PENFIELD – Staff members at the Parker Dam State Park have announced the schedule of programs for the month of September.
Friday, Sept. 2
The Civilian Conservation Corps:
8 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
This approximately 60-minute American Experience film interweaves rich archival imagery with the personal accounts of CCC veterans to tell the story of one of the boldest and most popular New Deal experiments.
Saturday, Sept. 3
Log Drive!:
3 p.m. – Beach
Bring your sand buckets to haul water for our scale-model log drive down the beach. We will demonstrate how logs were moved to the sawmills back before log trucks were around by using “Splash Dams” – Parker’s Dam was one of these. All ages welcome.
From Stump to Ship:
8 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
This vintage, 28-minute film from the 1930’s shows many of the skills that woodhicks and river drivers would have needed to move timber through Parker’s Dam, and the four other splash dams on Laurel Run.
Sunday, Sept. 4:
Annual Woodhick Games
Lumberjack Skills Demonstrations, PA Professional Lumberjack Organization
12 p.m. & 4 p.m. – Woodhick Games Field
Woodhicks possessed many specialized skills which were valuable in the forest. Their hard work and skills were put to the test each day as they faced one of the most dangerous jobs of their time. Today, the stakes aren’t quite as high, but the skill level is. Watch as members of the PA Professional Lumberjack Organization demonstrate their skills and explain how what they do relates to the lumbermen working in the forest.
2022 Woodhick Games:
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Woodhick Games Field
Register for free at the table in the grove above the Cabin Road (look for the banner—registration closes at 4 p.m.) so that you can participate in the Woodhick Games.
Then, test your traditional woodhick skills against other amateur woodhicks in six different events: log rollin’, cross-cut sawin’, seed spittin’, ’shoe pitchin’, doo-doo droppin’ and hatchet throwin’.
Best score will win you an event; best overall score in your division will give you the coveted title of Woodhick or Woodchick of the Year.
There is a junior division for those 12 and under. Note: If you win an individual event, or one of the Woodhick of the Year divisions, you must be at the Woodhick Awards program at 6 p.m. to receive your prize(s).
Arrival of Smokey Bear:
1 p.m. – Woodhick Games Field
Smokey Bear will be in the park for a while to greet the competitors, their families, and other park visitors. Be sure to say hello.
Woodhick Camp Demonstrations:
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Woodhick Games Field
Watch the blacksmith as he shows off his skills with iron. Other woodhicks will be demonstrating the skills used in the woods and along the waters. Look for the tools-of-the-time display and the camp cook’s tent, too.
Log Birling Demonstration:
5 p.m. – Lake Shore, below the Woodhick Games Field
When driving logs downriver, balance was a skill you must possess, or face deadly consequences. The stakes aren’t as high, but bragging rights are on the line when woodhicks face off in the sport of birling. Come watch and cheer them on.
2022 Woodhick Awards:
6 p.m. – Woodhick Games Field
The competitors have given it their all, now it’s time to reward them. The winners of each event will be awarded their prizes; however, winners must be present to receive their treasures. Then, we will crown the 2022 Woodhick, Woodchick, Junior Woodhick, and Junior Woodchick of the Year. Come and help congratulate all of the winners.
Friday, Sept. 9
PA Elk—Reclaiming the Alleghenies:
8 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
The original PA Elk video will be shown in its entirety – 85 minutes. Learn about how the elk of Pennsylvania got here, live here, and are once again part of our local ecosystem.
Saturday, Sept. 10
Mushroom Walk, Guest – Central PA Mushroom Club
1 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Come and learn about some of our PA mushrooms during this talk, and walk, with John Traister, a member of the Central PA Mushroom Club.
Fungi—PA’s Hidden Treasures:
8 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Want to learn more about the mushrooms you see in Pennsylvania? This informative video will help you begin to understand what is going on under the soil, and why fungi are truly “treasures”.
Thursday, Sept. 22
First Day of Autumn Hike:
10 a.m. – Spillway Bench, near CCC Museum
Join us as we hike to the Vista from the Trail of New Giants on the first day of Autumn. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water – and a camera for the view from the vista.
Saturday, Sept. 24, National Hunting and Fishing Day
Archery Basics Sampler: 1 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
Come and learn the basics of archery, then try some hands-on with our archery equipment. We have 15- and 25-pound recurves, 15- to 25-pound Genesis compounds, and 25-pound Daisy crossbows to try. Some smaller children may have difficulty pulling these bows. Parental supervision required. Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day by learning to shoot bow and arrow.
You can keep up on what is happening at the park by liking “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 Web site at www.VisitPAParks.com, and clicking on “Events” to reach the Calendar of Events site.