If you’re looking for something to do with the family on the weekend of Aug. 26, look no further than the Park After Dark event being held at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park.
The event is being hosted by Sask Parks, and this is the second time it will take place. The coordinator of visitor experiences for Sask Parks, Kimberly Hartwig, said the goal is to help promote the park and to get people out to experience everything our province has to offer.
The event is based around nocturnal adventure and features a glow-in-the-dark theme.
“Park After Dark is going to be a fun-filled afternoon and evening at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park,” Hartwig said. “We will have activities to keep people of all ages entertained all the way into the evening.”
The event will start with participants creating their own glow buff. “So that’s a custom-decorated head band or neck tube that you will have, and you’ll be able to glow for the whole night,” Hartwig said.
Swimming is available at the new pool from 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. For the duration of the event there will be lifeguards on duty and additional lighting to keep the pool area safely illuminated. “We have glow activities and games that will make it a unique experience,” Hartwig said.
“We’ve also got some very interesting animals that we will be talking about during the day,” she said. Hartwig mentioned the diverse owl population in the province, and a guest speaker from the Burrowing Owl Centre and Sask Parks will attend “to talk about how much of a night-owl owls really are.” This portion of the event will end with a science experiment to determine what the owls eat.
There’s a ghost hunt where participants will complete a series of challenges in a spooky scavenger hunt, all while evading the park’s ghost hunter.
Participants can also learn how to play disc golf but with a twist, as the park will be showcasing their new selection of glow discs for the sport.
Michael Huehn, the owner of the Traveling Bakery at Buffalo Pound’s new Visitor’s Centre, said he’ll provide spooky treats for everyone at the event. “There will be ghost and pumpkin cookies,” he said. “I am also doing cupcakes that will be appropriate for Halloween.” The bistro features a selection of fresh and delicious baking that Huehn prepares himself. “It’s all home baking,” he said. Hot chocolate will also be served into the evening.
The Traveling Bakery is usually open until 6:00 p.m., but Huehn said he’ll keep the doors open until 9:00 p.m. for the event.
Later at night, there will be a glow hike where “participants will learn all about nocturnal critters that come to life at night, along with a picturesque lit up trail.”
“Finally, to end the night, no one will want to miss our silent disco,” said Hartwig. The grand finale will allow participants to “dance the night away among the stars” and is put on by Zenhouse Productions. The silent disco event takes place at the Elmview Pavilion, so to avoid interrupting campers, everyone will wear headphones and can dance and listen in silence.
Sask Parks operates under the Saskatchewan Provincial Park mandate outlined in The Parks Act. The mandate ensures park land is dedicated to the people of Saskatchewan as well as those who visit the province. The organization maintains and safeguards the natural, prehistoric, and historic landscapes around the province for the benefit of future generations.
Activities are scheduled from between 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. and will be based out of the new Visitor’s Centre. The silent disco that concludes the night will be held at the Elmview Pavilion.
To participate, a park pass is required. Park passes can be purchased at the park’s front gate or online at TourismSaskatchewan.com. You can call the entry office at 306-694-3320 for more information.
In the case of inclement weather, all events that can be moved indoors will continue in the Visitor’s Centre.
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