Bays Mountain Park is hosting its annual Kids at Bays Day next month where children of all ages will enjoy the great outdoors while participating in a variety of fun and engaging activities at the park.
Kids at Bays Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 16. All of the animal habitats, hiking and biking trails and the Nature Center will be open for discovery and exploration. Folks looking for a tasty snack or meal can visit the La Abejita food truck, which will be on site for the duration of the event.
The park will also be celebrating its 55th anniversary that day and unveil its new Astronomy Exhibit in the Nature Center beginning at 10 a.m.
All of the following events are free with a $7 paid entrance fee:
- Animal Encounters: 10 – 11 a.m. and 1:30 – 3 p.m. at the animal habitats
- Astronomy: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Lily Pad Pavilion
- Fishing: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 3 p.m. at the dam
- Gardening: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Farmstead Museum
- Lake Exploring: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. near the dam
- Make a Mountain Toy: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Farmstead Museum
- Rock Painting: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Farmstead Museum
- Solar Viewing: 3 – 3:30 p.m. by the dam
- StarWatch: The observatory will offer a night view of the sky from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
(This schedule is tentative and subject to change.)
“Kids at Bays Day is one of our most popular events all year and is a great kickoff for the summer outdoor season,” said Miranda Wanninger, chief ranger of visitor engagement. “We’ll have a variety of programs happening all across the park that day, so no matter your interests we should have something for you to be excited about.”
In addition to the free programs, the park will also have its usual paid programs on May 16. Barge rides and planetarium shows are $6 per person. Tickets can be purchased online or in the gift shop. Barge rides will take place at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Planetarium shows will be at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
For more information contact Chief Ranger of Visitor Engagement Miranda Wanninger at 423-224-2861. Kids at Bays Day is organized and sponsored by the Bays Mountain Park Association.