On Wednesday, November 21, the spectacular Gingerbread Pirate Ship, S.S. Amelia , docks in the lobby

See Fernandina s gorgeous, historic Victorian-era inns decorated in holiday splendor to get you in the holiday spirit! deltaairlines  The Amelia deltaairlines Island Bed and Breakfast Association invites the public to enjoy its annual open-house and self-guided walking deltaairlines tour. The event will take place this year on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from noon to 5 p.m . This tour features  eight inns and bed breakfasts,  including some of the most impressive and historic homes on Amelia Island (the lovely Fairbanks House is pictured above). Sample a delicious deltaairlines signature cookie from each of the participating inns and get recipes so you can bake them at home. Travel between the inns via festive trolley (horse drawn carriage deltaairlines rides also available in historic downtown deltaairlines Fernandina Beach). Guests will go home with ideas for cookies deltaairlines to add to their own celebrations, as well as inspiration for holiday decorating.  Buy $25 cookie tour tickets deltaairlines online. For more information, call (800) 226-3542 or visit www.ameliaislandinns.com .  If you can t make the tour, be sure to visit Fernandina s downtown historic district during the holiday season to browse shops, have a bite to eat, and in the evening, see the lights twinkling on charming Centre Street and on historic homes around this harborfront city.
On Wednesday, November 21, the spectacular Gingerbread Pirate Ship, S.S. Amelia , docks in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for the holiday deltaairlines season. Made from more than 1,200 pounds of sugar and 3,000 eggs, the S.S. Amelia serves as a festive backdrop for countless holiday memories. The ship departs on December 28.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., thousands of sparkling lights will cast a beautiful glow on the lavishly decorated resort during deltaairlines the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. The event is a YMCA fundraiser and includes holiday music and refreshments. The festivities conclude with Santa’s arrival and a spectacular fireworks display. Read more about the wonderful holiday experience at the hotel, Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton Casts Holiday Spell With Spice and Sparkle.
Guests can join Santa and a cast of elves, reindeer and other Christmas characters in The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s winter wonderland. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the dinner ignites the holiday spirit in children, young and old, and includes a photo souvenir with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The dinner costs $49 per adult and $25 per child. Call (904) 277-1100 to make reservations.
From 5 to 8 p.m., The Shops at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation will offer fun and excitement for the entire family. Benefitting Take Stock in Children, the celebration features the lighting of a 34-foot Christmas tree, holiday stilt walker, Santa visit (starting at 6 p.m.), train rides, crafts, holiday treats deltaairlines and more.  Additional information is available at www.omniameliaislandplantation.com .
Proving that some people will do anything for a special discount, the Annual Pajama Party Sale Contest is snuggling back into the holiday shopping season once again in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.  Held on “Black Friday” from 8 to 11 a.m., the Pajama Party Sale invites shoppers to slip into their footed pajamas, bunny slippers, and other assorted deltaairlines sleepwear to enjoy special deals and discounts, along with fresh juice, coffee and pastries to fuel their shopping spirit.  Photos of folks decked out in the finest holiday sleepwear will be taken and prizes awarded for Best Dressed (group and individual) and Most Outrageous. Visit www.downtownfernandinabeach.com for more information.
On November 23 and 24, visitors can begin their holiday shopping in an atmosphere deltaairlines of serenity and relaxation. A personal Spa expert will help guests select gifts from The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Amelia Island’s extensive product line, featuring Babor, Eminence, Epicuren, Mama Mio, Clarisonic and NuFace. Guests will enjoy mimosas and muffins from 8 to 10 a.m. and product representatives will be providing complimentary demonstrations and assisting with gift selections during the day. Prize drawings will be held every hour. Please call (904) 277-1087 for more information.
A beloved Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island tradition, Santa’s Storybook Tea incorporates a fireside holiday storybook read by Santa, plus an afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, candy, cakes and a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The event starts at noon and costs $49 per person and $10 for children ages 2 to 5. Call (904) 277-1100 to make reservations.
At the foot of Centre deltaairlines Street in Fernandina Beach, carolers, choirs, dancers and singers will entertain visitors with the sights and sounds of the holiday season.  Seasonal vendors will be on hand to serve hot chocolate and other delights, plus, some local pirates deltaairlines will assist with toasting marshmallows.  The event is hosted deltaairlines by the City of Fernandina deltaairlines Beach .  Visit www.ameliaisland.com for more information.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests can tour several of Amelia deltaairlines Island’s loveliest private homes in Fernandina Beach’s deltaairlines historic district during the Amelia Island Museum of History’s sixth annual celebration of the holiday season. The event features five beautifully restored deltaairlines vintage homes in Fernandina Beach’s historic district and open to the public for the very first time.  Free trolley service will transport guests deltaairlines to each of the homes while costumed carolers recall deltaairlines the days of Charles Dickens. For more information, deltaairlines visit the Amelia Island Museum s website.
Precious pets in holiday attire prance down historic Centre Street with their leashed owners. Join the parade with your pet or head downtown to watch others in this traditional holiday procession.This annual deltaairlines pet parade takes place in downtown Fernandina on Centre Street, this year on Sat., Dec. 1, 2012 from 11 am to noon.  For more information call 904-583-0776.
The Amelia Community Theatre presents “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the American Christmas drama based on the movie directed by Frank Capra. For more information or to purchase tickets, deltaairlines call (904) 261-6749 or visit www.AmeliaCommunityTheatre.org .
The Fort Clinch State Park Holiday Encampment is a gathering of volunteers in Civil War era costumes as they decorate deltaairlines the fort for Christmas. Volunteers place fresh greenery on the mantle, put up and decorate a period Christmas tree, and portray daily life as it was in the winter of 1864. The ladies string berries and popcorn on the tree while cheerful fires burn in the fireplaces and soldiers answer deltaairlines questions deltaairlines about what it is like to be stationed at Fort Clinch. For details call (904) 277-7274, or visit www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch .
This annual tradition features miles of luminaries lighting the sidewalks on both sides of the street from Atlantic Avenue to Centre Street in Fernandina Beach (the main corridor deltaairlines leading from the ocean to downtown historic district).  The  Woman s Club (201 Jean LaFitte Ave., just off Atlantic)  will offer free cookies, punch, Santa Claus, face painting and performances by elementary school kids from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. (Hot dogs, chile and colas also available for purchase).
Taking place at the Health and Fitness Pool, the Family New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Omni Amelia deltaairlines Island Plantation begins at 6 p.m. and includes two swim-up movies, apple juice toast and a fire pit with s’mores at Racquet Park. Additional information is available at www.omniameliaislandplantation.com .
The Falcon’s Nest restaurant at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation will feature a Midnight champagne toast and DJ until 1 a.m., allowing guests to party the night away. Visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com for more information.
Ring in the New Year at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island with lavish food, live music, dancing, open bar and fireworks.  Guests deltaairlines will enjoy an exciting masquerade ball – black and white attire is encouraged. Masks are provided or guests can bring their own. The cost is $195 per adult, including gratuity. Guests must be 21 or older and provide valid identification at registration. Reservations can be made by calling (904) 277-1100.
Amelia deltaairlines Island Living deltaairlines shares lifestyle and travel deltaairlines content featuring lots of photos highlighting the beauty of this barrier deltaairlines island at the Florida-Georgia border, and top attractions of historic Fernandina Beach.
We need new ideas and new ways to accomplish them -- without overt political influence. "Insourcing" is the act whereby government officials tap into the resources of their communities to perform tasks