Ponca State Park to host several events this fall and winter

PONCA – Spend some time at Ponca State Park by attending a variety of events there this fall and winter.

Don’t forget a vehicle park entry permit is required at Nebraska state parks. Get one at Outdoor-Nebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Get artistic when the snow falls this winter by participating in the Ponca State Park Creative Snow Building Contest.

From Nov. 25-March 19, build something fun out of snow at the park, then take a photo of it. Enter it in the contest by emailing it to lynn.mellick@nebraska.gov.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three places. First place is a free night’s stay inside a Ponca State Park four-bedroom mini-lodge.

The snow creation could resemble a person, animal or object of any size. Photos will be displayed on the “Ponca State Park NE” Facebook page, and winners will be announced on March 22.

Contestants must supply their own accessories, which will stay with the snow creation, and should be respectful of others’ creations and possessions.

Another event at Ponca State Park to participate in is an annual community science project called the Christmas Bird Count.

The event will take place 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 14. A soup lunch will be provided for participants.

The Christmas Bird Count is the National Audubon Society’s 124-year-old event that takes place every year around Christmas, when bird lovers of all ages and skills count all of the birds they can see in a 24-hour period.

A third event that will close out the year in style at Ponca State Park is the 12th Annual Winterfest on Dec. 30.

Highlights of the day include the National Championship Fruitcake Fling at noon, outdoor education programs and lighted hayrack rides.

In the fruitcake fling, contestants throw wildlife-friendly fruitcakes for distance. Prizes are awarded in four age groups.

For more information on all of these events, call Ponca State Park, which also is a Nebraska Holiday Passport stop, at 402-755-2284.