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 Fall Celebrations
Several fall festivals and events are taking place this autumn at Alabama State Parks that you won’t want to miss.
Cheaha: Mountain Fall Festival – September 24-25, 2011 There’s something for everyone here: yard sale lane, fried pies, fried green tomatoes, gospel singing and the grand opening of the Walter Farr Indian Artifact Museum. Saturday is the annual chili cook-off from noon until the chili runs out. Sunday will feature the first Granny's Blue Ribbon Contest. Bring your homemade cakes, pies, pickles, jams, jellies from noon until 3 p.m. at Bald Rock Lodge for a chance to win a blue ribbon.
Frank Jackson: Scarecrows in the Park – October and November Hosted by the Lake Frank Jackson Trailmasters, the scarecrows are creatively made by various individuals, businesses, and school groups. Approximately 3 miles of walkings trails will take on very festive and original characters.
Oak Mountain: Fall Festival – October 29, 2011
This event takes place at the Dogwood and Lakeside Pavilions from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Activities include hayrides, face painting, moonwalk, cake hop, corn cob toss, bobbing for apples, and a pumpkin carving contest (bring your own pumpkin). Food and drinks will be available to purchase. Activities have a charge of one ticket per activity. Tickets ($1 each) will be available for purchase at the Dogwood Pavilion.
DeSoto: Canyonfest – November 5, 2011
Just 8 miles from DeSoto State Park, Canyonfest takes place at the Little River Canyon Center from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Enjoy live music, nature and arts activities, arts demonstrations and sales, great food, vendors, children’s activities and fun at this festival designed to celebrate our natural world and to benefit the children of our community.
 Outdoor Alabama Sweepstakes
Offers Four-wheeler and More
A four-wheeler and a jon boat package are two of the prizes to be awarded in the Outdoor Alabama Sweepstakes, which runs through January 31, 2012. Click here to enter the sweepstakes. You are automatically entered when you purchase a 2011-2012 recreational hunting or fishing license online. You may also enter without purchasing a license. Only one entry per person is allowed, and it must be completed online. More.
Share a Park Memory
“Where Memories Are Made” is a new promotion that allows visitors to share memories by posting comments or videos on the website. Everyone who participates will qualify for a $250 “Stay in Play” gift card drawing to be given away every three months.
Congrats to Dianne Herzog of Fairhope and Doris Sanders of Montevallo, our Memories winners who were drawn in September!
The next drawing will be held on December 1, so submit your entry today. Access the Where Memories Are Made promotion to view other memories by park visitors and to add your own.
 Tips from the Pro
By Harry Dwyer, Gulf State Park Pro Shop
Lesson # 6 – Hand Position
This lesson is incredibly valuable and simple. It’s the hand position when setting up the ball. Harvey Penick, golf profession and coach, made it short and sweet and I will too.
When setting up to the ball, your hands should be inside your left thigh on every shot except with the driver. With the driver I like to see them slightly behind the ball. This enables you to hit the ball on the upswing.
Try this next time on the course and have fun golfing.
— Harry
Harry Dwyer is a 28-year veteran of the Professional Golfers’ Association and an alumnus of the University of Alabama.
UPCOMING EVENTS
9/17/2011
Stay in one of the cozy cabins or in the campground facility during the annual arts and crafts show featuring over 100 booths. Call (256) 534-3757 for details and reservations.
9/24/2011
The Huntsville Obedience Training Club will host its annual dog fair on September 24, 2011. Includes a demonstration on agility, microchipping clinic, and a parade of breeds. Call (256) 534-3757 for park reservations.
9/24/2011
Bring the kids to the Petting Farm and meet the animals. Be ready to share some love and learn some of the cool facts about the animals at the Oak Mountain Demonstration Farm. Call (205) 620-2520 or Email oakmountain.naturalist@dcnr.alabama.gov for more information.
9/24/2011
Take off and weigh-in at Lakepoint State Park Marina. For more information call (770) 722-5795.
9/30/2011 to 10/01/2011
Spectators are welcome to watch the dancers. For more information call 256-247-5461 or
10/1/2011
Join Dr. Chris Murdock, JSU Biologist and Little River Canyon native for this EXTREME experience on hidden trails to Little River. Prepare to get your feet wet! Moderate to difficult (and extreme) level hike. Not recommended for children under 14 years of age. $10 per person; pre-registration required. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Meet at Little River Canyon Center in Fort Payne. Email fieldschool@jsu.edu or Call (256) 782-8010.
10/13/2011 to 10/16/2011
Held at the Gulf Shores Public Beaches, this event features food, fine arts, a children’s art village, live entertainment, a sand sculpture contest, and more! The event hours are Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For reservations at Gulf State Park’s campground call (251) 948-6353; call (251) 948-7275 for cottage and cabin reservations.
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 XTERRA Alabama
Trail Run Series
The Alabama State Parks are proud to host the 2011 XTERRA Alabama Trail Run Series. The series consists of three races at three different state parks beginning Sept. 17, 2011, at Cheaha State Park.
The second race will be October 22, 2011, at Monte Sano State Park near Huntsville, and the third race will take place November 13, 2011, at Oak Mountain State Park near Birmingham.
Oct. 8
Take a Kid Mountain
Biking Day
Bike Link of Hoover and the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) are teaming up for “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day” at Oak Mountain State Park on October 8, 2011, from 2 to 5 p.m.. Bring your child and their friends for an exciting day of kid-friendly mountain biking with groups led by experienced riders.
Meet at the South Trailhead parking lot on Terrace Drive. For more information contact www.bump.org and www.bikelinkbham.com.
 2012 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest
Are you an amateur photographer with an eye for Alabama’s diverse natural heritage? If so, you are encouraged to submit your images to Outdoor Alabama magazine’s 2012 Photo Contest. Winning entries will be published in the February 2012 issue of the magazine.
Entries must be postmarked by October 31, 2011.
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September 2011 Alabama State Parks eNewsletter
Official eNewsletter of Alabama State Parks 1-800-ALAPARK (1-800-252-7275) Click here to Unsubscribe.
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