Holiday Happenings Along Alabama's RTJ Golf Trail | Events

With 26 golf courses, eight hotels/resorts and two golf communities, the holidays are alive and well along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Below are a few highlights not to be missed.

Bill Lang – bill.lang@pchresorts.com; 205.965.9574.

HOOVER  - A “CHRISTMAS PROMISE” AT ROSS BRIDGE RESORT 

Christmas at Renaissance Ross Bridge will be better than ever – we promise. Based on Lark Carrier’s story, “A Christmas Promise,” this year’s holiday experience, focuses on a young girl, her love for animals and a special promise. Ideal for grandparents, parents and children, Ross Bridge will have special holiday packages from Dec. 20 to 23.

In addition to the inspirational presentation each evening at 7:00, guests will stay in deluxe rooms, swim indoors, hear the bagpiper at sunset and enjoy plenty of hot chocolate during the presentation. The Clubhouse Restaurant features a “Christmas Promise” children’s menu. An elaborate breakfast buffet, themed pancakes for two and a special parting gift will make your family’s visit magical, we promise. Packages are $169. To make reservations, visit www.rossbridgechristmaspromise.com or call 205.949.3107.

POINT CLEAR – MASSIVE GINGERBREAD RESORT A GRAND TRADITION

As families started to settle down Thanksgiving night, the Grand Hotel pastry chefs and hotel staff were at work. In one night the resort was transformed into a spectacular Christmas display. A definite must see is the massive gingerbread replica of the Grand Hotel and its grounds. Another must do is Breakfast with Santa. The breakfast is each Saturday morning leading up to Christmas. While the resort has several Christmas trees, perhaps the most spectacular are the giant oaks around the hotel’s 550 acres. Dripping in Spanish moss and white lights, they are truly Grand. Visit the Grand’s Facebook Page to see images or we can arrange for interviews or can send images to you. www.marriottgrand.com.

MOBILE – GIANT MOONPIE TO FALL NYE TO SOUNDS OF THE COMMODORES

The corner of St. Joseph and St. Francis Streets in downtown Mobile will be the hot spot for New Year’s fun this year. Instead of celebrating in a “Brick House,” Mobile will hit the streets in the premiere New Year’s Eve celebration in the Central Time Zone. The Commodores will be the headlining act as Mobile rings in 2013, along with the MoonPie Drop, a laser show and fireworks from atop the RSA BankTrust Building and in Mobile Bay.

The free events will kick off with a Mardi Gras-style parade at 7:30 p.m. that will parade through downtown. At midnight, eyes in Mobile and across the Central Time Zone will be on Mobile’s Mardi Gras icon – the MoonPie. The 12-foot-tall electronic MoonPie will descend from the 34-story RSA BankTrust skyrise as the city welcomes 2013 and the beginning of Mardi Gras season. This is the 5th year the iconic MoonPie has debuted as part of Mobile’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. Whether you prefer RC Cola or a glass of champagne, ring in the New Year in downtown Mobile.  Both Battle House and Renaissance Riverview Plaza have packages for the evening. For more details on the event and a full release, visit www.mobilenewyear.com.

OPELIKA - ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SHOW TO BEGIN DEC. 7

National Village, a community on the RTJ Golf Trail in Opelika, Ala., will be the new host to the annual Christmas Lights Show, previously in Auburn, from Dec. 7, 2012 – Jan. 6, 2013 each night from 5 – 10 p.m. Admission is free.

This holiday tradition, now at National Village, uses more than 185,000 lights for the production, and in the past the show has attracted around 30,000 viewers over the holiday season. The light show runs continuously each night from 5 to 10 p.m. with an 18-minute sequence set to a medley of Auburn Christmas favorites. The music is a mix of traditional and fun holiday scenes enjoyable for all ages. This display was previously shown by Steve Lang on Auburn’s Fontaine Drive since 1976.

For more information, visit www.nationalvillage.com or call 334.749.8165. National Village is adjacent to RTJ Grand National and the Auburn/Opelika Marriott. 2809 National Village Parkway. Opelika, Alabama. 36801.

Information Source: RTJ Golf Trail