- Family Friendly New Year's Eve programs
- Snowflake Skate at Deep River Waterpark
- Legend of Sleepy Hollow
- Maple Syrup Time at Deep River
- World War II Tribute
- Voyageur Rendezvous
- Fall Festival at Buckley Homestead
- Earth Day Woodcock Stalk at Oak Ridge Prairie
- Not-So-Scary Mini Golf at Cedar Creek
- Christmas on the Buckley Farm Long Ago
Family Friendly New Year's Eve programs
at Bellaboo's and Deep River Waterpark
Watch
for Bellaboo's program announcement later this year
Bellaboo's
Play and Discovery Center
or
219-963-2070
RING
IN THE NEW YEAR AT DEEP RIVER WATERPARK - Great for the entire family
Count
down to 2011 in “Paddle’s Time Zone” at Family Friendly New Year’s
Eve Celebration
Ice
Skating Plaza
December 31, 2010
5-10 p.m.
$5 per person
Regular skate rental fees apply for those who need to rent skates.
5-8
p.m.
Kid’s crafts
8
p.m.
Countdown and sparkling juice toast in the plaza
(8
p.m. is midnight in the family friendly “Paddles Time Zone”)
5-10
p.m.
Disc Jockey, ice skating, concession items for sale
Looking
for a “kid-friendly” place to ring in the New Year?
Bring the family to Deep River Waterpark.
The $5 fee is for everyone entering the park after 5 p.m. on
Wednesday, December 31. On and
off the ice family-friendly New Year’s Eve party fun.
For more information, call Deep River Waterpark at 219-947-7850.
Deep River Waterpark is located at 9001 E. U.S. 30 only 4 ½ miles
east of I-65 on route 30 in Merrillville.
Snowflake Skate at Deep River Waterpark
Snowflake
Skate
A
party for girls and their dolls
Deep
River Waterpark
Saturday, December 11, 2010
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Participation
is limited so advance tickets are required
Tickets
for girls are $15 which includes admission, skate rental, all activities,
pizza, drinks and cupcake
Tickets
for adults are $12 which includes admission, skating (if they choose), and
food
Tickets
on sale beginning November 1 and remain on sale until sold out
Snowflake
Skate is an ice skating party for girls age 6 and older and their dolls or
stuffed animals who love to skate. Girls
are encouraged, but not required, to bring a doll or teddy bear to join
the fun both indoors and out. Parents should be prepared to baby sit dolls
and animals who do not wish to go skating or make crafts.
Girls
and their “friends” will skate on the outdoor plaza and learn skating
moves from the Deep River Waterpark Snowflake Skater.
They will have their photo taken and make a souvenir to take home
to help them remember the day. The
morning will conclude on the ice with a group “dance” and lunch in the
eatery.
Purchase
tickets by calling 219-769 PARK, M-F from 8:30 - 4:30 or going to the Lake
County Parks business office, 8411 E. Lincoln Highway, 4 ½ miles east of
I-65 on Route 30, just west of Deep River Waterpark.
Tickets are also available at the Waterpark when the ice skating
plaza is open.
Deep River Waterpark is located at 9001 East U.S. 30 only 4 ½ miles east of I-65 on Route 30 in Merrillville.
2010 TICKETS GO ON SALE AT DEEP RIVER WATERPARK ON
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Advance tickets necessary
Performance Dates:
-
Friday, September 17, 2010
-
Saturday, September 18, 2010
-
Friday, September 24, 2010
-
Saturday, September 25
Tickets:
-
$8 per person (one person may purchase up to 15 tickets)
Sales Date:
-
Opening day ticket sales Wednesday, August 25 (in person sales only) from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. After that time, remaining tickets may be purchased at the corporate office or by phone at 219-769-PARK M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. REMINDER: Tickets sell out quickly and may be sold out the first day.
Sales Location:
-
Deep River Waterpark, 9001 E. U.S. 30 in Merrillville (4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30, just east of the Lake County Parks Corporate Office).
For four magical nights,
Buckley Homestead is transformed into Tarrytown, NY, a quiet, dreamy little
village known to many as Sleepy Hollow. The
village abounds with stories and superstitions, the most famous of which is of
a Hessian soldier who lost his head in the war and rides each night in search
of a new one. Perhaps you’ve
heard of the Headless Horseman?
