Events
Family fun days, festivals, nature walks and so much more!
August 1
August 2
Wednesday Bird Walk: Prairie Birds
Step out for an adventurous hike seeking out birds, blooms, butterflies, and everything in-between! We’ll spend the morning exploring the sunflower-filled prairie, stopping to listen for the chattered calls of Sedge Wrens and the hiccups of Henslow’s Sparrows along the way. Then, head over to the wetland boardwalk to set up the spotting scopes, scan for waterbirds, and (with luck) see a show-stopping Osprey dive for fish!
Notes: Bottled water, hiking boots, and long pants for the prairie are highly recommended on this special extended walk. The group will head out at 8 a.m. – please plan travel time accordingly.
August 2
August 4
Books and Boots
The Elkhart Public Library has teamed up with the Elkhart County Parks to offer a book club for kids! Each meeting will include a book discussion followed by a park-led activity exploring one of the book’s environmental themes. Activities could include hikes, live animals, and more.
Visit the Elkhart Public Library’s website to check out a copy of this month’s book, Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell.
August 4
Bug Night
They’re creepy, they’re crawly and they’re back at this insect enthusiasts’ event! Look at a grasshopper through a lens, tromp through the grass in search of a firefly and taste a chocolate covered cricket! There will be crafts and activities for all ages. Bring the entire family for an evening of buggy fun! Snacks will also be for available for sale.
August 5
August 9
Open House at the Schoolhouse
Grab your schoolbooks and step back a century as you explore the One-room Schoolhouse at Bonneyville Mill County Park. Imagine yourself a student sitting in one of the small wooden desks, practicing your handwriting on the heavy slate boards, while keeping warm next to the wood-burning stove. As you catch a glimpse of what life was like for the average run-of-the-mill student, staff will be on-site to answer any questions you may have during these open hours.
August 11
August 12
Sweet Cycle Ride
What could be better than a nice summer ride with friends, family, and delicious ice cream? If this sounds tempting, join us for one of our Sweet Cycle rides on the 2nd Saturday of each month this summer. This month’s ride will begin at Abshire Park and will follow the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail to Mooey’s Ice Cream Shop for a cool, refreshing treat. Cyclists will return to Abshire giving riders a total of 12 sweet cycling miles.
August 15
Hiking Club
Boot Lake Nature Preserve is the August destination for Hiking Club. Boot Lake is consistently a popular hike for Hiking Club. This recent addition to the Elkhart County Parks changes daily and hikers encounter new updates on every visit. The trail passes by wetlands through prairies and into woodlands. This hike is 2.33 miles in length and is mostly flat.
August 15
August 16
Yoga in the Park
Join Registered Yoga Teacher Amanda for an hour of empowering yoga geared towards teens. Enjoy guided practice welcoming of all skill levels in a relaxing park environment. Yoga benefits for teens: physical stamina, emotional regulation, stress reduction and confidence. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring water and their own mats – a limited number of mats will be available for use. Participants must register in advance.
August 17
Yoga in the Park
Join Registered Yoga Teacher Amanda for an hour of empowering yoga in the parks. Enjoy guided practice welcoming of all skill levels in a relaxing park environment. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring water and their own mats – a limited number of mats will be available for use. Participants must register in advance.
August 18
Summer Astronomy
Each season brings changes to the plants and animals around us, but don’t forget about the changes above our heads. Join a park naturalist in hearing about the interesting Greek & Roman mythology behind many of our amazing summer constellations. Participants will also enjoy snacks, make-n-take star chart and helpful tips on how to find the constellations. Sky viewing through a telescope will also take place depending on cloud cover.
August 21
August 24
Grace Lawn Cemetery Tour
Dedicated in 1864, Elkhart’s Grace Lawn Cemetery is the resting place of many of the town’s prominent citizens. Museum staff will guide you through the cemetery, stopping at various sites and highlighting the stories of a selection of people who left their mark in Elkhart’s history.
August 24
DIY Dog Biscuits
Celebrate National Dog Day by making some homemade dog biscuits for your canine companion. Learn a few tips and tricks on ingredient choice, biscuit size, and storage options. All participants will make and take a few tasty biscuits, along with receiving a book of our favorite recipes.
August 26
Cast Iron Cookout & Swap Meet
Experience Northern Indiana’s Premier cast iron cooking event. Buy/sell/trade cast iron cook wares at the swap meet that takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. Kettle soup of the day and Bonneyville cornbread will be available 4 to 7 p.m. A cast Iron DOG Dutch Oven Gathering will begin at 5:00 p.m. during which local cast Iron enthusiasts will be preparing a variety of dishes in cast iron. Visitors will see cast iron cooks in action during the Dutch Oven Gathering. There will be a cast iron instructional session that will give visitors the basics of cast iron cook ware use and care. Instructional session will take place at 4:30 p.m. Don’t miss this unique event! To register for a swap–meet space please call Bonneyville Mill at 574-825-9324.
Experience Northern Indiana’s Premier cast iron cooking event! Dutch oven enthusiasts and spectators are invited to come out to swap recipes, sample dishes, and learn cast-iron cooking tips from the experts at the annual Dutch Oven Gathering.
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🥘 ~ . 𝗘 𝗩 𝗘 𝗡 𝗧 . 𝗦 𝗖 𝗛 𝗘 𝗗 𝗨 𝗟 𝗘 . ~ 🥘
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► 𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗣 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 (4-7 p.m.)
Buy/sale/trade cast iron cookware.
▹Cost for a swap meet space is $15 (Register by Aug 24)
▹To reserve your space, please call the Mill at 574-825-9324
► 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 (4-7 p.m.)
Sample delicious kettle soup and fresh Bonneyville Mill cornbread. Visitors can also sample delicious cookout creations at the Dutch Oven Gathering.
► 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗡 𝟭𝟬𝟭 𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 (4:30 p.m.)
Learn the basics of cast iron cookware and care.
► 𝗗𝗨𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 (5:30-7 p.m.)
Local cast iron enthusiasts will gather and prepare a variety of dishes.
- 𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: $4/person
- 𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗣 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘: $15 (Register by Aug 24)
- 𝗔𝗚𝗘: All
- 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗧: Feedlot Shelter in Bonneyville Mill County Park
- 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦: https://goo.gl/maps/rE4b1UyDhf2U6YDV6
August 31
Creatures of the Night: Spiders
As night falls, the places we spend time outdoors can feel like a very different place. Familiar trails melt into shadows and the daytime soundscape is replaced with things that go bump in the night as nocturnal creatures come out to play. Join the Elkhart County Parks as we lift night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of these creatures of the night, from spiders weaving webs to bats on the wing.
In August, we’ll step out to find one of the creepiest of crawlies – the spider. Come brave the dark and see this fascinating, phobia-inducing creature in action on a spider-seeking night hike. Spider specialist, Linda Strain, will join us to identify and share fascinating facts about this eight-legged creature.
