May 31, 2012
Special events, free park entrance days to be held at many parks
PRATT — During the weekend of June 2-3, anglers of all ages may fish without a fishing license statewide. Ordinarily, nonresidents 16 or older and residents age 16 through 64 must have a fishing license to fish in Kansas, but on Free Fishing Days, everyone gets to fish for free. Many Kansas state parks offer free admission and special events during Free Fishing Days and the excitement continues throughout the month. Special events, some in conjunction with Free Park Entrance Days, are designed to entertain park users who want to explore the history or geology of an individual park, as well as those who just want an excuse to celebrate something “more” than camping, swimming, boating, hiking, and all the other pleasures offered by Kansas state parks.

June events are diverse and may include anything from fishing tournaments and outdoor concerts to mountain bike and equestrian events. Many involve outdoor education. For more information on state park events, phone individual parks or click the "Events Calendar" on the "State Parks" page of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) website, ksoutdoors.com.

Park goers are urged to phone the park they intend to visit before traveling. Telephone numbers of all state parks also may be found online on the KDWPT website. Click "State Parks" at the top of the page, then "Locations" in the left-hand column.

Events for June:

• June 2 — Free Park Entrance Day at Prairie Dog State Park;
• June 2 — National Trails Day at Fall River State Park;
• June 2 — Free Park Entrance Day at Glen Elder State Park;
• June 2 — 5K run/walk at Pomona State Park;
• June 2 — Kids fishing derby at Pomona State Park;
• June 2 — 8th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament at Glen Elder State Park;
• June 2 — Kid's fishing clinic at Milford State Park;
• June 2-4 — OK Kids Day at Prairie Dog State Park;
• June 2 — Trails workday at Clinton State Park;
• June 2 — Hays Recreation Center 15K and 5K trail runs at Wilson State Park;
• June 3 — Kids fishing derby at Lovewell State Park;
• June 8 — Western Extralite Company Fishing Tournament at Wilson State Park;
• June 8-10 — Hell Creek Hoedown Bluegrass Festival at Wilson State Park;
• June 9-10 — Rocky Mountain Team Series Fishing Tournament at Wilson State park;
• June 9 — Lori and Randy Knippa Benefit Horse Trail Ride at Hillsdale State Park;
• June 10 — Kansas 70.3 Ironman Triathlon at Clinton State Park;
• June 16 — Kansas Buddy Bass Fishing Tournament, OK Kids Day at Wilson State Park;
• June 17 — Kansas Walleye Association Fishing Tournament at Wilson State Park;
• June 23-24 — Country Stampede Music Festival at Tuttle Creek State Park;
• June 23-24 — Western Nebraska Bass Fishing Tournament at Wilson State Park;
• June 23 — Twin Rivers Bass Club Fishing Tournament at Pomona State Park;
• June 23-24 — Governor’s Cup Walleye Fishing Tournament at Glen Elder State Park;
• June 23 — National Truck Owners Car Show and barbecue at Hillsdale State Park;
• June 24 — Twin Rivers Bass Club of Emporia Bass Tournament at Eisenhower State Park;
• June 24 — Heartland Coursing whippet racing event at Clinton State Park;
• June 30 — Bass Federation of Kansas State High School Fishing Championship at Wilson State Park;
• June 30-July 1 — Miami County Bass Club fishing tournament at Wilson State Park; and
• June 30 — Friends of Fancy Creek Range Kids Day at Tuttle Creek State Park’s Fancy Creek Range.

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