Door County Events: Peninsula State Park Turns 100

It’s a new year, and with it Peninsula State Park will celebrate its centennial. In 2009, the park will honor “100 Years of Memories…and that is Only the Beginning.”

Centennial signature events are unfolding, including Dedication Day on June 7; cultural exhibits sponsored by Edgewood Orchard Galleries, the Ephraim Foundation, and the Peninsula School of Art; Talking Tombstones on August 6; and, a brand new American Folklore Theatre production, Sunsets and S’Mores. For a complete listing of centennial celebration events, as well as a variety of memorabilia, visit http://www.peninsulafriends.org/100.

In addition to the signature events, each month in 2009 Peninsula will issue a puzzler related to the centennial. In January 2009 park visitors will receive a free centennial fridge magnet with any merchandise purchase of $1 or more (does not apply to park stickers or fees). Recognizing that venturing to the park on icy roads is difficult for some, the park will mail a free magnet to the first three people age 65 and older who phone 920.868.3258 with the answer to the January Centennial Puzzler: Name the man who reached the North Pole in 1909.

Also, local Door County artist Dave Hackett is creating a special watercolor montage of key Peninsula State Park features. Prints will be available this spring, with all proceeds funding centennial events.

A Centennial Reader is also going to press, with contributions from Itsie Krause, Thelma Erickson, Betty Chomeau, Dick Woerfel and others.

In addition to all of the above, Peninsula State Park’s centennial also brings exciting opportunities for stewardship, for transforming "someone should" to "I will." Perhaps you’ll cut down your CO2 emissions by hiking, biking or skiing through the park instead of driving. If you log your miles you might even be eligible to receive a FREE centennial shield.

For more information or those wanting to sponsor a centennial event or project, contact Naturalist Kathleen Harris ([email protected] or 920.868.3258) or contact Friends of Peninsula State Park (FPSP) President Norm Aulabaugh ([email protected]).