Review - Florida - Orlando - Walt Disney World - Epcot - Cookie Stroll

There's something magical and wonderful about the holiday season around Walt Disney World. You will find decorations (holiday trees, lights, ornaments, snowmen, etc). Epcot features its annual Festival of the Holidays with special foods and merchandise. It's not as big as the Food and Wine Festival, but it's still lots of fun. It also features the delicious Cookie Stroll where you "stroll" to different food booths and purchase cookies to eventually earn a free cookie.

What is the Cookie Stroll?
When you arrive at the festival, stop by one of the food booths and grab a passport booklet. It's free.

When you flip to the back of the passport booklet, you will find the Cookie Stroll info. With each cookie purchased (at $2.50 each), you will get a stamp. After you purchase 5 cookies (total price $12.50), you will be able to get a free completer cookie.

The 5 cookies don't have to be unique (meaning you can purchase several of the same cookies and still earn a stamp for each one). For example, you can buy 5 gingerbread men and get 5 stamps.

What Cookies are there?

Holiday Hearth Desserts (near Port of Entry) - Gingerbread Cookie

Yukon Holiday Kitchen (in Canada close to the Gardens) - SNICKERS Doodle Cookie (*contains chocolate and nuts)

L'Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (between France and Morocco) - Black and White Cookie (tastes like lemony cake cookie; *contains chocolate frosting)

America Holiday Table (in America near Santa and the Tree) - Chocolate Crinkle Cookie (*contains chocolate)

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (in Germany) - Linzer Cookie (2 cookies)(was a bit messy with the powdered sugar)

Holiday Sweets and Treats (near Port of Entry, across from Holiday Hearth Desserts booth) - Completer Cookie

We lucked out and got not only the 50th anniversary completer cookie but also an ornament and a shake.

Overall Family Review:

• 16 year old - Favorite = Linzer Cookie
• 12 year old - Favorite = Linzer Cookie
• 7 year old - Favorite = Black and White Cookie
• 1 yeaar old - Favorite = Snickers Doodle Cookie

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - Bugtopia and the Pumpkin Patch

2021 marks the 16th anniversary of Autumn at the Arboretum (or what our family likes to call the Pumpkin Patch). This year, the pumpkin village has moved from the wide open field on the right to a more cozy tree-covered area on the left behind the Jonsson Color Garden. And there is Bugtopia (giant bug sculptures) running at the same time which kids will love. You will see the bugs integrated with the pumpkin village.



Pre-registration and pre-purchase of tickets is still required - you can do this at the gate via a QR code. When you purchase tickets on the website, you will select the time slot you desire to enter (sold in increments of 15 minute slots) and it's a great way to see which times are busier than others. Also be sure to add parking to your order and if you desire to visit the Children's Gardens, add those tickets too. Members must also pre-register (and add parking and Childrens' Garden as well). Link to info is at bottom of post.

Pumpkin Village:


Bugtopia:

The Arboretum has over 90,000 pumpkins/squash/gourds throughout the entire park. You can even purchase one to take home with you (while supplies last). Kids will find a fun little maze to run through. Lots of spots for pictures. It does get busy on weekends so try to come early or late in the day.


Details:
Dallas Arboretum website for tickets, hours, directions, etc.
Bugtopia and pumpkins are on display until October 31st 2021.


Overall Family Review:

• 16 year old - Enjoyed posing with the bugs
• 12 year old - Enjoyed posing with the bugs
• 7 year old - Enjoyed posing with the bugs
• 1 yeaar old - Was fine taking pictures with pumpkins

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - Dallas Blooms

Next weekend is the last weekend for the Dallas Blooms event at the Dallas Arboretum. Dallas Blooms is the spectacular annual Spring event whereby thousands of tulips and other flowers bloom in amazing displays. This year they have the theme "America the Beautiful" with some nice photo-op vertical planters and a giant American flag.



Pre-registration and pre-purchase of tickets is required - this event does sell out. When you purchase tickets on the website, you will select the time slot you desire to enter (sold in increments of 15 minute slots). Also be sure to add parking to your order and if you desire to visit the Children's Gardens, add those too. Members must also pre-register (and add parking and Childrens' Garden as well).

America the Beautiful photo-ops:



It looked like a lot of the Covid precautionary tape and directional signs had been removed. Water fountains were still unavailable so be sure to bring your own bottled water (and snacks!). A lot of people enjoy picnics in the gardens. There were also several outdoor weddings set up in several of the garden areas and you could see bridal photo sessions going on throughout. The busiest area is actually the Woman's Garden (with the infinity pools and the picture-frames).

If you arrive at the gate without tickets, you may still be able to purchase last-minute tickets if they didn't sell out:

The Children's Garden is open and all the activities were running. Be sure to check the daily guide ahead of time to see what hands-on activities will be taking place when and where (usually in the discovery center or outside of it).



