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Events William O’Brien Park has numerous events, programs and instructional classes through out the year. Each item is listed in chronological order, but take notice, some events occur in multiple months and days. The item is listed in order by the first occurrence.
We will endeavor to be as accurate as possible, and will make changes as the need arise.
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Please Mark Your Calendar!! |
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St.Croix Valley Youth Ski League January 1 to February 19, 2012, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm William O'Brien State Park will be a host site for the St. Croix Valley Youth Ski League. Skiers between the ages of 3 to 13 years of age, and all ability levels with their parents, are encouraged to join. The Valley Ski League is a volunteer organization that offers children and their parents the opportunity to learn, develop and enjoy cross-country skiing skills together. The membership fee is $25.00 per child and they must have their own ski equipment. They will meet every Sunday for 8 weeks in all weather conditions at the William O Brien Visitor Center. For more information contact John Dybvig at 651-439-1860 or john_dybvig@yahoo.com
The 41st. Annual Marine/O’Brien Cross-Country Ski Race January 29, 2012, 10:30am Join us on this exciting race day in the park. Participate or watch, it will be a fun day you do not want to miss. The adult races start at 10:30 a.m. with registration starting at 9:00am. The children's races start at 1:00 p.m. with registration starting at 11:00 a.m. With many age classes in classical or skate skiing, all abilities are welcome to participate.
Bluebird Workshop March 17, 2012, 1-3 pm at the Visitor Center Come and learn about the beautiful Eastern Bluebird as Richard Hjort, an expert on bluebirds, takes you through the fascinating world of the Eastern Bluebird. Find out how you can bring bluebirds back to your backyard and how you can establish your own bluebird trail. Construction plans to build your own bluebird nestbox will be available after the program. The Friend's Group of William O'Brien State Park will also be selling bluebird nestbox kits. The kits are $15.00 a piece and members will be on hand to help you assemble your bluebird nestbox. Bring a hammer if you are going to build a nestbox. There are a limited number of kits available, so please call the park to reserve your kit.
Spring Turkey Hunting Clinic March 24, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center Learn tips and techniques to hunt this elusive bird. Topics include; Spring hunting methods, camouflage,and identification of legal birds, archery hunting, equipment, safety and turkey calling. Class is conducted by DNR certified instructors. There is a $5.00 fee for the class. Contact John Medina at 612-965-9873 for more information and to sign-up.
**Geocaching 101 April 21, May 12, June 16, July 21, August 11 & October 13, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center! Join Andy McCracken, expert geocacher, and discover the fascinating challenge of geocaching and how you can use it to explore Minnesota State Parks' hidden treasures. You will learn how to use a GPS unit, and then head out in the park to find some specially placed caches. A limited number of GPS units will be available for this modern-day treasure hunt. So please call the park office to sign up.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star May 26, June 30, 9:00 p.m. & September 8, 8:00 p.m. Join amateur astronomer, Kenny Bahmer, as he takes you on a tour of the night sky. We will start indoors with a program on the evening skies and then head outside to view some of these evening delights through a telescope. If it is cloudy, there will still be the indoor program. Meet at the Visitor Center.
**Antique Train Ride May 27, July 8 & September 2, 10:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Join us on the rails as we take an antique train ride. After a mile walk out to the train tracks, a naturalist and a train conductor will rove the train cars and take you on a tour of the history and landscapes of the St. Croix Valley. Learn some of the natural and cultural features of the St. Croix Valley and early history of the train era in the valley. At Osceola, Wisconsin, you can hop off the train to do lunch or antiquing or continue on the train to Dresser, Wisconsin. The train turns around at Dresser, makes another brief stop at Osceola, and will then bring you back to the park. So bring snacks or a lunch if you plan to stay on the train. The day starts at the visitor center at 10:45am, when we will head out to the tracks. The train will drop you back at the park around 3:30pm. The cost is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids under 16, and children under 4 ride free. So join us for this fun, unique experience on the rails.
**Fly Fishing Workshop June 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The St. Croix River is a pristine place which harbors the elusive trout… Now is your time to try something new or add experience and knowledge on what you already know. Join National Park Ranger John Weinberg and individuals from the Fly Fishing Federation, Trout Unlimited and the St. Paul Fly Tiers, for a day of fly fishing at the park. Morning classes (9 a.m. to noon at the visitor center) consist of fundamentals, (history, lore and theory), equipment, and fly tying. The afternoon sessions (1 to 3 p.m. at the picnic grounds) consist of casting demonstrations, with hands-on instruction in small groups with an instructor as you learn how to cast. Bring your own equipment or it will be provided for your use. It is a fun informative day for everyone!
