So, the holidays are coming up. I’m already planning my Thanksgiving dinner. I’ll make apple pies for my fiance and his family this year. This will be their first taste of those pies. I hope they like them!

It reminds me of the first Thanksgiving weekend he and I took in Cochise County. We had dinner at Winchester’s in the Copper Queen Hotel. On Friday, we hiked off all those calories in Chiricahua National Monument on the Echo Canyon Loop trail. And then on Saturday we toured some wonderful homes on the Bisbee Historic Home Tour.

These annual events are lots of fun. If you’re heading to southern Arizona this holiday season, check out some of the events in Cochise County:

Nov. 25, Annual Douglas Christmas Light Parade

Annual Christmas Light Parade though historic downtown Douglas.  The light parade kicks off the holiday season with lighted floats, marching bands and a visit from Santa Claus.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: downtown Douglas

Admission: Free

Info:  Douglas Visitor Center, 520-417-7340

Nov. 27, Festival of Lights, Bisbee

The holiday season officially begins with a merry lighting ceremony and celebration in front of the Copper Queen Library. Santa will arrive in downtown Old Bisbee on a flashy fire truck with goodies for all children.

When: 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28

Info: 520-432-6016

Nov. 27 & 28, Historic Home Tour, Bisbee

Turn-of-the-century splendor comes to life when Bisbee residents open their doors. Visitors will get a glimpse into the town’s architectural history. Docents answer questions about the distinctive structures.

Info: Bisbee Visitor Center, 520-432-3554 or 1-866-2BISBEE

Nov. 28, Art Chairs of Bisbee Silent Auction

Bid on local artist’s decorated chairs done in a variety of mediums at the 6th Annual Art Chairs of Bisbee Silent Auction. Sponsored by the Bisbee Woman’s Club, proceeds go to a local charity.

Info: Bisbee Visitor Center, 520-432-3554 or 1-866-2BISBEE

Dec. 4 & 5, Christmas Apple Festival & Christmas Lighted Parade, Willcox

Events include a bazaar with handcrafted arts and crafts vendor, raffles and fun with drawings for door prizes, apple cooking contest and entertainment. The parade will be held at dusk (about 6 p.m.) on Dec. 5. Bring a friend and enjoy two fun-filled days of surprises and holiday shopping.

When: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5

Where: Willcox Community Center

Admission: Free

Info: Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, 520-384-2272

Dec. 5, 51^st Annual Holiday Parade, Sierra Vista

This is Arizona’s longest running holiday parade and is a family event with Santa Claus, floats, marchers and bands.

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 5

Info:  520-458-6940; www.sierravistachamber.org

Dec. 6, Holiday Tour of Historic Homes, Sierra Vista

Visit the turn-of-the-century homes, still occupied by officers, on the National Historic Landmark District of Fort Huachuca. These homes are beautifully decorated for the holiday season.

When:  1-4 p.m.

Where: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, Arizona

Admission:  Tickets $10 in advance, $12 day of the tour

Info:  520-417-6960

Note: Fort Huachuca is an active military installation. Stringent entrance requirements are enforced. U.S. citizens may enter with a visitor pass. Required documentation includes: vehicle registration and insurance, current, valid photo identification for driver and all passengers over age 13. Regulations may change without notice.

Dec. 12, Christmas on Main Street, Benson

Street vendors, local entertainment and the Saint David High School Choir make downtown Benson a holiday delight. This down home holiday celebration culminates with a visit from Santa and a tree lighting ceremony. Presented by the Benson Chamber of Commerce.

When:  10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission: Free

Info:  520-586-2842 or www.bensonchamberaz.com

Usually on this blog, I tell you about things to do in Cochise County. Today, I’m turning the tables. Where are you going for the holidays and what are you looking for when you get there?

Are you traveling to visit family and wondering what to do for fun after the turkey is gone? Or are you traveling to get away for some alone time.

What kinds of experiences are you looking for? Outdoor adventures? Exploring history, heritage and culture? Shopping? Seeking some new restaurants?

Leave a comment below and let me know! Over the next few weeks, I’ll respond by givin you some ideas to help you plan your vacation in southern Arizona if you’re heading this way.

