Join park patrons from throughout Schoharie County and the Catskills Region for the annual First Day Hike at Mine Kill State Park Thursday.
Meet at the park office in North Blenheim, at 11am for a chance to borrow snowshoes, put on some Micro Spikes and explore the incredible winter landscape at the park.
Family and friends are invited to attend this event, which will begin on the Long Path, a long-distance hiking trail that was recently recognized by the Department of the Interior as a National Recreation Trail in 2014.
Patrons will get a chance to see at least one of several unbelievable waterfalls located within the park. Both kids and adults will have opportunities to identify wildlife native to the park, including porcupines, chipmunks, bobcats, snowshoe hares, deer and possibly even black bears.
The First Day Hike will start and end at the Mine Kill park office. Visitors can also enjoy the new and improved skating rink and sledding hill located next to the park office.
Ice skates, sleds and tubes are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
Admission to the First Day Hike is free to the public.
New for 2015, participants in the hike will receive a free commemorative First Day Hike sticker and fleece hat while supplies last.
Also, complimentary refreshments including coffee and hot chocolate will be provided thanks to the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks.
The First Day Hike is a statewide event that serves as an opportunity to ring in the New Year by spending time outdoors at a local State Park with family and friends.
There is no need to reserve a spot on the hike, but contact the Mine Kill park office at 827-8690 for more information.
Also, mark your calendar for Mine Kill State Park's 4th annual Snow Festival, scheduled for Saturday, January 31, from 10am-4pm.
Hosted next door at the New York Power Authority Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center, Snow Fest will again feature dozens of educational organizations like the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) and Creating Healthy Places, in addition to interactive indoor and outdoor games for the entire family.
Everyone will love meeting Dee's Reptiles, participating in the famous Chili Contest or picking up a piece of art in the Natural Art Exhibit.
Snow Fest 2015 will also feature a snowshoe race to support the May 2015 Color Run 5K for Maddie's Mark charity.
Admission to Snow Fest is free to the public, and other refreshments will be available for a nominal fee. Contact the Mine Kill State Park office at 827-8690 for more details about this year's biggest event of the winter season.