Callaway Gardens Announces 2012 Event Dates

March 9, 2012 - PRLog -- PINE MOUNTAIN, GA – In addition to year-round natural beauty and fun yet educational attractions, Callaway Gardens hosts a variety of special events.

Celebrate Spring!/Azalea Season*  Spring is here!  Get outside and enjoy the sunshine at Callaway Gardens among the amazing beauty of the historic Overlook Azalea Garden and the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, the world’s largest azalea gardens, as well as flowering shrubs and trees and colorful bulb displays including tulips, daffodils and more.  Full lineups of activities are planned for each weekend.  Also, check the Azalea Watch at www.callawaygardens.com beginning mid-March.  March 22-April 22

Callaway Gardens Annual Plant Fair and Sale Looking for those plants unique to the South?  Callaway brings the South’s top nurserymen to the Callaway Gardens Annual Plant Fair and Sale at the Robin Lake Beach Area to provide an incredible plant buying opportunity.  Free admission to the Plant Fair and Sale.  Admission to visit the Gardens is additional.  March 22-25

Easter Eggstravaganza*  Grab everyone’s Easter basket and visit Callaway Gardens for Easter egg hunts for all ages (Saturday before Easter, April 7, 2012).  On Easter Sunday (April 8, 2012), make plans to attend the traditional Easter Sunrise Service, lakeside adjacent to the Gardens Restaurant.  Admission before 8 a.m. Easter morning is free.  Then, enjoy Callaway’s Easter Buffet,* available in The Plant Room (walk-in), or make advance reservations for meals in the Mountain Creek Inn Ballroom or Gardens Restaurant.

Symphony on the Sand featuring the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra**  “Amazing” describes the experience of sitting on the shores of Robin Lake enjoying ASO’s music under the stars on a Spring night.  Mark your calendar to be at the fifth annual concert at Callaway Gardens.  Ensure you have the perfect seat by purchasing a stage-front, beach table in advance.  April 13

Plein Air Paint Out, Art Show & Sale* Observe well-known artists from throughout the United States as they capture the Spring beauty of Callaway Gardens onto their canvases outdoors using natural light.  For details visit www.callawaygardens/pleinair  April 15-22

Callaway Gardens Farmers Market   Find locally sourced vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, herbs, honey, baked goods and healthy snacks.  In addition, artisans and crafters will offer their creations for purchase.  To keep the market items local, vendors are from within a 150-mile radius. The market is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with $5 admission  (except on May 25, August 31 and October 5).  Fridays May 4-October 5 and a special market on Saturday, October 6

Callaway Gardens Fitness Series:  Duathlon/5K**  This competition, the second of six events for the annual Callaway Gardens Fitness Series, is a 5K run/30K bike/5K run and a great warm-up to the Sprint Triathlon in June.  Register at www.active.com.  May 13

Memorial Day Weekend featuring the Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament®* Kickoff the Summer Memorial Day Weekend by watching the world’s best water skiers and wakeboarders compete for the coveted title of “Masters Champion.”  Soak up the sunshine, play in the water and around the beach, and peruse the latest in water sports equipment and techniques.  May 25-28 (Tournament is over May 27)

Summer Fun at Callaway Gardens  Bring the whole family for the Florida State University Flying High Circus performances, swimming, shuffleboard, miniature golf, and much more.  For a small fee you can have a ton of fun playing on Aqua Island, Blaster Boats and Laser Tag.  Beach open:  May 25-September 4.  Circus open:  June 2-August 3 (daily performances except Mondays and Wednesdays)

Callaway Gardens Fitness Series:  Sprint Triathlon**  The Sprint Triathlon is a ¼-mile swim, 10-mile bike, and 2-mile run.  Expectations are that this event will become one of the most popular of its kind in the country.  This is the third of six events for the annual Callaway Gardens Fitness Series.  Register at www.active.com. June 17

Plumleaf Azalea Blooms Cason and Virginia Callaway, founders of Callaway Gardens, saved the plumleaf azalea from extinction. People come from far and wide to see this beautiful, native, reddish-orange flower in bloom.  July and into August

July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party*  Spend the day at Robin Lake Beach and enjoy beach games, live music and fabulous fireworks.  July 4

Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival*  End the Summer on a high note.  Marvel at the beautiful Balloon Glow on Friday evening.  Float in the air in a balloon safely tethered to the ground as you watch the sky fill with color at Callaway’s annual hot air balloon festival.  Between the morning and afternoon balloon launches, the days are filled with entertainment, family activities, exhibits, car show, demonstrations and more.  August 31-September 2

Callaway Gardens Fitness Series:  Triathlon** This event is ranked as one of the best triathlons in the nation and is the longest-running triathlon in the continental United States.  Participants compete in a 1k swim, 30k bike ride and 8k run in a beautiful setting.  Register at www.active.com. September 2

Blue Morpho Butterfly Month  Enter the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center to experience the spectacular sight of beautiful Blue Morpho butterflies flitting all around. September 1-30

Chrysanthemum Season Explore the Gardens and enjoy an incredible variety of color, size and type of chrysanthemums.  Rare Cascading Mums overflow their baskets up to four-and-one-half feet long.  Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden’s displays are reminiscent of a patch-work quilt.  October 1-November 15.

Harvest Moon Festival**  Enjoy a two-day festival focused on great music, fresh food and outdoor active living in the beautiful setting of Autumn at Callaway Gardens.  October 5-6

The Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens**  Enjoy spectacular horse racing, beautiful Fall weather and a day of fun with friends at The Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens.  Benefiting the arts, the event features top riders in their sport.  Terrier races, art displays, music and stylish picnicking round out this annual event. November 3

Callaway Gardens Fitness Series: Twilight 10K**  Run through beautiful Callaway Gardens at twilight in the 10K, one part of the Callaway Gardens Fitness Series.  Register at www.active.com.  It is certified by US Track and Field and is a qualifier for Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race.  November 3

Callaway Gardens Fitness Series:   Mountain Bike Competition**  Mountain bike enthusiasts of all skill levels test themselves on Callaway’s Mountain Bike course at the Steeplechase site. Register at www.active.com.  November 4

Fantasy In Lights®**  Celebrate the holidays at the 21st Fantasy In Lights.  See the magic of Christmas come alive in the eyes of loved ones as everyone enjoys the brilliance of eight million lights in one of the world’s largest outdoor light and sound shows.  Sing carols and buy unique gifts to celebrate the holiday season at Fantasy In Lights.  November 16- December 30 (Pedestrian traffic only November 18)

New Year’s Eve Celebration** Welcome the New Year on this overnight package with a sensational celebration and a champagne toast at midnight!  Then relax on New Year’s Day at beautiful Callaway Gardens.  A wonderful New Year’s Day Brunch will be sure to satisfy.  December 31

For more information these events or on overnight packages, educational workshops, tennis tournaments and fly-fishing schools, please call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

Details and prices subject to change

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A gardens, resort, preserve and community, owned and operated by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, offering "So Much to See and Do" while "Connecting Man and Nature in a way that Benefits Both." Located in Pine Mountain, Georgia.