Jubilee Showcases Tallgrass Prairie at Prairie State Park Sept. 27

First posted on 09-25-2008

Experience the sights and sounds of Missouri’s tallgrass prairie during the Prairie Jubilee Saturday, Sept. 27, at Prairie State Park near Mindenmines in Barton County. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the event is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will showcase Prairie State Park’s sweeping collage of tall prairie grasses. All events are free and open to the public.

Spend the day enjoying family oriented, fun and educational activities and entertainment. Participate in the living history loop, which includes an Osage Indian lodge, hunters and trappers, border war families, a one-tent school and games. Sit back and listen to classic American folk music and cowgirl poetry and songs performed by professional interpreter and musician Jamin Bray. You can also get involved in the entertainment of an old-time medicine show, a bison chip-throwing contest and outdoor skills. Call the park and register for the “Leave No Trace” workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The event’s grand finale includes live birds of prey provided by Raptor Reach. Guided tours will be given throughout the day to view the bison. Wildflowers from the Missouri Wildflower Nursery will be available to purchase. Children can enjoy face painting and the living history loop.

A smoked bison lunch, provided by the Liberal Future Farmers of America, the Missouri Bison Association and Prairie State Park, will be available to purchase. The Liberal Area Civic Group and Liberal Bulldog Booster Club will sell desserts and beverages.

In addition to the activities, the park’s visitor center offers many interpretive displays about the prairie, and several trails of varying length offer the chance to explore the prairie on your own.

Prairie State Park is located 35 miles north of Joplin near Liberal. All traffic should enter from the north. Take Highway 43 to Highway K, turn left on Highway P, then left on NW 150th Lane and continue to the park entrance. For more information, call the park directly at 417-843-6711 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at http://www.mostateparks.com.