Make plans to attend Prairie Day

The 20th annual Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area’s Prairie Day is just days away.
    The park’s Prairie Partners, the volunteer arm of the park, have set Saturday, Sept. 16, as the date for the annual festival.
    Prairie Day is a day to celebrate the prairie environment. On this one day the quiet of the prairie is interrupted for exploration, amazement and fun.
    Presentations on the environment and nature play an important part of the day’s activities. Presentations scheduled for this year’s event include a traveling American Indian museum, reptiles, raptors, wagon rides and a magician.
    All activities are centered around the visitor’s center located at 5010 N. Jugtown Road, Morris, and are free of charge. Events run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Refreshments will be available for purchase from the Prairie Partner Food Shop and the  gift shop will  be open.
    The day begins at 10 a.m. with the Traveling American Indian Museum, Illinois Conservation Police wagon and Mini-Bioblitz studing insects with Dr. Sam Heads on the front lawn of the center.
    Dave DiNaso and his Traveling World of Reptiles make a return appearance at Praiaie Day. DiNaso and his snakes, turtles, alligators, frogs, lizzards and spiders will be featured at 10:15 a.m. A presentation of the Northern Illinois Raptors will begin at 11:20 a.m.
    Prairie Rides on the wagon will take place at 11 a.m., noon, 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Riders must sign up for a time at the ticket masters table.
    The day will also include balloon twisting beginning at 1 p.m. and a comedy/magic show featuring Brian Holt at 2 p.m.
    Additionally, the Prairie Partners will draw the winner of its annual quilt fundraiser at 2:30 p.m.
    The event is organized by the Prairie Partners and sponsored by Exelon Generation’s Dresden Nuclear Generating Station.
    Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area, operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is located at 5010 N. Jugtown Road, in Goose Lake Township. For more information on the park visit gooselakeprairie.org or call 815-942-2899.