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JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 28, 2024 – Summer is here and there’s a lot to do at Missouri state parks and historic sites in northeast Missouri this July.

  • Friday, July 5, 9-11 p.m.: Dark Sky Program at Thousand Hills State Park
    Thousand Hills State Park is hosting a dark sky program. Join the park team, along with Truman State University faculty, at the park’s Point Shelter to explore the stars and sky above you. Telescopes will be set up, but participants are welcome to bring their own, along with chairs, blankets and binoculars. Thousand Hills State Park is located at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville.
     
  • Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7: Christmas in July at Crowder State Park
    Starting Friday, July 5, campers will transform their campsite into a Christmas wonderland for a chance to win fun prizes.

    Saturday’s schedule of events:
    • 10 a.m. – Christmas photo scavenger hunt
      Wear your Christmas shirt or other apparel for a race through the campground to see who can find all the Christmas items first!

    • Noon – Christmas craft
      Join park team members at the campground showerhouse to make Christmas crafts.

    • Noon – Campsite judging
      Judges will anonymously go through the campground and decide on winners. However, Facebook viewers will also be allowed to vote for their favorite decorated site.

    • 3 p.m. – Christmas games
      Meet at the campground amphitheater for fun games.

    • 6:30 p.m. – Christmas trivia
      Campsite decorating contest winners will be announced prior to this trivia contest. Participants can enjoy Christmas treats during the contest.

On Sunday, July 7, campers will pack up their decorations and head back home. Crowder State Park is located at 76 NW Highway 128 in Trenton.

  • Friday, July 12 at 7 p.m.: Reptile Program at Thousand Hills State Park
    Learn why reptiles are important and which ones can be found at the park. You may even meet some live animals. This free program takes place at the amphitheater in Campground 1. Registration is not required and you do not have to be a camper in order to attend. Thousand Hills State Park is located at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville.

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.

Upper L: child/woman with telescope. Upper R: dark sky-light at horizon. Lower R: man at telescope, woman in background. Bottom L: people at dusk.

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