Special to 1808Delaware
Get ready for a weekend of fun in Ohio’s great outdoors as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) hosts Alum Creekend. The weekend-long event celebrates the opening of the park’s new Marina building with games, paddling demonstrations, a Touch-A-Truck, Storybook Trail Hikes, music, fishing, and more. Families are invited to join all the festivities on June 11 -12 at Alum Creek State Park.
“We are so excited to show off the beautiful new marina that will surely draw even more boaters to what is already one of Ohio’s most popular parks,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “We’ve been planning a big party to celebrate this new addition and we hope families from all over the state can join us for all the fun!”
ODNR will kick off the festivities with a ribbon cutting for the new Alum Creek State Park marina building on Saturday, June 11 at 11 a.m. The Alum Creekend festivities run until 4 p.m. on Saturday and most activities will be repeated on Sunday, June 11, noon- 4 p.m.
ODNR has partnered with the Ohio State Parks Foundation and event sponsors to offer an Alum Creekend Contest for all visitors. Event maps with an attached entry form may be picked up at the park office, marina, beach, campground check-in station, and nature center all weekend long. The grand prize drawing for adults is a two-night stay in an RV at Alum Creek, Delaware, or Indian Lake state parks sponsored by R.V. Wholesalers. Other prizes include boat rentals, overnight stays, gift cards, and outdoor gear.
To be eligible for the adult (over 18) and youth (under 18) contests, visitors are asked to participate in at least four Alum Creekend activities. Completed entry forms can be dropped off at locations around the park by 4 p.m. on Sunday. Winners will be contacted by June 15.
The following locations around the state park will host Alum Creekend activities (please note, some activities are only available on Saturday):
Beach – 3400 Lewis Center Road
Archery, Division of Wildlife’s mobile food kitchen, life jacket relay races, paddle sports demonstrations, and a Touch-A-Truck exhibit will be offered at the south end of the beach. Guided Storybook trail hikes will be offered at the north end. Food trucks will offer refreshments for sale. Swimming, a playground, and picnic tables are also available.
The beach also provides parking and shuttle service to other Alum Creekend locations.
Nature Center/Campground – 2911 S. Old State Road
Nature arts and crafts, games, and a scavenger hunt await visitors to Alum Creek’s nature center. Meet the naturalist and get a sneak peek of the nature center’s interior make-over.
Sailing Association – Lewis Center Road west of beach entrance
Sailing demonstrations and related activities will be available at the shelterhouse, which is located before the Group Camp Area entrance. Experienced sailors from the Alum Creek Sailing Association will be on hand to answer your sailing questions. Sailing activities are available on Saturday only.
Hollenback Boat Ramp – 4000 Hollenback Road
The site of the new marina building, this area will feature a variety of boating-related fun including marina tours and youth fishing all weekend long. The marina’s new commissary will be open all weekend and live music will be available Saturday afternoon.
Parking is extremely limited near the marina—event participants are encouraged to park at the beach and take the free shuttle. After Saturday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, short boat tours will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Natural resource officers will be on-hand to answer all boating questions and assist with complimentary watercraft inspections at the boat launch area.
Mountain Bike Trailhead – 5831 Lewis Center Road
Volunteers from the Central Ohio Mountain Bike Association will be offering mountain biking demonstrations for bike riders of all ages, including the youth skills course. Additionally, adaptive biking and kayaking equipment will be on-hand for demonstration.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Below Dam Recreation Area – 4189 Lewis Center Road
Take in an Ohio Raptor show, tour the dam, or learn more about the area’s Underground Railroad history. Activities are being offered both days. The US Army Corps Visitor Center is located at 5905 Lewis Center Road and offers nature exhibits.
Alum Creekend is sponsored by Alum Creek Marina, Burgess & Niple, Huntington Bank, Paul’s Marine, Robertson Construction, R.V. Wholesalers, Sawmill Marine, LLC, Triad Architects, and the Ohio State Parks Foundation.
Located near Ohio’s capital city, Alum Creek State Park is a popular boating and camping destination. Visitors can spend the day jet skiing across thousands of acres of water or find a quiet cove to fish or paddle. Perfect for swimming and sunning, the beach is the largest inland beach in the park system.
The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft provides exceptional outdoor recreation and boating opportunities by balancing outstanding customer service, education, and conservation of Ohio’s 75 state parks and waterways.
