PENFIELD – The following interpretive programs have been announced for Oct. 19-21 at the Parker Dam State park.
S.B. Elliott History Tour
4 p.m. – S.B. Elliott State Park Office
Although now it’s just a quiet spot to relax, S.B. Elliott State Park was once a vacation hot spot. Learn about the visitors’ cabins, the restaurant, and even the band shell, where many folks were entertained in years past. The park’s early history is an interesting look into the past.
Fishers:
7 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Like many wildlife present in Penn’s Woods during the settlement of Pennsylvania, the fisher was not regarded with the respect that it deserved – and was extirpated. Now they are back, and you can learn more about this often misunderstood creature and it habits, as it works to become re-established throughout the Commonwealth’s forests.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Seventh Annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Float
1 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Park Day Use Area
Autumn is in full swing, and for many, this is their favorite time of the year. Some enjoy the cooler weather. Others venture out to see nature’s brilliant leaf displays. Still more look forward to fresh apple cider and other treats normally enjoyed during the fall and harvest season. These experiences and more will be available at Parker Dam State Park’s Seventh Annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Float, Saturday, Oct. 20. Make plans now to come out and help us celebrate the traditions of fall.
From 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., be sure to check out traditional activities, such as Apple Cidering, Candle Dipping, Bannock and Butter, Natural Dyes, Leaf Art and Pioneer Games. Throughout the afternoon, there will also be other educational programming on topics such as Hide Tanning, Primitive Fire, and Bats, Snakes, and Spiders. Several local vendors, artists, and craftspeople will also be on hand to showcase and sell their wares throughout the afternoon.
The concession stand will be open during the festival until early evening for festival goers to purchase many delicious items. At 4 p.m., the Friends of Parker Dam State Park will be organizing a costume parade for children, children at heart, and leashed pets. Anyone wishing to participate in the parade should meet near the ball field shortly before 4 p.m. The parade will travel through the festival area.
Following the parade there will be a trick-or-treat in the campground and cabin areas until 6 p.m. Overnight visitors in the campground and cabin areas will be given a special tag to place on their site post or cabin door if they are participating in the trick-or-treat.
The evening activities start at 5 p.m. with pumpkin carving (a very limited number of pumpkins will be available for a donation to the Friends of Parker Dam organization or bring your own), and at 6:30 p.m. our beach bonfire will begin- bring along a lawn chair. The Pumpkin Float will take place at 7 p.m., when we set the lighted jack-o-lanterns adrift on the lake. Then until 8 p.m., you can sit around the bonfire and listen to the tales of the storyteller, while the pumpkins, and with any luck- the stars- sparkle off the lake.
Parking will be available all day along Mud Run Road in the Day Use Area and also in the turf parking area below the Park Office. All activities are just a short walk into the Day Use Area near the Beach House and Pavilions 1 through 4. Admission, parking, and educational activities are free of charge. So bring the entire family along and enjoy a whole day’s worth of fun activities at the park. Make the Parker Dam State Park Fall Festival and Pumpkin Float one of your fall traditions.
Sunday, Oct. 21
North Park Loop Hike
4 p.m. – Lou and Helen Adams CCC Museum
There are very few things as relaxing as a quiet hike through the forest on an autumn day. Join us as we walk along the newly re-opened CCC Trail to the park’s northern border, then return to the Day-Use Area along the lovely Laurel Run Trail. There are places along the way where you will learn more about the history of the park. There will also be many spots to view part of PA’s forest beauty and the splendor of a beautiful mountain stream. Please wear appropriate shoes for a hiking trail.
You can keep up on what’s happening at the park by following “Parker Dam State Park” on Facebook; and, you can find more information about state park programs and special events by logging on to the Bureau of State Parks website at www.VisitPAParks.com and clicking on “Events Calendar.”
Access for People with Disabilities
If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:
888-PA-PARKS (voice)
717-558-2710 (local or international voice)
888-537-7294 (TTY)
717-558-2711 (local or international TTY)
711 (AT&T Relay Services)