Have you tasted Arizona’s wines yet?

Coronado Vineyards in Willcox (c) Luanne Mattson

If not, you might want to check out Willcox this weekend. Willcox’s weather looks fantastic (highs in the 80s; lows in the 50s)!

Eight Arizona wineries are gearing up for the Willcox Wine and Art Show. Six of the eight wineries are grown in Cochise County. The event will also include a juried art show of 30 artists, five food booths, music and a wine tasting area.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 17 & 18

Where: Railroad Park, on Railroad Ave. in historic downtown Willcox

Cost: Wine tasting will be $10 for those over 21 and includes six tasting coupons and a commemorative Arizona Wine glass. Attendance and parking  is FREE and open to the public.

Check the Willcox Wine and Art Show website for more info.

Looking for more to do in Willcox? Check out the Rex Allen Museum, dedicated to preserving the memory of Rex Allen, who was the “voice of Disney” for years. If you’re a fan of country music, you might also stop by the Marty Robbins exhibit, which is also on Railroad Avenue. Marty is famous for his song, El Paso, but he has hundreds of other great songs. Outside Willcox’s downtown are Apple Annie’s Orchard and a number of other u-pick farms if you want to pick your own apples or pumpkins (can you say “pie”?). Click here for the Willcox harvest brochure.

Stop by the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture for more information on places to see and things to do in the area.

Cochise County’s communities are in full swing with events this month! October is packed with great stuff like Tombstone’s Helldorado Days, Bisbee’s Stair Climb, the Cochise County Cycling Classic and Benson’s Butterfield Stage Days. Read on for more info!

Oct. 9-12, Corvettes and Ghost Riders, Tombstone

Early Cowpoke Rendezvous, Welcome Rustlers Corral, Boardwalk Rally, People’s Choice NCCC Car Show, Cochise County Road Tour and more.

Details: throughout the weekend in historic downtown Tombstone. Admission is free. For more info, contact the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-457-3929 or http://www.corvettesandghostriders.com/

Oct. 10 & 11, Butterfield Overland Stage Days

Although the Butterfield Overland Stage ran for only two years, it was a turning point in American history. This event marks John Butterfield’s overland mail and passenger service that connected East with West. An official U.S. Post Office Pony Express mail run will take letters with a special cancellation on horseback from Benson to Dragoon on Saturday. Vendors and entertainment will be held in Lions Park. Craft vendors will sell their wares and demonstrate how they are made. Musical entertainment will include The Santa Cruz River band featuring Ted Ramirez and Michael Ronstadt on Sunday. A quilt show and a car show will be held, and back by popular demand the “Quad Boys” will provide quad motorcycle demonstrations.

Details: Contact the Benson Chamber of Commerce at 520-586-2842.

Oct. 10, Butterfield Rodeo, Benson

This one-day Butterfield Rodeo, one of the more popular rodeos in the area, will raise money for charity.

Details: 5 p.m., followed by a dance at 8:30 p.m., Sat., Oct. 10 at the Arena Bar on Prickly Pear Ave. for more info, contact the Benson Visitor Center at 520-586-4293.

Oct. 10, Cars in the Park, Sierra Vista

More than 350 vintage and custom cars will be polished and shined at the Annual Cars in the Park, considered the largest outdoor car show in Arizona.

Details: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sat., Oct. 10 at Veterans’ Memorial Park, Sierra Vista. Admission is free for spectators. For more info, call 520-803-9457.

Oct. 10, Wine Festival, Bisbee

Visitors can sample more than 50 Old and New World Wines at the Vintage Bisbee Wine Festival at City Park in Brewery Gulch. Sponsored by the Bisbee Rotary Club, this event is guaranteed to be an afternoon of great food, music and fun.

Details: 4-7 p.m., Sat., Oct. 10, at City Park in Bisbee’s Brewery Gulch. Find ticket info at 520-432-3554 or www.bisbeerotaryclub.org

Oct. 10 & 11, 35th Annual Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show, Sierra Vista

Live demonstrations, educational displays, rocks, jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils, equipment, lapidary supplies & more! Presented by the Huachuca Mineral & Gem Club, the show benefits the club’s scholarship fund.

