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Christmas Walk at Fowler Park

Step back in time this Christmas season at Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department’s Annual Christmas Walk at Fowler Park’s Pioneer Village! Enjoy FREE admission during this two-day event—Friday, December 5 from 6 to 9 PM, and Saturday, December 6 from 5 to 9 PM. Explore the 19th-century Pioneer Village, Shop handmade gifts at the Village Mercantile, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more! Plus, on Friday only, delight in festive carriage rides and a special visit from Santa’s reindeer. Feel the magic of the season at the Christmas Walk! If you have any questions, please contact our Natural Resource Programmer at 812-462-3392 or Tavia.Hedrick@vigocounty.in.gov.
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Enter if you dare! Join us for the spine-chilling Fowler Park After Dark, where the Pioneer Village transforms into a haunted haven filled with ghosts, ghouls, and thrills around every corner!
📅 Saturday, October 26th
⏰ 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
📍 Meet at the Fowler Park Log Barn
Participants will embark on a guided tour through the eerie, shadowy streets of the historic Pioneer Village—if they’re brave enough! This haunted event promises heart-pounding scares and an unforgettable Halloween experience.
👻 Event Details
  • Registration Fee: $5 per person (payable upon arrival).
    Hot chocolate, apple cider, and limited concessions will be available for purchase.
  • Parking: Available in the barn lot, with auxiliary parking in the beach lot.
  • Please Note: This is a haunted event designed for ages 13 and older due to its spooky nature.
Have questions or want to volunteer? Contact us at 812-462-3392 or email Tavia.Hedrick@VigoCounty.IN.gov.
Prepare for a night of frights and fun at Fowler Park After Dark—Happy Haunting! 🎃👻
Thank you to our Fowler Park After Dark Event Sponsor, Prairie Creek Lions Club, for their support!
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Hayrides and Trick-or-Treating at Fowler Park

Get into the spooky spirit with the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department at Fowler Park! Join us on Saturday, October 25th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, for a family-friendly Halloween celebration that’s fun for all ages.
🎃 Highlights of the Event:
  • Halloween-themed hayrides departing from the historic Foltz Cabin, across from the Fowler Park Log Barn.Trick-or-Treating through the charming Pioneer Village and around the park.
  • Enjoy a cozy fall treat with hot chocolate and apple cider available for purchase.
  • Tickets are just $3 per person, with children 2 and under free.

Don’t miss this delightful evening of hayrides, sweet treats, and Halloween fun, all set against the beautiful autumn backdrop of Fowler Park!

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Fall Fun at Hawthorn Park!

🍁Fall Fun Day at Hawthorn Park🍁
Join the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday, October 18 for a full day of fall activities at Hawthorn Park!
First, join us on our family hike at 10 am around the J.I. Case wetland loop! The hike is approximately 1.8 miles long and is an easy, mostly flat trail that winds around the wetlands and through part of Hawthorn Park. Be sure to dress accordingly!
Then, stop by the Silly Safaris Live Animal Show from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Get up close with amazing animals during this interactive and educational experience— FREE and fun for the whole family.
Later in the afternoon, hop aboard for our Fall Hayrides from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Rides will leave from the Dogwood Shelter parking lot and include a brief, scenic ride through Hawthorn Park. Tickets are $3 per person. Children 2 and under ride free. Halloween face painting and concessions will also be available for purchase.
Come for the hike, stay for the animals and hayrides, and enjoy a perfect fall day in the park.
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Explore Wabashiki – September 20 from 10-2pm

Adventure is calling! 🌳 Explore Wabashiki is this weekend, and we’ve got a full day of free activities for the whole family!
Here’s the schedule of events:
  • 9:30 AM: There will be a one-lap Bike Race to kick off the day! Registration begins at 8:30 AM and is FREE!
  • 10:00 AM: Join us for this month’s Family Hike and see some of the beautiful birds that call the Wabashiki home!
  • 10:00 AM: Vendors Open for the day! Stop by and check out the local partners and activities.
  • 11:00 AM: The little ones can join the fun with the Turtle Trot!
  • 11:00 AM: Lunch is served! Grab a bite to eat and refuel for more fun.
  • 12:00 PM: Prefer a more leisurely pace? Join the Guided Bike Ride and explore the beautiful trails.
Don’t miss out on this free day of outdoor fun and discovery!

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Family Hike – Explore Wabashiki

This month’s Family Hike will be a part of the Explore Wabashiki event this Saturday! Discover the beauty of the Wabashiki wetlands with a knowledgeable guide. This hike is a great opportunity to learn about the local ecosystem, see native plants and wildlife, and enjoy a peaceful walk in nature. Bring your friends and family for a memorable day in the wetlands!
 
Date: September 20th, 2025
Hike Time: 10:00am
Location: Bicentennial Park at Dewey Point
 
Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and and stay hydrated. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Ruble Park Family Hike

Looking for a fun way to connect with your family and enjoy the outdoors? Join us for a guided family hike at Ruble Park on Saturday, August 23rd at 10 AM. It’s a great opportunity to explore one of Vigo County’s beautiful parks and introduce children to hiking in a relaxed, welcoming setting. We will be meeting at the main entrance to Ruble Park (400 East Dallas Drive, Terre Haute, IN 47802) and hiking Trail 5 together. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring plenty of water. We hope to see you on the trail!

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Bike-a-palooza!

Griffin Bike Park is proud to present our jam-packed annual Bike-a-palooza weekend!
Join us starting on Friday, August 1st for our Thompson Thrift Short Track Series and movie night. Racing will start at 6 pm followed by a Movie Night in the Park in Griffin Bike Park featuring our favorite movie, RAD!
Saturday August 2nd join DINO Triathlon & Adventure Racing for their 10K Trail Run and Gravel Triathlon, registration linked below! Stick around that afternoon for our thyssenkrupp presta North America Pump Track race starting at 1 pm and J’s Bikes Dual Slalom- qualifiers at 5 pm and main race starting at 6 pm. Registration for both will start at 12 pm.
Sunday August 3rd @DINO Mountain Biking will be rounding out the weekend with their MTB race! Trails will be open following the races. Our legendary lake jump will start at 2 pm.
We will have food in the LZ Saturday and Sunday and lots of fun events and rides in between our main events. There are campsites at Fowler Park still available, link also available below!
Be sure to join us for a jam packed, awesome weekend!
D.IN.O. registration:
Camping:
or
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Inaugural Star Party

The Vigo County Parks is excited to announce our Inaugural Star Party that will take place on Saturday, August 9 from 8 to 11 PM at Hawthorn Park’s Tupelo Shelter! We are teaming up with Oakley Observatory at Rose Hulman, who are generously providing telescopes for stargazing at Hawthorn Park. Then at 9:30, they are opening their doors free to the public for further star viewing. A HUGE thank you to the Observatory for all their support! This event would not be made possible without them!
What to expect:
🔭 Bring your own telescopes or Explore the ASTROPAD viewing station at Hawthorn Park’s Tupelo Shelter
🔭 Learn about bats with the Terre Haute Parks Department, and listen for them on acoustic bat detectors
🔭Enjoy space-themed kids activities and Moonbeam Ice cream 🍦🌙
🔭 Take a night hike to the observatory
🔭 At 9:30 PM, Oakley Observatory opens its doors for more star viewing!
NOTE: To protect everyone’s night vision, please bring red lights instead of standard flashlights. This helps keep the stars crisp and bright for all! 
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