Washington State Parks

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News Release 12-050

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director

Sacajawea State Park festival offers live bluegrass music and Dutch oven cooking

OLYMPIA – May 22, 2012 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Mid-Columbia Traditional Arts and Music Association invite the public to attend a bluegrass festival and Dutch Oven Rendezvous at Sacajawea State Park near Pasco.

The festival is June 8, 9 and 10 at Sacajawea State Park, 2503 Sacajawea Park Road in Pasco. Celebrating the art of bluegrass music and traditional Dutch oven cooking, the festival offers live bluegrass concerts, music workshops and Dutch oven demonstrations. Visitors will have an opportunity to sample food by seasoned Dutch oven chefs and learn new recipe ideas. The festival features bluegrass artists from around the country, including winners of the 2011 International Bluegrass Music Association song of the year, “Balsam Range,” and local bands from the Pacific Northwest, Runaway Train and the New Five Cents Stringband. Tickets are required for all concert and Dutch oven activities on Friday and Saturday. Admission is free to concerts on Sunday.

Festival hours are as follows:
• 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 8
• 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 9
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10

Camping is allowed for weekend pass ticket holders. Dry camping sites in the lawn area of the park are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $12 per vehicle per night. Campers may arrive after 12 p.m. June 7 and must check out by 12 p.m. June 11.

The Discover Pass is required June 8 and 10. June 9 is a State Parks “free day” in recognition of National Get Outdoors day; visitors are not required to display a Discover Pass to access state parks on “free days.”

This event is presented in partnership with the Mid-Columbia Traditional Arts and Music Association. To purchase tickets or for more information about the bluegrass festival and Dutch Oven Rendezvous, visit www.mctama.org.

June is Washington State Great Outdoors Month. Enjoy Washington’s many recreational activities and celebrate the month dedicated to environmental stewardship and the appreciation of the outdoors. Many state parks will play host to a variety of events in June. Visit www.parks.wa.gov/events, www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks and www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS for information about events at Washington state parks.

Sacajawea State Park is a 284-acre day-use park at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers located 5 miles southeast of Pasco. The area is spacious with a wide skyline and views of the two rivers as they flow together. The park includes the Sacajawea Interpretive Center, which features interactive displays telling the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the experiences of Sacagawea, the young Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied the Expedition.

Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks.

The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Support state parks by purchasing your 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.

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