Step right up and into DNREC’s newly-climate-controlled fair building for exhibits and environmental displays galore!

HARRINGTON  – With the 2017 Delaware State Fair throwing open the gates today for its fun-filled 10-day run (Thursday, July 20 thru Saturday, July 29), DNREC is again right in the middle of the annual extravaganza – with an array of environmental displays in a newly-climate-controlled State Fair building, and game prizes to be won by kids of all ages for showing their knowledge about the state’s natural resources and environment.

Under the banner with this year’s theme, “DNREC – Your ECOnnection,” DNREC’s displays link visitors to environmentally-friendly programs and ideas. Fairgoers will find information and activities from DNREC’s divisions and programs. Featured this year: DNREC’s refurbished Energy House and a new interactive watershed display demonstrating how water flows and wetlands hold water, plus a 3-D map of stormwater runoff flowing from a suburban yard to Delaware’s wetlands, rivers, streams, bay and the ocean. State Fair visitors young and older also are invited to play DNREC’s scavenger hunt game for discovering eco-friendly facts about Delaware that can be found within the DNREC building, and to pick from a wide range of prizes after their successful “hunt.”

Meanwhile, the DNREC On Stage theater offers a preview of programs from parks, nature centers and other facilities statewide owned and operated by the Department’s Divisions of Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Recreation and Watershed Stewardship. Stop by daily to learn more about what we have to offer – and discover unique new places you and your family can visit!

ECOnnect with DNREC!
At the Fair, adults and kids of all ages can learn more about the science behind the work DNREC does in protecting the environment and Delaware’s natural resources. DNREC’s building includes displays, hands-on activities and educational games. At DNREC on Stage, in the building’s air-conditioned theater, they will also see live animal shows and presentations ranging from maritime history to geology to Delaware’s unique plants and animals. DNREC’s building is located on the fair grounds’ East Rider Road – admission is free and the building is open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily during the fair. For more information, please visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov.

DNREC on Stage Schedule

Thursday, July 20

• Noon – 3 p.m. Build Your Own Horseshoe Crab! Kids of all ages are invited to color and create their own model of a horseshoe crab, and learn more about these unique aquatic creatures. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)

Friday, July 21

• Noon – 3 p.m. Wildlife in the Parks … and in your Backyard! Learn about the animals that call Lums Pond home – and the critters in your own backyard. Plus, meet some park residents, including a turtle and toad. (From Lums Pond State Park)

Saturday, July 22

• Noon – 3 p.m. Herbivore, Omnivore, Carnivore! Mammal teeth tell the story of what their owners eat, as illustrated by skulls such as black bear, beaver, deer, and others, along with animal pelts to touch. (From White Clay Creek State Park)
• 3 – 6 p.m. Live Music with Switchback! Stay awhile and enjoy upbeat rock and pop from the 70s to now with this three-piece local band!

Sunday, July 23

• Noon – 3 p.m. Bringing the Zoo to You! Meet a few of the residents of Delaware’s very own zoo and learn about where and how they live. (From the Brandywine Zoo)

Monday, July 24 – Senior Day

• Noon – 3 p.m. Beach Comes to the Fair! Live horseshoe crabs and other beach creatures travel inland to DNREC’s fair building to meet visitors. (From Cape Henlopen State Park)
• 3 – 6 p.m. Who’s in the Bay Today? Learn about some aquatic species that live in the Delaware Bay and meet some up close! (From the DuPont Nature Center)

Tuesday, July 25 – Kids Day

• Noon – 3 p.m. Reptiles and Amphibians of Delaware! Meet the often-unnoticed creatures that crawl, hop, swim and slither in our wetlands, woods and waterways. (From Killens Pond State Park)
• Noon – 3 p.m. Experience Colonial Games and Toys! Costumed interpreters invite visitors to play games and check out toys from Colonial times, on the DNREC building’s porch. (From First State Heritage Park)
• 3 – 6 p.m. Shipwrecks & Surfman Selfies! Celebrate Delaware Seashore State Park’s 50th anniversary with displays telling the park’s unique story and maritime history activities.

Wednesday, July 26 – Armed Forces Day/Military Appreciation Day

• Noon – 3 p.m. Creating Power through Natural Resources! See how water creates power by watching a steam engine in action, then create your own pinwheel to harness wind and make energy (From Auburn Heights Preserve)
• 3 – 6 p.m. Travel Back to the Civil War Days! Interpreters in period costume invite children to play games and try on period costumes, then march in children’s infantry drills. (From Fort Delaware State Park)

Thursday, July 27 – Governors Day/Senior Day

• 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join DNREC’s Volunteer Olympics! Get a taste of some of the volunteer opportunities DNREC offers by competing in fast and fun games including beach grass planting and horseshoe crab counting … with prizes.
• 1 – 2 p.m. DNREC Awards at Mann Tharp Pavilion! DNREC’s Young Environmentalists, Youth Fishing Tournament winners, Wetland Warriors, Volunteers of the Year, Hunting and Fishing Photo Contest winners and Rain Barrel Art Contest winners will be recognized. Also, get a close-up look at one of DNREC’s environmental Emergency Response Team vehicles.
• 1:40 p.m. Bayshore Forever! Catch the premiere of this new video tour of Delaware’s beautiful Bayshore region.
• 3 – 6 p.m. Horseshoe Crabs and Skins, Scat and Tracks! Two fascinating programs about Delaware’s resident living fossil – the horseshoe crab – and a close-up look at identifying animals by their tracks, scat and skins. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)

Friday, July 28

• Noon – 3 p.m. Beauty and the Beaks! Learn about how different kinds of Delaware birds use their specialized beaks and feathers – and try being a bird. (From Alapocas Run State Park/Wilmington State Parks)
• 3 – 6 p.m. Primitive Skills: Making Slate Cutting Tools! Learn how our ancient ancestors created cutting tools from slate and try making your own slate tools with help from a park naturalist. (Killens Pond State Park)
• 4:30 – 9 p.m. How Does Your Deer Measure Up? Learn how Boone & Crockett’s white-tailed deer scoring system works, see some examples of mounted record-holders and get your own evaluated. (On the DNREC Bldg. porch)

Vol. 47, No. 163

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, 302-739-9902 or Joanna.Wilson@delaware.gov

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