NEWS16-071
| Contacts: Toni Droscher, (360) 902-8604 Stet Palmer, FOSLS, (360)789-9953 |
OLYMPIA – Nov. 22, 2016 – The Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Parks (FOSLS) and Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will be hosting the annual Yule Log Hunt at Schafer State Park.
This family-friendly event begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the group camp shelter at Schafer State Park, 1365 West Schafer Park Road, Elma. (Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/s82gokC7GZC2)
Children of all ages are welcome to join the Yule Log Hunt to find a special marked log in the park. When the log is found, everyone will join together to pull it to a fire. FOSLS will have hot beverages with holiday music around a warm fire. Everyone is invited to bring cookies and join the singing.
The yule log tradition at Schafer State Park was started by community members back in the mid-1950s but ended in the mid-1970s. FOSLS and park staff revived the event seven years ago.
The child who finds the log first gets the honor of making the initial cuts on the log—with supervision from adult volunteers. Then, the other children are invited to make more cuts with the axe. The youngster who found the log also gets to write his or her name on the old axe handle, a tradition dating back to the 1960s.
The event is free. A Discover Pass will be required for day-use vehicle parking and can be purchased at the park. For more information about the pass, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
For more information about the event, visit FOSLS.org website or contact FOSLS Chairman Stet Palmer at (360) 789-9953.
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About the Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia
The Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Parks (FOSLS) formed in 2009 to preserve, protect and enhance Schafer and Lake Sylvia state parks. The all-volunteer group also works to keep all state parks open and operating. The FOSLS group works with the Washington State Parks Foundation, the agency and others to develop Schafer State Park as an interpretive destination through financing and helping with design and placement of interpretive stations. For more information about FOSLS, visit: http://www.fosls.org/
For more information about Schafer State Park, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/580/Schafer
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
Washington Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
parks.state.wa.us