PARKS CALENDAR

December 1, 2009 12:35 am

LEISURE CLASSES

American Red Cross Baby-sitter Training Course: Dec. 19, for ages 11-15. Registration deadline Dec. 11. Fee: $50.

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

Young Chef's Academy Christmas Around the World: Dec. 14. Registration deadline Friday. Make brown sugar cookies, German stollen, French holiday truffles and Italian biscotti. Fee: $35 for residents, $45 nonresidents.

FITNESS

Holiday Meltdown Zumba: Dec. 23, 28 and 30 for ages 16 and older. Registration deadline Dec. 11. A fun-filled hour of calorie-burning Latin-infused dance choreography. Fee: $15 or $8 per class.

Holiday Meltdown Boot Camp: Dec. 23, 28 and 30, for ages 16 and older. Registration deadline Dec. 11. Work off extra cookies and extra stress with cardio drills and strength-training exercises. Fee: $15 or $8 per class.

TRIPS

New York City: Dec. 12. Meet the bus at the Loriella Park swimming-pool parking lot at 4 a.m. Bus returns the next day around 1:30 a.m. Registration deadline Friday. Fee: $65 per person; does not include meals.

Charles Town Races and Slots: Jan. 23. Meet the bus at the Loriella Park swimming-pool parking lot at 10:30 a.m. Registration deadline Jan. 15. Fee: $30; meals not included.

SPECIAL EVENTS

32nd annual Holiday Parade: Saturday at 2 p.m. Bands, floats, antique cars, fire trucks, majorettes, horses and more can participate for free. Parade route runs from Spotsylvania Middle School to Spotsylvania Courthouse. State Route 208 is closed to traffic from 1:45 p.m. until the parade ends. Rain date is Dec. 12.

Santa's Helpers: Santa's helpers will call children Dec. 9-10, 6:-7:30 p.m. Registration is under way, and is limited to 50 children, ages 3-6, Spotsylvania residents only. Registration deadline Friday. Fee: $3 per child.

To reach the Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation Department, call 540/507-7529.