Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, October 17, 2017
(PATOKA LAKE) - Celebrate the season at Patoka Lake’s annual Autumn Getaway Weekend #1 Friday and Saturday.
All programs take place in the modern campgrounds at the shelter house and the large tents.
On Friday campers can bring canned vegetables for the Friendship Stew at 5 p.m. to the modern campgrounds shelterhouse. Naturalists and volunteers will cook the stew, ready to serve at 7 p.m. Bring family and friends, lawn chairs, crackers, bowls and eating utensils. Join the naturalists as we gather around the campfire with Friendship Stew. While enjoying dinner watch as DNR volunteer, Ivy Shawler, leads a Dutch Oven Cooking Demonstration. Ivy will discuss the do's and don'ts of cooking with cast iron. Learn tips for cleaning and preparing your cast iron cookware and food preparation and heating. She will be cooking up two different desserts for everyone to sample.
Campers can start their quest around the park during the Selfie Scavenger.
Hunt or buy pumpkins from the pumpkin wagon. Proceeds of $3 for a small pumpkin and $5 for a large pumpkin will benefit the Patoka Birds of Prey.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. enjoy "Fall Family Fun" with crafts, activities and games. Bring your own pumpkin and carving tools. Create your special jack-o- lantern for the pumpkin carving contest. Bring a pre-washed white cotton T-shirt for Tie-Dying, supplies provided. Kids bring a few dollars to make special fall and Halloween themed crafts. Look for the tents in Campgrounds Section A near the gatehouse. Pumpkins will be for sale with small
pumpkins priced at $3 and large at $5. Proceeds will benefit the Patoka birds of prey.
Starting at Noon, sign up for the 15th annual Dutch Oven Cook-Off Competition. With Dutch ovens and supplies, create a dish from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.; to be judged as well as a 3:30 p.m. sampling by the public.
At Noon bring your team to the tent area for the Cornhole Tournament. There will be separate tourneys for youth and adults.
Bring your pets, in costume for the 2 p.m. pet parade with a special guest grand marshal. Pets must be on a leash. Pet costume contest to follow.
At 3:30 p.m., Taste of Patoka offers campers a taste of the Dutch Oven Cooking dishes and cast iron chili, prepared and served by DNR staff and volunteers. Bring a bowl or plate, silverware and a $2 donation to taste and judge these dishes.
Please have your campsites decorated by 3 p.m. for the decorating contest. Judges will make their way around to all registered campsites to select first place winners for three themes: Scariest, Most Original, Best Fall Theme.
Campers 12 years of age and under invited to the Trick or Treat" from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. around the campgrounds. There will be no vehicle traffic at this time for the safety of your children.
For more information regarding this special event, details of Dutch Oven Cook-Off, or other programs at Patoka, call the Patoka Lake Nature Center at (812) 685-2447.
Patoka Lake (stateparks.IN.gov/2953.htm) is at 3084 N. Dillard Road, Birdseye, IN 47513.
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