New activities announced for “A Country Christmas”

See the “mean one” turned nice in ICE!, see dozens of dazzling trees, make gingerbread houses with chefs and take home the colorful creation and finally, come cruising with Christmas on the Cumberland. These are some of the new activities at the 24th annual Country Christmas, the world-famous event that helps make Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center the landmark resort of the South.

The “most wonderful time of year” has been taken up a few notches at Gaylord Opryland, where there are more than a dozen holiday activities, shows and attractions from which to choose. A Country Christmas begins Nov. 15, 2007, and lasts through Jan. 2, 2008 at the resort in Nashville, Tenn. Packed with a wide variety of holiday shows and activities for the entire family, this event will also feature some of the world’s best legs, a Grammy Award winner, millions of lights and the biggest surprise of all-a furry green guy. Gaylord Opryland promises a grand and exciting holiday experience.

“Gaylord Opryland strives to create the most memorable holiday entertainment available, and with this year’s combination of shows, attractions and activities, this season will be our most dynamic yet,” said Arthur Keith, senior manager, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

In fact, Gaylord Opryland is the only place in the world where the beloved Christmas story, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” by Dr. Seuss, is being retold in frozen form for the 50th anniversary of the book. ICE! featuring “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,” will run Nov. 15, 2007, until Jan. 2, 2008. Starting at the Grinch’s frozen mountaintop lair, to the 20-foot high slides for kids and built-in photo opportunity stops, down to the picturesque Who-ville, complete with real smoking chimneys and feasting Whos, ICE! featuring “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” will make even the coldest of hearts grow three sizes.

“It is an honor for us to be working with Audrey Geisel, the lovely wife of the late Dr. Seuss, on an attraction that will bring joy to so many people this holiday season,” Keith said. “ICE! featuring “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” will truly be the only thing like it.”

Back by popular demand this year, the timeless tradition of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” presented by Allstate Insurance Company, returns to Nashville, where the Rockettes will call the Grand Ole Opry House home this holiday season, Nov. 15-Dec. 30.

The “eye-high” kickers’ production will feature a variety of magical scenes including the legendary “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” the awe-inspiring “Living Nativity” and Nashville’s favorite tap-infused “12 Days of Christmas.”

New this year is “Christmas on the Cumberland,” a nostalgic look at Christmas memories aboard the 300-foot paddlewheel showboat, the General Jackson, Nov. 15-Dec. 23. Enjoy a three-course Christmas dinner while the General Jackson cruises the Cumberland River. After dinner, Christmas music will fill the room, with traditional renditions of “Sleigh Ride,” “Please Come Home for Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and many other popular hits that will help bring the Christmas season to life.

Returning this year with a new menu is the Pam Tillis Christmas Dinner Party Nov. 18-Christmas Day. This sumptuous holiday feast includes Christmas delights from the resort’s award-winning culinary team, combined with an intimate show featuring Grammy Award winner Pam Tillis and her band. Join her as the holiday season is celebrated with memorable Christmas music but will also add some of her very popular top ten hits. The magical tastes, coupled with this legendary performer, create a show perfect for all ages!

Also new this year is the “Hall of Trees”, a display of 30 trees lavishly decorated by various community sponsors. Each tree will be tied to a local charity, which will receive the proceeds for rating and bidding on the trees. The “Hall of Trees” also will feature major prizes, ranging from $500 to $2,000 in value that are donated by the sponsors and includes items such as electronics, dinner coupons, tickets and trips.

Gumdrops and icing will be a few of the tools used every Saturday, Nov. 17 through Dec. 22, as one of the master pastry chefs at Gaylord Opryland will hold classes to teach guests proper techniques for constructing perfect gingerbread houses. These new one-hour demonstrations take place Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Chef’s Corner, located in the Delta Atrium and will cover the history of gingerbread, explain how to build a house and provide a hands-on session to practice icing techniques. At the end of each class, guests will have the opportunity to take home one of two commemorative gingerbread house kits-one with patterns for making your own house or one with patterns plus all the ingredients for making your own house.

A Country Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the ever-popular horse-drawn carriage rides that explore the grounds of Gaylord Opryland and showcase the outdoor lights or the Outdoor Nativity Display with larger than life Nativity characters. The highly visited “Treasures” for the holiday’s arts and crafts show is Christmas shopping at its best with novelty gifts, ranging from candles and jewelry to clothing, artwork and food. Lavish decorations throughout the resort and more than two million lights are sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

“Nissan is proud to be the presenting sponsor of an incredible tradition like A Country Christmas,” said Jan Thompson, vice president of marketing, Nissan North America. “Through our partnership with Gaylord Entertainment, Nissan hopes to connect with customers on a more personal level and continue to support the arts in our community.”

For more information about Gingerbread House Making Classes, The Pam Tillis Christmas Dinner Party, or Christmas on the Cumberland, go to http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland/events/.aaroHolidayPressInfo.cfm

Vacation packages for all of the “A Country Christmas” events are on sale now. To purchase packages, make reservations or get information about any events please visit http://www.gaylordopryland.com/ or call               1-888-999-OPRY        (6779).

Courtesy of grouptravelblog.com