Second Annual Wildlife Hootenanny

10/24/2015 | Lake Wappapello State Park | Williamsville, MO

10 a.m. Orienteering Event

This event will challenge participants to pass back through time while locating people of that era, e.g., a Native American Shawnee chief (namesake of the lake and park), Union soldier, Confederate soldier, and so forth while traversing the park. The focus will be on events important to wildlife.
Location: Shelter 2 at Allison Day-Use Area

2 p.m. Canoe Races

This race event challenges individuals by age group. Participants will receive instructions on canoeing and other water sports to help them navigate around the park. Programs during the race will feature the various methods that wildlife navigate the water.
Location: Allison Day-Use Swim Beach

3 p.m. Wildlife Presentation

Programs will feature wildlife of the area by local wildlife professionals. A variety of species will be available for the public to view up close.
Location: Park Nature Center

4 p.m.  Games and Fun Activities

The core programs of the evening include a costume contest, face painting, chess/checker match, spider sniff, nature bingo, wildlife sand sculpture, senses of nature, spooky cemetery and many more. 
Location: Allison Day-Use Swim Beach

6 p.m.  Arts and Crafts

Participants will craft spider oaks, bat skeletons, owl pumpkins, wildlife dolls, and luminary art for the park amphitheater. The art will be available for the participants to take home or used for the amphitheater program to follow.
Location: Allison Day-Use Swim Beach

6 p.m.  Evening Pontoon Tour (courtesy of Chaonia Landing)

The tour will highlight the habitat zones for wildlife with a surprise visit from a marauding bandit of the night.
Location: Shelter 2 at Allison Day-Use Area

6 p.m.  Historic Hike and Owl Prowl

Take a walk back into time while meeting the historic people who called the park their home. Participants will meet living characters of the period at one of the oldest cemeteries in the county. On the return hike, those who want to participate will go in search of the call of the owls and find out “who cooks for you?”
Location: Allison-Conner Trail and Cemetery

8 p.m.  Storytelling and Owl Calling Contest

The owl calling contest will be the start of the Halloween evening, as participants present their best calls of the night. Prizes will be awarded by age group.  This will be followed by storytelling, an open event featuring staff, volunteers and visitors alike. Get ready to encounter the weird, the truth maybe hidden in fiction (or not?). 
Location: Park Amphitheater

8005 State Highway 172, Williamsville, MO | 573-297-3232

Associated activities

  • Interpretive Programs