June packed with fun park events for the family

Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s state parks. During June, a variety of events are planned for those for all ages and interests.

Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Fort Atkinson SHP to host living history

Travel 200 years back in time and experience history on the Great Plains at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. Living history events will occur from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 31 and June 1.

Ongoing demonstrations featuring military and civilian life of the 1820s will occur throughout the park. Reenactors portray fur traders, coopers, blacksmiths, carpenters, tinsmiths, weavers and other period trades. There will also be potato planting demonstrations. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the reenactors.

Admission to the visitor center is $5 for ages 13 and up, $1 for ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 and under.

For more information, contact the park at ngpc.fort.atkinson@nebraska.gov or 402-468-5611. See the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for a schedule.

Take wildflower hike in Wildcat Hills

Come to the Wildcat Hills Nature Center on June 6 for an evening of discovery for a plant talk and guided sunset wildflower hike.

The 6:30 p.m. Mountain time program begins with a plant talk by Bob Henrickson, horticulture coordinator with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Learn about native and regional plants, their beauty, benefits and role in local ecosystems.

Then enjoy a guided sunset hike of approximately 45 minutes with Nebraska Game and Parks educator Amanda Filipi.

Rock Creek Trail Day scheduled for June 7

Explore a place where road ranches served pioneers along the Oregon-California Trail, Pony Express riders carried mail across the West, and Wild Bill Hickok began a legendary career as a gunfighter. Rock Creek Trail Day is set for June 7 at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park near Fairbury.

The event will be open 10 a.m.-8 p.m., with the visitor center open until 5 p.m. Scheduled events include Pony Express demonstrations and a narration of the Hickok-McCandles incident at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Living history demonstrations will be held on the historic ranches throughout the day.

A free-will donation pulled-pork sandwich lunch will be from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. At 7 p.m., there will be a buffalo stew cookout, which will be followed by musical entertainment.

For more information on the schedule, see the calendar event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Cowboy Trail hike to Broken Bridge

Help celebrate 30 years of Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail with an evening stroll to Broken Bridge near Norfolk. The Stars, Strolls & S’mores Moon Walk on June 11 is hosted by Nebraska Game and Parks and partners.

The 7:30 p.m. Moon Walk starts at the Cowboy Trail parking lot west of Norfolk, about a half mile south of Omaha Avenue on Railroad Road.

The hike begins with an introduction to the night’s program. The hike to Broken Bridge will follow, with presentations from local experts. There will be a kids’ scavenger hunt. Materials will be provided. S’mores will be enjoyed after the hike.

Enders Outdoor Extravaganza set for June 7

Come to Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area south of Imperial on June 7 and enjoy a full day of activities for all ages with the Enders Outdoor Extravaganza.

This family-friendly event will take place at Area A Campground from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mountain time.

Activities will include a craft show, kids’ tractor pull, Dutch oven cooking, BBQ smoke-off, corn hole tournament, petting zoo, activity trailer, Old West encampment, kids’ trolley, pellet gun range, live music, and more.

For more information on the day’s schedule of events, see the calendar event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Mystery at the Mansion set for June 6, 30

Come to Arbor Lodge State Historical Park on June 6 and 30 for two evenings of fun with Mystery at the Manson. June 6 will feature Murder at the Hatters Ball and June 30 will feature Murder in Sin City. These old-fashioned whodunits will take place at Arbor Lodge Mansion.

Solve clues, look for evidence and break the case while mingling. Participants will receive a character to portray as they arrive at Arbor Lodge Mansion.

Cost is $30 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to buy tickets or for information on adding dinner or lodging.

Lewis and Clark hosting Dueling Pianos

Tickets now are on sale for Dueling Pianos, set for June 14 at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton.

Dueling Pianos, slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Weigand Marina, is a mix of music and comedy. Food trucks and a cash bar will be available.

Space is limited, so purchase tickets early. Cost is $20 per person or $160 for a table of eight. Purchase tickets at the Lewis and Clark park office or by phone at 402-388-4169.

Birding for Everybody and Every Body is June 14

Birding for Everybody and Every Body, set for 1:30 p.m. June 14 at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park near Fairbury, is a birding activity accessible and inclusive.

Rock Creek will welcome birders of all abilities, including beginners and families with small children, to a guided bird-watching tour hosted by Nebraska Birdability captain Cassandra Dean. Join the outing, which covers mowed grass trails of about a mile in length, or view birds at feeding stations from the comfort of the Visitor Center lobby.

Contact the park for more information at ngpc.rock.creek.station@nebraska.gov or 402-729-5777.

Enjoy stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

Come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland on June 20 and enjoy some summer stargazing.

Telescopes will be provided so visitors may get a glimpse at the night sky beginning at dusk. Meet behind the park’s golf shack for this free event. Remember to bring camp chairs or blankets.

Pony Express re-ride exchange at Rock Creek Station SHP

Come to Rock Creek Station State Historical Park on June 20 for the Pony Express Re-Ride.

Each June, the National Pony Express Association recreates the Pony Express in a commemorative re-ride. Letters are carried by horseback over the original trail stretching from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. The 1,966-mile, eight-state event is conducted 24 hours a day over a 10-day period until complete. On June 20, riders will exchange the mail at Rock Creek Station’s East Ranch at approximately 8:15 p.m.

Arrive early, as the times are estimates and the Pony can be ahead of or behind schedule.

Visit nationalponyexpress.org/re-ride for a complete ride schedule and to track the ride as it happens.

Mahoney will be All About Irises

Learn all about irises June 24 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

Join the Greater Omaha and Lincoln Iris Societies for an educational program and garden tour between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

The Sass Memorial Iris Garden displays and preserves more than 300 iris cultivars. Learn to appreciate irises in a new way after discovering the rare and award-winning flowers of the collection.

Get muddy at Mahoney on June 29

Come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park on June 29 and get muddy! It’s Mudville from noon to 4 p.m. at the Outdoor Pavilion. Just don’t forget to bring a change of clothes.

Make mud pies and mud art, dig in dirt and discover the slip-and-slide with a very muddy twist. Just dress for a muddy mess.