November E-News, A Dashing December

The holidays are here and whether your plans include shopping, twinkling lights, snowmen, or sledding, The BC has the perfect winter activity to bring families together. December holds holiday excitement, so plan your trip today!

Spice up your holidays with the Oxford Holiday Festival in Uptown Parks and the Oxford Community Arts Center on December 2-3. All ages will enjoy a gingerbread house contest, horse drawn carriage rides, music and school choruses, Santa and his reindeer, the Winter Arts and Crafts Show, food, raffles, and more.

Bells on horse drawn carriages will ring at the Annual Christmas Walk in Hamilton’s German Village on December 4. Stroll through the village and tour St. Julie Billiart Church, historic buildings, and local restaurants and businesses decorated in full Victorian splendor. Visitors can purchase crafts, hear musicians decked out in Dickens attire, see a marionette show, visit with Santa and his reindeer, and more.

Celebrate a timeless holiday classic at the Fairfield Community Arts Center this December with The Nutcracker running December 2-11. Christmas Eve becomes a night of enchantment for Clara and her magical Nutcracker Prince. The Miami Valley Ballet Theatre blends a traditional dance approach with innovative style for a truly memorable evening.

November E-News, Bright Lights, Winter Nights

Warm up in The BC this November with one of the many holiday events and light displays around the county. Twinkling lights glittering among the trees are a sight to see with your family and friends.

Take an enchanting journey through Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill in Hamilton. Running November 18—January 1, 2012 this holiday lights display transforms the rolling hills of the sculpture park into another worldly, holiday delight. Visitors can drive through the park, leaving their worries behind at this seasonal event!

Add some sparkle to your holiday with Light Up Middletown running from November 25 to December 31 in Smith Park. Light up Middletown is a spectacular drive-through holiday fantasy display featuring a tunnel of lights, Santa’s workshop, and dozens of animated characters.

“Nadolig Llawen” or “Happy Christmas” in Welsh! Celebrate the holidays in Ohio’s first Welsh settlement of Shandon. Christmas in the Country on November 26-27 features arts and crafts, holiday shopping, Santa Claus, train rides, Welsh cakes and other food.

November E-News, A Bountiful Harvest

Gather one, gather all around the dinner table in The BC! Break bread, create memories, and enjoy the fall festivities happening in all corners of Butler County this month.

Crossing over the covered bridge, take a step back in time to a bustling 1830’s village preparing a Thanksgiving holiday. The Harvest Gathering at Governor Bebb Pioneer Village is November 5 and promises an authentically pioneer day. Visit the trapper’s cabin, the sheriff’s house, blacksmith’s shop, Gray Cat Tavern, and the General Store; all while pioneers busily work around the village. Your family will enjoy crafts for any age, old time music, food samplings, and more!

If you love to pair holiday fare with your Thanksgiving traditions, then head to West Chester for the annual Olde West Chester Christmas Walk Parade and Tree Lighting on November 19. The theme of this night parade is “Spirit of Service” and the lighting of the tree will take place after the parade.

If you don’t feel like cooking your Thanksgiving meal this year, head to Barn-n-Bunk in Trenton for the Thanksgiving Day Buffet on November 24. Barn-n-Bunk is a unique farm market that features home grown produce, Amish baked goods, cheeses and jellies, honeys, pickled products and specialty mixes, gifts and crafts, candles, framed prints, furniture, and more.

November E-News, Spirited Holidays

Why not pour yourself a glass of wine with that pumpkin pie. Better yet, head to The BC for one of our many fall foodie events that showcase wine and spirits. With everything from wine tastings to food and art, we’ve got the festival that takes comfort food to the next level.

Sample more than 400 different wines from local and international wineries in Fairfield this November. Jungle Jim’s International Wine Festival is November 16, 18-19 and features grand tastings, a new VIP dinner complete with wine experts Ed Vinson, Todd Wiggs, and Dave Schmerr hosting and explaining the various wines featured, riding the Jungle Jim’s Monorail, a silent auction that will benefit One Way Farm, the Chris Comer Jazz Trio, and more. Salute!

Join the Art Central Foundation in Middletown for some of the best life has to offer, like great art, delicious food, and amazing wine. A Taste for Art in Middletown on November 12 will showcase original art in silent and live auctions, raffle baskets, a sampling of local cuisine, decadent wines, and more.

Indulge this autumn season at Hanover Winery. The Holiday Open House is November 12 and guests can enjoy live music, wine tastings, food, great company, and more at this darling winery in Hamilton.