Awaken Your Spirit of Adventure at Luce Pioneer Day
May 30, 2008
MADISON, S.D. – Become a part of living history June 14 at Luce Pioneer Day at Lake Herman State Park near Madison.Â
The event, a tradition for many years in the Madison area, celebrates the original pioneers who homesteaded in Lake County with family activities, entertainment and historical demonstrations. It is named in honor of Herman Luce, one of the first settlers in the area and builder of the historic 1872 Luce Cabin, which still stands in the park.
“It really is amazing to see how people lived back then,” said Park Manager Vicki Seger. “and the best part about Pioneer Day is that there really is something for everyone. Even if you just go for a stroll around the park and stop in for a few minutes, you are sure to find something fun and educational for your whole family.”
Pioneer Day activities begin at 10 a.m. and run throughout the day. Visitors can try butter churning, candle making, apple pressing, toy tin punch making, wash day fun, weaving, rope making, gold panning, beading, sun bonnet making, quilting, spinning and pioneer toy making.
Entertainment will be provided by the HarmoniKatz and the Schumacker Family Fiddlers, and the Herman Luce Players, who will present a historic account of Herman Luce and his friends. The South Dakota Trappers Association will also present a rendition of a mountain man rendevous.
Vendors include Old Mountain Trading - homemade art, crafts and trade goods; Queen of the Prairie Honey – honey sales and bee demonstration; Un-Wine-D - new shapes for old bottles; Diamond Willow Carving - hand carved art; Hearth & Home Soap - natural bath essentials; Back Porch Herbs - organic herbs; Kahl’s Kettle Korn and Creative Concessions. Almost Home Pet Rescue tent will also be set up on site providing information about their organization and pets needing homes. Â
All activities and entertainment are free, although a state park entrance license is required.
For more information on Luce Pioneer Day, contact Lake Herman State Park at (605) 256-5003.
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Gov. Rounds Proclaims June as Great Outdoors Month
May 30, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds has proclaimed June as Great Outdoors Month in South Dakota.
In the proclamation, Gov Rounds states, outdoor recreation is an essential component of our well-being, with the ability to improve our health and build the human spirit. I encourage citizens and our visitors to take advantage of the many opportunities our state offers for family outdoor recreation.
Many opportunities for outdoor activities are provided by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks in their efforts to expand and enhance state parks, protect our wildlife heritage, and create programs such as “No Child Left Inside” which introduces youngsters to the wonders of the outdoors.
Several notable outdoor recreation opportunities will take place in June, including the following events:
- National Trails Day, June 7 - A day set aside to celebrate America’s magnificent trail systems and their countless supporters and volunteers. Several state parks will be hosting trail-related events that day. Info: www.SDGFP.info
or www.AmericanHiking.org. - Second Saturday Bird Walk, June 7, Outdoor Campus, Sioux Falls. Join a naturalist for a 7:30 a.m. stroll through Sertoma Park in search of birds. Sharpen your visual and auditory birding skills, learn birding tricks and how to choose binoculars and field guides. The class is free, but pre-registration is required at www.outdoorcampus.org or call (605) 362-2777. The Outdoor Campus offers many outdoor-related classes year round. Info: (605) 362-2777.
- Capitol Community Celebration, June 11, State Capitol Complex in Pierre. One of the highlights of this annual free community picnic is a rare opportunity for kids to fish in Capitol Lake. All kids aged 15 and under are invited. Bait, volunteers and limited equipment will be available. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. and wraps up with a band concert at 7 p.m. Info: (605) 773-6320.
- Luce Pioneer Day, June 14, Lake Herman State Park near Madison. The event celebrates the original homesteading pioneers with family activities, entertainment, vendors and historical demonstrations. Info: (605) 256-5003.
- National Get Outside Day, June 14, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Pierre/Fort Pierre. Participants will enjoy fun family activities all day, including geocaching, fishing-golf, Dutch oven cooking and other outdoor activities. The activities run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the event closes with an outdoor movie at 9:30 p.m. Info: (605) 223-7722.
- Becoming an Outdoor Family, June 20-22, Chief White Crane Recreation Area near Yankton – This annual weekend workshop offers classes on outdoor cooking, fishing techniques, GPS units (Global Positioning System), canoeing and many other outdoor skills. Registration is $50 per family and will be accepted until June 9 or until openings are filled. Info: (605) 773-3930.
- SDSU Bioblitz, June 28, Oak Lake Field Station near Brookings. Participate in an educational program and a scientific survey combined into one day. The objective is for scientists to count all the species of plants and animals they can find in a given area in a fixed amount of time. Come out and hike the field station grounds and see science in action. Ask biologists questions about how and why they study our local plants and animals. Presentations and displays are scheduled throughout the day. Info: (605) 367-8384.
- No Child Left Inside Resource Packs, ongoing, Pierre. Want to learn more about the outdoors while you’re exploring? GFP and the Rawlins Library in Pierre have teamed up to provide loaner packs full of resource materials designed for outdoor explorations. Packs include field guides, binoculars, insect nets, magnifying glasses and more. Info: Rawlins Library (605-773-7421) for family/individual backpacks; GFP (605-773-2541) for group resource trunk.Â
In addition, across the state a number of outdoor programs will be held in state parks throughout June, including bird walks, outdoor cooking demonstrations, hikes, fishing derbies and nature programs. For a list of upcoming events, visit www.SDGFP.info.
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