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Contact: Superintendent George Price, Jr., 508-957-0739
Wellfleet, MA—Cape Cod National Seashore is planning a number of fun and educational activities for August 25 to celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service. Events will occur in both the Eastham and Provincetown areas of the national seashore. Also, entrance to all six national seashore beaches will be free-of-charge from August 25-28 in honor of the Centennial. The Centennial theme is "Find Your Park," an invitation to Americans to seek out one of the more than 400 national park areas in the US, to discover their stories, and make personal connections. There is a particular focus on engaging young people who will be park caretakers in the future. The line-up of programs at the national seashore reflects these goals. All activities are free, accessible, and open to the public. "This is both a reflective and an exciting year for the National Park Service," said Superintendent George Price. "While we're looking back and honoring the people who had the foresight to set aside these remarkable lands, we're also looking ahead to envision who our future stewards will be, and how we can engage them. Our programs on August 25 span many interests and disciplines, from science to culture, including the arts. We believe there's something for everyone on this special day." The day's events include a hands-on science festival and research presentations at Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. Family activities and a US Postal Service cancellation event are slated for Province Lands Visitor Center in Provincetown. Culminating the Centennial celebration on August 25 will be an outdoor concert with the Cape Symphony on the grounds of Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. "This is the first time we're partnering with the National Park Service, and it is a dream come true for us. We've all felt so lucky to have the great gift of the national seashore, an extraordinary destination on Cape Cod. Now the Symphony can help say "thank you," said Jung-Ho Pak Artistic Director and Conductor for the Cape Symphony. The symphony performance is made possible by a generous contribution from Eastern National, the national seashore's education partner, operating book and gift stores at park visitor centers, and tours at Highland Light. Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore is providing financial support for the day's other events. 10 AM to Noon: Science Street Fair, on the grounds of Salt Pond Visitor Center, 50 Nauset Road, Eastham Hands-on fun for families! During this drop-in event, meet seashore scientists and researchers, and explore the tools of the trade that help reveal the seashore's natural resources and issues. View live seashore animals and science technology, and earn a special National Park Service Centennial Junior Ranger badge. Expect a few surprises! National seashore staff will direct attendees to satellite parking and free shuttle, as needed 1 to 4 PM: Annual Science Symposium, Salt Pond Visitor Center Auditorium, 50 Nauset Road, Eastham This annual event showcases science and research at the national seashore through brief and engaging illustrated presentations by researchers and scholars. While technical in nature, the symposium is aimed at general audiences. Allow extra time on arrival to be directed to satellite parking and free shuttle. 2 to 4 PM: Province Lands Centennial Celebration, Province Lands Visitor Center, 171 Race Point Road, Provincetown Family fun, including a scavenger hunt with prizes, Wampanoag music and games at 3 PM with Wampanoag educator, Kitty Hendricks-Miller, and birthday cake. An auditorium program at 2 PM will focus on the forces that created the Cape and how they continue to shape it today. The US Postal Service will be on hand with the new National Park "Forever" stamps and an official commemorative cancellation stamp to mark the day. Youngsters can earn a special National Park Service Centennial Junior Ranger badge. 6 PM, Centennial Celebration Family Concert featuring the Cape Symphony, Salt Pond Visitor Center Outdoor Amphitheater, 50 Nauset Road, Eastham Against the tranquil backdrop of the Salt Pond and Nauset Estuary, Maestro Jung-Ho Pak will conduct an ensemble of 18 of the Cape Symphony's principal musicians performing pieces that reflect on nature and the value of parks and the natural world, including a newly-commissioned piece to commemorate the Centennial. The concert will entertain all ages, including families with small children. Limited bench seating;bring a towel, blanket, or low lawn chair to sit on. Allow extra time on arrival to be directed to satellite parking and free shuttle. If it rains, the concert will be relocated to Nauset Regional High School, 100 Cable Road in Eastham. In this event, an alert will be posted to www.nps.gov/capecod, and on Twitter @CapeCodNPS. Social Media: Staff will be tweeting and posting to Instagram and Facebook throughout the day, as well as participating in the National Park Service Centennial Snapchat story. For more information about national seashore programs, pick up a copy of "Park News" at a visitor center or visit us at www.nps.gov/capecod and www.facebook.com/CapeCodNPS/ |
Last updated: August 4, 2016