Overall Family Review:

• 16 year old - Was fine taking pictures in the gardens
• 11 year old - Enjoyed the Children's Garden activities
• 6 year old - Enjoyed the Children's Garden activities

Travel - US - States - Irish Festivals

My family loves to attend culturally-based festivals and some of our favorites are the Irish festivals. You can usually find people dressed in Irish-style attire or in St Patrick's Day costumes plus music, dancing, adult beverages, food, and family-friendly activities. Most of the 2020 events have been/were cancelled due to Covid, but 2021 looks promising so start planning now. Please check the festival for specific dates, as dates may change without notice.

State:	City - Festival:	Website:	Dates:
Arizona	Fountain Hills - Fountain Hills St Patrick's Day Celebration	https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/p/events/irishfest	March
Arizona	Phoenix - Phoenix St Patrick's Day Irish Faire	https://stpatricksdayphoenix.org/	March
Arizona	Sedona - Sedona St Patrick's Day	https://www.sedona.net/st-patricks-day	March
Arizona	Tuscon - St Patrick's Day Parade	https://www.tucsonstpatricksday.com/	March 14, 2021
California	Irvine - The Irish Fair	https://www.theirishfair.org/	TBD
California	San Diego - San Diego St Patrick's Day Festival	http://www.stpatsparade.org/	March
California	San Francisco - Crossroads: Irish American Festival	http://www.irishamericancrossroads.org/	March
Connecticut	North Haven - Connecticut Irish Festival	https://ctirishfestival.com/	October 17-18, 2020
Florida	Cape Choral - Cape Choral Irish Festival	http://capecoralirishfest.com/	March
Florida	Jacksonville - Jacksonville Irish Festival	https://www.visitjacksonville.com/events/holidays/st-patricks-day/	March
Florida	Miami - South Florida Emerald Society St Patrick Festival	https://emeraldsocietysfl.com/	mid-March
Florida	West Palm Beach - Irish Fest (March)	https://downtownwpb.com/things-to-do/st-patricks-day/	March
Georgia	Savannah - Savannah Irish Festival	https://www.savannahirish.org/	February
Illinois	Carbondale - Southern Illinois Irish Festival	http://www.iluvlocalplaces.com/stories-directory/177-southern-illinois-irish-festival	October 5-6, 2020
Illinois	Chicago - Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Festival	https://chicagogaelicparkirishfest.org/	May
Illinois	Manhattan - Manhattan Irish Festival	http://www.manhattanirishfest.com/	March
Illinois	Peoria - St Patrick's of Peoria	https://stpatpeoria.com/events/	March
Kentucky	Louisville - St Patrick's Day Parade	https://www.louisvilleirish.com/annual-events/st-patricks-parade/	March
Maryland	Corwnsville - Annapolis Irish Festival	https://www.annapolisirishfestival.com/	July
Massachusettes	Boston - Boston Celtic Music Festival	https://www.passim.org/live-music/events/boston-celtic-music-festival/	January
Michigan	Clare - Clare Irish Fest	https://www.claremichigan.com/irish-festival/	March
Minnesota	St Paul - Young Irish Musicians Weekend	http://www.centerforirishmusic.org/events/mim/	June
Minnesota	St Paul - Irish Fair	https://irishfair.com/	August
Minnesota	St Paul - St Patrick's Day Celebration	http://www.irishmusicanddanceassociation.org/stpatricksday.html	March
Missouri	Weston - Weston Irish Fest	https://westonirish.com/weston-irish-festival/	TBD
Montana	Libby - Libby Irish Fair	http://www.libbychamber.org/event/libby-irish-fair-2/	March
Nebraska	Greeley - Irish Fest	https://greeleyirishfestival.com/	September
New Jersey	Smithville - Smithville Irish Fest	https://www.smithvilleirishfestivalnj.org/	October
New York	Brooklyn - Great Irish Festival of NY	https://www.iabsny.com/events/gifny	TBD
New York	East Durham - East Durham Irish Festival	https://eastdurhamirishfestival.com/	May
Ohio	Cuyahoga Falls - Riverfront Irish Festival	www.riverfrontirishfest.org	June
Ohio	Toledo - Toledo St Patricks Day Festival	https://www.visittoledo.org/events/st-patricks-day-celebration/	March
Pennsylvania	York County - Penn-Mar Irish Festival	https://pennmaririshfestival.com/	June
Texas	Austin - Austin Celtic Fest	https://www.austincelticfestival.com/	November
Texas	Dallas - North Texas Irish Festival	https://www.ntif.org/	March
Texas	Tyler - Tyler Celtic Fest	https://www.facebook.com/tylercelticfest/	May
Virginia	Alexandria - Ballyshaners St Patrick's Day Parade	https://www.ballyshaners.org/	March
Virginia	Churchill - The Irish Festival	http://www.churchhillirishfestival.com/	March
Wisconsin	Lacrosse - Irish Fest	https://www.irishfestlacrosse.org/	August
Wisconsin	Milwaukee - Irish Fest	https://irishfest.com/Milwaukee-Irish-Fest	August