Winter in Mid Michigan isn't the same as it is in the northern regions of our state, and for many of us, that's a good thing (hey, who needs 117 inches of snow a year?). But sometimes, it's great to just be able to get out and have some wintery fun.
The Bay City State Recreation Area, home of the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center, is offering up some outdoor events for the public when it hosts the 18th Annual Winter Festival come Feb. 12.
The festival is offered up as a chance for youth to learn and practice ice fishing skills as well as enjoy a variety of outdoor winter activities, such as morning bird hikes, bird feeding workshops, a snowball tournament, live wildlife presentation, snow snake clinic, ice crystal treasure dig, snowshoe hikes and an even owl calling hike.
For a complete schedule, visit the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center
website.
"The Winter Festival is a great opportunity for area families to try out traditional outdoor winter recreational activities," says Valerie Blaschka of the Department of Natural Resources. "I encourage families and youth groups to get out to the park and enjoy the festival's full day of fun-filled activities that may open their eyes to another way of enjoying winter in Michigan."
The focal point of the festival will be the ice fishing. At 9 a.m., the festival kicks off with a youth ice fishing clinic, where participants will build a fishing pole, learn how to set it up, learn about ice fishing safety and learn some tips on how to catch fish through the ice. At 9:30 a.m., an ice fishing derby will begin with pre-drilled holes being offered to all children as well as bait and loaner fishing poles.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: Valerie Blaschka, DNRE
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