Celebrate the holidays at the edge of nature and the beautiful Little River Canyon National Preserve!

Jacksonville State University’s Little River Canyon Center announces the following events to make the season bright for the whole family: 

• Saturday, December 7-- “Canyon Christmas” will feature a full day of activities from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., but the highlight will be a visit from Santa Claus himself! All visitors will get the chance to sit with Santa, get a free large-format photo and some special treats to take home. Also at no cost will be the “Feeding Winter Wildlife Workshop” at 10 a.m., where children will have fun making gifts for critters. At 11 a.m., there will be a Christmas special story time followed by a Christmas Carol “Sing-a-Long” at noon just before storyteller Renee Morrison reads “T’was the Night before Christmas.” Santa’s sleigh is scheduled to fly in at 2 p.m. before he comes in to sit with the children.   

• Wednesday, December 11-- “Canyon Jazz” will feature the amazing US Army Materiel Command Band and their Tennessee River Ramblers. Plan to arrive at 5 p.m. for the one hour, indoor concert starting at 5:30 p.m. The band will play the best of holiday hits and get everyone in the mood for Christmas!

• The Canyon Center’s shop will be open throughout the month with unique gift ideas ranging from nature-based artwork and beautiful scarves to fun animal puppets and handsome walking sticks. All profits benefit the educational efforts of the Canyon Center.

The Canyon Center will close only on the following days during the holiday: December 24, 25, 31, 2013 and January 1, 2014. Visit canyoncenter.org for more information.

All of these public events are free and in need of financial support. Donations to the Jacksonville State University Canyon Center Foundation Account are tax-deductible and most appreciated. For details, please call the Little River Canyon Center at 256-845-3548 or Director Pete Conroy at 256-282-5784.