ATTEND FATHER’S DAY FOSSIL WEEKEND JUNE 17-18 AT PONCA STATE PARK - Tom Keith
LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunt fossils, shoot bows and arrows, go kayaking or try several other interesting family outdoor activities June 17 and 18 at Ponca State Park’s annual Father’s Day Fossil Weekend.
A plesiosaur, a predatory marine reptile that was known to grow to 16.5 feet long when it lived more than 95 million years ago, was excavated at Ponca State Park (SP) on Father’s Day Fossil Weekend in 2001. Since then, Father’s Day Fossil Weekend has been a chance for families to gather at the park, enjoy a day outdoors with dad and participate in a variety of outdoor activities.
This year there have been some other interesting “finds” at the park, including vertebrae from another plesiosaur at a new location, the tooth from an extinct horse, another as yet unidentified tooth, and a five foot-long fish. You never know when you might stumble across something of significance when visiting the park.
This year’s schedule of programs and activities is:
Saturday, June 17:
9 a.m.-noon – the annual Plesiosaur /Fossil Hunt, $2 per person
10 a.m. – Beginning Archery, bows provided, $2 per person
1-3 p.m. – Backwater Kayaking, $8 per person, must be 12 years or older, signup required
1:30 p.m. – Kids Fossil Craft, kids put together and paint a T-Rex, $3 per craft, signup required, class limited to 25 people
3:30 p.m. – Critter Corner, see and touch live animals found in and around the park, free
5 p.m. – Dutch Oven Cooking, help create and enjoy a meal cooked in Du tch ovens, $4 per person, signup in advance at the Resource and Education Center, limited to 20 people
7:30 p.m. – Hayrack Rides around the park, $4 per adult, $2 per child, signup required
Sunday, June 18:
8 a.m. -- Birding Kayak Adventure, birdwatching from kayak in Missouri River backwaters, binoculars and field guides provided, a naturalist will be on hand. Must be 12 years or older, $8 per person, signup required
10 a.m. – Fishing Clinic, for all ages, learn fishing basics, including casting, knot- tying, fish cleaning, etc., equipment provided, free
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. – Father’s Day Big Burger Buffet at the Riverbluff Room in the Resource and Education Center, 8 oz. burger, condiment bar, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, chips, Dutch oven cobbler desert, iced tea and lemonade, $5 per child, $7 per adult.
Ponca SP is located at 88090 Spur 26E, Ponca. A valid Nebraska park entry permit is required. For additional information contact Ponca SP office at (402) 755-2284, by email at Ponca@ngpc.ne.gov
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