October 26 event features one of the largest nighttime parades in the Midwest

GALENA, Ill. - Ghosts and goblins of all ages will converge on Galena, Illinois for the 35th annual Halloween Parade & Festival. The Galena Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the host of this one-day event in downtown Galena on Saturday, October 26, with festivities taking place from 2:00 - 8:30 p.m.

The nearly two-hour long Halloween parade literally lights up Galena's historic Main Street. The popular event features spectacular floats, local marching bands, costumed participants and plenty of sweet treats. Making a return to this year's parade will be several hot air balloons that will light up the night sky, as well as provide a fleeting moment of warmth, as they make their way through the parade. The parade begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Green and Main Streets and continues north until reaching the intersection of Franklin and Main Streets.

Again this year, the Halloween Festival will be taking place from 2:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Washington and Perry Streets. Swing by the festival for food and entertainment while you wait for the parade to get started. Local chamber members will be offering several tasty treats and goodies for visitors to enjoy.

To accommodate the high volume of parade goers, there will be three shuttle buses operating between 4:00 - 9:00 p.m., excluding parade times between 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Shuttle parking and pickup, all in Galena, will take place at Walmart (10000 Bartell Blvd.), Signcraft (100 A.J. Harle Dr.), Recreation Park (1801 Field St.) and at the Old Train Depot (99 Bouthillier St.) parking lots.

For further event information or to register an entry into the parade, visit www.galenachamber.com, e-mail office@galenachamber.com or call 815.777.9050. Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.galena.org or by calling 877.464.2536. While in town, visit the CVB's Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center at 101 Bouthillier St. (corner of Park Avenue) for on-site assistance and countywide information.

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GALENA, Ill. - The city of Galena, Illinois - always considered a "town that time forgot" - has stepped back into the limelight as a city that no one can forget about. Condé Nast Traveler recently published the results of their annual Readers' Choice Survey and declared Galena as not only one of the friendliest cities in the United States, but in the world.

Galena, coming in second on the domestic list and fourteenth on the global list with a score of 87.9 out of 100, was praised as being a relaxing destination with plenty to do and a place that can be spiritually and emotionally uplifting. The historic, idyllic city was one of only four from the United States to make the top 20 internationally.

Condé Nast Traveler, one of the most trusted names in travel, had 46,476 responses to their most recent survey. Readers provided feedback such as, "When I want to treat myself or lift my spirits?I visit Galena."

"A 'quaint' city that was once home to President Ulysses S. Grant, Galena, Illinois, is also well known for its 'welcoming' atmosphere. Those who make the trip to this former mining town find it 'relaxing, with plenty to do.' After all, this 'step back in time' has 'neat shopping and historical sites' to spare," stated the magazine.

"The distinction is another feather in the cap for Galena. Our community welcomes visitors from throughout the world that are looking to take a look back into time and experience what small-town America is really all about," stated Celestino Ruffini, director of sales & marketing for the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The friendliest top 10 cities in the United States ranked in order by the Readers' Choice Survey of Condé Nast Traveler are: 1. Charleston, S.C., 2. Galena, Ill., 3. Savannah, Ga., 4. Asheville, N.C., 5. Austin, Texas, 6. Jackson, Miss., 7. Natchez, Miss., 8. Telluride, Colo., 9. Sonoma, Calif., 10. Branson, Mo.

The friendliest top 20 cities in the world ranked in order by the Readers' Choice Survey of Condé Nast Traveler are: 1. Florianopolis, Brazil, 2. Hobart, Tasmania, 3. Thimpu, Bhutan, 4. Queenstown, New Zealand, 5. Charleston, S.C., 6. Paro, Bhutan (tie), 6. Margaret River, Australia (tie). 7. Mandalay, Burma, 9. Kilkenny, Ireland (tie), 9. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia (tie), 10. Chiang Mai, Thailand, 11. Christchurch, New Zealand, 12. Dublin, Ireland, 14. Galena, Ill. (tie), 14. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (tie), 16. Auckland, New Zealand (tie), 16. Savannah, Ga. (tie), 18. Edinburgh, Scotland, 20. Asheville, N.C. (tie), 20. Cork, Ireland (tie)

Visitors are encouraged to call the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau toll-free at 1.877.464.2536 or explore www.galena.org for information on attractions, lodging, dining, shopping, events and more in the Galena area.

B&B innkeepers present a weekend of interactive intrigue

GALENA, Ill. ? The Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of Galena (BBIG), tucked away in the scenic and hilly corner of northwest Illinois, will once again present their annual interactive Murder Mystery weekend! This two-day event takes place right in downtown Galena, with participants staying with the city's finest innkeepers. Galena features a wealth of historic 19th-century dwellings, in a variety of styles, that are now cozy B&Bs and inns.

