Area families and individuals in central Minnesota are invited to take a day off Saturday, Aug. 11 at the fourth annual “Take a Day Off” celebration at Mississippi River Park.
The event will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
“Take a Day Off” will provide families from the Stearns and Benton couties area with a chance to experience a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Organized by the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District, Stearns County Parks, Benton County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and St. Cloud State University, the event will include canoeing, fishing, geo-caching, archery, live native animals and much more. No experience is necessary, all equipment is provided,and activities are free.
The event will also include a bus trip to Bend in the River Regional Park at 11:30 a.m. to view a historical site tour and the chance to enjoy a native-prairie hike and two special canoe trips down 5.5 miles of a scenic stretch of the Mississippi River. The bus will depart at 10:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Space is limited so people are advised to come early. In addition, at 1 p.m. there will be a special presentation showcasing live Minnesota animals. Stearns County Mississippi River Park is located seven miles north of Sartell on CR 1 (the river road).
“By highlighting the scenic values and recreational opportunities of this stretch of the river, we hope to make more people aware of what a world-class river we have right in our backyard,” said Kimberly Thielen Cremers, Stearns County SWCD’s coordinator for the Mississippi River Renaissance project. “We want people to enjoy the river so that they’ll also want to care for it.”
For more details on Take a Day Off, visit www.stearnscountyswcd.net, or contact the Stearns County SWCD Office at 251-7800, ext 3.