Fall Fun Activities Planned in Missouri State Parks & Historical Parks

First posted on 10-15-2008

Enjoy an evening of spooky stories or have some fall fun in Missouri state parks and historic sites. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the events are open to the public. The following state parks and historic sites are hosting fall or Halloween-related activities:

* Oct. 24—Halloween Storytelling, Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, Burfordville,
573-243-4591. Come to the site’s picnic area at 7 p.m. for a “spook-tacular” time listening to scary stories for all ages told by Sharon Thompson, a former teacher and librarian. Please bring your lawn chairs or blankets to sit on around the bonfire. Refreshments of hot cider and cookies will be provided.
* Oct. 24—Ha Ha Haunt, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton, 573-346-2986. The castle trail will be decorated and lined with about 100 jack-o-lanterns carved by Camdenton Oak Ridge Intermediate School students and other decorations. Follow them to the castle lawn, where storyteller Larry Brown will spin a web of spooky tales for kids of all ages. There will be a bean bag toss, a nature craft for children to do while there is still daylight and treat bags. Hot cider will be provided and s’mores will be available for those that want to test their marshmallow roasting skills over the open campfire. This event runs from 5 to 8 p.m.
* Oct. 25—Halloween Happenings, St. Francois State Park, Bonne Terre, 573-358-2173. Halloween Happenings will feature ghoulishly and ghastly comedy during the Halloween Vaudeville at 7 p.m. in the park’s amphitheater, which is in the campground. After the vaudeville, you will be led on a hike to meet some creatures of the night. Children are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes for the event. Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather. This event is fun for the whole family. Traditionally held at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, this event is in its 14th year.
* Oct. 25—Halloween Storytelling, Weston Bend State Park, Weston, 816-640-5443. Enjoy games and activities for everyone beginning at 6 p.m. Make a creative pumpkin for your front porch using food and other objects. There will also be coloring sheets and puzzles like word searches. A storyteller will tell stories that aren’t always what they seem. If weather permits, there will be an owl hike. Wear a family-friendly costume as prizes will be awarded throughout the night. Food and drinks, such as hot apple cider, hot dogs and chips, will be provided.
* Oct. 25-- A Haunting at the Montauk Mill, Montauk State Park, Salem, 573-548-2201. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., you can see bats, hear voices and see images of ghosts from the past. The past will come to life at the old Montauk gristmill. Hear lingering voices of Ozark pioneers and see mysteries of the deep.
* Oct. 25—Spooky and Mysterious Stories, Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg,
573-245-6576. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., sit around a campfire and listen to stories told by storyteller Joy Nak. In case of bad weather, meet at the visitor center.
* Oct. 25—Fall Fun Event, Wallace State Park, Cameron, 816-632-3745. This event will take place at the park’s enclosed shelter from 2 to 9 p.m. and will feature a nature display of snakes, owls, spiders and more, guided hikes on Rocky Ford Trail and Halloween storytelling by a campfire. At the storytelling, there will be free refreshments and drawings for prizes. Everyone that brings a jack-o-lantern will be given a prize.
* Oct. 25—Fall Rocks, Missouri Mines State Historic Site, Park Hills, 573-431-6226. The entire family will enjoy mining and geology games, music and more from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission to the site’s museum will be free and refreshments will be served. Advance reservations are preferred and can be made by calling the site. This event is co-sponsored by the Doe Run Co.

For more information about these events, call the individual park or historic site or contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at http://www.mostateparks.com.

For news releases on the Web, visit http://www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of upcoming meetings and events in the state park system, visit the online calendar at http://www.mostateparks.com/events/events.htm.