Celebrate the official kick-off to summer at the 12th annual Charlton Park Day Saturday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Popcorn and balloons are available at the Upjohn House as you enter the village. A lunch of grilled hot dogs, chips, ice cream, and drinks will be provided to all visitors while supplies last.
The entire event is free to everyone with no tax dollars used, thanks to generous community donors. It’s a chance to get reacquainted with everything the park offers if you haven’t been in a while or to be impressed by your first visit.
WBCH 100.1 FM will host a live radio remote from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Barry County Sheriff’s Posse will fingerprint children. Take a tour of the village buildings and chat with volunteers about their contributions to the park. Take in the Exhibition Hall, with its farm equipment display, and watch for Civil War demonstrations throughout the day.
Master craftsmen will be in action in the blacksmith shop and fiber spinning in the township hall and samples of bread baked on a wood stove in the Bristol Inn will be served. Two bounce houses will be there for the kids to enjoy all day.
The mission of Charlton Park Day is to honor park founder Irving Charlton and recognize the Barry County residents who have supported the park for the past 82 years. Located at 2545 South Charlton Park Road, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily to swim, boat, picnic or hike.
For more information, visit www.charltonpark.org or call 269-945-3775.
Photo: This boy, pictured at an earlier Charlton Park Day, is digging into his hot dog, chips and drink. There is ice cream for dessert.
