Itasca State Park Naturalist Programs

Description

Historic Sawmill/Pioneer Village Tour: Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers
Saturday, July 27, 2019 from 10 a.m.–Noon

Tour begins at the Levorsen Building located on the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers showgrounds.* The showground is located on the north side of Itasca State Park. Go out the North Entrance to Itasca State Park, entrance is on the east side of the North Entrance Road (across from the church and gas station).*Tour begins promptly at 10 a.m.
 
Get a feel for the early 1900s community of Lake Itasca at the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Showgrounds (LIRPF). See the Itasca Historic Sawmill. Explore various buildings including a country school, dove-tail one-room log house and a logging museum.
 
Itasca’s Amphitheater Dedication Celebration
Saturday, July 27, 2019 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Held at the Lake Itasca Amphitheater (in the picnic grounds by the swim beach)
 
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of Itasca will host a dedication event for the new Lake Itasca Amphitheater at Itasca State Park.
Activities will take place at the amphitheater. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and come prepared for a day of music, presentations and an ice cream social. DNR naturalists will offer activities and crafts for young and the young at heart.
The new amphitheater is located in the picnic grounds adjacent to the swim beach and playground.

• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (or while ice cream lasts) Ice Cream Social. Hungry for some ice cream? Enjoy a sweet treat and music concert at the ice cream social. The Friends of Itasca will be making chocolate or strawberry sundaes with proceeds going toward projects in Itasca State Park. Fee.

• 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Nature stations. Discover information and activity stations about Itasca’s natural and cultural history. Come and go at your leisure.

• 11 - 11:45 a.m. The music of Bill & Julie Kaiser—From the north woods of Minnesota, Bill and Julie’s music has been described as acoustic “folkgrass” with a mix of bluegrass, folk and original.

• 12 - 12:15 p.m.  Dedication of the Amphitheater. Erika Rivers, DNR Parks and Trails director, will talk about the value of the amphitheater and its funding, and thank those who worked to make it a reality.

• 12:15 - 1 p.m.: The Voyageur! Travel back in time with a visit from a Courier-de-Bois (ranger of the woods) and learn the life of a voyageur. Discover how it might have been living many years ago by river and paddle.

1:15 - 2 p.m. The music of Unpolished. The musical group “Unpolished” performs an eclectic mix of roots, Americana and Bluegrass music on Bass, Guitar, Mandolin and Banjo, complete with rich three-part harmonies. The group covers many styles of folk music including music from the 1800's - Civil War, old cowboy music, railroad songs, bluegrass music and traditional Gospel music.