Michigan’s Muskallonge Lake State Park Agate Show Sept. 17-18 Offers a Host of Activities
OutdoorHub 09.01.11
Muskallonge Lake State Park’s Fourth Annual Go Get Outdoors “Rock On With Lake Superior Agates” rock show will bring a host of speakers, vendors and entertainment to the two-day event set to take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18, at the park.
Visitors are encouraged to come out and view collections, display their own collection and learn everything they always wanted to know about Lake Superior agates.
“Last year’s show was a great success and this year’s show looks to be bigger and better,” said Muskallonge Lake State Park Supervisor Jim Dzelak.
Special events scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday include:
Terry House will offer a cutting and polishing demonstration at 11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at Site 97.
Team Awesome, Gretchen McKenzie and Heather Evans of Marquette, are scheduled to perform live from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the Event Tent. They will also have unscheduled performances throughout both days. Join the duo for their lively performance of acoustic guitar, ukulele and bass.
Walter Loop from the United States Geological Survey will be at the Event Tent at 1 p.m. Saturday to discuss the historical movement and development of Lake Superior and geological formations as related to the great lake and Upper Peninsula.
Kids’ Agate Hunts are scheduled to take place at various times throughout the weekend at the sandbox near the Event Tent. Times are 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and noon and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Karen Brzys of Gitche Gumee Agate Museum will be at the Event Tent at 2 p.m. Saturday and again at 1 p.m. Sunday to share information about agate formation and identification.
Michael Pung from Midwest City, Oklahoma will be at Site 90 at 3 p.m. Saturday and at the Event Tent at 2 p.m. Sunday to share tips on finding gold right on the beaches of Lake Superior.
A silent auction will run throughout the show. The auction will take place under the tent located next to the food booths. All items have been donated by rock show vendors and area businesses. Participants must be present to win. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Event Tent.
Muskallonge Lake State Park is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula approximately 28 miles northwest of Newberry on Luce County Road 407 in Luce County. For further details on the show or camping in the park, call the park at 906-658-3338.
A special thanks to this year’s sponsors: First National Bank of St. Ignace, Newberry Branch; Pine Stump Cook Shack and Drinkery; U.P. Graphics; Oswald’s Bear Ranch;
Timber Charlie’s Food and Spirits; Oldies ’93; Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn; The Woods Canoe & Kayak Rentals; UP Trading Company; Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry; Soo Locks Boat Tours; Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours of Munising; Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises.
The event is free of charge, however, a Recreation Passport is required of vehicles entering Muskallonge Lake State Park. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan’s outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.
Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking “YES” on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-41-7275.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
