Survival training, wolves, quilts and a murder mystery are among programs and events at West Virginia’s state parks the weekend of March 11-13, 2016. Parks staff are celebrating the changing seasons with some unusual offerings.
“Wacky weather can throw a snowball or a curve ball in March, so West Virginia state parks are going to match that wackiness,” said Sissie Summers, programming coordinator for West Virginia State Parks. “Parks staff have organized many ‘tween-winter’ activities as winter ends, spring approaches and advances to summer.”
Big Bad Wolf at Cacapon State Park March 11, 5 p.m.
Ironwood Wolves, a small, USDA-licensed educational facility, tackles the myths and behaviors associated with these fascinating creatures and the important role wolves play in the ecosystem. Ironwood will have one of their animals with them. The program begins at 5 p.m. The restaurant extends a 10 percent off meal discount this evening.
March 12, join Naturalist Renee Fincham for the Winter Wildlife and Track Walks at 10 a.m., hosted by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society.
To register visit www.potomacaudubon.org/event-2094642.
Contact: 304-258-1022 x 5209 www.cacaponresort.com
Bushcraft / Survival Training Weekend at Twin Falls State Park March 11-13
Interested in learning survival techniques? If you’re tired of the same old boring weekends of cabin fever, it’s time to get out in the woods. Instructor Todd Longanacre will show and demonstrate survival methods and primitive shelter construction, creating fires, traps and snares, night orientation, field hygiene, primitive food foraging and more.
Contact: 304-294-4000 www.twinfallsresort.com
“Murder on the Mountain” Dinner Theater at Chief Logan Lodge March 11
Diners can help figure out “who dunnit?” during an interactive murder mystery dinner theater beginning at 5:30 p.m. “Murder on the Mountain” will be presented by Murder and Merriment Productions.
The mystery evening includes the dinner and murder mystery for two adults at $69. An overnight stay at Chief Logan Lodge, dinner, show and express breakfast is $130. Advance reservations welcomed.
Contact: 304-855-6100 www.chiefloganlodge.com
Mid-Ohio Valley Heritage Quilt Show at Blennerhassett State Park March 12-20
The 2016 Mid-Ohio Valley Heritage Quilt Show categories are Bed Quilts, Wall Quilts, Crib Quilts, Mixed, Duet Quilts, Group Quilts, Antique Quilts, and the themed category is “SCRAP HAPPY” (leftover fabrics used to create a fun and happy scrappy quilt). The show is sponsored by the Friends of Blennerhassett. There is a minimal admission to the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History.
Contact: 304-420-4800 www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com
Indoor Colonial Kids Games and Storytelling at Prickett’s Fort State Park March 12
Play the games and hear the stories that were popular during the time of our founding fathers. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is at the Visitor Center and there is a fee of $4.
Contact: 304-363-3030 www.prickettsfortstatepark.com
“Love, Loss and What I Wore” Dinner Theater at Hawks Nest State Park March 12
Matters of the heart and matters of the closet are part of the play “Love, Loss and What I Wore” dinner theater. The performance is a scrapbook of memories of unfortunate prom dresses, traumatic lighting in fitting rooms, high heels, short skirts and the existential state of having nothing to wear. Adapted from a best-selling novel by Ilene Beckerman. Reservations are recommended.
Contact: 304-658-5212 www.hawksnestsp.com
Walk It Off Sunday at Pipestem Resort State Park March 13
Walk It Off on the Par 3 Golf Course beginning at 3 p.m. Whether you want to walk, jog, wog or get some miles in to prepare for a future long hike, this is a good starting point. The loop is 1.25 miles. Walk It Off occurs every Sunday in March.
Contact: 304-466-1800 www.pipestemresort.com
For these and other activities and services at West Virginia’s state parks and forests, visit www.wvstateparks.com.
