Press Release: Live Nativity at the Heart of Lanier Islands’ Winter Adventure 2016

Buford, Ga. – November 14, 2016 – For more than two decades, Lanier Islands has been a beloved part of countless Atlanta families’ holiday traditions with its Magical Lights 7-mile-long driving tour of twinkling, animated Christmas-themed displays. In 2005, when the Virgil Williams Family first assumed ownership of the Islands, the tour was enhanced with the addition of an open-air Live Nativity on weekends. This year, the lakeside destination is proud to take this cherished 11-year-old Islands’ custom to an entirely new level by bringing it indoors to the Grand Hall and offering nightly showings – thanks to a team of talented volunteers from Cross Pointe Church, which has three campuses serving the north-Atlanta corridor.

“Here at the Islands, we’re not only committed to providing our guests with an unsurpassed experience; we’re also dedicated to sharing the ‘reason for the season,’” explained Virgil Williams, Chairman of the Board for Lanier Islands. “We can think of no better way to do that than by sharing the story of the First Christmas with a live theatrical presentation of the Bible’s account of Jesus’ birth. Much like the Star of Bethlehem lit the shepherds’ way to the manger, our Magical Lights Tour leads to the Grand Hall where the Live Nativity is hosted – the perfect conclusion to a very special Christmas celebration. It’s just another way for us to say, from our family to your family, ‘Merry Christmas!’”

Presented nightly from November 18 - December 23 (excluding Thanksgiving Day), the Live Nativity will showcase animals from the Islands’ Stables. Traditional Christmas songs and a narrated account of the Christmas story is brought into vivid reality as the manger scene comes to life. As part of the Magical Lights tour portion of LanierWorld Winter Adventure, the presentation is offered every half-hour nightly from 6:30 until 10:00 p.m. at no additional charge. Admission to the Magical Lights Tour at Winter Adventure is $45 per car*. Advance purchase on the LanierWorld website is just $36 per car. Coupons are available at participating Publix, Quick Trip and McDonalds locations.

After the Magical Lights Tour and Live Nativity, visitors can enjoy a little “adventure” at the Holiday Village and LanierWorld Winter Adventure – featuring visits with Santa, classic carnivals rides, speed slides, snow play zones, bubble skating and more**. To view hours, check out the entertainment schedule, learn more about available holiday packages or purchase passes to Winter Adventure, prospective guests of Lanier Islands are invited to visit www.lanierislands.com or call 770-945-8787.

About Lanier Islands: Nestled less than 45 miles from downtown Atlanta on the southern-most shoreline of Lake Lanier at the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains lies the truly distinctive Lanier Islands. Quickly growing in size, scope, and reputation as one of the Southeast’s leading lakeside retreats, the Islands is proud to have been designated a member of the highly esteemed Southern Living Hotel Collection. As the resort’s crown jewel, Lake Lanier is one of the United States’ most popular man-made lakes, encompassing 38,000 surface acres and 690 miles of shoreline in Northeast Georgia. Legacy Lodge, Villas, and LakeHouses enhance the park’s broad assortment of accommodation choices and meeting sites – making it the ideal choice for corporate meetings and company retreats. Popular excursions like the beach-and-boardwalk-themed LanierWorld, Lake Lanier Canopy Tours, horseback riding at the Equestrian Center, and boat rentals from Harbor Landing make the islands a terrific choice for families vacationing or “staycationing” in the South. Tranquility – the Spa and the picturesque 18-hole Lanier Islands Legacy Golf Course are major draws for visitors looking to relax or play, and with more than 20 wedding venues to choose from, the Islands is rapidly gaining favor with brides- and grooms-to-be as a highly sought-after Destination Wedding site. Lanier Islands is steadily securing a solid standing for their unique vision of the future of this luxury retreat, their unswerving dedication to the comfort and enjoyment of their guests, and their signature brand of Southern Hospitality. For more information, visit www.lanierislands.com.

* includes passenger cars and vans that accommodate up to 10 passengers. Additional cost for larger vehicles and busses

** portions of Winter Adventure involve an additional charge