There are many summer festivals, music festivals, art festivals and so
on, but a grizzly bear festival is a one-of-a-kind celebration. On
Saturday, August 21, 2010, from noon to 4 pm, bring your RV to Rancho
del Oso Nature and History Center in California’s Santa Cruz county — a
part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the oldest State Park in
California — for a day of commemorating the once-abundant predator that
roamed this “Ranch of the Bear.” There, you can discover what they ate,
how they lived, and what made this area famous for its grizzly
population.
Bring a lunch to enjoy on the deck overlooking Waddell Beach or in
the sheltered garden courtyard. The park is located 16 miles north of
Santa Cruz along Highway One, at Waddell Creek, just 2 miles south of
Año Nuevo State Park.
- 12:00 — Teddy Bear Picnic. Bring your favorite teddy bear or plush toy and have tea and snacks bears could find here.
- 12:00-4:00 — Activities. Art activities, and games all day.
- 1:00-2:00 — Grizzly Bear Talk and Slide Show. Ranger Frank Balthis will help us understand bear habitats, ecotourism and environmental threats.
- 2:30-3:00 — The Grizzly Event of 1875. Join docent Doreen Devorah as she reenacts the story of her husband William Waddell’s death by grizzly bites!
- 3:00 — Family Hike. Learn how the bears once lived and what they ate in this neck of the woods.
To reserve a space, call (831) 427-2288. RV campsites are available in the area: Call (800) 444-7275 or visit www.reserveamerica.com to reserve a site.