Visitors will walk with a guide through Sleepy Hollow as they meet and interact with the town folk in search for Ichabod Crane, the one person who can tell them all about the stories of this quaint village. You become part of the storybook scenes, but be careful! There’s no telling what may cross your path in the night besides the occasional black cat. It may be the Headless Horseman himself! This program is a great way to experience the excitement of classic literature coming to life. The walking tour is about a mile long on a primitive trail. Important: For safety reasons, no flash photography and no smoking is permitted during the program. Tour times are in the evenings at 6:30, 6:50, 7:10, 7:30, 7:50, 8:10, 8:30, 8:50, 9:10, 9:30 p.m.
The program is outdoors and requires walking a bark chip trail lit by luminaries. It has proven a challenge for those who have walking difficulties. Visitors should dress for the weather and arrive on time. Group size is limited and tickets for this magical event go very quickly. All tours begin promptly at their scheduled time and last about one hour. If you get to the park after your tour has begun you will not be able to join your tour.
Lanterns will light your way during the night program, but dress for the weather and be ready to walk. Remember, be prepared for the "unexpected" . . .
Get your tickets early - They sell out fast.
Please note that pets are not permitted at this special event. For more information, please call 219-769-PARK
Cedar Creek Family Golf Center is decorated for Halloween throughout the month. It's the best time to bring your group to Cedar Creek for fun.
18 hole Miniature Golf Course
-
Open daily October 1 - 31 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
-
On October
$4.50 for children 12 and younger or $5.50 for adults
Groups: Call Cedar Creek at 219-365-2902 for reservations. What a great place for a party! Call about our Spooky Snacks Package including mini golf, a devil-ious treat, and hot cocoa or cider. There is a 10 person minimum and 50 person maximum. Call early to book your outing.
Come out to Cedar Creek Family Golf Center the last Friday and Saturday nights in October for our Not-So-Scary Mini Golf. Halloween decorations fill the mini golf to create a spooky atmosphere, but not to spooky for those youngsters who are not fond of the dark. Come dressed up in a costume and receive a treat.
Buckley Homestead Living History Farm
An HRS event sponsored by US 9th Infantry, the 353rd German Infantry, and the 2620th WAC Battalion
2011 INFORMATION TO BE DETERMINED
Saturday, May 1, 2010 - 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Sunday, MAY 2, 2010 - 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
$5 per person
Children under age 7 FREE
Reenactors from all over the Midwest, and some from as far away as Canada, don authentic uniforms and use restored military equipment to portray that most important time period in our history. Throughout the weekend, the park comes to life with memories of the war years, both military and on the homefront. If you are a veteran, history enthusiast, or would just like to learn more about the 1940s era, this is the place for the entire family. It's wonderful for families and students.
Click here for Daily Schedule which is subject to change and confirmationONGOING ACTIVITIES
- Victory Garden displays and demonstrations using wartime recipes by the Lake County Master Gardeners. Heirloom vegetables, flowers and herbs are featured.
- The Buckley Homestead Main House Museum will be open during the program.
- WWII era automobiles on display by Winamac Old Auto Club and others
- Children can learn about rationing stamps near the main house
- WWII Veterans are invited to talk with the public in the Veteran's Tent
- First Aid Station is located in the east section of the carriage house.
- Food Concessions
Notes: Walking Tours, which last about one hour, take the visitor to various vignettes performed by reenactor units. Meet in the barnyard. Hayride alternative for those who cannot walk the route.
The number of people permitted in the Buckley home museum is limited. You may be asked to wait until other leave before you may enter.
PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED INTO THE PARK SITE DURING THIS EVENT.
Please support our corporate sponsors
Super 8 Motel Hebron – About 5 miles east of the park at the intersection of I-65 & Route 2 - For reservations call 219-696-8888 — Centier Bank — Lake Heritage Parks Foundation — First Financial Bank — Tire Barn in Merrillville — Deep River Waterpark
FOR INFORMATION CALL 219-769-PARK
ATTENTION REENACTORS Click here for Reenactor information
Voyageur Rendezvous "A Travelers’ Gathering" 25th Annual Event
- Grand Kankakee Marsh
Jump into our time machine and hang on! We’re traveling back more than 250 years when Northwest Indiana was primarily a
marsh land. The Grand Kankakee River was the major route for travelers and merchant traders in the New World. The Voyageur Rendezvous lets us peek into the lives of these men and women. You will see Native Americans, French-Canadian canoe men, called Voyageurs, British and French militia and many others who would have lived or traded along the Grand Kankakee River.Bring your family for a day of authentic kid’s games, historic demonstrations, Bobber races, tomahawk toss, musical entertainment, merchants, food, and much, much more. The reenactors are eager to interact with you as they portray life during this Fur Trade Era. Kids receive a “See and Do” Scavenger Hunt list at the admission booth. Mom and Dad… make it a family challenge!
