Catoctin Mountain Park celebrates with a centennial extravaganza

Date: August 30, 2016
Contact: Peggie Gaul, 301-663-9388

THURMONT, Md. –Catoctin Mountain Park celebrated the 100th birthday of the National Park Service with a Centennial Extravaganza at Camp Greentop from 10-3 on Saturday, August 27.The event was planned and hosted by the park and its partner, the Catoctin Forest Alliance (CFA).It was designed to showcase significant eras in the history of Catoctin Mountain through exhibits, demonstrations, programs and interactive activities presented by park rangers, volunteers and partners.

Highlights included craft demonstrations of broom making, blacksmithing, pottery, and fly fishing. There was an exhibit of art by recent Artists-in-Residence, and a reunion of friends and educators from the Frederick County Outdoor School who shared memorabilia and stories gathered across 35 years of outdoor school experiences.Local Boy Scout troops demonstrated skills and encouraged participants to get involved.Children were introduced to animals of the forest through authentic fur pelts, skulls and craft activities.The Frederick County Public Library, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Cunningham Falls State Park, the League for People with Disabilities, the Student Conservation Association, and the Youth Conservation Corps all shared materials about their organizations at individual booths.

At noon the crowd was treated to a solo performance of the National Anthem by Ms Raeann Robish, followed by remarks from Superintendent Rick Slade and CFA President Jim Robbins.The crowd was entertained throughout the day with music by Claude Martin and Erica Snow.

Food service was provided by the Thurmont Lions Club and emergency services were provided by Thurmont Venture Crew 270 which is affiliated with the Ambulance Company of Thurmont.

Other highlights included: a ranger-guided discovery hike, an illustrated talk about the history of the National Park Service, a presentation about the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) at Catoctin Mountain Park, and a story time for children of all ages.

-NPS-

Catoctin Mountain Park is one of 413 national parks cared for by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Correspondence should be addressed to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Our website address is www.nps.gov/cato.General information can be obtained by calling the Visitor Center at [phone].