Explore the parks with these Game and Parks events in November

Spend some time this fall in Nebraska’s state parks. Don’t forget a vehicle park entry permit is required at Nebraska state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Camp & Treat at Red Willow SRA

Enjoy discounted camping rates and Halloween family fun Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at Red Willow State Recreation Area’s Camp & Treat.

Nov. 1, kids ages 14 and younger are invited to bring their artistic skills and compete in a pumpkin painting contest at 4 p.m. There will be a camper/campsite decorating contest and judging at 5 p.m., followed by camper-to-camper trick-or-treating.

All weekend, the camping rates will be $5 off the posted rate for electrical sites and tent sites, with restrooms and water available, weather permitting.

Enjoy Candlelight Tour at Fort Atkinson Nov. 1

Come to the Fort Atkinson State Historical Park on Nov. 1 for the Fort Atkinson Candlelight Tour.

Each stop along the way will reveal another part of the evening’s theme, “The Eve of Sgt. Winningham’s Wedding and the Return of the 1825 Treaty Expedition.”

This unique walking tour among the historic buildings and around the grounds of the park at Fort Calhoun will take approximately 1½ hours.

Reservations for this event, from 6-10 p.m., are required and can be made by visiting the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Non-refundable payments must be received within seven days to confirm reservations.

Proceeds will help support the Living History Program at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $15 for ages 12 and under.

Flash photography, flashlights and pets are not allowed.

Veterans Appreciation Day at Platte River SP

Nov. 8 is Veterans Appreciation Day at Platte River State Park’s Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the first 50 visitors with any military ID will receive a token for one free shooting activity. Instructors will be available for the following activities: trap shooting, .22 rifle target shooting, pellet gun target shooting, archery, tomahawk throwing and slingshots.

Families are invited. Naturalists will be on hand for outdoor learning activities.

1875 Grand Thanksgiving Ball at Fort Hartsuff

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Fort Hartsuff with a recreation of the 1875 Grand Thanksgiving Ball.

On Nov. 15, from 5:30-8 p.m., the Enlisted Men’s Barracks will be cleared and decorated for a period-correct catered light supper, music and dancing.

Activities happening earlier in the day at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park include a dance rehearsal, shooting demonstration and more. Daytime festivities are open to the public with paid admission: $5 (ages 13 and up), $1 (ages 3-12), no charge for under age 3.

The front desk, gift shop and historical buildings will be open from noon to 4 p.m.

 See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.