PENFIELD – 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 12th annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Float on Oct. 14.
People are invited to make plans now to come out and help celebrate the traditions of fall.
From 12 p.m. until 5 p.m., people can check out educational and traditional activities, such as apple cidering, bannock bread making, butter making, natural dyes, flint knapping, leaf art, interpretive stations, pumpkin carving, blacksmithing, the camp cook and pioneer games.
Several vendors, artists and craftspeople will also be on hand to showcase and sell their wares throughout the afternoon. The concession stand will also be open during the event for festival-goers to purchase many delicious items.
At 4:45 p.m., there will be a costume parade for children, children at heart, and pets, through the festival area. Anyone wishing to participate in the parade should meet near Pavilion 1 between 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. (look for Smokey Bear).
Following the costume parade, there will be a Trunk-or-Treat period in the parking area near the park office until 6 p.m.
Any campers or day visitors who wish to provide treats are asked to park in the designated Trunk-or-Treat area prior to 4:45 p.m. and be at their vehicle by 5 p.m.
There will not be trick-or-treating in the campground or cabin areas.
The evening activities start at 6:30 p.m. when the beach bonfire will begin; please bring along a lawn chair or blanket.
The pumpkin float will take place at 7 p.m., when the lighted jack-o-lanterns are set adrift on the lake (please have any participating jack-o-lanterns on the beach house wall by 6:45 p.m.).
Then, 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,” says park staff.
