PRATT -- Kansas state parks and wildlife areas will host a variety of events and activities in the coming weeks. Some state parks will celebrate in July with Free Entrance Days observances, which temporarily remove requirements for park entrance fees. In the past, Free Entrance Days have been offered at all state parks on the same weekend each year. This year, however, the scheduling of Free Entrance Days was left to the discretion of individual park managers, so they could tailor that observance to their park's facilities, seasonal events, and patron usage. It's a great opportunity for Kansans to sample a variety of parks without having to pay an entrance fee.

Following is a list of events planned at state parks and wildlife areas in July:

• July 2 -- Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration, Crawford State Park;
• July 2 -- fireworks, Cross Timbers State Park;
• July 2 -- Old Fashion 4th of July Celebration, Elk City State Park;
• July 2 -- volleyball tournament, Glen Elder State Park;
• July 2 -- fireworks display, Glen Elder State Park;
• July 2 -- Kingman 4-H archery, Byron Walker Wildlife Area;
• July 2 -- fly fishing clinic, Tuttle Creek State Park;
• July 2 -- nature program on spiders, Clinton State Park;
• July 3 -- fireworks display, El Dorado State Park;
• July 3 -- fireworks display, Lovewell State Park;
• July 3 -- nature walk, Tuttle Creek State Park;
• July 4 -- fireworks display, Prairie Dog State Park;
• July 4 -- fireworks display, Barber State Fishing Lake;
• July 9 -- cooking contest, Webster State Park;
• July 9-10 -- Free Entrance Days, western Kansas products showcase, Cedar Bluff State Park;
• July 9 -- nature program (wild dogs and cats), Clinton State Park;
• July 15-17 -- Vietnam Vets Rally, El Dorado State Park;
• July 16-17 -- Free Entrance Days, youth trap shoot, and concert, Webster State Park;
• July 16 -- Survivor Day, Tuttle Creek State Park;
• July 16 -- Kingman 4-H archery, Byron Walker Wildlife Area;
• July 16 -- nature program on bats, Clinton State Park;
• July 17 -- sand castle contest, Lovewell State Park;
• July 17 -- Spillway Adventure Race, Tuttle Creek State Park;
• July 23 -- Christmas in July, Tuttle Creek State Park;
• July 23 -- nature program on constellations, Clinton State Park;
• July 29-30 -- bluegrass festival, Milford State Park;
• July 30 -- nature program on backyard wildlife, Clinton State Park; and
• July 31 -- Summer Sizzler Triathlon, Crawford State Park.

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