Utah State Parks Host Military Appreciation Day

Flags in Utah to be Lowered in Honor of Flood Victims
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UTAH – August 11, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Utah State Parks will host Military Appreciation Day Saturday, August 15, in an effort to honor and recognize the significant contributions of military members.

Day-use entrance fees for all Utah state parks will be waived for disabled veterans, active service members and veterans. All 42 state parks will offer special activities or displays as a way to pay tribute and say thank you.

Schedule of events:

Anasazi State Park, Boulder – See our patriotic colors fly with flag decorations throughout the park. 435-335-7308

Antelope Island State Park, Syracuse – Flag raising ceremony at 9 a.m., at the Ranger Memorial. Enjoy a hot dog lunch at the visitor center, naturalist-lead hikes and all military personnel receive a 10% discount at the gift shop.  801-773-2941

Bear Lake State Park, Garden City – Flag raising ceremony at 8 a.m., followed by a pancake, sausage, hashbrowns and juice breakfast prepared by staff from the park, Garden City Fire District and Camp Hunt. At 10 a.m., we’ll recognize and honor local veterans and military members and then retire an old US flag. Park concession Bear Lake Fun Times is offering 5% off rentals to all military members and veterans. 435-946-3343

Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn State Park and Museum, Fairfield – At its height, Camp Floyd was the largest military installation in the United States. Come enjoy a personalized tour of the museum and hear the stories of Camp Floyd and the part it plays in Utah and U.S. history. 801-768-8932

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Kanab – Join us from 7 to 10 a.m., for a pancake breakfast prepared and served by park staff. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and orange juice. 435-648-2800

Dead Horse Point State Park, Moab – Park staff host an outdoor art contest to display the artwork from children of all ages. Artists are encouraged to creatively feature any aspect of patriotism or how they recognize and honor veterans and active duty military. Stop by the visitor center to vote for your favorite pieces, receive a yellow ribbon pin, and enjoy the creativity!
435-259-2614

Deer Creek State Park, Heber – Join us for an overnight group campout in the Wallsburg Group Area. Enjoy the movie Hotel Transylvania under the stars with free popcorn at 8:30 p.m. Non-veterans are welcome to join us, however popcorn is $2 per bag. Drinks available for $1 Enter a drawing to win free fly board rides, guided fishing tours and rafting trip discounts. Receive 50% off food at the Deer Creek Island Resort restaurant and High County Rafting is offering a 50% discount on rafting trips for veterans for the rest of the summer. 435-654-0171

East Canyon State Park, Morgan – Join us from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for a day of fun in the sun. There will be a flag ceremony, barbeque, military equipment on display and free use of non-motorized recreation equipment. Specialized recreation equipment will be available to those veterans with disabilities. 801-829-6866

Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, Blanding – Get a glimpse behind the scenes in the museum. See where artifacts are stored or prepared for display. Tours available 10 a.m. to noon. Please RSVP to reserve your spot. 435-678-2238

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Escalante – Visit with military members and park guests during a park potluck barbecue from noon to 1 p.m. The park will provide cold drinks and a large grill for anyone wanted to grill. 435-826-4466

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum, Sevier – Start the morning with a flag ceremony at 9 a.m., by the American Legion, a gun salute taps and singing of nation anthem. Enjoy a continental breakfast until 10 a.m., a presentation by the county commissioner, followed by tours of the park and guided ATV tours. ATV tour limited to 20 participants and RSVP is required. 435-527-4631

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, Cedar City – Step back in time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and learn the story of the Mormon Battalion. Hands-on activities include learning close order drills, frontier army games, signaling and secret coding and how to use ink and quill. The museum cannon will be fired every hour. 435-586-9290

Goblin Valley State Park, Green River – Check out the new disc golf course with a tournament beginning at 9 a.m. 435-275-4584

Great Salt Lake State Park, Salt Lake City – The park concession is offering 50% off all kayak, paddle board and peddle boat rentals.  At noon enjoy a free barbecue with hamburgers and hot dogs. 801-250-1898

Green River State Park, Green River – Play nine-holes of golf along the banks of the Green River and test your golfing skills beginning at 9 a.m. Cart rental fees not included. 435-564-3633

Gunlock State Park, Gunlock – Join park staff for a flag raising ceremony at 9 a.m. 435-680-0715

Huntington State Park, Huntington – Be greeted by a flag-lined entrance when you visit the park. 435-687-2491

Hyrum State Park, Hyrum – Join park staff and local boy scouts for a flag ceremony in the morning. Enjoy free one-hour canoe rentals and enter to win a free night stay in one of the park’s cabins. 435-245-6866