Sleuths can delve into the mystery - "Phantom of the Masquerade Ball" on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23. "Phantom of the Masquerade Ball" swirls around the suspense of the Academy Awards Governor's Ball. At the center is Hearta Stone, a member of the "royal family" of show business. Hearta has just lost her 19th bid for Best Actress and has vowed revenge while her husband, Brutus "Brut" Stone made Hollywood history by winning his third consecutive Best Actor statuette! And their sons, Dustin and Cliff (a.k.a. the "Bad Boys of Los Angeles" and weekly front-page fodder for the tabloids) have promised to make this a "night to remember..." Active parts are available for those who want to unleash their acting talents. Costumes are entirely optional, but definitely add to the entertainment. The show is facilitated by professional actors who keep the action moving and provide lots of laughs along the way.

Tickets are priced at $72.50 per person, plus the cost of lodging, and include a Friday night reception with live music and a three-course dinner theater, with cash bar, in the courtyard of the historic DeSoto House Hotel on Galena's historic Main Street on Saturday night. Visitors can choose between the following BBIG members: Aldrich Guest House, Annie Wiggins Guest House, Avery Guest House, Belle Aire Mansion Guest House, Cloran Mansion & Antonio's Cottage, Farmers' Guest House, Galena Log Cabin Getaway, Hawk Valley Retreat & Cottages, Hellman Guest House, Ryan Mansion Bed & Breakfast or The Steamboat House.

Tickets are limited to 100 participants. They may be purchased from any one of the aforementioned lodging properties. The Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Galena represent a not-for-profit group of select innkeepers with the common goal of providing their guests with the very finest travel experience. For more information, please visit bestofgalena.com. For information about room availability, shopping, dining, attractions, events and more, please go to galena.org, the Web site of the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, or call 877.464.2536 toll-free.

Festive dance and enticements top off this annual holiday celebration

GALENA, Ill. - This year's annual Mistletoe Ball will be bittersweet, as it will be the last of a grand tradition begun 31 years ago. Sponsored by the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society, the Saturday, December 1 event will feature a dessert and dance at historic Turner Hall from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

"The Mistletoe Ball has seen many evolutions over the years," said Nancy Breed, executive director of the Historical Society. "Recent year's full orchestra, catered dinner events have seen a decline in attendance, so the committee decided it was time to bid a fond farewell to an old friend. December is always a difficult time to hold an event due to weather concerns. We are looking at some exciting new ideas for a more inclusive event next summer."

As this year's event does not include dinner, ball-goers are encouraged dine at one of several fine Galena restaurants which are partnering with the event: Fried Green Tomatoes and the Log Cabin (both offering a free shuttle to Turner Hall), One Eleven Main, Vinny Vanucchi's and the Goldmoor Inn. Or you can park near the Old Train Depot and catch the free shuttle from there.

The popular Fever River String Band will have the honor of playing the last Mistletoe dance, filling the seasonally-decorated hall with a mix of contemporary and period dance music.

Scrumptious holiday desserts catered by Fried Green Tomatoes will be a welcome interlude to dancing. A cash bar will be available including a specialty concoction entitled 'A Very Merry Martini.'

A live auction of several high-value items will create excitement during the festive evening. Wonderful offering such as a two-day Mississippi River Cruise on the Twilight and a gourmet Scandinavian dinner for eight are sure to be hotly contested. Absentee bids will be accepted at the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum, 211 S. Bench St., Galena, until Noon on December 1.

Two 40-minute sessions of period dance during the Ball will be aided by an optional afternoon dance lesson. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., also at Turner Hall, professional dance masters John and Elaine Masciale will provide instruction for simple dances that will be used during the Ball. Ball ticket holders will be charged $2 per person for the class; $5 to the public. No reservations are necessary for the afternoon instruction.

Tickets for the Mistletoe Ball dessert and dance are $35 per person and may be purchased on a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover by calling 815.777.9129, or by sending a check payable to the Galena Historical Society at 211 S. Bench St., Galena, IL 61036. Period dress and holiday attire are both appropriate. Reservations are encouraged.

For more details about the elegant grand finale of the Mistletoe Ball hosted by the Galena - Jo Daviess County Historical Society, visit www.galenahistorymuseum.org or call 815.777.9129.  Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.galena.org or by calling 877.464.2536. While in town, visit the CVB's Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center at 101 Bouthillier St. (corner of Park Avenue) for on-site assistance and countywide information.