Georgia state parks and historic sites e-news [Apr. 1, 2012]

April 2012 News from Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
Georgia Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 04/01/2012 07:00 AM EDT
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April 2012
1864 Confederate Flag Returned to Georgia
April 21 Ceremony at Fort McAllister Historic Park
To celebrate the return of an original flag that once flew above Fort McAllister, the coastal park will host a ceremony and re-enactment at 11 a.m. on April 21. The flag was found by a Union soldier's great grandson, who generously donated it to the park earlier this year. Read about this fascinating discovery and join the ceremony at Fort McAllister Historic Park in Richmond Hill.
On the same weekend, the Great Locomotive Chase will be highlighted at Allatoona Pass Battlefield near Red Top Mountain State Park in Cartersville. Historians will tell the story of Union soldiers stealing The General in 1862. Old-timey life will be showcased nearby at the park's historic cabin on Lake Allatoona. Join us April 21 and 22.
Georgia Mountain BirdFest
May 4-6 at Unicoi State Park
Next month, bird lovers will flock to Unicoi State Park & Lodge for north Georgia's only major birding festival. More than 60 field trips, guided hikes and hands-on activities are open to birders of all ages and skill levels. Joe Duff of Operation Migration will be the keynote
speaker, telling about his experience of guiding hand-raised Whooping Cranes via ultralight on their first migration. Registration ends April 23 and the cost is $135 for the entire conference. Visit www.gamtnbirdfest.com or call 706-878-2201 ext. 305.
Rediscover the Rails
Tourist Train goes to Presidential Farm, Quirky Museum and Global Village
When the SAM Shortline Excursion Train pulls out of Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele, passengers forget their worries for a while, sit back and connect with their fellow travelers. Riding in vintage cars, they watch pecan
groves by their windows as the train rolls down the tracks. Along the way, the train stops at Habitat for Humanity's Global Village, a telephone museum, shops and President Jimmy Carter's boyhood farm. View the 2012 schedule and buy tickets at www.SamShortline.com.
Save Money When You Visit
If you are a frequent State Park visitor, you can save money with a $50 annual pass or Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites membership. You'll be exempt from paying the daily $5 parking fee at nearly 50 state parks. ParkPasses and memberships are available in State Park offices.
First-Time Campers Explore Ft. Yargo
Congratulations to the Ramsey family from Mississippi! They were our very first "First-Time Campers." The Ramseys visited Fort Yargo State Park and other places in Georgia during their spring vacation. Want to try out camping for the first time? Choose from six parks in our $45 "First-Time Camper" Program (which includes gear!).
April 2012 Calendar for Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
Below are just some of the many events scheduled for this April. View the complete calendar at GeorgiaStateParks.org/events. (Families, bring your little ones to our Easter Egg Hunts across Georgia!)
NORTHERN GEORGIA
Full Moon Hike (held monthly) Friday, April 6, 8:20 p.m. 10:20 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 9:15 p.m. 11:15 p.m. Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls Enjoy the gorge in the magical, shimmering light of the full moon. The hike will begin at the Interpretive Center, following the North Rim Trail, with a descent of the Hurricane Falls Trail staircase to the suspension bridge over Hurricane Falls. This is considered a strenuous hike, consisting of approximately 1.5 miles and 1,099 steps. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. (706) 754-7981.
Wildlife Show Saturday, April 7 and 21, 6 p.m. 7 p.m. Fort Yargo State Park - Winder Enjoy a live wildlife demonstration featuring native and exotic animals. Sponsored by Friends of Fort Yargo and presented by Earthen Excursions. Located at the amphitheater in Campground 1. $3 plus $5 parking. (678) 963-8891.
Wild about Wildflowers Saturday, April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1 p.m. 3 p.m. Unicoi State Park and Lodge Helen Enjoy a guided hike each Saturday in April while learning about the wildflowers currently are blooming. Register in advance. $5 parking. (706) 878-2201 ext. 305.
Spring Wildflower Fest Saturday, April 14 through Sunday, April 15, 10 a.m. 6 p.m. Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge Dawsonville Take a wildflower identification hike and participate in wildflower themed kids-crafts. Enjoy a variety of activities as we celebrate the arrival of spring at the park. $5 parking. (706) 265-1969.
COASTAL GEORGIA
Flashlight Egg Hunt Friday, April 6, 8 p.m. Crooked River State Park St. Marys Bring your family, friends, flashlights and baskets to Crooked River's Egg Hunt in the Dark. Grand Prize...a two-night cottage stay at Crooked River. $3 plus $5 parking. (912) 882-5256.
Sunset Tour in the Okefenokee Swamp Thursday, April 12, 7:15 p.m. 9 p.m. Stephen C. Foster State Park Fargo Watch the sunset, listen to owls, see bats fly overhead and observe herons coming in to roost. Once the sun goes down, see the stars come out and catch a glimpse of our neighboring planets. We'll even look for alligator eyes to glow red. Call ahead to confirm details. $20 - $25 plus $5 Refuge Fee. (912) 637-5274.
Dark Sky Star Party Thursday, April 12, Friday April 13, and Sunday, April 15 Stephen C. Foster State Park Fargo Without any light pollution, the Okefenokee Swamp is one of the best places in the Southeast to view stars and planets. Members of the Northeast Florida Observatory Foundation will bring high-powered telescopes so you'll get an exceptional view of our night sky. Register in advance. $3 plus $5 parking. (912) 637- 5274.
SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA
Moth Party Saturday, April 7, 8:30 p.m. 10 p.m. Hard Labor Creek State Park Rutledge One of the little known joys of studying natural history is setting up a blacklight and watching for moths after dark. Discover Life is recruiting naturalists to participate in a Spring Natural History Survey to explore impacts such as climate, pollution, invasives and diseases. $5 parking. (706) 557-3001.
Easter At The Park Saturday, April 7, 2 p.m. Reed Bingham State Park Adel Friends of Reed Bingham will be sponsoring an Easter egg hunt with more than 2,000 eggs. Afterwards learn about egg-laying reptiles and make Easter arts and crafts. $2- $3 plus $5 parking. (229) 896-3551.
67th Commemorative Ceremony for FDR Thursday, April 12, 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Roosevelt's Little White House Historic Site Warm Springs Pay tribute to President F.D. Roosevelt on the anniversary of his death at the Little White House. Amputee triathlete Scott Rigsby and Four-Star General Larry Ellis will be guest speakers. This event also includes a Color Guard and music by the U.S. Army Infantry Center Band. Free admission from 9 a.m. until noon. (706) 655-5870.
Train to Plains Classic Car Show Saturday, April 14, 9:30 a.m. 6:20 p.m. SAM Shortline Excursion Train -- Cordele Ride a tourist train over Lake Blackshear to the 4th Annual Plains Classic Car Show and Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. You'll have plenty of time to explore beautiful cars and the president's boyhood farm before the train returns to Georgia Veterans State Park. Groups and parties welcome. www.SamShortline.com
Amphibian Monitoring Workshop Saturday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. 9 p.m. Magnolia Springs State Park - Millen Want to learn about Georgia's rich diversity of amphibians and help protect lakes, streams, and wetlands? Georgia Adopt-A-Stream will teach you about volunteer salamander and frog monitoring. It's bound to be a hoppin' experience! Register in advance. $5 parking. (478) 9821660.
Astronomy Program Saturday, April 21, 8:30 p.m. F.D. Roosevelt State Park Pine Mountain Join presenters from Coca-Cola Space Science Center (Columbus University) at our amphitheater on Highway 190 to view the stars above. The evening will include star talks, star maps, and viewing of the night sky. $5 parking. (706) 663-4858.
Pine Mountain Trail Day Hike Saturday, April 28 F.D. Roosevelt State Park Pine Mountain Join a member of the Pine Mountain Trail Association for a 5-mile guided hike. Meet at WJSP TV Tower parking lot. Hiking will be from Pine Mountain Trail to Rocky Point parking lot. Wear hiking boots and bring drinking water. $5 parking. (706) 563-0497.
METRO ATLANTA
Native American Tools & Weapons Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site - Cartersville Learn from an expert how to make, use and care for ancient tools and weapons. See why their uses often meant survival. Also explore the earthen mounds and visit the museum. 3.50-5.00 (770) 387-3747.
Torchlight Tour Saturday, April 14, 7 p.m. 10 p.m. Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site Cartersville See Etowah as people did long ago. Step back in time as you walk a torch-lit path and explore illuminated mounds, including the 63-foot high Mound A, home of the highest Etowah chief. $3.50-$5.00 (770) 387-3747.
Spring Butterfly Hike Sunday, April 15, 2 p.m. 4 p.m. Panola Mountain State Park Stockbridge Join a park ranger when many flowers are in bloom and butterflies like hairstreaks and zebra swallowtails abound. Meet at the Park Nature Center. Hike is a rugged 2-mile loop. Bring a digital camera and get great photos of an incredible landscape, interesting and beautiful wildflowers, and the butterflies that frequent the flowers! Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Candle Light Hike to the Mill Saturday, April 28, 8 p.m. 10 p.m. Sweetwater Creek State Park Lithia Springs This mile-long guided night hike is easy to moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War era textile mill ruins of New Manchester. Candle lanterns will be provided. No children under 6 years or dogs permitted. Space is limited and is on a first-come first-serve basis. Meet and register at the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
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