Looking for excitement this Memorial Day weekend? Celebrate the official kick-off to summer at the 13th annual Charlton Park Day Saturday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The mission of Charlton Park Day is to honor Barry County residents who have supported the park for the past 83 years. Thanks to generous community members and local businesses, the entire day is free to everyone. Free grilled hot dogs, chips, ice cream, and bottled water will be provided to all park visitors while supplies last.
In celebration of Irving Charlton’s legacy and all the supporters in Barry County, the park will celebrate its 83rd year with activities and displays all around the Village, along with crafts, and treats. Watch master craftsmen in action in the blacksmith shop and fiber spinning in the township hall.
Sample cookies and bread baked on a wood stove in the Sixberry House and the Bristol Inn. Popcorn and balloons, courtesy of the Hastings Rotary Club and Charlton Park Village Foundation, will be outside the Upjohn House. The steam-driven sawmill will be in operation and just maybe the 1885 Westinghouse Steam Traction Engine will make a couple of rounds.
Cowboy Tommy and His Fancy Roping Tricks will be featured at 12:45 p.m. Hop aboard one of the Park’s trams for a tour of the Park between noon and 2:30 p.m.
Barry County’s Central Dispatch, Transit Authority, Road Commission, Commission on Aging, Mid MI Color Guard, and others will be attending with goodies and information. Fingerprinting for children will be done by the Sheriff’s Posse. WBCH 100.1 FM will host a live radio remote as well.
“Representatives from the Michigan Longbow Association, Civil War reenactment, Barry County Youth Day and Charlton Park Gas & Steam Engine Club will be onsite to promote upcoming Park events,” Director Dan Patton said. “The 1890 Corley Sawmill will also be running.”
The park is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The public is invited to stop by to swim, boat, picnic or hike today.
Historic Charlton Park is located southeast of Hastings at 2545 S. Charlton Park Road. For additional information, please visit us on the web at www.charltonpark.org or call 269.945.3775.
Photos: (upper left) Free hot dogs, chips and and a drink suits this young man just fine at an earlier Charlton Park Day.
(left) Cowboy Tommy will again dazzle kids with his rope tricks this Charlton Park Day.
