3rd Annual Bluebell Festival smells of success; set for May 7-9!

—At Carley State Park All listed Bluebell Festival Programs begin at Carley’s picnic shelter. 9:00 -10:00 a.m.  Make a Wildflower Mothers’ Day Card   In this activity youngsters, with one or more accompanying adults, will discover many colorful wildflowers as they create their own special card for Mom!  Painting supplies are provided. 10:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m Games of Minnesota’s Pioneers   Let the games begin!  Play the games pioneer children played in the 1800’s. Compete in Gunnysack Races, Last Couple Out, Over and Under, Kick Your Shoe, Drop the Hankie and more. Join in for a fun-filled morning. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Fishing Clinic for Youngsters Do you have a child or grandchild you’d like to introduce to trout fishing? If so, this introductory clinic is for you! Any youngsters with little or no fishing experience, with an accompanying adult, are invited to this activity. Fishing equipment and supplies will be provided. (Co-sponsored by Kreofsky Building Supplies.) 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. & 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.  Bluebell Walk  This weekend is the average peak for the spring wildflower bloom. On this leisurely walk, in addition to hundreds if not thousands of bluebells, participants will see many other spring favorites including jack-in-the-pulpit, columbine, trout lily, bloodroot and trillium. Bring your camera!

Wednesday, February 22, 2010— The 3rd Annual Bluebell Festival set for Saturday, May 8th in Plainview and Carley State Park smells of success!

Hundreds of visitors to Carley State Park will take in the fragrance of spring's first wildflowers, while back in Plainview the aroma of the festival's first Barbecue Contest should have mouths watering.

Sponsored by the Plainview Lions Club, the Bluebell Festival has quickly become a well-attended family event that attracted over 400 visitors to the Plainview area last year.

"Carley State Park is one of the region's best kept secrets," said festival organizer, Joel Eggenberger. "We want to share what's in our own backyard!" Carley is located four miles south of Plainview on Country Rd. 4. The park is a 300 acre preserve that includes winding trails, bluffs, streams, meadows and the area's largest display of Virginia bluebells, trout lilies and other spring wildflowers.

Eggenberger is especially excited about the festival's newest event-a barbecue contest in Plainview's Wedgewood Park. "It's never too early to show off your backyard culinary talents," he said. "Prizes will be offered and with a little luck, you might be one of our contest judges." Full details and an entry form will be posted on this website in March.

Last year, events at Carley State Park included: a Mother's Day wildflower card painting, a supervised bird feeder building project and a Trout Fishing Clinic for kids, pioneer games, geocaching, guided tours of the park, entertainment, Fairie stories and professional family portraits by Kenai Photography. Trout Unlimited will be on hand to show visitors how the proposed habitat restoration will affect the park. Lunch is available in the park.

Events in Plainview included: a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast, events at the Plainview Community Center, a plant sale at the Ag Department's greenhouse, a library fundraiser, a Plainview History Center event, and entertainment at Kim's Saloon and the Legion.

If you want to become involved in the Bluebell Festival, please contact the Lions Club Festival Coordinator.