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Friends of MacKenzie Fall Festival provides opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends October 13

Contact(s): Samantha Kueffler, MacKenzie Center property manager, 608-635-8035; Hayley Parsons, natural resource educator, 608-635-8112

MADISON - Outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of fall foliage are encouraged to visit the MacKenzie Center Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the 2018 MacKenzie Center Fall Festival.

This family friendly event will give attendees an opportunity to participate in some of the many activities available at the MacKenzie Center: archery, compass skills, wildlife viewing, fire building, hiking, scavenger hunts, and studying pond life.

Hay rides are one of the popular activities during the MacKenzie Center's Fall FestivalPhoto credit: DNR

Seasonal activities like pumpkin painting, a hay bale maze, gunny sack races, face painting, scarecrow making, and hayrides will put the whole family in the fall mood. To add to the adventure, participants will also get hands-on experience with fur and skulls, cut a "wood cookie" using a two-person crosscut saw, make leaf and wildlife track rubbings, and create other crafts.

Fall color should be about 50 percent this Saturday for the MacKenzie Fall Festival.Photo credit: DNR

"Fall is truly a wonderful time of year to experience the MacKenzie Center! Thanks to the Friends of MacKenzie and many volunteers, the property is able to offer this exciting family-friendly fall event showcasing a beautiful Wisconsin State Park System property," said Samantha Kueffler, property manager.

"Fall Festival is a great opportunity for people to enjoy the beauty of fall in Wisconsin while experiencing many of the programs the MacKenzie Center has to offer. Join us for the third year of this fun annual event." added Hayley Parsons, natural resources educator.

The $15 vehicle admission will cover parking and all event activities. The Friends of MacKenzie will have food and gift shop items will be available at an additional cost. The rain date for this event is October 14 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. All proceeds go to the Friends of the MacKenzie Center to support the facility and its programs.

The MacKenzie Center, is located outside of Poynette, 25 miles north of Madison and has interpretive trails, exhibits, museums and programming available for school and youth groups. For more information search the Department of Natural Resources website, dnr.wi.gov, for keyword "MacKenzie."

People interested in volunteering at the event are encouraged to contact the Friends of MacKenzie at MCeventvolunteers@gmail.com or call the MacKenzie Center at 608-635-8112.

For more information about the event, visit the Friends of MacKenzie website or facebook page (both links exit DNR).