The Friends of Rock Island invite you, your family and friends to join us in celebrating the Island's 60th Anniversary as a State Park. Yep! In addition to FORI's Annual Picnic and Fundraiser (Brat Fry, Silent Auction, Merchandise Sale, Kids Activities inside and around the outside of the Boathouse, and of course Lighthouse tours) the day's activities will be further enriched for this very special "once in a life-time" Anniversary! The celebration will begin at 11:00am and conclude around 3:00pm.

 So you ask,"what are the enriched special activities?"  Well, among other activities there will be; self-guided trivia trail contest, painting your personalized sun catcher, creating and coloring a very special luminary, decoding the Icelandic saying above the Boathouse fireplace, creating a campfire in a clear 8oz cup--- imagine that!!!  There will be prizes for participants in some of the activities.  OH, and be assured that FORI will provide DELICIOUS birthday cupcakes!

 Did you ever wonder how Rock Island became a State Park? In 1961 Town of Washington Island Chairman, Jack Hagen, and others proposed that Rock Island become a State Park. In July of 1962 the WI Dept of Conservation negotiated with Dewey Thordarson, who was managing with other heirs the estate of Chester Thordarson, an agreement that eventually led to the purchase of the Island and the establishment of it as a State Park in April of 1965!

Our DNR Park Manager for Rock Island, Brian Grube, will be giving a talk about the history of Rock Island as part of this event (time yet to be determined).  We hope to see many of you there to celebrate this very special 60th Anniversary.