Grayling Visitors Bureau

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2010

Contact: Rob Burg 989-348-2537

Celebrate a 19th-Century Independence Day at Hartwick Pines State Park

On July 4, Hartwick Pines State Park will observe Independence Day as it would have been celebrated in the 1890s. In the 19th century our nation celebrated its independence with baseball games, field games and contests, oration and picnics, in addition to fireworks. The Hartwick Pines celebration kicks off at noon on Sunday with events concluding at 4 p.m.

Children’s games and activities begin at noon at the picnic area. At 1 p.m., the park’s historian, Rob Burg, presents a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and at 1:30 p.m. the Hartwick Pines Swampers vintage base ball club will play an exhibition match according to 1860s baseball rules. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the day. Lemonade and iced tea will be available while supplies last.

Hartwick Pines State Park is located at 4216 Ranger Road in Grayling. For more information on this event or any of the other programs at Hartwick Pines State Park, please call (989) 348-2537 or email burgr@michigan.gov.

This event is free of charge; however, all motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a 2010 Motor Vehicle Permit. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8.

Effective Oct. 1, 2010, the Recreation Passport will be available to Michigan residents for $10 per registered vehicle, or $5 per registered motorcycle. This will replace the resident annual state park and boating access site permits. By checking “Yes” on your vehicle registration form, Michigan residents will realize a 58 percent savings in exchange for unlimited access to all Michigan state parks and boating access sites. This money will also help support Michigan state parks, boating access sites, state forests and local parks. For more information about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

Hartwick Pines State Park’s historic programs are administered by the Michigan Historical Center, an agency within the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.