Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s state parks. During September, a variety of events are planned for those interested in history, conservation, nature, and just having a good time. Here are several examples:
Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson is September 3-4
Visit Fort Atkinson State Historic Park for Living History Weekend on September 3-4 and watch re-enactors portray life in an 1820s military fort.
Activities take place from 10 am to 4:30 pm both days. They include military activity, highlander encampment, laundresses, blacksmithing, tinsmithing, spinning/weaving, cooperage, and more.
Visit the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov to see the full schedule.
A valid Nebraska park entrance permit is required. A per person fee is required at the Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center of $2 per adult and $1 per child. For more information, contact the park at [email protected] or 402-468-5611.
Enders Reservoir BioBlitz scheduled for September 3-4
Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area is hosting a BioBlitz on September 3-4 for people of all ages.
Participants will help set up bat nets and traps for reptiles, amphibians and mammals on September 3. The next day, they will learn more about captured and released animals.
Biologists will search for wildlife such as frogs, snakes, fish, aquatic invasive species, birds, bats, and other small mammals. Find the full calendar in the events listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
The event is free, but a vehicle parking permit is required. They can be purchased at the park the day of the event or online at OutdoorNebraska.org.
Merritt Reservoir SRA to Host Full Harvest Moon Hike
The Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will host the Full Harvest Moon Hike on September 10.
Explore the seasonal changes associated with this moon on a guided hike from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm Get ready for a half-mile hike over rough terrain. Participants should dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a flashlight and bug spray. Meet at the Snake River Refuge.
This program is free, but a car park entry permit is required.
Mahoney State Park to host Nebraska Star Party on September 16
Come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park on September 16 for some stargazing fun at the Nebraska Star Party.
Powerful telescopes will be installed in the park’s golf shack so the public can catch a glimpse of the spectacular night skies from 9 to 11:30 pm Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring camp chairs or blankets.
The event is free but a car park entry permit is required.
Chadron State Park will host BioBlitz September 9-10
Join natural resource experts and community volunteers as they discover the biodiversity of Chadron State Park during the BioBlitz September 9-10.
A BioBlitz is a 24-hour inventory of all species in a specific area. This free event is designed for the whole family. A car park entry permit is required.
Find the tentative schedule and required registration form in the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
Table Creek Rendezvous returns to Arbor Lodge
Experience history alive when the annual Table Creek Rendezvous hits the grounds of the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park on September 24-25 for a Man of the Mountain-era encampment.
Enjoy demonstrations in blacksmithing, fabric dyeing and printing, beadwork, stiff heddle weaving, leathercraft, dutch oven firing, fire building, hides and skulls, and more.
Call Arbor Lodge at 402-873-7222 for more information. Admission to the mansion is $9 for adults, $7 for ages 3-12. Demo hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Niobrara State Park will host Buffalo Cookout and program
Niobrara State Park will host a Buffalo Cookout with a Nebraska Humanities Program on September 3.
The event is at the Buffalo Cookout Pavilion, with lunch at 6 pm and the show, “Bad Man in a Better Place: Jesse James in Nebraska,” to follow.
Reservations must be made before noon on September 3. Prices are $15 for ages 13 and up and $12 for ages 12 and up. Call 402-857-3373 for reservations.
A car park entry permit is required.
twoNorth Dakota Ash Hollow Annual Gathering scheduled for September 9-11
The second annual Ash Hollow Gathering will be September 9-11 at Ash Hollow State Historic Park.
The public can participate, but must be dressed in pre-1840 clothing and have pre-1840-style knives, longbows, or tomahawks. They can also walk through the campground to see demonstrations on wooden utensil making, dutch oven firing, placement of traps, assembly and disassembly of tipis, representation of characters, leather work and beads.
There will be competitions such as black powder shooting and knife hawking (tomahawk and knife throwing) and archery.
Admission is free with a vehicle park entry permit. For more information or to become a participant, call 308-778-7708.