As you travel amongst the inhabitants of the river settlements, observe how they lived, played, entertained and traded. You may witness the voyageurs arriving by canoes and unloading their goods. Find out how each item was vital for trade and its worth. Don’t wander off just yet; the Native Americans will be joining them soon to offer their many furs in exchange for the goods that have traveled so far.
Hear the slashing of the mighty river? That is just the voyageurs playing in the water with their canoes! They love to have Bobber Races. Cheer on your favorite team. They simply have to retrieve their teams’ bobbers and make it back to shore. It’s not that easy when the others don’t play fair! Help them win by shouting out the location of their bobbers.
Kids may pick up a “See and Do” Scavenger Hunt list at the Trading Post next to the Admission Booth. There are authentic kid’s games, historic demonstrations, bobber races, tomahawk toss, musical entertainment, merchants, food, and more. The reenactors are eager to interact with you as they portray life during this Fur Trade Era.
Event Schedule will be updated in April 2011
Demonstrations and kids activities will be ongoing throughout the day.
Directions
to the park
ATTENTION REENACTORS Click here for Reenactor information
Special
School Invite to the Voyageur Rendezvous 18th Century Fur Trade
Era
-
Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park
-
By Reservation Only on Friday, May 13, 2011
-
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. OR 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Two hour tours each)
-
$1 per person, children and adults
-
Advanced deposit required: $20.00 (minimum)
-
Appropriate for 4th - 6th grade curriculum
-
Minimum (20 students); Maximum (140 students)
-
Call 219-769-PARK M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
History books open wide and come to life as your students visit the 17th century. The Fur Trade Era is bustling with activity when you arrive. Your students will see how the Grand Kankakee River waterway played an important role in early commerce and trade. Native Americans traded furs while the Voyageurs, British, and French clashed over whose land it belonged to. There is plenty for the students to see and hear and learn. They will feel like they just spent a day in the 17th century. The tour is entirely outside, so please dress for the weather. Upon registration, teachers will be sent a confirmation packet, complete with pre or post visit activity sheets. You too, will enjoy jumping back into history! Reserve your time slot now.
Directions to Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park. 21690 Rangeline Road (Clay Street) Hebron Indiana 46341. Exit Interstate 65 East at Rt. 2 to Rangeline Rd. (Clay St) then South for 5 miles.
BUCKLEY HOMESTEAD FALL FESTIVAL
October 9 & 10, 2010
"An Old Time Tradition"
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$4 per person with children under 7 free
Old Time Traditions:
Family fun, great food, wonderful entertainment and traditional arts
and crafts! Along the trail to
the pioneer cabin reenactors portray military, civilians and artisans of
various time periods. Take a taste of cornbread, hot from the wood-burning
stove, then purchase Deep River stone ground cornmeal to take home and
bake your own. Children can
make a candle or a piece of rope, walk on stilts, play in a straw pile, or
paint a picture. Visit the Main House Museum.
Watch the broom maker and have a taste of the best food in all of
Northwest Indiana. What a
great way to spend the day.
Traditional crafts and
demonstrations: Wood crafters,
china painter, spinners, quilters, weavers, a broom maker and others will
demonstrate their skills and may even sell their wares.
The farmers are in the west pasture and Lake County Master
Gardeners are in the garden and the root cellar. The farm is bustling with
activities.
Entertainment for all:
-
Always a pleasure, the good Dr. and Mrs. Quackenbush return with their quick wit and slight-of- hand.
-
The ever popular Coles County Regulators Cowboys roam the countryside looking for bad guys and host the Pony Express riders. Hey kids, want to be a rider? Check it out.
