Mistletoe State Park has events ready
Mistletoe State Park will hold two events Saturday that will appeal to a large segment of Columbia County's population.
Outsmarting Murphy will take place at the amphitheater at 11 a.m. Sheryl Silva, who has led the event for the past two years at Mistletoe and has led it at Elijah Clark State Park, will direct this year's event, according to volunteer Marilyn Grau.
Murphy's Law says that what can go wrong will go wrong. This event is aimed at campers who are hoping to overcome such obstacles as:
What if your matches are wet? What if your can opener breaks? What if you forgot the frying pan?
"She'll show you how to fashion (a frying pan) from a tree branch with a Y-shaped end," Grau said. "She makes fire starters using dryer lint, and everybody gets one to take home."
The Fall Family Festival, the park's most popular event, will be held that day from 5 to 10 p.m. Everyone should meet at the beach house area.
"I believe it's the 10th year we've done this," said Brenda Betross, a park staff member.
Bob Linfenmayer, who is known as "the singing storyteller," will make an appearance and tell some stories. The TDC (Tim, Doug and Carol) band will play country, bluegrass and easy-listening music from 5 to 9:30 p.m.
A quarter-mile, ranger-led night hike will focus on animals, such as bats and owls, that come out at night.
A haunted shelter with 12 themes also will be an attraction.
"(It's) like a haunted house, but in a shelter," Betross said.
There will be a campsite-decorating contest. First prize is a free four-night camp at the park. Second prize is three free nights camping, and third prize is two free nights camping at the park.
Concessions will include hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, boiled peanuts and drinks. There will be a pumpkin scavenger hunt with four stations and apple bobbing and marshmallow roasting.
Outsmarting Murphy is a free event. The Fall Family Festival is $7 per car. Both events will require a $3 park pass. For more information concerning either event, call (706) 541-0321.