WDNR Park offers State Fair visitors a “Passport to Fun”
MILWAUKEE --Young visitors to the Department of Natural Resources Park at the 2008 Wisconsin State Fair will find a “Passport to Fun” awaiting them.
Over the years, visitors to Wisconsin State Fair Park have come to depend upon the DNR exhibit area as a place for family – friendly activities that are both fun and informative. That tradition continues with “Passport for Fun.”
The Wisconsin State Fair runs July 31 through August 10 at State Fair Park, located just west of Milwaukee, off South 84th Street in West Allis. DNR Park is located in the southeast corner of the park, adjacent to the Wisconsin Exposition Center.
Children visiting the DNR Park will receive a special passport with 10 placeholders guiding them on a series of adventures around the DNR exhibit areas. At each exhibit area, they must complete an activity and then present their passport for a special stamp. Those who complete at least seven adventures will have their passports certified for a special prize. All DNR programs are participating in the “Passport to Fun” activity.
The impact of aquatic invasives will be featured as a “Passport to Fun” activity at the Law Enforcement exhibit area where children will learn how to stop the spread of invasive species in Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers. They will learn to identify plastic invasive weeds attached to a boat and trailer and pull them off to receive a sticker.
At the Fisheries Management exhibit area, young anglers can earn their stickers by identifying Wisconsin’s state fish.
Young explorers who visit the Wisconsin State Parks exhibit area will be challenged to complete a “Get Outdoors Wisconsin!” activity. They can take part in a backyard nature search answering riddles that serve as clues as to what animal is hidden in the woods adjacent to the exhibit area. At another stop they can make “super duper outdoor lookers” from bathroom tissue rolls, to try and spot a fox snake or an ornate turtle.
Most children recognize Smokey Bear and know he stands for “only you can prevent wildfires,” but how many know what a forester does? That’s the question they must answer to earn a stamp at the forestry exhibit area. Forestry staff will provide nursery information and an animated Smokey Bear will offer tips on campfire safety in Smokey’s Schoolhouse from 10 a.m-5 p.m. daily.
The Wildlife Management exhibit area will focus on birds of Wisconsin. The future ornithologists need to identify Wisconsin’s state bird to earn their passport stamps. After that, they can take part in a nest building challenge using tweezers to simulate a bird’s beak or take part in the “Feed Me” game, where the object is to get eight worms into the mouth of a an artificial bird-- in one try-- from a height of 12 inches.
In addition to the “Passport to Fun” activities, visitors can take the opportunity to purchase fishing and hunting licenses. T-shirt printing will again be available at the activities tent. Members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program will coordinate this program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. On Wednesday, August 6, budding wildlife artists can design a wetland T-shirt using stamps of cattails, frogs, turtles and fish.
A new feature at DNR Park this year is an outdoor play area, where parents can relax while the children take part in free play activities.
More information on the 2008 Wisconsin State Fair is available on the State Fair Web site at
www.wistatefair.com (exit DNR).
Mil Hotels
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/poi/5154.htmlFOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcus Smith (414) 263-8516