-
Susan and Gary Brown entertain with old-fashioned music and dancing at the pioneer farm.
-
Bill Wilkie and the Oxcart Ramblers will play foot-tapping music
-
Are you feeling especially smart? Maybe you’ll be able to figure out who’s lying and who is telling the truth on the “Liars Bench.” Every vote counts.
Old-fashioned fun for
young and old alike
-
· “Sheep Toss” (don’t worry, it’s not a real sheep)
-
· “Frying Pan Toss” and “Rolling Pin Toss” (they are real)
-
· Hands-on activities for the kids like rope-making, candle dipping, painting, and more
-
· Walk on stilts and play in the straw pile where everyone’s a kid
-
· Adults learn how to write with an old fashioned pen inside the School House
Great treats and hardy
meals: Come hungry and eat often.
We have ham & bean soup, chicken noodles, steak sandwiches, baked
potatoes with all the fixings, apple dumplings, kettle korn, pierogis, and
more.
Hayride Shuttle: The
barnyard is filled with activity and most of the animals are in the
pasture. However, the draft
horses are busy at work pulling the hay wagons. Take a hayride shuttle
around the historic areas of the park for only $1 per person.
Get off the wagon at the pioneer farm and schoolhouse and catch the
next shuttle back to the barnyard. Purchase
tickets in the west field.
Historic Locations: Buckley
Homestead Main House Ž
Pioneer Log House Ž
One-room schoolhouse Ž
Hired Hands Quarters Ž
Buckley Barn Ž
Woodland Indian Camp
Please note that dogs are not permitted at this special event
For more information, please call 219-769-PARK
Old Time and Traditional Craftsmen should call
Megan at 219-947-7275 if interested in a boothHOME
Back to PARKS main page
Maple Syrup Time on the Weekends
- Deep River County Park General Public Program
- March 12 & 13 and March 19 & 20, 2011
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- FREE
Warm days and cold nights signal the trees to awaken from their long winter’s nap and begin the flow of sap. This late winter phenomenon also indicates to the maple sugar farmer that it’s time to gather the buckets, drills, and spiles and head out to the sugar bush to tap the trees. This is when you, too, can see the entire process from tapping to evaporation to the finished product. Come learn about this truly North American activity, then purchase your bottle of Deep River Pure Maple Syrup.
Outdoor Weekend Activities:
- Guided Tours: Meet your guide in front of the Visitor Center for a short walk and a lesson on how trees are tapped and sap is collected. Tours begin at 10 & 11 a.m., Noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
- Sugar Shack: Stroll to the sugar shack to witness the sap being turned into syrup in the wood-fired evaporator anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Syrup Making at the Campfire: Visit with the Voyageur-era volunteers as they make maple sugar over an open fire 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Wood’s Historic Grist Mill: See corn stone-ground into cornmeal. The first floor of the grist mill is open during Maple Syrup weekends. It’s a perfect time to purchase your fresh ground meal.
In the Visitor Center:
- Video: "Maple Sugar Farmer" will be shown at 10:30 & 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
- Kids Corner: Children may put their name on a leaf and place it on our maple tree. Then learn about maple syrup through games and puzzles.
- Quilting Demonstration: Volunteers will be quilting and you can join them. Pick up a pattern for the next quilt from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Maple Tea Room: Warm up with hot maple tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Enjoy additional treats as you view the maple syrup exhibits. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Maple Syrup Time Weekday Field Trip Reservations
Deep River County Park
Reservations for group tours taken beginning January 18, 2011. Tour dates are Monday-Thursday March 9-17
-
By reservation only: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday & Thursdays
-
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Tours last two hours)
-
$1 per person, children and adults
-
Minimum per reservation: $20 (advanced deposit required)
-
First grade through adults of all ages accepted
-
Call 219-769-7275 M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. beginning January 18, 2011
The tour includes an Outdoor Interpretive Program explaining when and how trees are tapped and how the sap is collected. How did the settlers in North America learn about making syrup from sap? At the Sugar Shack you will see, through the steam, the entire process from sap to syrup at the wood-fired evaporator. At the Visitor Center you will learn about other syrups and get a taste of Deep River’s own brand. Bottles of maple syrup are for sale, in addition to maple candy and other souvenirs.
Each group gets to put a leaf on our maple tree. Much of the tour is conducted outdoors, so please dress according to weather conditions. There are indoor alternatives in case of extreme weather.
