JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 26, 2023 – Join team members as they host a variety of fun fall events at Missouri’s state parks and historic sites.

  • Wednesdays, Oct. 4, 11 and 18: Community Fly Tying Demonstration at Bennett Spring State Park
    Join park volunteers Danny Goldsmith and Donald Ohler at 9 a.m. at the Bennett Spring Church of God annex building for a community fly tying demonstration. This program will provide instruction on tying a basic fishing fly and will give participants an opportunity to visit, share stories and see the art of fly tying. The demonstration is presented by the Friends of Bennett Spring State Park and is open to all ages. The church annex building is located directly across for the park office, behind the park restaurant at 26332 Highway 64A outside of Lebanon.
     
  • Friday, Oct. 6 – Sunday, Oct. 8: WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School at Roaring River
    State Park Plan to attend the 26th annual WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School. WOW teaches through hands-on learning experiences in an outdoor setting. Attracting a wide range of ages, interests and abilities, WOW Outdoor School is an affordable family outing with an educational experience. Knowledgeable instructors will lead courses on numerous outdoor activities throughout the park and at local venues. Classes introduce attendees to a variety of activities that may include caving, rappelling, canoeing, fly fishing, fly tying and fishing. Other activities may feature archery, primitive skills, camping, outdoors survival, Dutch oven cooking, nature crafts, outdoor photography, rock climbing and stargazing. The weekend programs are designed to teach families how to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation activities while practicing personal safety and outdoor responsibility. For more information on registration, call the WOW education office at 417-225-1162 or visit wondersofwildlife.org/education/wow-school. The event kicks off Friday at 1:30 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Roaring River State Park is located at 12716 Farm Road 2239 in Cassville.
     
  • Thursday, Oct. 12: Expressive Art at Bennett Spring State Park
    All ages are invited to join in the fun to express your love of nature and life through art. All materials are provided for this free program. Meet at the nature center at 10 a.m. at 26250 Highway 64A in Lebanon.
     
  • Spider hanging from web that fills a doorway.
    Friday, Oct. 13: Spider Web Wonders at Prairie State Park
    Have you seen what appears to be a diamond-studded web, glistening with dew in the morning sun and wondered where it came from, who made it and how? Come learn about the fascinating world of spiders and their webs from 10 a.m. to noon. Class size is limited to 35 and registration is required by Oct. 6. To register, call 417-843-6711. Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines.
     
  • Saturday, Oct. 14: Annular Solar Eclipse Watch Party at Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site
    Are you looking for a place to catch a glimpse of the upcoming annular solar eclipse? Well, look no further. Bring a blanket or chair and your fascination with astronomical events to the lawn of the Boone home. The moon will partially block the sun from 10:27 a.m. to 1:26 p.m., with maximum coverage at 11:53 a.m. The first 30 people will receive free viewing glasses. This is an informal come-and-go style event, open to everyone and reservations are not required. Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site is located at 7850 N. State Highway V in Ash Grove.
     
  • Sunday, Oct. 15 – Saturday, Oct. 21: “Missouri Every Day” Youth Art exhibit at Bennett Spring State Park
    To celebrate Missouri Day, which falls on Oct. 18 this year, Bennett Spring State Park will host artwork made by local students. Visit this special exhibit in the nature center during regular building hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. You will see how the students used art to interpret and reflect on various elements of the state of Missouri. Works will be of either Bennett Spring State Park or of other Missouri-related items inspired by the park. Check it out at 26250 Highway 64A in Lebanon.

For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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