Michigan state parks celebrate fall with harvest festivals

Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 2, 2014

 

Contact: Elissa Dennert, 989-313-0000 or Ed Golder, 517-284-5815


Michigan state parks celebrate fall with harvest festivals 

 

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. These events feature fall-themed, family-oriented activities such as pumpkin carving, costume contests, trick-or-treating and much more. Each park puts its own personal spin on the celebrations, so no two events are exactly the same.

Below are just a few upcoming harvest festivals that may still have camping availability. Events marked with an asterisk (*) are for registered campers only:

Sept. 12-13

• Baraga State Park – nature programs, games, face painting, trick-or-treating, costume contests (limited camping availability)

 Sept. 20 

• Fort Wilkins Historic State Park - campsite decorating, trick-or-treating, geocaching and food

 Sept. 26-27

• Proud Lake Recreation Area* - hay rides, games, campsite decorating, trick-or-treating and more 
• Wells State Park* - a variety of Halloween-themed activities, including pumpkin painting, horse-drawn carriage rides
  

 Sept. 26-28

• Seven Lakes State Park* - trick-or-treating, games, campsite decorating and prizes 
  

 Sept. 27 

• Bay City State Recreation Area* - campsite decorating, games and fun
• Bay City State Recreation Area - trick-or-treating at the day-use area
• Leelanau State Park - a farmers market, pancake breakfast, lunch, fresh apple cider, interactive demonstrations and games
• North Higgins Lake State Park - fall festival activities will begin at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day
• Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park - pumpkin-lit trail open to the public for self-guided hikes

Sept. 27-28

• Brimley State Park* - a haunted house and many more seasonal activities (only the haunted house is open to non-campers)

Oct. 3-4 

• Proud Lake Recreation Area* - hay rides, games, campsite decorating, trick-or-treating and more seasonal fun
• South Higgins Lake State Park - hay ride, haunted forest, costume ball, campsite decorating

Oct. 3-5 

• Holland State Park* - campsite decorating, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, games and crafts (limited camping availability)
• Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park - live music, costume contest, trick-or-treating and haunted headquarters
• Lakeport State Park* - campsite decorating contest, costume contest, trick-or-treating
• Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area* - pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, costume parade, trick-or-treating
• Otsego Lake State Park* - campsite decorating contest, pumpkin painting, face and fingernail painting, T-shirt craft
  
• Seven Lakes State Park* - trick-or-treating, games, campsite decorating
• Sleeper State Park* - arts and crafts, costume parade, pumpkin chucking, trick-or-treating, campsite decoration contest

Oct. 4

• Bay City State Recreation Area* - campsite decorating, games  
• Bay City State Recreation Area - trick-or-treating at the day-use area 
• Fayette Historic State Park - hay rides, Halloween-style fun, campsite decorating and kids' activities that adults will enjoy too 
• Hartwick Pines State Park* - campsite decorating, trick-or-treating for the kids, hay rides  
• Wilson State Park* - pumpkin carving, hay rides, and trick-or-treating 

Oct. 4-5

• Aloha State Park - kids' activities, trick-or-treating, chili cook-off and site decorating, sponsored by Fernelius Auto Group
• Brimley State Park* - a haunted house and many more seasonal activities (only the haunted house is open to non-campers)

 
For information about a specific event, please visit the online Calendar of Events or contact the park directly. To see a full list of fall harvest festivals, visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors, and select “Harvests and Haunts."

Most harvest festival activities are free for registered campers, and some are open to the public, but a Recreation Passport is required, and camping fees apply. To check camping availability and make a reservation, visit www.midnrreservations.com or call 1-800-447-2757.

A Recreation Passport is required for any motor vehicle entering a Michigan state park, boat launch, state forest campground or nonmotorized state trailhead parking. Residents can purchase the Passport for just $11 ($5 for motorcycles) at the time of Michigan license plate renewal through Secretary of State. Forgot to check “YES” during renewal? Residents and nonresidents can purchase a Recreation Passport window sticker during regular business hours at state parks. Learn more about how the Recreation Passport supports state parks and local outdoor recreation opportunities at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

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