ST. MARYS — History and the great outdoors join forces for a day to remember on Sunday at the 43rd annual Walk with Nature Fall Festival in Memorial Park.
“St. Marys is a canal town. Our town was established with the canal as the center of our commerce and travel. This event is a celebration of the modern on a historic recreation,” said Allison Brady, executive director of the Heritage Trails Park District.
A staple of the annual event is the Walk with Nature, that allows participants walks of 3 to 10 miles one way on the tow-path. Bus transportation is availble around the stops. Restrooms, water and yogurt will be provided at stops along the way. Pets are also invited to walk, if on a leash.
Joining the outdoor event will be three camps of reenactors: one from Civil War times; another from frontier times; and the third will be costumed-canal residents. Those encampments will be on-going Saturday also, with lantern tours through the camps beginning at 8 and 9 p.m. Saturday.
“I think people will love seeing these encampments. They just really work well with the canal concept,” Brady said.
But it’s not just history at this festival.
“We have a car show that people love, coming back again this year. We have a family-oriented list of activities and bouncy toys and pumpkin carving in the park, we have a craft show and farmers market, and we have some really good entertainment,” Brady said.
And while the crowds are typically weather-dependent, Brady said the fun will go on, rain or shine.