Details: Oct. 10 & 11, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane (off Wilcox Drive), Sierra Vista. For more info, call 520-459-3718.

Oct. 16 & 17, SAHR Biker Rodeo, Benson

Every year in October, the Southern Arizona Harley Riders put on their Biker Rodeo at The Arena in Benson. Featuring a bike show, games for kids and bikers, a charity auction, vendors and door prizes.

Details:  The Arena, Benson. Admission is $15. Visit http://www.sahr.us for more info.

Oct. 16-18, 80th Annual Helldorado Days, Tombstone

What started out as the town’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1929 has turned into a famous tradition. Events include reenactments, a parade, gun show, fashion shows, carnival, live music, contests and street entertainment.

Details: all weekend in historic downtown Tombstone. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-457-3929 or visit http://www.tombstonehelldoradodays.com/

Oct. 17, Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb

The 19th annual Bisbee 1000 can be a challenging competitive run or a casual walk exploring 1,000 of Bisbee’s stairs. Pledge the event, win prizes and help restore the historic steps while improving your health. The KWCD Ice Man, “the event within the event,” involves carrying a block of ice up 153 stairs in less than 30 seconds – fun to participate in or just to watch!

Race begins at 9 a.m. at the Iron Man Statue in Tombstone Canyon. For more information, call 520-432-1585 or visit www.bisbee1000.com

Oct. 17 & 18, Cochise County Cycling Classic, Douglas

Ultra cycling event in Cochise County’s high desert landscape of Dragoon and Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. 45-, 92-, 157 and 252-mile rides Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc. Cyclist participating in the 157- and 25- mile rides must have their own support crews. Benefits DARC.

Riders take of at 2 a.m., 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. in Douglas, Arizona and tour the county. For more info, call 520-745-2033 or visit the Perimeter Bicycling Association’s website.

Oct. 22-25, Border Town Cowboy Action Shoot, Tombstone

Cowboy Action Shooting Arizona State Championship. Shooting competition, food and vendors.

Admission is free for spectators. For more information visit http://www.bordertowncas.com/ or www.tombstonechamber.com.

For all you bicycling fans out there, the Cochise County Cycling Classic in Douglas is an amazing event! The longest ride in this perimeter cycling event is a whopping 252 miles. Cyclists train long and hard to test their endurance in this ride.

This year, there’s also something for the beginners and those who want to just ride for fun. The the Perimeter Bicycling Association announced the addition of a four-mile Fun Ride to the 2009 Cochise County Cycling Classic.

And for something in between, there are the 157-, 92- or 45-mile rides.

The events take place on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Die hard long distance riders will start at 2 a.m. and the other rides will start between 6 and 8:30 a.m.

Ready to sign up? Get your gear and your support crew together and sign up now!

For information on places to stay, contact the Douglas Visitor Center at 520-417-7344. This is a busy weekend in Cochise County, so book your hotel rooms early. You can visit the Cochise County website for more information on hotels in the surrounding area.

Sept. 19, Bisbee Blues Festival

Sponsored by Old Bisbee Music, the Fourth Annual Bisbee Blues Festival will feature live blues from a variety of bands. Food and beverages will be available. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Details: 11a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19. For more info, visit www.bisbeebluesfest.com, or call the Bisbee Chamber of Commerce at 520-432-5421.

Sept. 19, 5^th Annual Sierra Vista Fiddle Contest

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the sounds of good old-fashioned fiddle music at the 5th Annual Sierra Vista Fiddle Contest. The event even features a solar powered sound system. Watch fiddlers compete for more than $3,000 in cash prizes. It will feature the “Pot O’ Gold Playoff” Celtic music competition. The contest is organized by and benefits the non-profit Cochise County Youth Orchestra.

Details: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19 at Veterans Memorial Park, 3105 E. Fry Blvd. in Sierra Vista. Admission is free. Visit www.ccyo.info and click on “fiddle contest” for more information.

Sept. 25, 21^st Annual Elks Oktoberfest

Authentic German food and music, games for kids, dancing. Wine and beer are available.

Details: 4-10 p.m., Sept. 25 at the Elks Lodge, #1 Elks Lane, Sierra Vista. Admission is free. For more information, call 520-458-2065.

