St. Joseph County Parks, May Calendar

August

8- Friday
Summer Shakespeare in the Park: The Witch
St. Patrick's County Park: Hurwich Shelter
7pm

Summer Shakespeare, the Professional Theatre in Residence at the University of Notre Dame, presents the Young Company in this outdoor performance. “The Witch” was written by Thomas Middleton, one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries. The performance is free and a great way to enjoy a warm summer evening!

23- Saturday
Women Experience the Outdoors;
A not-so-lazy summer morning on the St. Joe River
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
8:30am to 12:30pm Fee: $15/person

Program begins with a brief lesson on canoeing and the natural history of the river. Then we will shuttle you and your canoe to Keller Park, where you will be guided by a Park Interpreter on a 4.5-mile (downstream) paddle back to St. Patrick’s County Park. Along the way learn about wildlife that frequent the river, and stop on the bank of a river island to relax a bit, enjoy the water, and have a snack. Bring water-worthy shoes, a towel, and don’t forget your sun protection! Registration required by August 18. For more information or to register, call 574/277-4828. (Min. 6; max. 12)

23- Saturday
Weaving in the Woods: Berry Basket
Bendix Woods County Park: Glenn Bauer Shelter
1 to 5:30pm
Fee: $22/person

Join local basket weaver Susan Williams to weave a berry basket. This is a beginner’s basket, so no previous weaving experience is necessary to complete this basket. Pre-registration and payment are required by August 12. For more information or to register call 574/654-3155. (Min. 5; Max. 13)

23- Saturday
run, jane, run: 5/10K Run and Walk
St. Patrick’s County Park
7 to 8am – Registration at the Red Barn
8am – 5K/10K Trail Run starts
Awards immediately following the race

Women of all ages! Rev up those running shoes for run, jane, run at St. Patrick’s County Park. This event benefits the YWCA of St. Joseph County. Participants can choose between the 5K and 10K trail run or the 5K walk. Registration begins at 7am EDT. For information or to register by phone call the YWCA at 574/233-9491 X 324. To register on-line log onto www.ywcasjc.org and click on run, jane, run at the bottom of the page.

run, jane, run course map

24- Sunday
run, jane, run: 20-, 40- and 60-mile Bike Ride
Bendix Woods County Park
7:30 to 10am – Registration at the Van Paris Shelter
8 to 10am- Begin ride

Women of all ages! Pump up those bike tires for run, jane, run at Bendix Woods County Park. This event benefits the YWCA of St. Joseph County. Participants can choose between the 20-, 40- and 60-mile ride through the beautiful countryside. Registration begins at 7:30am EDT. For information or to register by phone, call the YWCA at 574/233-9491 X 324. To register on-line log onto www.ywcasjc.org and click on run, jane, run at the bottom of the page.

25- Monday
Volunteer Garden Work Day
9 to 11am: Bendix Woods County Park
1 to 3pm: St. Patrick’s County Park

Calling ALL volunteers! Join park staff to help maintain the gardens at Bendix Woods and St. Patrick’s County Parks. Bring gloves and gardening tools. Volunteers do not have to garden at both sites, but are welcome to.

28- Thursday
Dance the Night Away
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
6:30pm
$12/person

Enjoy a night of Irish and Scottish music, dancing and Irish food with the local band Lorica! Participants will learn several simple dances from Ireland, Wales and Scotland with experienced dancers. Dinner will be a mouthwatering dish with a Celtic theme. Bring those dancing feet for an event the whole family will enjoy! Registration and payment required by August 26. For more information or to register call 574/277-4828. (Min. 8; max. 35)

30 &31- Saturday & Sunday
Pow Wow at St. Patrick’s County Park
St. Patrick’s County Park
11am-8pm Sat.
11am-5pm Sun
$6/adult and $5/youth
(toddlers and babies free)
Grand entry of dancers are 1pm and 6:30pm Sat. and 1pm Sun

Fee: TBA, parking fee included in ticket price
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the Annual Pow Wow at St. Patrick’s County Park. The Native Peoples of North America will host several tribes that display authentic regalia, customs, ceremonies, drumming and dance contests. Vendors will offer Native American food, jewelry, beadwork, leatherwork and other cultural crafts. See an authentic 1800s era woodland Indian village. A modest festival admission is to be announced. For more information call 231/271-6661.

September

5- Friday
Umphrey's McGee Concert
St. Patrick's County Park
Robert J. Fischgrund Center for the Performing Arts
Gates open at 6:00pm, Show begins at 7:00pm

Tickets will be $25.00 in advance, $30.00 day of show, and will be available pre-sale through Umphrey's Ticketing Tuesday, July 22; all those who pre-purchase tickets to this show will be included in a contest to win a pair of passes to a meet & greet, 10 winners will be chosen.

General on sale will be Saturday, August 2, through the Morris Performing Arts Center box office, www.morriscenter.org, charge by phone 574.235.9190, and at all Ticketmaster locations, phone charge 574.272.7979, or www.ticketmaster.com

12- Friday
Geocache Picnic
St. Patrick’s County Park: White Barn Harvest Room
GPS coordinates: N 41° 45.473’, W 086° 16.055’
6 to 8:30pm
Fee: $3/person

Learn how to use a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device on a high-tech “treasure hunt” to find caches at St. Patrick’s County Park and throughout the world! Bring a GPS unit if possible, limited loaner units are available. Not sure what geocaching is all about? Check out www.geocaching.com to find out more about this fun and exciting international sport. A special geocache course will be set-up just for this event! Bring your food and drinks, charcoal and grill provided. Registration required by September 10. For more information or to register call 574/277-4828. (Min. 4; max. 15)

14 Sunday
Lions Club River Ride
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
Registration 7 to 11am
Fee: $15/Adult registered before 9/1/08; $20/Adult after 9/1/08
$6/Child age 6-13 $6; FREE ages 5 & under

Proceeds from rides go to various charities. Road bike routes are 10, 20, 40, & 70 miles long. Mountain bike route is approximately 40 miles. Free pancake breakfast for all participants. Helmets are required and must be worn at all times while riding. Free t-shirts for early registration, while supplies last. For more information and to register call 574/288-6383 or log onto www.southbendlionsclub.org Organized and sponsored by the South Bend Lions Club.

20- Saturday
Mutt March
St. Patrick’s County Park: Red Barn
Registration begins at 9am; walk begins at 10:30am

Bring your dog to the park for some exercise and show your support for Pet Refuge! Be sure to get your pledge sheets before September 1! For more information and to obtain pledge sheets call 574/236-7360 or log onto www.petrefuge.com. Organized and sponsored by Pet Refuge.

27- Saturday
Volunteer Water Monitor Training
St. Patrick’s County Park: Brown Barn
8:30am to 4:30pm

Attend this Hoosier Riverwatch Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring “Basic” Training and become a certified volunteer monitor! This training introduces citizens and educators to water quality monitoring utilizing hands-on habitat, chemical, and biological assessment methods. Participants gain experience and skills in the use of chemical monitoring kits and aquatic insect collection and identification. The sessions are held both inside and outdoors. Bring a sack lunch. The training is free; materials and class size are limited. Registration required by September 12. For more information or to register call 574/277-4828. (Min. 4; max. 12)