The Tifton Heritage Foundation is presenting its annual Candlelight Tour of Homes at 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. Tickets for the tour are $10.

Two bonus options are available this year: a dinner at Three Graces for $10 apiece and a horse and carriage ride to visit the homes along the tour, also for $10 a person. Up to four people may ride in a carriage with three carriages circulating during the tour.

Dinner and carriage ride reservations must be made by Monday, Nov. 30, by calling or visiting Three Graces at the Lankford Manor, 401 Love Ave., (229) 238-2534, during business hours, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Tickets for the Tour of Homes may be purchased at Three Graces at the Lankford; Between Friends and Giggles Cafe’, 219 Main St., 382-7997; The Floor Shoppe -- Glynn Hendricks Interiors, 1010 Love Ave., 382-3683; and Kate Hill Cottage, 122 E. Second St., 238-2533. Tickets may also be ordered through the mail to be picked up the night of the tour at the Tifton Museum by sending a check for $10 apiece to the Tifton Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 7076, Tifton GA 31793.

Along with purchased tickets, tour goers receive a map of the tour route and the history and description of each house along the tour. Tickets may be purchased the night of the event at the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage.

Ticket holders may start the tour at any home in any particular order. The homes on the tour include: the Home of Rusty and Judy Simpson, 1020 College Ave.; the Home of Larry Creamer and Mrs. Lila Creamer, 809 College Ave.; and the newly remodeled Residence owned by Jeremy Hobbs and Mike Hobbs, 609 Ridge Ave.

In addition to the homes, the tour includes a preview of the Tift Council of Garden Clubs Hall of Trees, the Georgia Agrirama Foundation Festival of Wreaths and Trees, and the Exchange Club Gingerbread House Display in the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage, 255 Love Avenue.

“We have listened to the wishes of people who have enjoyed Tifton Heritage Foundation’s annual tour in past years and made a few changes to meet their requests,” said Darlene Pilcher, THF president. “We’re slowing the tour down so you may relax and savor your time on the tour, greet friends, listen to music, taste a hot beverage and experience the slower pace of decades past.

“At each home, you will hear details about the architecture, changes made throughout the years, as well as stories about the home and its former owners,” Mrs. Pilcher said. “Hopefully, history will come to life a little as you meander through a residence which has been prepared especially to make your evening enjoyable.”

For more information on the Tour of Homes, contact Darlene Pilcher at 386-8392, or email tiftonhf@gmail.com.