| DAY
ONE
Morning:
See the wonderful works of art that are featured at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum including works with
a holiday feel and vision. The group will also learn about
Bil Baird, another famous, former Mason City resident and
renowned puppeteer that has donated hundreds of his puppets
to the museum. Baird's most famous puppets were featured
in the movie "The Sound of Music", these puppets are currently
on display at the museum.
Afternoon:
Did you know
that Meredith Willson is the author of
the popular holiday song "It's Beginning
to Look a lot Like Christmas"? Uncover
the unique story regarding how Meredith
Willson created this wonderful song, as
well as, many other popular songs and plays
while touring the Meredith Willson Boyhood Home and The
Music Man Square. Both facilities will
be filled with holiday decorations and
the warmth of the holiday season.
Evening:
Check into the hotel and take some time to relax. Then off
we go to enjoy a scrumptious meal at one of the area
restaurants with true River City entertainment, a barbershop quartet featuring
songs from "The Music Man" and other musical favorites
including Willson's "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like
Christmas". Another option available would be to partake in one of the
many holiday annual events including Home
for the Holidays or Clear Lake's Christmas
By the Lake. The group could also attend a Mason City Community Theatre production or enjoy a performance
of the North
Iowa Performing Arts Series, the holiday options are
endless! Wine
sampling is also available.
DAY
TWO
Morning:
First stop of the day is an Architectural Tour of Mason City.
The tour can be strictly a guided tour by motorcoach or
can include a slide presentation of the architectural
aspects in the Rock Glen and Rock Crest area, the largest
grouping of Prairie School Architecture on a unified site.
A great opportunity to view the Frank Lloyd Wright and
Prairie School architectural designs in the community softly
blanketed in the new fallen snow. What would the
holidays be without shopping….next is a great chance
to have some time to uncover those special treasures at
the abundance of specialty shops and retail stores in Mason
City.
Afternoon:
A tour of the Historic Park Inn Hotel is the next stop. Built in 1910 for two Mason City attorneys, the Historic Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank building is the last remaining hotel in the world designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This classic example of Prairie School Architecture has been completely restored to its original appearance serving as an exquisite hotel. Explore the restored public places of the hotel on a guided tour of the facility. Visit the mezzanine balcony overlooking the lobby and dining room, the Skylight Room with its fully restored sky-lit art glass ceiling, the Ladies Parlor with art-glass French Doors, the Gentlemen’s Lounge and the Billiards Room and Mercury statues designed by Richard Bock. Next, relive the day the music died while touring the Surf Ballroom & Museum, the final concert site of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson.
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