'Fort Wilkins by Candlelight' event returns to historic state park Saturday, Aug. 11

Contact: Robert Strittmatter, 906-289-4215 or Debbie Munson Badini, 906-226-1352

Agency: Natural Resources

Aug. 6, 2012

"Fort Wilkins by Candlelight," a special candlelight event at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park in Copper Harbor, will rekindle the past with a twilight lantern tour and theatrical performances on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Costumed interpreters will lead visitors on a lantern-lit progressive theatrical tour of the mid-19th-century fort, depicting army life in the year 1870. The event will also feature a fashion show of historic costumes by Becky Weeks, live string music and period dancing, and light refreshments served by candlelight in the fort's restored 1840s mess hall.

This event is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources through the Michigan Historical Center and the Parks and Recreation Division, along with support from the Fort Wilkins Natural History Association (FWNHA) - a non-profit organization that provides support to Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. For more information, visit www.FortWilkinsNHA.org.

Located in Copper Harbor at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park features a restored 19th-century military post with daily costumed portrayals of soldiers and their families and museum exhibits enlivened by the sights and sounds of army life 160 years ago. Fort Wilkins is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, an agency within the DNR. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the outdoor museum is open daily from 8:30 a.m. until dusk through mid-October.

For further details, contact the park at 906-289-4215, (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit www.michigan.gov/historicfortwilkins. Camping reservations can be made on line at www.midnrreservations.com or by calling the DNR central reservation system at 800-447-2757.

Fort Wilkins by Candlelight is free for park visitors, however, a Recreation Passport is required to enter the park.

The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking "YES" for the $10 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, online at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, nonmotorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. In addition, Recreation Passport holders can enjoy real savings at businesses and retailers that participate in the Passport Perks discount program. The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) at any state park or recreation area or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.

Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan's outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. For information on Passport Perks shopping discounts or how businesses and retailers can enroll in the program, visit www.michigan.gov/passportperks.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.