Explore the parks with these Game and Parks events in September

Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s state parks. During September, a variety of events are planned for those interested in history, conservation, nature and just having a good time. Here are several examples:

Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson is Sept. 3-4

Visit Fort Atkinson State Historical Park for Living History Weekend on Sept. 3-4 and see reenactors portray life in an 1820s military fort.

Activities take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. They include military activity, mountain man camp, laundresses, blacksmithing, tin smithing, spinning/weaving, coopering and more.

Visit the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for the full schedule.

A valid Nebraska park entry permit is required. A per person fee is required at the Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center of $2 per adult and $1 per child. For more information, contact the park at ngpc.fort.atkinson@nebraska.gov or 402-468-5611.

Enders Reservoir BioBlitz set for Sept. 3-4

Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area will host a BioBlitz on Sept. 3-4 for people of all ages.

Participants will help set bat nets and reptile, amphibian and mammal traps on Sept. 3. The next day, they will learn more about the animals captured and released.

Biologists will search for wildlife like frogs, snakes, fish, aquatic invasive species, birds, bats and other small mammals. Find the complete schedule in the events listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.

The event is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. They can be purchased at the park the day of the event or online at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Merritt Reservoir SRA to host Full Harvest Moon Hike

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will host the Full Harvest Moon Hike on Sept. 10.

Explore the seasonal changes tied to this moon on a guided hike from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Be prepared for a half-mile hike over uneven terrain. Participants should dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a flashlight and bug spray. Meet at the Snake River Shelter.

This program is free but a vehicle park entry permit is required.

Mahoney State Park to host Nebraska Star Party on Sept. 16

Come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park on Sept. 16 for stargazing fun at the Nebraska Star Party.

Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack so the public can get a glimpse of night sky spectaculars from 9-11:30 p.m. Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring camp chairs or blankets.

The event is free but a vehicle park entry permit is required.

Chadron State Park hosting BioBlitz Sept. 9-10

Join natural resource experts and community volunteers as they discover the biodiversity of the Chadron State Park during the Sept. 9-10 BioBlitz.

A BioBlitz is a 24-hour inventory of all species in a specific area. This free event is designed for the entire family. A vehicle park entry permit is required.

Find the tentative schedule and required registration form in the events listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.

Table Creek Rendezvous returns to Arbor Lodge

Enjoy living history as the annual Table Creek Rendezvous comes to the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park grounds Sept. 24-25 for a Mountain Man era encampment.

Enjoy demonstrations of blacksmithing, fabric dyes and printing, seed beadwork, rigid heddle weaving, leather crafting, Dutch oven cooking, fire building, skins and skulls, and more.

Call Arbor Lodge at 402-873-7222 for more information. Mansion admission is $9 adults, $7 for ages 3-12. Demonstration hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Niobrara State Park to host Buffalo Cookout and program

Niobrara State Park will host a Buffalo Cookout with a Humanities Nebraska Program on Sept. 3.

The event is at the Buffalo Cookout Pavilion, with the meal at 6 p.m. and the program, “Bad Man in a Better Place: Jesse James in Nebraska,” following.

Reservations must be made by noon Sept. 3. The prices are $15 for age 13 and older and $12 for 12 and younger. Call 402-857-3373 for reservations.

A vehicle park entry permit is required.

2^nd annual Ash Hollow Rendezvous scheduled Sept. 9-11

The 2nd Annual Ash Hollow Rendezvous will be Sept. 9-11 at Ash Hollow State Historical Park.

The public may participate but must be in pre-1840-period clothing and have pre-1840-styled knives, long bows or tomahawks. They also may walk through the encampment to see demonstrations on wooden utensil making, Dutch oven cooking, trap setting, teepee erection and take down, character portrayal, leather working and beading.

There will be competitions such as a black powder shoot and hawk n’ knife (tomahawk and knife throwing) and archery.

Admission is free with a vehicle park entry permit. For more information, or to become a participant, call 308-778-7708.