Kids Fishing Clinic June 16, August 25, 1 - 3 p.m. Join MinnAqua, Minnesota Aquatics, for a fantastic kids fishing program at the park. Through fun hands-on activities learn about the many different kinds of fish that are found here and their very unique adaptations. Learn knot tying, make a pop-can caster, and a flashy fish-catcher and then we will head to the fishing pier and see what we can catch! Equipment will be provided for your use. We will meet at the small picnic shelter in the picnic grounds.
**Going Green! June 23, 7:00 p.m. Join special presenter, Rob Bergh, as he explains from solar, wind, and other renewable resources how parks are trying to lower their carbon footprint. He will also highlight the solar panels on the visitor center roof and the solar array behind the park office. So come for this informative talk on how parks and you can go more Green!
I Can Paddle! June 24 & July 29, 10:00am – 12:00pm Looking for a fun new way to enjoy Minnesota's lakes and rivers? I Can Paddle workshops will help you and your family develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of paddling. You will get hands-on experience paddling some of the most scenic lakes and rivers in Minnesota, all under expert guidance. Plus, the program's small group sizes mean you will get the attention you need to become a paddling pro in no time. Canoes are limited, so please call the park office to reserve yours. We will meet south of the Lake Alice swimming beach.
**Picture This! Nature Photography Workshop! June 30 & August 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Join Carol Seefeldt, professional photographer and artist, as she helps you become the best nature photographer possible! Learn the tips, tricks and techniques to take that perfect photo! Bring your own digital camera or one will be provided for your use. There are a limited number of cameras so please call the park to reserve yours.
Help Wanted! In the 1800’s! June 16 & August 11, 7:30 p.m. Martin Mower, owner of the Arcola Lumber Mill and Manager of the St. Croix Boom Company, will take applications for positions at the Arcola Mill and Boat Yards, Martin’s Dry Goods in Arcola, sales assistance at the Mower Block in Stillwater, construction workers at the Territorial Prison construction site, and River Rats at the St. Croix Boom site. Wages start at $1.00 per day. Mr. Mower will explain the operations of his numerous enterprises in the valley. All persons welcome - any age or gender considered. Apply in person, at the Visitor Center fire ring, to Martin Mower.
Archery In Parks! June 23, 24 & August 11, 12, 1-3 p.m. Archery has been a popular sport and life skill for thousands of years. Join certified archery instructors for a hands-on shot at archery. Designed for all ages and beginners welcome! Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bows and arrows provided. The program will be on-going at the Visitor Center.
**Bringing Down Buckthorn! July 7, 28 & August 25, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Bring your working gloves and help us rid the forest of the invasive species, buckthorn! Then let’s turn that unwanted pile of buckthorn into a beautiful walking stick that you can use in the park and take home! Children should be accompanied by an adult. Loppers will be provided. We will meet at the Visitor Center.
**Universe In The Park July 7, 28, & August 25, 8 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center. The University Of Minnesota Astronomy Department will be taking you on a spectacular tour of the night skies. After a short talk on the evening skies, they will take you outside to view some of these celestial sights through telescopes. The moon, planets and more will be discovered on this special night in the park. If it is cloudy, we will still have the indoor presentation.
**The Amazing Park Race! August 4, 1 – 3 p.m. Grab a partner, or your family, as we go on an amazing race in the park! Just like the show, there will be puzzles to solve and activities to complete to get the next clue! Finish the activities first and arrive at the pit stop and you could be the winner! Prizes will be given, so sign-up at the Main Park office to start your Amazing Park Race! We will meet at the Riverside Amphitheater in the picnic grounds.
**Ice Cream and Dancing Shoes! August 18, 6:30 p.m. The Friend’s Group of William O’Brien would like to invite you to an evening of live music and ice cream! Bring a blanket or lawn chair, picnic dinner, and your dancing shoes to the outdoor patio at the Visitor Center! Listen to the classic rock and roll music of the “Turn Around” band and dessert is on us. Join us for this special gathering at the park.
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