Friends of Wyalusing State Park

Fall Fest 2016

The Friends of Wyalusing State Park sponsor a major event on the last Saturday of every September. Everyone is welcomed. Campers and park visitors from the surrounding area look forward to the event which featured live music, a silent auction, and trails lighted by torch luminaries and carved pumpkins with glowing candles.

This year, as in all of the others, pumpkins will be provided for carving free of charge.Carving is located at the park’s maintenance building. Pumpkins will be placed along a park trail by park staff, volunteers and a Prairie du Chien girl scout troop. As the sun set, candles inside each pumpkins are lighted. The owners of the pumpkins take home their creations at the end of the festivities. A sub sandwich party will be held for the carvers and their families. The sandwiches and other snacks are provided by The Friends of Wyalusing.
The evening festivities include live music, luminaries along the trails, a silent auction, and food.

Silent auction items are provided by The Friends of Wyalusing and park visitors. Items also include handcrafted items, a quilt and a large pillow created using Wyalusing t-shirt logos, and a special basket featuring donated items from the Prairie Street Farmers Market.
Additional photos and movies can be found on the Friends of Wyalusing web site. (http://www.wyalusingfriends.org)

Letter from the President

Friends of Wyalusing State Park
13081 State Park Lane
Bagley, WI 53801
Friends,

Hard to believe but another season is drawing to a close. As we look back on the things we accomplished in 2016 with your support, we also look forward to 2017.
We provided programs and events for school groups and the public this year that were well received. We assisted the park with important needs like AED’s. We concentrated this year on non-personal interpretation signage and this will continue into 2017. Next year is indeed special as Wyalusing State Park turns 100. We ask for your help to celebrate this milestone. Mark June 3rd, 2017 on your calendar. Your executive board is working on events to make this centennial celebration memorable. And you can help.
Per our By-Laws, on October 10, 2016 at 6:00 PM at the Peterson Shelter we will have our annual general meeting and election of Officers/Directors for 2017. This is your chance to have your voice heard in the organization. Please attend if you can. Your current board has been in place for a number of years and does a great job but fresh ideas are always welcomed. If you or someone you know would like to get more involved, here is that opportunity to help start off the Park’s second hundred years on good footing.
I have been pleased to serve as your President and will continue in whatever capacity I can as long as I am able.
Your Friend,
Bruce L. Klang
President – Friends of Wyalusing State Park.

Celebrate the Fall season with the Friends of Wyalusing State Park. The annual event is held at Wyalusing State Park on the last Saturday in September 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Wyalusing State Park visitors will walk along a luminary lighted Bluff Trail viewing the glittering lights of Prairie du Chien below. Walkers can stop along the way enjoying glowing fireplaces along the 1/4 mile route. The pathway will be illuminated with torches and pumpkins carved by local girl scouts and park visitors. Interpreters will be stationed along the pathway providing assistance and answers to questions. Walkers can also bring flashlights.
Pumpkin carving is held during the afternoon, from 2 PM-3 PM at the park. The carvers will be guided by local Girl Scouts. Pumpkins and carving tools are provided by The Friends of Wyalusing.
The Friends of Wyalusing will provide cookies, treats, apple cider and coffee in the Peterson shelter during the event at the Peterson Shelter. A silent auction featuring hand made items will also be held. All donations are used to enhance park visitors experience.
Vehicle admission stickers are available at the Park Entrance.

Smokey Bear’s Birthday Bash

View 2016 Photos
by Wyalusing State Park Staff

Smokey Bear celebrates his 71st birthday at Wyalusing State Park on Saturday, August 6th. Smokey will lead a parade of children and adults on foot, bikes and in wagons through the scenic Wisconsin Ridge Campground. Following the parade, party goers are invited to have their pictures taken with the famous bear.
Racheal Breuer, wife of property supervisor, Chad Breuer, will read“The True Story of Smokey Bear” from a large picture book. Then, Smokey and the children will gather around a beautiful birthday cake, On the count of 3, they blow out all 71 lit candles and enjoy cake and lemonade. Each child in attendance will receive a Smokey Bear canvas tote bag filled with Smokey paraphernalia.
Smokey’s birthday party is sponsored by the Friends of Wyalusing State Park and Wisconsin DNR. (Additional Photos---)

The program is free, but a state park admission sticker is required on each vehicle. The Friends of Wyalusing would like to invite everyone to spend the day in the park, pack a picnic supper and stay for the program. The trails are in excellent hiking condition and canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the concession stand. An afternoon paddling the marked canoe trail on the Mississippi River is an excellent way to spend one of the last weekends before school starts. Donations to the Friends of Wyalusing State Park, a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization may be mailed to Wyalusing State Park 13081 State Park Lane, Bagley, WI 53801.

The Friends of Wyalusing State Park are sponsoring another special event on the last Saturday of September - The Fall Festival. The event is hi-lighted with carved pumpkins, live music, torch lit trail to Point Lookout, and food.

With the end of Labor Day, the concession stand begins the fall season. The stand is open every Friday evening thrugh Sunday afternoon. The concession stand strives to stay open through Columbus Day weekend, Monday, October 13, 2014, unless the threat of freezing temps forces it to close. When the Park staff turn the water off at Wisconsin State Campground, the Concession Stand officially closes for the season.

Hours of Operation

Friday 4PM-8PM

Saturday 9AM-8PM

Sunday 9AM-2PM

Campers can still purchase wood and ice at the concession stand and rent canoes/kayaks. In an effort to control over inventory, ice supplies will not be replenished. There is also a limited supply of candy, ice cream, soda pop, and general camper supplies. Canoes will still be available. When the concession stand is closed, please see the Wisconsin Ridge Campground host for wood, ice and canoe rental. In addition, the Homestead Campground host will provide wood.

The Concession Stand has a limited supply of T-Shirts and sweatshirts. the sweatshirt. Clothing can also be purchased at the visitor center.

The Harvest Festival will be held on the last Saturday of September.

The Friends of Wyalusing State Park and the Concession Stand staff thanks all park visitors for helping to make 2016 a success. All profits from the Stand are returned to the park for special projects.

The Northern Water Trail, located in Woodyard Slough, is a clear paddle to the Mississippi River. Water levels, as measured by the USGS in McGregor, Iowa, is over ten feet. McGregor is across the Mississippi River from Wyalusing State Park.
Water travelers have reported sightings of Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Kingfishers, and other common water fowl along the trail. Most sightings were in early morning or late afternoon. Others have seen beavers, otters, and muskrats.
The boat landing, located at Wyalusing State Park, is end at the end of Long Valley Road.