Plan now for dance, rock, and road bowling at WV State Parks July 24 weekend 

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Summer fun is in full swing at West Virginia’s state parks.  In addition to activities offered at many parks during the week, there are special events scheduled that range from square dancing to Irish Road Bowling the weekend of July 24.

State Parks special events include:

• Bil Lepp, Champion Liar and Teller of Tales takes the stage at North Bend State Park amphitheater July 24 at 7:30 p.m.  Lepp, a nationally renowned storyteller and five time championof the West Virginia’s Liars’ Contest,  ‘makes everyone smile’ according to Ken Zebo,  programmer and naturalist at North Bend State Park. “Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no admission fee.”  For more information call 304-643-2931 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-643-2931      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit the park website at www.northbendsp.com.

State Parks in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle feature three distinctly different events featuring music, road race and road bowling.

• The Dill Pickers will be playing music at Berkeley Springs State Park.  Americana music that combines blues, bluegrass, Cajun, folk, gospel, Irish and rock, The Dill Pickers are one of several groups scheduled for the Summer Concerts in the Park series. Music is scheduled from 5:30 .- 7:30 p.m. There is no admission charge. The event is sponsored by the Morgan Arts Council. For more information call . 304-258-2300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-258-2300      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-258-2300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-258-2300      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

From running to bowling, Cacapon Resort State Park has a double header for outdoor activities the weekend of July 24.  Both activities begin at the park nature center.

• The 7^th Annual 5-K Race at Cacapon State Park starts at 8 a.m. with pre-registration recommended by 7:30 a.m. The certified 5K course begins at the park nature center.  Awards are given to various age groups.  Door prizes and t-shirts are also part of the event. A modest registration fee is required to participate.  Contact Kelly Smith at 304-258-1022 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-258-1022      end_of_the_skype_highlighting for race details.
• Irish Road Bowling invites everyone to come play in the road!  “Of course the traffic is monitored and there are plenty of spotters along the way,” said Park Naturalist Kelly Smith.  Awards are given to winners.  This novel sport has 3-4 people on a team and is played with a 28 ounce iron cannonball the size of a tennis ball (a "bowl" or "bullet") that is hurled down a country lane.  The object is to keep it on the road to see who can make it to the end of the course with the least amount of throws. According to Road Master Mary Wolfe, “Gravity is your friend" on this mostly downhill roll through the woods with rocky cliffs alongside.  This shaded course will be cool in the hot summer time and great for beginners.  For more information about this event, contact Mary Wolfe with the Irish Road Bowling Association at 304-258-4958 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-258-4958      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or mwolfe1@earthlink.net.

• A WV Mushrooming Foray is planned at Greenbrier State Forest on July 24 and hosted by the WV Mushroom Club.  The event is open to the public. Gary Lincoff, author of the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms, will be the guest speaker. Meet at Shelter 2 at 10 a.m. and spend the day learning about mushrooms. Some food prep will be involved with local fungi. There is a registration fee of $20 (in advance) or $25 the day of event. Children under 14 are at no fee. For event information contact club members and event sponsors: marthachopper@yahoo.com  or naward57@verizon.net  to register. For camping or forest information, call Greenbrier State Forest, 304-536-1944 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-536-1944      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

• The Grass Stains will be performing at Pipestem Resort State Park amphitheater the evening of July 24 at 8 p.m. The Grass Stains play from the heart and offer an innovative and upbeat style of bluegrass music. The “Stains” have years of experience performing traditional bluegrass, “newgrass” and gospel music.  Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children 6-12.  A complete listing of shows at Pipestem Ampitheater is online at www.pipestemresort.com/schedule.html. For Pipestem State Park information call 304-466-1800 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-466-1800      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

• Island Frolic with Evening Meal at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is one of several evening events scheduled this summer for a relaxing evening on the island. Visitors will board the sternwheeler at Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio, to go to Blennerhassett Island.  This three-hour adventure includes: round-trip sternwheeler ride; an evening meal; and a guided tour of the mansion and a narrated old-fashion wagon and/or hay-ride tour.  Friends of Blennerhassett Gift Shop will be open and bicycles will be available for children for free.  Adult price is $25, Children (3-12) $20 and 2 and under are free.  Reservations are required.  For Blennerhassett Island schedule and special events visit www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com.  For Island Frolic reservations and event info: 304-420-4800 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-420-4800      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

• Square dancing with Lou Maiuri promises an evening of Appalachian dance and square dancing fun at Beech Fork State Park on July 24.  Beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the activity room at park headquarters, the dance is open to overnight park guests and the general public. “It’s good old fashioned fun and you don’t have to have any experience,” according to Sarah Miloski, park naturalist. “That’s the beauty of square dancing. If you can count to four and know your left from your right, you’re 90 percent there. It’s just great fun for everyone and every age.”  There is no fee to attend or participate. For more information about events and activities at Beech Fork State Park, call 304-528-5794 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-528-5794      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-528-5794 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              304-528-5794      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit www.beechforksp.com and click on Events/Deals.  A weekly activity list is posted.

• Fiddles and Vittles, a special evening train departs from Cass Scenic Railroad State Park’s depot on July 24 at 5 p.m. for an evening of bluegrass music, great food and train ride to Whittaker Station.  The packaged evening includes an optional machine shop tour or Cass Showcase presentation and a tour of Camp Whittaker. Reservations are required. The cost is $36 adult, $25 children 5-12 and children under 5, $16.  Cass Scenic Railroad has seven additional Fiddle and Vittle evenings scheduled in 2010.  For daily train ride schedules and other special events at Cass, visit the park website, www.cassrailroad.com. For  Fiddle and Vittle reservations and event info: 304-456-4300

For information about West Virginia State Parks visit www.wvstateparks.com . Events and information also posted on Facebook, search WV State Parks.

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