With fall weather in full swing, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites visitors to enjoy the great outdoors during upcoming events at state parks in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. All events are geared toward helping people better connect with and explore Michigan's great outdoors.

Visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors and click on Events Calendar to view activities taking place throughout the year.

October highlights include:

Poetry in the Porkies with Joy Ibsen at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County) Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2
The poetry writing workshop will include experiencing and observing nature, writing poetry and helpful critiquing of each other's work. A booklet of poetry from the sessions will be published and distributed 4-6 weeks after the workshop. Classes will run from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. ET each day and cost $74. To register online visit www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or emailfriendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.

Grow Your Own Garlic in the U.P. with Wayne Walma at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County)Saturday, Oct. 8 
Students will learn the basics of growing their own garlic, common growing methods and the challenges of growing in a northern climate. The class will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET and costs $23. To register online visit www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or email friendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.

Carve a Finnish "Shaving Tree" with Pekka (Peter) Olson at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County)Saturday, Oct. 15
Students will use a knife to carve a "curly" tree from cedar, bass or large-tooth aspen wood. The class will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. ETand costs $28. To register online visit www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or email friendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.

Create a Cutting Board with Dave Rasmussen at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County) Tuesday, Oct. 18 through Thursday, Oct. 20
Create a cutting board within two or three evening classes. Snacks will be provided. The class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. ET each day and costs $56. To register online visit www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or email friendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.

Triangle Tree Applique Wall Art with Wayne Walma at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County)Saturday, Oct. 29 
Students will "peg" triangular pieces of hardwood to a backing board to make a piece of wall art. The class will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET and costs $60. To register online visit www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or emailfriendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.

Make a Pair of Snowshoes with Theresa Neal at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County) on Saturday, Nov. 5 
Make snowshoes using kits that include the wooden frame and lacing. The class will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET and costs $165. To register online visit www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or email friendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com. The registration deadline is Oct. 12.

Harvests and Haunts events

Hay rides, pumpkin carving ,trick-or-treating, costume contests, cider and donuts, haunted trails and many other family-friendly activities will take place in more than 30 Michigan state parks and recreation areas this September and October during Harvests and Haunts. Camping reservations are filling up, but there still is camping availability in a number of parks. Visit www.michigan.gov/harvestsandhaunts for more information.

Havest Festival at Brimley State Park (Chippewa County), Saturday, Oct. 1
Have a "fangtastic" day at Brimley State Park's Harvest Festival! Events will be happening throughout the day, including a pancake breakfast, pumpkin painting/carving, chili cook-off, trick-or-treating and, of course, a costume contest. After dark, there will be a campsite decorating contest. For more information, contact the park at 906-248-3422

Harvest Festival at Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Luce County) Saturday, Oct. 8
Activities will consist of pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, costume contests, trick-or-treating and a chili cook-off. Sites fill up fast, and it's sure to be a "treatfully" terrific day! For more information, contact 906-492-3415

For more information about these events, visit the online calendar of events at www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors, call the park, or contact Kelly Somero (western Upper Peninsula) at somerok@michigan.gov or 906-353-6558 or Melanie Brand (eastern U.P.) atbrandm@michigan.gov or 906-339-4461.

To check camping availability in state parks and make a reservation, please visit www.midnrreservations.com or call 800-44PARKS (800-447-2757).

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to state parks and recreation areas. Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

Inside Michigan's Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

 

Contact: Kelly Somero (western U.P.), 906-353-6558 or Melanie Brand (eastern U.P.), 906-339-4461