Tennessee State Parks will host the second annual Ranger Fest on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park’s Head of Sequatchie location.
Ranger Fest is a celebration of Tennessee State Parks as places of education, recreation and conservation. Open to the public, Ranger Fest brings park rangers and educators together in one place on one day. The event runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dr. Jan Simek, archaeologist at the University of Tennessee, and State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath headline the group of speakers at this year’s event. Dr. Simek will discuss the history of the area and the importance of its preservation. Mr. Hedgepath will lead a walk of the Head of Sequatchie.
Park rangers will be stationed at booths, where guests will have the opportunity to ask questions as desired.
Featured presenters include Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park Ranger Marcianne O’Day; Booker T. Washington State Park Ranger Jordan Brison; Cumberland Mountain State Park Ranger Mark Houston; Alvin C. York State Historic Park Ranger Tanner Wells; Red Clay State Historic Park Ranger Logan Cammarata; Cumberland Trail Seasonal Interpretive Ranger Anna Schilling; Tennessee State Parks Regional Interpretive Specialist Steve Smith; and rangers from the Cumberland Trail who will lead programs on charcoal drawing, bats and bat boxes and a Sequatchie River creek program getting hands-on with aquatic life and the river.
The event includes an outdoor playground and interactive educational programs for children led by Ivy Academy, Campbell County Schools and Bledsoe County Schools.
The Native Plant Rescue Squad from Knoxville will join the Friends of the Cumberland Trail in educating the public on the importance of native plants, with native plants for sale to take home.
Tickets to Ranger Fest are $5 for adults, and free for children 17 and under. Group, educator and college rates are available. Bledsoe County High School will have food and drinks available to purchase as a school fundraiser. All proceeds from the event benefit Tennessee State Parks.
The Head of Sequatchie location is 270 Glyph Parkway, Pikeville. For more information, call 423-566-2229 or visit this site. People can register online or purchase tickets at the event gate the day of the event.