
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/events/Snow-Mountain.aspx?icid=snowmountain-brand-hp-hero-2

Have an Ice Day: Skating Rink (Conyers)
Friday, November 21st-February 8th
Cost: $8 admission, $2 skate rental
The local ice rink will begin its season this Friday. Doors are opening at 5p.m., and you can skate the night away until 11 p.m. that night. Regular hours begin on Saturday, when you can skate your heart out as early as 11a.m. Be sure to bring your coat and hat, as the rink itself is partially out in the open to give a more versatile feel. If you're feeling a little Elsa-ish, there is a snack bar where you can warm up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. For more info, click the link below.
http://icedays.com/

Olde Town Christmas Party (Conyers)
5-8 p.m., Dec. 5
Cost: Free
On Friday, Dec. 5, the Olde Town Christmas Party returns from 5-8 p.m. featuring complimentary carriage and train rides, a Secret Santa Shop for children, visits and photos with Santa at the Depot and shopping and dining specials throughout Olde Town Conyers.

Hometown Holidays Parade and Tree Lighting (Conyers)
4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Dec. 6
Cost: Free
The holiday season truly kicks into gear with festivities, including the Hometown Holidays Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade starts at 4:30 p.m. and winds its way through Olde Town Conyers. This year's theme is "Christmas in Paradise." "We're leaving it up to each organization as to what paradise means to them," said the City of Conyers Director of Public Relations and Tourism Jennifer Edwards. There are already up to 70 entries for floats. Both Rockdale County High and Heritage High's Marching Bands will bring their high stepping spirit. After the parade, the tree lighting ceremony will be held at the Rockdale Auditorium, at 903 Main Street. Performances from community groups, troupes, schools and more will help Santa and Mrs. Claus with their tree lighting duties. Also, the Rockdale County Fraternal Order of Firefighters will be on site outside the Auditorium selling hot snack items such hot dogs, nachos and hot chocolate. Proceeds will help the organization assist financially-struggling families with holiday needs. Event supporters include Cowan Ace Hardware, Premier Platforms, Inc., Publix, Krogers - Hwy 138, and the Rockdale Career Academy. For more information, contact Tonya Parker at 770-278-7056 or tonya.parker@rockdalecounty.org. Or go to www.conyersga.com or call the Conyers Welcome Center at 770-602-2606.

Pilot Club Christmas Tour of Homes (Conyers)
1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Dec. 7
Cost: $12/$15
On Sunday, Dec. 7, the Conyers Pilot Club Christmas Tour of Homes returns for its 17th season with five beautifully decorated, historic homes in Olde Town Conyers. The tour runs 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 day of and can be purchased from Pilot Club members or at the Olde Jail Museum, 967 Milstead Ave. The Olde Jail is also the starting point of the tour. Be inspired with the Christmas spirit on this tour, learn about these historic homes and give back to the Conyers Pilot Club, which aids organizations involved in brain-related injuries and issues. Homes on the tour are: 972 N. Main St, home of the Garner family; 1273 Shadowlawn Dr., home of Peggy Lawrence; 1116 Milstead Ave., home of Paige McCord; 984 N. Main St., home of Don and Samantha Swaney; 991 N. Main St., home of the Currie family.

Living Christmas Tree (Conyers)
7 p.m., Dec. 12; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 13
Cost: Free, donations of winter accessories, toothbrushes, canned goods appreciated to donate to families in need
First Baptist of Conyers performs its annual Living Christmas Tree musical extravaganza on Dec. 12 7p.m., Dec. 13 2 pm. and 6 p.m.
www.firstconyers.com

Atlanta Boys Choir (Conyers)
7 p.m., Dec. 13
Cost: $20/$15
The Atlanta Boys Choir returns Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Ga. Highway 212, Conyers. Tickets for this 34-year Christmas tradition are $20 adults, $15 under 16, at www.trappist.net/events/christmas-concert-dec-13. For more, contact monastery@trappist.net, 678-964-2237
www.trappist.net/events/christmas-concert-dec-13.