“It’s always one of our busiest weekends of the year,” said Michele Wisher, vice president of marketing for Milford, Ohio-based Leisure Systems, Inc., which franchises 80 Jellystone Park Camp Resorts across 31 states and four Canadian provinces.
Independence Day weekend activities vary by park, but can include everything from patriotic crafts to cardboard boat regattas to red, white and blue campsite decorating contests to hot dog and marshmallow eating contests to DJ dances and Karaoke.
“Every day starts off with a flag salute with Yogi Bear™, and from that point on the day’s activities begin,” Wisher said.
Here’s a sampling of the Independence Day weekend activities at Jellystone Parks across the country:
— Akron, Ohio: Activities include the park’s annual cardboard boat regatta. Guests will build their own boats and compete in the park swimming pool. Other activities include Independence Day crafts, an animal show, and a scavenger hunt. www.akroncantonjellystone.com
— Big Prairie, Ohio: Activities include a golf cart, bicycle and pet parade; a patriotic campsite decorating contest; an ice cream social; an Independence Day party with a corn hole tournament, a dance party with furry friends, carnival games, patriotic face painting and wet wagon rides. Park guests are encouraged to bring water balloons, hoses and water guns! www. www.whisperinghillsjellystone.com
— Bloomington, Indiana: Activities include an Independence Day parade with bicycles, golf carts and strollers; outdoor movies; Karaoke; a hot dog eating contest and a bonfire. www.lakemonroejellystone.com
— Caledonia, Wisconsin: Activities include a picnic basket parade and a picnic with Yogi Bear; Independence Day crafts; and an American trivia game. www.jellystone-caledonia.com
— Eufala, Oklahoma: Activities include a dance party by the pool; face painting and tattoos. www.jellystoneok.com
— Madison, Florida: Activities include corn hole and volleyball tournaments; Karaoke; and a Southern mud themed activities, including mud volleyball and a muddy tug-o-war.www.jellystonefla.com
— North Hudson, New York: This park has activities to celebrate both Canada Day on July 1 as well as America’s Independence Day on July 4. There will be a bicycle parade, a marshmallow eating contest, a DJ dance, and fireworks over Schroon Lake. www.adirondacksjellystone.com
— Pelahatchie, Mississippi: Activities include a red, white and blue campsite decorating contest; an Independence Day parade; a wet and wild wagon ride; candy bar bingo; a pool party; and beach games. www.jellystonems.com
— Tyler, Texas: Activities include a red, white and blue costume contest and fireworks over the park pond. www.jellystoneatwhisperingpines.com
For more information on Independence Day weekend activities at Jellystone Parks, please visit www.campjellystone.com.
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