Posted by: thepinetree on 08/08/2013 12:40 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 08/08/2013 12:43 PM
Expires: 01/01/2018 12:00 AM
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Big Trees 25th Annual Family Day Celebration is Aug 17th
Calaveras Big Trees State Park -- The 25th annual Family Day Celebration -- a full day of events, displays and programs aimed at the entire family -- will be held Saturday Aug. 17th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the popular state park. Put on your walking shoes and plan to spend a day exploring one of California's best state parks. The event offers a chance to experience a beautiful scenery, with the addition of a numerous displays and events related to the park experience.
For 25 years Family Day has been held as a way of thanking the public for its support of the park's program, and to show first-time visitors the breadth of the park experience. Displays and programs are all free. Normal state park entrance fees apply.
The festival-like day includes more than 20 presentations and displays, including the popular "Wild Things" with live animals, horse-drawn carriage rides, guided walks among the giant trees, a butterfly release, a large display of reptiles, a Miwok Indian Display, crafts and face painting. Smokey the Bear will make an appearance, and families will have a chance to try the "Cocked Hat Bowling" game resurrected from the Gold Rush era.
The Mother Lode Brass Band will play on the Big Stump, and folk singer Linda Tringali will perform at Jack Knight Hall.
The Moose Lodge will provide a barbeque and ice cream and baked goods and ice cream will be available all day. A full schedule of events is attached.
Family Day is an annual presentation of the Calaveras Big Trees Association, the non-profit that supports educational and interpretive programs in the park throughout the year. All donations to CBTA and income from the park bookstore go back to the park to pay for seasonal interpreters, park interns and program support. CBTA raised more than $500,000 in donations in the past decade to support construction of the new Visitor Center in the park which will open this Fall. The non-profit is also helping pay for new educational videos and provides continuing support to educational efforts.
The park is located on Highway 4 just east of Arnold, at 4,800 feet elevation, and is home to two large groves of Giant Sequoia trees, two campgrounds, river and creekside picnic areas, and miles of hiking trails. Free guided hikes are offered daily at 1 p.m. throughout the peak summer months. Snow shoe hikes are provided free in the winter on Saturdays, and a cross country ski trail is available when conditions allow.
Events scheduled for the amphitheater include:
10 a.m. Meet the Ranger
10:30 a.m. Smokey the Bear
11 a.m. Birds of Prey
1 p.m. Miwok Presentation
1:30 p.m. Butterfly Release
2 p.m. Storyteller
2:30 p.m. Wild Things (Live animals)
Displays and activities include:
The Arnold Rim Trail
Cocked Hat Bowling
Face Painting
The Arts of Bear Valley
Crafts
Fire Truck
First Five
Fly Fishing
Miwok Indian Display
Logging Museum
Murphys' Old Timers Museum
Reptiles
Quilt Raffle
CBTA Information Booth and water supply station
Music will be provided from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by the Mother Lode Brass Band in the Big Stump area, and at 1 p.m. by Linda Tringali behind Jack Knight Hall.
Food will be sold by the Moose Lodge behind Jack Knight Hall, as well as ice cream and popcorn. Picnic tables are available.
Carriage Rides will be available for sign up near Jack Knight Hall for $3 per person. The rides usually sell out so make reservations early.
As part of a campaign by CBTA to educate the public and reduce plastic pollution inside the park, safe re-useable water bottles will be sold for $1 during the day at the information booth.
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