The glimmer and shimmer of the holidays are creating holiday cheer in homes throughout East Tennessee. Take a peek behind the lighted windows during the following holiday tours:

KNOXVILLE/KNOX COUNTY

n Fort Loudoun Lake Association Holiday Open House

When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

Where: 8303 Alexander Cavet Drive (private residence)

What: See a collection of ornaments by European designers and from the Joy to the World and actress Betty White collection. Entertainment and refreshments provided; carpooling is suggested.

Cost and info: $20 per person; call 865-523-3800 or visit www.FLLake.org.

n 21st annual Victorian Holiday Home Tour

When: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Where: Old North Knoxville

What: Visit historic homes and businesses decorated for the holidays.

Cost and info: Advance tickets available at Knoxville, Maryville and Sevierville Kroger stores for $9. Tickets available event days for $12 (adults) $9 (senior) and free for children younger than 12. Ticket booth and free parking at St. Mary's Hospital's Woodland Avenue parking lot. Free bus transportation to locations on tour. 865-523-9787 or visit www. oldnorthknoxville.org.

n Historic Ramsey House Candlelight Tours

When: 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Where: 2614 Thorngrove Pike

What: Candlelight tours of historic Ramsey Plantation, circa 1797, seasonal music, refreshments and bake sale.

Cost and info: $5 per person; free for children 12 and younger and to Ramsey House members. 865-546-0745 or visit www.ramseyhouse.org.

n Candlelight Tour at Marble Springs State Historic Site

When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

Where: 1220 W. Governor John Sevier Highway

What: Tours of historic homes decorated for the holidays, 18th-century-style carolers, live music and dancing, a bonfire and light refreshments.

Cost and info: A $1 per person donation will be collected at the entrance. 865-573-5508 or e-mail marblesprings@hotmail.com.

n North Hills Garden Club Holiday Tour of Homes

When: 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Where: North Hills subdivision off Washington Pike.

What: 10 decorated homes on tour with refreshments in each home.

Cost and info: $10 for adults; children under 12 admitted free. Purchase at one of two homes: 1928 North Hills Blvd. or 2416 North Park Blvd. 865-255-1065

n Holiday Homes Tour 2009 presented by the Guild of the Knoxville Museum of Art

When: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10

What: Candlelight home tour and cocktail buffet at the home of Kreis and Sandy Beall.

Cost: $85 per person

Day tour and luncheon

When and where: Tours are 9-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at six homes, including one home in Sequoyah Hills, four homes in Westmoreland and a home in Fort Sanders. Luncheon at noon at two locations: Cherokee Country Club or Knoxville Museum of Art. Cost and info : $65 per person; www.knoxart.org or call Denise DuBose Lloyd at 865-934-2043.

n Holiday Open House at Blount Mansion

When: noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12

Where: 200 W. Hill Ave.

What: Open house featuring live music, wassail, holiday treats, children's activities and free tours. The mansion will be decorated by the Knoxville Garden Club with fresh greenery and fruits.

Info: 865-525-2375 or www.blountmansion.org.

n Mabry-Hazen Christmas Tours

When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Where: 1711 Dandridge Ave.

What: Free tour of the decorated home and light refreshments.

Information: 865-522-8661.

n Christmas Open House at the Confederate Memorial Hall Historic Bleak House

When: noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

Where: 3148 Kingston Pike

What: Guided tours by women dressed in 1860 period clothing, uniformed soldiers and demonstrations.

Cost and info: $5 per person. 865-522-2371 or www.knoxvillecmh.org.

ANDERSON COUNTY

n Twelve Days of Christmas in Old Appalachia at the Museum of Appalachia

When: 9-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 12

Where: 2819 Andersonville Highway, Clinton

What: Daily special music programs, demonstrations of mountain skills, hot sassafras tea, country-style lunches and more.

Cost and info: Visitors and members are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the Norris Area Food Pantry to receive $5 off the adult admission of $14.95; members admitted free. 865-494-7680 or visit www. museumofappalachia.org.

n Erin's Meadow Herb Farm Holiday Open House

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12

Where: 132 England Lane, Clinton

What: The free event includes a holiday herb program at 1 p.m., herbal refreshments, door prizes and special discounts.

Info: 865-435-1452 or www.erinsmeadowherbfarm.com

CARTER COUNTY

n Christmas at the Carter Mansion

When: 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5

Where: 1013 Broad St., Elizabethton

What: Candlelit evenings in Tennessee's oldest frame house, decorated with greenery for the holidays. Music, refreshments and costumed interpreters acting out scenes from an 18th-century Christmas.

Information: No reservations necessary; 423-543-5808 or visit www.sycamoreshoals. org.

FENTRESS COUNTY

n Historic Rugby home tour and dinner

When: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

Where: Historic Rugby

What: Ten Victorian homes decorated for the holidays will be open. The event, which also includes horse-drawn carriage rides, begins at 3 p.m. Dinner from 5-6:30 p.m. A concert by the Don Brakebill Singers is 8 p.m.

Tickets and info: $50 per person. Advance reservations required; 1-888-214-3400.

HAMBLEN COUNTY n The ALPS Holiday Homes Tour

When: 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Where: ALPS Adult Day Services, 600 N. Daisy St., Morristown

What: Seven homes in Hamblen County decked out for the holidays.

Cost and info: Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at ALPS or homes included on the tour; 423-587-9149.

HAWKINS COUNTY

n Rogersville Heritage Association Christmas Tour of Homes

When: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

Where: Tour begins at any of the chosen sites; maps and tickets available at the Depot (corner of Broadway and Depot) and Hale Springs Inn on tour days.

What: Tour of six decorated homes, Hales Springs Inn, Hasson Street Christian Church and Ebbing and Flowing United Methodist Church.

Cost and info: Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour; 423-272-1961.

LOUDON COUNTY

n Florence Crittenton Agency's annual Greens Tea

When: noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Where: The home of Brad and Shannon Hamilton, Lenoir City.

What: Christmas decorations viewed in an open house-style tour and a gourmet tea. The more than 9,000-square-foot home is adorned with many European-style features and decorations. Fresh holiday wreaths and swags are available for purchase.

Cost and info: $35 per person; 865-602-2951 or www.fcaknox.org. Parking at The Cove in Concord Park; guests will be shuttled to the home.

ROANE COUNTY

n Rockwood Christmas Tour of Homes

When: 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Where: Tour begins at Live and Let Live Drugstore, 225 W. Rockwood St.

What: Tour 11 historic homes; costumed characters, Christmas fare and carols, Civil War re-enactments.

Cost and info: Tickets are $12 in advance online or $15 the day of the event; 865-354-0234, 865-354-9629 or 865-776-0510 or www.rockwood2000. com. n Historic Harriman Christmas Tour

When: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

What: Local homes, churches and businesses decorated for the holidays.

Cost and info: Purchase tickets at Carnegie Library, 601 Walden St., Harriman, or online; tickets are $12 for adults and $6 ages 6-12. 865-882-9230 or www.cornstalkheights. com. n Colonial Christmas Candlelight Tour at Fort Southwest Point

When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12

Where: Fort Southwest Point, 1226 S. Kentucky St., Kingston

What: Candlelight walk through historical fort amid the sights, scents and flavors of the 18th century, including music, uniformed soldiers and refreshments common to the late 1700s.

Cost and info: Free; 865-376-3641 or www. southwestpoint.com.

Chandra Harris McCray is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
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