September 24-27, Cochise County Fair, Douglas

Enjoy carnival rides, 4-H demonstrations, livestock auctions, collegiate rodeo, bull riding, food concessions, retail booths, animal exhibits, arts and crafts, and live entertainment.

Details: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday at the Cochise County Fairgrounds, Leslie Canyon Road in Douglas. Admission is $6 got adults; $3 for seniors (age 60+) & children (age 6-17); Free for children (age 0-5). For more info: Cochise County Fair Association, 520-364-3819 or www.cochisefair.org.

October

Oct. 1-4 Rex Allen Days, Cowboy Hall of Fame Ceremony & Banquet

The Cowboy Hall of Fame is the kick-off for the Rex Allen Days celebration. Western fun, Willcox style, this event honors their hometown hero. Rex Allen gained fame as a singer, cowboy movie star and narrator for Walt Disney Productions. This year will celebrate 20 years of Rex Allen Days, and the First Annual Western Heritage Award will be presented. Activities for Rex Allen Days include a parade, rodeo, General Orlando B. Willcox International turtle race, cowboy dances, a country music concert and more.

Details: Full days of fun at the Willcox Community Center and in Willcox. Admission varies for each event. For more info, contact the Willcox Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, 520-384-2272 or visit the Rex Allen Museum website. You can also see the full schedule of events.

Oct. 2 & 3, Bisbee Turquoise Hunt

The annual Turquoise Hunt will take place in what locals call “Number 7,” the Queen Mine’s dump. For two hours each day, rock hounds can scour the earth for the rarest and, some would say, most valuable “Bisbee Turquoise” along with other minerals.

For more info, contact the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum at 520-432-7071.

Oct. 3 & 4, 38th Annual Art in the Park, Sierra Vista

This is one of the Southwest’s largest outdoor arts and crafts fairs, attracting more than 200 vendors.  Fine art, sculpture, fountains, jewelry, clothing and much more!

Details: Oct. 3 & 4; Sat. 9 am – 6 pm, Sun. 9 am – 4 pm. at Veterans Memorial Park, 3105 E. Fry Blvd. in Sierra Vista. Admission is free. Call 520-3378-1763 for more information or visit the website at www.huachuca-art.com.

Photo (c) bucklava via Flickr

“Me oh my. I love pie!” Every time someone talks about pie, I think about this line sung by Andie MacDowell in the film, Michael (it’s about 3 minutes into the clip). Doesn’t this photo by bucklava make you wish for a slice of homemade pie with a good cup of coffee?

If you like pie, you might want to head to the annual Pie Festival, to benefit Portal Rescue. It will be held this Saturday, September 5, at the Rodeo Community Center in New Mexico.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (AZ time); Noon – 2 p.m. (NM time)

You can buy a slice, make it a la mode or buy a whole pie.  All kinds of pies will be available - from fruit to cream to meat to vegetarian and pizza pies.

I love pie!

Want more info on visiting? Check the Cochise County website! Portal is on the eastern side of the Chiricahua Mountains. It’s beautiful and out of the way. Perfect for a Labor Day weekend getaway!

Ever had a hankering for barbecue that just falls off the bone? Check out this article that was in Saturday’s Arizona Republic about great barbecue places in Arizona from freelance writer Roger Naylor.

He tells about great BBQ joints all around the state. Rodney’s in Willcox is featured. I’d send you a link to his website, but he doesn’t have one. (Heck, he doesn’t even have a phone!) I guess Rodney likes to keep things simple and just make barbecue. Rodney’s is not fancy, so you don’t need to get dressed up. The place is plain, but it is good!

Last chance! The National Park Service is hosting one more free weekend this summer. You can go see any of America’s National Parks during this weekend without paying an admission charge.

If you can’t make it next weekend, the good news is that two of Cochise County’s three national parks are free year-round!

Admission to Coronado National Memorial and Fort Bowie National Historic Site is free.  And Chiricahua National Monument is rock bottom at just $5 per person.

So think about southern Arizona if you’re looking for a travel getaway. As documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns, put it, the National Parks are one of “America’s Best Ideas.”