Maple Syrup Time Just for Seniors
This program may be presented again in 2011 - keep a look out
Maple Tree Tapping Workshop
This program is offered every other year and may be presented again in 2012 - keep a look out
You will be able to make your own pure maple syrup if you have access to large maple trees, a few supplies, and a little instruction. Learn how and when to tap the trees, how to collect and preserve the sap, and how to produce your own pure maple syrup. You may already have a drill, some buckets, a camp stove or grill, bottles and pans. Other items, such as spiles, filters and sap buckets may be purchased at the workshop.
Woodcock Stalk at Oak Ridge Prairie
Celebrate
Earth Day by taking a close look at a most amazing bird – the Woodcock
-
Oak Ridge Prairie
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
7:15 p.m.
Meet at the shelter near the parking lot
Individual sign-ups only (please no groups)
Registration is required for this free program. Call 219-844-3188 for more information and to sign up.
If you looking for a unique way to celebrate Earth Day, join a Lake County Parks naturalist to usher in spring with the American Woodcock. The American Woodcock is best known for the male’s spectacular flight displays over its breeding grounds. These displays occur at dusk and again at dawn. The birds circle up to hundreds of feet high and then descend in a zigzag flight. Once they have landed, their distinctive “peent” calls penetrate the silence of the evening or early morning hours.
Anyone who has witnessed the flight of the woodcock recognizes it as one of the earliest signs of spring. Some woodcocks return as early as February and “perform” while snow is still on the ground. Join us at dusk as we stake out an area to usher in spring with our fascinating crepuscular friend, the American Woodcock.
Christmas on the Buckley Farm Long Ago
Dates:
Saturday, December 4 & Sunday, December 5
2 - 6 p.m.
Tour
Times: Each
day at 2:00, 2:20, 2:40, 3:00, 3:20, 3:40, 4:00, 4:20, 4:40, and 5:00 p.m.
Tickets:
$3 per person (one person may purchase up to 10 tickets)
Please be at Buckley Homestead at the Visitor Center 10 minutes
before tour leaves
Ticket Sales:
Opening day ticket sales is Tuesday, October 26 at 8:30 a.m.
Tours of Christmas Long Ago depart
from the Visitor Center every 20 minutes
Advance tickets are required and may be purchased at the corporate
office 8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307 just west of
Deep River Waterpark or by phone at 219-769-PARK first come first served.
Christmas memories of childhood long
ago on the farm are rich with the spirit of the time.
It didn’t matter that the family was short of cash or material
comforts. Children pored over
the mail-order catalog for weeks before Christmas, not expecting to get
anything. More important than
the gifts, however, was the magic of the season.
Chores, and even homework, were favorably affected by the
atmosphere of the joyous season. Join
us at Buckley Homestead for a real old-fashioned experience on the farm
long ago. You will be guided
as you travel throughout the barnyard and meet both adults and children
getting ready for the holiday as they work on homemade toys, speculate
about talking animals on Christmas Eve, and bake extra goodies for
Christmas morning. Tours last about one and half hours. Dress
for the cold, as a majority of the program is conducted outdoors.
Christmas on the
Buckley Farm Long Ago Reserved Group Tours
-
December 6-10
-
Advance reservations and a $20 deposit are required two weeks prior to the tour
-
$2 per person (minimum of 20; maximum of 80)
-
Two reservation times: 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
-
Reservations beginning Monday, October 4 at 219-769-PARK (7275)
-
Designed for second grade and older
During the one and a half hour tour
students will visit with farmhands and others who will be working in the
Hired Hands quarters, the Tool Shed, and the Main Barn. Teachers or group
leaders will receive a pre-site visit packet when their reservation is
confirmed. It is important
that children are dressed for winter weather since a majority of the
program is conducted outside. Note to teachers who have participated in the past: This program is
conducted entirely at the 1910s barnyard area to limit the amount of
walking during the winter season. While
students will not be visiting the schoolhouse or the pioneer log house,
they will still have participatory activities to assist them in learning
about the early farm lifestyle.
For information call 219-769-PARK (7275) - 219-945-0452 FAX
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department
8411 East Lincoln Highway ... just west of Deep River Waterpark
Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Updated
June 16, 2010