A&E Briefs for December

By Lauren DeGeorge | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County will be holding it’s annual Christmas Gala Fundraiser on December 8th , from 6pm until 10pm.

Tickets for the charity event are $55 per person, or $100 per couple. All of the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County. Throughout the evening, a silent and live auction will be held with items donated by local businesses, including art work from several St. Augustine galleries.

“This year’s theme is the 12 tastes of Christmas,” Habitat for Humanity intern, Carlie Fair, said. “Local restaurants have donated food items for each category. There will be music, wine and beer as well as non-alcoholic drinks.”

The Christmas Gala has increased in popularity year after year, and there is hope for a bigger turnout again this year, Fair said.

“This is the 4th year that Old City Events has helped organize the event so they are well aware of how to get things accomplished,” Fair said.

With the proceeds from the Gala,  Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County hopes to complete its 100th home in the spring of 2012.

By Colby Eaton | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is hosting the annual Winter Wonderland from Nov. 26 to Jan. 1 this holiday season.

Winter Wonderland allows Floridians to enjoy all the popular holiday games by creating snow and ice hills throughout the Amphitheatre. Activities include ice-skating, the ice slide, the “Frost Kingdom” express train, the Blizzard Bounce and an obstacle course.

Participants can enjoy  the fun carnival games and food such as funnel cakes, hot chocolate, prizes and souvenirs. Open campfires allow people to roast marshmallows.

Winter Wonderland fits the holiday carol by offering sleigh rides on a horse drawn carriage through the “enchanted winter forest.” The trail goes through a nature path decorated with holiday scenes and lights.

Another interactive experience especially for children is the Elf Village full of small houses, each with their own unique design and covered in snow.

People of all ages are welcome to visit Santa Claus and drop off a wish list in the North Pole mailbox.

For those 21 and older, the Igloo Ski Lounge is available for adults to relax with a drink and watch the ice rink from the live television or the observation deck.

Admission is free at Winter Wonderland. More information about specific holiday hours and game ticket pricing is available at www. Winterwonderlandflorida.com.