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Sept. 1, 2016
Contact: Stephanie Yancer, 989-274-6182,
Fun events scheduled in eastern Michigan state parks as season transitions into fall
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites visitors to enjoy a variety of September events at state parks and recreation areas in eastern Michigan. All events are geared toward helping people better connect with and explore Michigan's great outdoors.
Visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors and click on Events Calendar to view events taking place throughout the year.
Highlights of upcoming events in September include: 
A hike in the woods at Seven Lakes State Park (Oakland County) Saturday, Sept. 3
Join other hikers for an easy interpretive hike in the woods from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will hike the campground trails with an excellent view of Dickinson Lake. Learn to identify and how to use plants, including edible varieties. Hikers are asked to wear closed-toe walking shoes, bring bottles of water and consider applying insect repellent prior to the hike, which will take about 1.5 hours or less. For more information, contact the park at 248-634-7271.
Run Woodstock at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County) Friday, Sept. 9 to Sunday, Sept. 11
It's time to hit the trails! Join fellow runners for a weekend of individual trail-running events and lots more, including a 5K, 13.1 mile, 26.2 mile, 50K, 100K, 100 mile and other fun runs and hikes. For more details, visit www.runwoodstock.com or www.rfevents.com.
History Hike at Maybury State Park (Wayne County) Saturday, Sept. 10
The monthly hike will take place from 10 to 11:00 a.m. This month, the focus will be on the history of Maybury State Park. Hikes are easy to moderate 1.5 to 3-mile hikes that begin at the trailhead shelter. All ages and abilities are welcome. The History Hike is sponsored by The Friends of Maybury. For more information and to learn about the 20th anniversary, visit www.FriendsOfMaybury.org.
Paddle-Pedal 2016 at Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston County) Saturday, Sept. 10
Join the Friends of Island Lake Recreation Area from noon to 4 p.m. for a paddling and pedaling day. On this day only, Heavners Canoe Rental will offer a four-person canoe for $20 or a kayak for $10. Reserve boats at Heavners Canoe Rental at 248-685-2379 or visit www.heavnercanoe.com. For additional information, visit www.islandlakefriends.org or contact the park at 810-229-7067.
Judged trail ride at Ortonville Recreation Area (Lapeer County) Saturday, Sept. 10
Join the competition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when participants will be judged during ride. This event is hosted by Ortonville Recreation Equestrian Association and is open to the public. Contact OREA at www.hadleyhills.com for fees and additional information.
Hunter Education Weekend at Harrisville State Park (Alcona County) Saturday, Sept. 10 to Sunday, Sept. 11
The 10th annual “Go Get Outdoors” program provides an opportunity for individuals to earn their Hunters Education and International Bow Education Program certificates. The weekend course offers both classroom and hands-on instruction on various hunting techniques. The classes will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Pre-registration is required by contacting the park at 989-724-5126.
Great Outdoors Jamboree at Lake Hudson Recreation Area (Lenawee County) Sunday, Sept. 11
Spend an exhilarating day in the great outdoors learning skills necessary to hunt, fish or enjoy just about any outdoor recreation pursuit. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., participants can learn about habitat and environmental projects and take part in a live chukar hunt. Bring a picnic and enjoy lunch by the lake, or purchase food from on-site vendors. Dress for the weather as the jamboree will be held rain or shine. This is a free event and made possible courtesy of the Michigan Pheasants Restorative Initiative, Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation and the DNR. For more information visit www.michiganpheasantsforever.org/youth
Fall family fishing tournament at Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area (Lapeer County) Saturday, Sept. 17
Join in on a day of fishing with the family on Lake Minnawanna from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. This family-friendly competition will have trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for the biggest fish caught. Age groups are 16 and under and 17 and older. Please bring your own equipment and bait, as it will not be provided. Participants are expected to follow all DNR fishing rules and regulations. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the red barn next to the lake. Please feel free to park at the campground store. For more information, contact the park at 810-797-4439.
Great Hollywoods Ace Race Disc Golf Challenge at Holly Recreation Area (Oakland County) Saturday, Sept. 17
Join the Flint Town Flyerz Disc Golf Club as they host the Great Hollywoods Ace Race. Bring one disc out and play a round. For more information, visit www.discgolfscene.com/clubs/flint_town_flyerz.
Recreation 101: introduction to birding at Seven Lakes State Park (Oakland County) Saturday, Sept. 17
Fall migration will soon be upon us and now is a great time to learn about the many beautiful birds that will be passing through. Join birding expert and ornithologist Juliet Berger to learn about basic bird identification, equipment, techniques and the best times and locations to find birds. This event is free to the public, and all ages are welcome. Some binoculars will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Meet at the Dickinson shelter from 6 to 8 p.m. The program is open to all ages and abilities. For more details, contact the park at 248-634-7271.
Yoga Out Yonder at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County) Saturday, Sept. 24
Join in on this hiking and yoga class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will enjoy a guided hike on the Waterloo Recreation Area trails combined with breaks for yoga postures. The yoga hikes begin and end at the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center lake overlook deck. Cost for the class is $20 per session. Class dates are Sept. 24, Oct. 8 and Oct. 22. Participants must be adults or ages 13 and up and be able to hike for approximately 45 minutes. Beginners are welcome. For more information, contact Breathe Yoga at 734-680-9072.
Dances With Dirt at Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County) Saturday, Sept. 24
It's Dances with Dirt time! Run the trails in this five-person 100K trail relay run. Individual events are also available. To register, visit www.dwdhell.com or www.rfevents.com.
Hovercraft races at Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County) Saturday, Sept. 24 to Sunday, Sept 25
Come join this thrilling day of sanctioned racing at Chilson Pond. Hovercraft will compete in seven different classes to determine who will become the National Hovercraft Champions in 2016. Sanctioned racing heats take place Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and drag racing will take place Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. followed by a 25-lap open formula race. For more information, contact Les Melkvik at 248-437-4281.
Harvests and Haunts events
As temperatures begin to cool down and summer camping transitions into fall camping, more than 30 Michigan state parks and recreation areas are preparing their fall harvest festivals. Hay rides, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, costume contests, haunted trails, cider and donuts, nature programs and horse-drawn carriage rides are just a few of the many family-friendly activities taking place throughout the state during the months of September and October. Each park puts its own personal spin on the celebrations, so no two events are exactly the same. For details, visit www.michigan.gov/harvestsandhaunts.
For more information about these and other events visit the DNR online calendar of events at www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors, call individual parks, or contact Stephanie Yancer at yancers@michigan.gov or 989-274-6182.
Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.
To check camping availability in state parks and make a reservation, please visit www.midnrreservations.com or call 800-44PARKS (800-447-2757).
Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
/Editors' note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. A suggested caption follows.
Birding.jpg: A number of events will take place in Michigan state parks and recreation areas in September, including an introduction to birding class at Seven Lakes State Park. Visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors to view a full calendar of events taking place across the state.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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