The Last Time

There’s only one “summer” weekend left before Labor Day weekend and the events calendars are filling up with “lasts”, the last kayak tours, last big band dance and on and on. Time to add the Rolling Stones 1965 hit, “The Last Time” to your playlist. Summer is slipping by!

Last Big Band Dance!

At Devil’s Lake State Park, the very last Big Band Dance at the North Shore Chateau is coming up this weekend on Saturday, August 24th from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The cost to get in is $10 per person. Many folks though, simply come out and picnic or just sit around outside the Chateau to listen. This is a great choice if you don’t dance anyway! Another fun way to enjoy the big band music is by boat! Take your canoe, kayak or other (non-motorized) craft out and float just outside the chateau. Good times and, the last time this year.

Last Bat Watch!

OK, I know, some of you don’t care for bats. But if you’re someone who’s who’s really bugged by an increase in insects over the last few years, you’ve gotta be rooting for our bats whose population has crashed due to White-nose syndrome. Just a few years ago there were thousands of bats at Devil’s Lake. The north shore colonies along were over 1000 bats. In the last couple of years, the count dropped to under 20! Now we’re back up to somewhere around 60 bats living in the Bathouse by the north shore boat launch. Thursday, August 22nd, is your last chance this year to join the park naturalist and watch the bats come out of their houses for their evening bug hunt! Bring your comfy chair over to the bat condo at 7:45 pm. You’ll want to be right on time, because there are so few bats to see now.

Last Music In The Park

Devil’s Lake’s last FREE Music In The Park event featuring the Madtown Mannish Boys is this Sunday, August 25th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This chill, outdoor music event will be held just outside the north shore chateau. BYOB and Bring your own lawn chair. :)

Last Friday Night Park After Dark Hike

Well, there’s 2 left; Friday, Aug 23rd and Friday, Aug 30th from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Explore the world of nocturnal animals. Bring your sense of adventure! The naturalist will bring some of her high-tech gear to discover the secrets of the night! The hike will go along the eastern section of the Johnson Moraine Trail and be about a mile and half in length. This program is best for kids 7 and older and adults, but open to “kids” of all ages.

If you have questions about these events contact;

Sue Johansen, Park Naturalist
(608) 356-8301 Ext. 140
[email protected]

The Last Word!

Of course, not everything is coming to an end. We’ve got 11 days until Labor Day Weekend and we’ve got at least 2 good months of biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, bouldering and all of those other fun ways we spend our free time. Of course, if summer has slipped by you, you’d better set some time aside now for those outdoor activities you love before it really is too late!

And here’s the cool thing. Summer might be about over, but fall is coming and the Devil’s Lake region is an autumn color wonderland. We’ll talk more about that soon, but right now, get out there and enjoy the summer of 2019 while you still can!