April 11, 2023
For Immediate Release
Eric Grunwald, 308-436-9700, eric_grunwald@nps.gov
Justin Cawiezel, 308-436-9717, justin_cawiezel@nps.gov
Celebrate National Park Week at Scotts Bluff National Monument
Gering, NE – National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places, discover stories of history and culture, help out, and find your park. This year, rangers at Scotts Bluff National Monument will be hosting several events, spread out over the course of the nine-day celebration.
Saturday, April 22
10:30 a.m. “Bacon and Bisonwood”: Join park ranger Eric Graves for a short talk in the visitor center theater about how emigrants dealt with trash and sanitation on the trail. Ranger Eric will also discuss how one type of waste, bison chips, was useful to the emigrants and give a short demonstration (weather permitting) about how to start a bison chip fire.
2:00 p.m. “Bacon and Bisonwood”: Join park ranger Eric Graves for a short talk in the visitor center theater about how emigrants dealt with trash and sanitation on the trail. Ranger Eric will also discuss how one type of waste, bison chips, was useful to the emigrants and give a short demonstration (weather permitting) about how to start a bison chip fire.
Thursday, April 27
2:00 p.m. “Bacon and Bisonwood”: Join park ranger Eric Graves for a short talk in the visitor center theater about how emigrants dealt with trash and sanitation on the trail. Ranger Eric will also discuss how one type of waste, bison chips, was useful to the emigrants and give a short demonstration (weather permitting) about how to start a bison chip fire.
Saturday, April 29
2:00 p.m. Fort Mitchell: A Brief Military Experience on the Plains. Join monument volunteer Jerry Lucas in the visitor center theater for a discussion about Fort Mitchell, which was located just northwest of the present monument boundary. Lucas will tell the story about the fort’s origin and briefly look at the daily life of the soldiers who lived there and the two military actions that they participated in.
4:00 p.m. Spring Up the Bluff: NEXT Young Professionals and Bluffs Physical Therapy are sponsoring Spring Up the Bluff, once again! This year’s race will start at 4:00 p.m. and begin and end on the Scotts Bluff Summit Road, for a total distance of 1.6 miles. This year, there are five fun categories to register for!
Sprout Sprint: For the children; grouped in ages 5-7, 8-11, & 12-15.
Young at Heart: For those 55 years & up.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Relay teams (2-6 people).
Speedy Sponsor: Business/Sponsor; single runners to compete against other businesses/sponsors.
Stroller Rollers: Push a stroller! It can be empty or loaded up with a child/fur-child.
Early registration by April 15th includes a guaranteed t-shirt and swag bag! Details can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-up-the-bluff-2023-tickets-576500728197
Day-of registration begins at 3:30 PM.