Fourth of July Family Fun Fest

7/1/2016 to 7/4/2016 | Washington State Park | De Soto, MO

Friday, July 1

7 p.m. -  Ice Cream Social - Campground Entrance
Join Washington State Park staff for an ice cream social to kick off the holiday weekend! Stop in to create your own patriotic ice cream treat.

Saturday, July 2

10 a.m. - Nature Hour - Campground Amphitheater
Washington State Park interpretive staff will introduce visitors to the Missouri State Parks Explorer Program and the Washington State Park Discovery Program. Learn about these educational and interesting programs and start earning your patches today!

Noon -  Petroglyph and Glade Tour - Petroglyph Site
This guided interpretive walk highlights two of Washington State Park's unique features. The walk begins with a tour of the ancient Native American rock carvings and will then venture out onto the glade, where visitors will learn about life on this landscape. 

2 p.m. - Park History Stroll - Thunderbird Lodge
Join Washington State Park interpretive staff on a stroll through history! This leisurely stroll will take place at the Thunderbird Lodge and surrounding area as visitors learn about the history of the park and the historic stonework of CCC Company 1743.

4 p.m. -  Nature Hour - Campground Amphitheater
Ready for some competition? During this Nature Hour, Washington State Park interpretive staff will give you the opportunity to compete. There will be a Sidewalk Chalk Competition for kids and a Patriotic Campsite Decoration Contest. Show your patriotic colors with our campsite decoration contest.  Judging considerations will be patriotic appropriateness, originality and attractiveness. Campers need to complete decorations by noon on July 3 and remove them before vacating the campsite. These competitions begin at 4 p.m. and the judging will take place on July 3 at the next Nature Hour.

7 p.m. - Campground Charades - Campground Amphitheater
Washington State Park interpretive staff will present a round of Campground Charades with a historic twist!

Sunday, July 3

10 a.m. - Volleyball - Campground Entrance
Join Washington State Park interpretive staff for a friendly game of Volleyball - without all the rules.

Noon  - Petroglyph Purpose - Petroglyph Site
What is the meaning of the petroglyphs in the park?  Who created them? Explore the answer to these questions and more with some fun and fascinating petroglyph interpretation led by Washington State Park interpretive staff.

4 p.m. - Nature Hour - Campground Amphitheater
How did you place in the Sidewalk Chalk Competition and the Patriotic Campsite Decoration Contest? Washington State Park staff will present the awards for these contests. The winner of the Patriotic Campsite Decoration Contest will win a Missouri State Parks gift card!

6 p.m. - Annual Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest - Campground Showerhouse
Join Washington State Park interpretive staff for this fun summer annual competition and see who can send a watermelon seed flying!

Monday, July 4

9 a.m. - Nature Hour - Campground Amphitheater
Washington State Park interpretive staff will present an informative and fantastic program about nature for visitors. 

All events are weather and conditions permitting and subject to change.

13041 State Highway 104, De Soto, MO | 636-586-5768

Associated activities

  • Interpretive Programs