Holiday Sights And Delights Await At “Enchanted” Martinak State Park

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DENTON, MD – Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus – and on December 8 and 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., he’ll be taking Christmas requests at the “Santa’s Magic Workshop” event at Martinak State Park. For the last 17 years, the park has hosted the event in cooperation with the Caroline County Recreation and Parks Department and The Friends of Martinak and Tuckahoe State Parks, an all-volunteer group.

Step back in time for an old-fashioned Christmas at the park, complete with visits with Santa in the old cabin, festive train gardens, and opportunities to create an ornament for your tree or a pinecone birdfeeder for the backyard! Then enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and cookies and jump on the hayride for a trip through the Enchanted Campground to see a variety of lights and displays.

While there is no admission fee for the event, visitors are encouraged to bring donations for local charities and as in the past, the park will be collecting non-perishable food items for St. Martin’s Barn. This year, monetary contributions will go to support Caroline County Hospice.

Assistant Park Manager Debbie McNeil estimates that, “Nearly 8,000 pounds of canned and boxed goods have been donated to the local food bank over the years. There is always a need for hospice and the services they provide. We are hoping that the local community enjoys this year’s Christmas program, and will make a donation to support these wonderful groups.”

The popularity of Martinak’s Enchanted Campground continues to grow and thanks to donations from “The Friends of Martinak State Park” in 2007 and the Caroline County Moose Lodge in 2005, there are more displays than ever before. Following the conclusion of the “Santa’s Magic Workshop” event, the Enchanted Campground will remain open for driving tours each evening through December 23 from sunset until 9 p.m. Donations for St. Martin’s Barn and Caroline County Hospice will be collected at boxes at the entrance to the campground.

For more information about Martinak State Park’s holiday programs or directions to the park, call 410-820-1668.

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November 29, 2007

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov