Prairie Days 2009!

PRAIRIE DAYS 2009

IS THIS

WEEKEND!!!

Prairie Days, held on September 26 & 27 is the BIGGEST event of the year for Darke County Parks! In years past we've had over 3,000 people visit this FREE family fun event held at Shawnee Prairie Preserve. There will be foods, crafts, games for the kids, vendors and demonstrations scattered around the Log House all which will give you and your family a glimpse of Pioneer Life in the 1790's!

Hours will be Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm. A schedule of events will be online at our website. The current updated forecast from weather.com is showing highs in the low 70's and only a 20% chance of precipitation! PERFECT weather for a festival!

Start the fall season off with a bang and head on out to Shawnee Prairie Preserve, located just outside of Greenville on OH-502 for this fun-filled event! Did we mention that Parking and Admission are FREE?!

For more info on Prairie Days 2009,

check out our Facebook (here).

9/15/09 Early Morning Discovery Hike 'Report'

Good morning!

September 15th's Early Morning Discovery Hike was a wonderful morning for a hike! The weather was nice and cool, the sun was shining, fall colors were abundant and the birds were singing. Ah, what a day for a hike!

As usual, we started off the hike with binoculars turned to the sky in search of feathered-friends. Without trying too hard, we had several species on our list even before we left the parking lot! The Red-tailed Hawk was perched in the dead branches of the maple at the top of the hill. This perch has apparently become a favorite, as he has been seen here 3 of the past 4 hikes, much to the smaller bird population's dis-pleasure! We also spotted lots of movement in the cedar trees and discovered a large flock of Cedar Waxwings! This flock was around 35 individuals and provided many good looks prior to their departure. Mixed in with the waxwings, we also spotted several House Finches and a lone female Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female picture). This grosbeak provided several glimpses of the yellowish underwings as she flitted from branch to branch and finally as she departed overhead.

As we made our way up the hill, our attention turned from the pair of Eastern Bluebirds to the autumn colors that are creeping into the landscape. A few of the "early changer" trees are beginning to show their fall colors with splashes of yellows and golds. Several species of Asters are blooming throughout the landscape. The Ohio Buckeye has dropped nearly all of it's leaves, and the rest are mostly brown. All around us nature is progressing towards the upcoming season! Check out some fall pictures from Shawnee Prairie Preserve HERE.

Don't be fooled by the chilly mornings... there are still plenty of opportunities for wonderful hikes providing plenty of autumn colors and sounds. We hope to see you at the next Early Morning Discovery Hike, Tuesdays at 8am at Shawnee Prairie Nature Center!

Also, don't forget...

PRAIRIE DAYS

September 26: 10a-4p

September 27: 12p-4p

The biggest event of Darke County Parks' year is right around the corner! If you've never been before, you've been missing out and if you have, come on back! We have been growing this event each year and once again we hope to grow with new games for the children, new crafts, new vendors and plenty of apple butter, Farmer Brown's and Downing Fruit Farm! For an idea at what else goes on and to get a brief "feel" for this wonderful weekend on the Prairie, check out our pics from last year's Prairie Days on Flickr HERE. We hope to see you there and remember...

Parking and Admission are FREE!

Apple Butter cooking over the fire; Pioneers in and around the Log House; Vendors displaying their wares; Tall-tales being told; Crafts to make; and the wonderful smell of Farmer Browns' and Downing Fruit Farm wafting through the air... must be time for Prairie Days 2009!
Stirring the Apple Butter kettle...

Bringing over 3,000 people to the park, this is THE EVENT of the year with Darke County Parks. Not only will there something for everyone in your party to enjoy, but admission and parking is FREE! Held the last weekend in September, this event focuses on the prairie way of life in the 1790's and will feature many crafts, games, vendors and trades of the time period.

Observing the Pioneer Garden

Be sure to join us Saturday, September 26th from 10am-4p and Sunday, September 27th from 12p-4p for the festivities!

For more information, please call the Nature Center at 937.548.0165 Also: We're still recruiting volunteers... give Laura a call at the number above and sign up today!