Jordanelle State Park, Heber – Show your patriotism and honor our current and past military veterans by running this 5K beginning at 7:30 a.m. All proceeds will go to the National Ability Center’s Veteran and Military Programs. Runners will receive a bugle “First Call” start and run through beautiful Jordanelle State Park. Along the course, runners will pick up flags representing each of the major wars: WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and the War on Terror. All 5K runners will receive participation medals and race shirts. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers according to age categories as well as for overall race awards. A pancake breakfast will also be available to everyone for an additional fee to benefit the NAC military programs. $3/person. Three and under are free for the pancake breakfast. 435-649-9540

Kodachrome Basin State Park, Cannonville – Join park staff for lunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hot dogs and drinks will be served. 435-679-8562

Millsite State Park, Ferron – Enjoy boat rides on the blue waters of Millsite Reservoir surrounded by desert plateaus and mesas from 10 a.m. to noon. 435-384-2552

Otter Creek State Park, Antimony – Be greeted by flags from each military branch as you arrive at the park. 435-624-3268

Palisade State Park, Sterling – Join us for day of fun in the sun! Flag raising ceremony at 8 a.m.,; free 5k run/walk at 9 a.m.; free golf and 30-minute lessons, paddle boats, canoes and paddle boards followed by a hot dog lunch at noon for the first 100 people. 435-835-6676

Piute State Park, Marysvale –  Be greeted by flags from each military branch as you enter the park. 435-624-3268

Quail Creek State Park, Hurricane – The park concession is offering free one-hour paddle board rentals. There will also be drawings and prizes throughout the day. 435-879-2378

Red Fleet State Park, Vernal – Sandstone ships and a row of American flags greet military members as they arrive in the park. 435-789-4432

Rockport State Park, Peoa – Remember the lives lost during a candlelight vigil honoring the 6,851 service men and women who lost their lives during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Every person in the campground, service members and interested park visitors will receive a paper bag filled with sand and a candle. At dusk all campers will light their candle and place the bags along the campground roadways. When all bags are lit and it gets dark, we will turn off all lights and have a moment of silence. 435-336-2241

Sand Hollow State Park, Hurricane – Join Dixie Divers at 9 a.m., for the Ultimate Diver Challenge. 435-680-0715

Scofield State Park, Price – Join us at 5 p.m., in the Mountain View campground for free hamburgers and hot dogs. A flag honor program begins at 7 p.m. All veterans receive free camping for the night (space is limited) . 435-448-9449

Snow Canyon State Park, Ivins – Welcome Orion and explore the Milky Way while surrounded by red rock and desert sand. Join us at 5:45 a.m., for a pre-dawn stargazing event and watch Orion as he wades his way through the magnificent desert sky. Bring a pillow or blanket to sit on and dress for the weather. Please call the park to register. 435-628-2255

Starvation State Park, Duchesne – Test your archery skills or learn new ones at an archery contest on our 3D course beginning at 9 a.m. 435-738-2326

Steinaker State Park, Vernal – Start the morning with a flag raising ceremony, followed by a light breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. 435-789-4432

Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum, Fillmore – The museum will have a collection of items on display from the war of 1812. 435-743-5316

Utah Field House State Park Museum, Vernal – Tour our new lab facility where fossils and other specimens are prepared for display. Take a look at the various collections we store in the museum. Tours and refreshments are offered all day. 435-789-3799

Utah Lake State Park, Provo – Join park staff for a campfire and s’mores on the beach from 6 to 10 p.m. The park concession will provide free paddle board rentals. 801-375-0731

Wasatch Mountain State Park, Midway – Free park day use, fishing pole rentals and GPS rentals for military families, hikes to Huber Grove, birds of prey meet and greet, free cake and ice cream, free snow cones; Wasatch Golf Course $5 pulled pork sandwich with fries and a drink, 2 free golf clinics; Solider Hollow-18 holes with a cart $38 and 50% off breakfast and lunch

Willard Bay State Park, Willard – Join park staff at noon for a hotdog eating contest with prizes. Music and entertainment by Cowboy Ted.  Food vendors with discounts for veterans

Yuba State Park, Levan – Join us from 8 to 10 a.m., in the Oasis Campground for a free pancake and sausage breakfast for all military personnel- $2 per plate for non-military members. Breakfast will be cooked and served by the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1340 from Bluffdale. The Scouts will perform a flag ceremony prior to serving breakfast. 435-758-2611

For more information, go to http://stateparks.utah.gov/resources/military-appreciation-day-activities/

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