Cacapon State Park is celebrating 75 years
by Jazz Clark
Cacapon State Park will host a variety of special events to commemorate its 75 years of operation on Friday and Saturday, June 29-30.
“This year we thought it would be nice to open up the park in conjunction with our homecoming celebration,” said Jim Michael, president of Cacapon State Park Foundation. “It’s a community event as well, providing some free activities and entertainment.”
The park, located along U.S. 522 ten miles south of Berkeley Springs, officially opened on July 1, 1937.
One theme will be other highlights of 1937. A viewing of the 1937 movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is set for 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon, June 29.
A nature/history stroll following various historical projects done by the Civilian Conversation Corps (CCC) is also planned.
At night, visitors can observe the stars at “Diamonds in the Sky,” so-called because 75 years marks the park’s diamond anniversary.
“The park has a lot of natural beauty that people should see, from the geology of the stone to the natural ridge,” said Renee Fisher, Cacapon’s naturalist. “It’s a great family-oriented event.”
Lower fees
Reduced fees for boating and swimming on Saturday, June 30, will reflect the prices of decades ago.
At 8 a.m. on Saturday will be a bird walk, followed by a slideshow presentation on Cacapon State Park at 1 p.m.
Michael promised chocolate chip cookies and Hawaiian Punch at the slideshow, also created in 1937.
At 3 p.m., District Administrator Robert Beanblossom will talk about the history of the state park system and the work done by the CCC.
That evening will feature hay rides, live music by the Stevens Family and maybe something the park has never seen before: fireworks.
“You would not believe how hard it is to have fireworks in a state park,” Michael said. “It’s normally prohibited.”
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 Saturday night. In case of rain, fireworks will be held on Sunday night, July 1.
“Fireworks are already on the brochure, so more than like they are happening,” said Fisher.
The Morgan County Commission has contributed $2,250 toward the fireworks from the county’s hotel tax fund, representing half of the total cost. The other half will be paid by the Cacapon State Park Foundation.
“One good thing about this is the tourists the park brings in, who will help repay some of the hotel-motel tax,” said Commission President Stacy Dugan.
