Schedule released for Pike Lake SP summer activities and special events

For those who enjoy a day in the woods listening to a variety of music, the 23rd annual Pike Lake State Park Appalachian Music Fest is scheduled for Saturday, June 22.

Prior to the start of the music, there will be a dedication for a new historical marker at the graveside of the unknown Union Soldier with a cannon salute by Union Volunteers at 10:30 a.m.

The John Cooper Memorial Amphitheater is the site for those coming to listen to the various acts, beginning at noon and continuing until approximately 8 p.m. The tentative schedule is as follows and is subject to change.

23rd Annual Appalachian Music Fest Schedule:

12 p.m. — Little Hollow (folk and oldies)

1 p.m. — Smokey Hollow Boys (classic old-time Bluegrass)

2 p.m. — Pine Creek (classic old-time Bluegrass)

3 p.m. — Pike Pickers (gospel and gospel Bluegrass)

4 p.m. — Breitenbach Family (classic Bluegrass and gospel)

5 p.m. — Malcomb Dewey (Bluegrass and oldies)

6 p.m. — Sodbusters (oldies and folk)

7 p.m. — Mothman Band (rock and oldies)

Additionally, there will be an old-fashioned ice cream social at the amphitheater from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the music festival in celebration of the 75th anniversary of ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) and Ohio State Parks.

A food truck, “All Fired Up”, will be available as well.

All regularly scheduled programs conducted by Pike Lake State Park Naturalist Matt Minter that day will be preempted by the Appalachian Music Fest. The same will be done Saturday, July 13, which is the day of the annual Railroad Rendezvous.

With the arrival of the summer months of June, July and August, weekly Pike Lake State Park Naturalist programs will be conducted.

All programs are subject to change. Children must be accompanied by an adult to all programs. Notify the naturalist if any special accommodations are needed for your participation.

Minter will be offering programs five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, throughout the months of June, July and August. The Pike Lake State Park Nature Center is open daily from 4 to 8 p.m. on those days, although it is closed during some programs. Visitors are welcome to check out the new displays and animals inside.

The following sections include the schedule for each day. All events are at Pike Lake State Park except for Saturday morning kayaking at Lake White State Park.

TUESDAY:

4:00 p.m. — Snake Tales - Come down to the Nature Center for facts and folklore about snakes.

7:00 p.m. — Pioneer and Native American Survival Secrets - Meet at the Nature Center and learn some really coo/ survival techniques.

9:00 p.m. — “Tales from Pike’s Past” - Meet at the Amphitheater and hear a real old-time storyteller weave his tales.

WEDNESDAY:

4:00 p.m. — Archery 101 - Meet at the Nature Center for some basic instructions followed by some shooting time. Participants need to pull a 15 to 20 lb. bow. Recommended for children over 7 years of age.

7:00 p.m. — Kayaking - Meet at the Nature Center to be fitted for your life jacket, then we will go to the lake. Recommended for children 7 or older, participants should be able to swim. Groups limited to 6 people at a time, but I can take multiple groups.

9:00 p.m. — Night Hike - Meet at the Nature Center for an extraordinary night-time experience. Please, no flashlights or lite-up shoes.

10:00 p.m. — Astronomy - Meet on the dam across from the store for a guided tour of the heavens.

THURSDAY:

4:00 p.m. — Air Rifles - Meet at the Nature Center for some safety pointers and then some “range time”.

6:30 p.m. — “Folklore Hike” - Meet at the Nature Center for an interesting hike featuring local folklore about the forest and the things that live in it.

8:00 p.m. — “Crepuscular Canoeing” - Meet by the boat docks and take a leisurely canoe trip as the shadows lengthen and evening wildlife starts to stir. Space is limited to 6 at a time.

FRIDAY:

7:00 pm. — What lurks in the lake? - Meet at the Nature Center, we will take nets and find out.

SATURDAY:

10:00 a.m. — Kayaking at Lake White State Park - Meet by the boat ramp, where we will explore this 300 acre lake. Limit 6 people at a time.

Back at Pike Lake:

4:00 p.m. — Archery 101 - Meet at the Nature Center for some basic instructions followed some shooting time. Participants need to be able to pull a 15 lb. bow. Recommended for children over 7 years old.

7:00 p.m. — Kayaking at Pike Lake - Meet at the Nature Center to be fitted for your life jacket followed by a trip around the lake. Recommended for children over 7 years of age, participants should know how to swim. Groups limited to 6 people at a time.

All programs are subject to change. Notify the naturalist if special accommodations are needed for your participation. Children must accompanied by an adult to all program.

Outdoor recreation programs and activities can be inherently dangerous. Participants accept and acknowledge that any injury or property damage that occurs during a program or activity is not the responsibility of ODNR or its naturalist educators.

Naturalist Matt Minter can be reached by email at matthew.minter@dnr.ohio.gov or at the park by phone at (740) 493-2212.