Clarksville, TN – On friday, October 28th, the Friends of Dunbar Cave and the Clarksville Children’s Theater are sponsoring ” A Sleepy Hollow Bonfire and Night Hike.” The event is from 6:00pm-9:00pm.

Come join Ichabod Crane, as he guides you on a night hike while regaling your family with the Legend of Stingy Jack. Once at the mouth of Dunbar Cave, the Clarkville Children’s Theater will dramatize the Legend of the Headless Horsemman. Please bring flashlights for your family. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This is a family event, and not intended to be scary.

After the hike, cozy up to the bonfire with a cup of hot chocolate or cider, as your family enjoys the acoustic band, Red River Breeze. Red River Breeze is welcomed back to the park after playing the recent Cooling at the Cave.

Although the hike is a donation of $5.00 per person, donations for the band and drinks is much appreciated.

Flier

Helpful Links

• The Friends of Dunbar Cave
• Red River Breeze
• Clarksville Children’s Theatre

The quartet, Red River Breeze, provided the entertainment of traditional Celtic music, while children danced and the adults clapped. The Friends of Dunbar Cave provided ice cold lemonade, water, cookies, granola bars, and freezer pops. Many played a variety of board games, tapping their toes to an Irish jig. Back in the days before air conditioning, this is how locals cooled off and fellowshipped with others.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Although no official count was taken, but most of the 75 chairs provided by the Friends group were full while people migrated in and out; I would conservatively guess well more than 125 folks enjoyed the free event. In fact, several in attendance joined the Friends group.

The Friends of Dunbar Cave is a non-profit group that raises money for the city’s only State Park, as well as being an advocate group for the park’s historical and natural preservation. In the past the Friends have provided mulch for for the hiking trails, educational panels along the trails, computers for park staff, and much more. If you would like more information about the group, or would like to join or make a donation, please see the link at the bottom of the page.

Judging by all the smiles and laughter, a good time was had by all. It takes a lot of volunteers to put on such a large and successful event. We would like to thank all the volunteers that made this event happen, especially Ms. Barbara Wilbur, who coordinates the annual event.

Links

• https://sites.google.com/site/friendsdunbar/
• http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/DunbarCave/index.shtml
• http://redriverbreeze.com/

Photo Gallery

To view more images from Cooling at the Cave visit our Photo Gallery

Clarksville, TN – Dunbar Cave‘s annual “Cooling at the Cave” event is this afternoon. The Friends of Dunbar Cave present music, games and refreshments at the cool cave entrance. Refreshments for a donation, t-shirts and postcards available to purchase.

Everything starts at 3:00pm and continues until 5:00pm. Red River Breeze will be at the cave entrance playing celtic music.

So come out and enjoy natural air conditioning and show your support for Dunbar Cave.

Cooling at the Cave

Clarksville, TN – The weather is getting hotter, and the Friends of Dunbar Cave are gearing up to cool down!

Locals have always come to the mouth of Dunbar Cave in the dog days of summer to beat the heat. With a year round breeze of 56 degree blowing from the cave, the Friends of Dunbar Cave invite your family to enjoy Mother Nature’s air conditioning on July 30th from 3:00pm-5:00pm.

Cooling at the Cave

Come out and show your support, enjoy the natural air conditioning, and tap your toes to celtic music by Red River Breeze.

About the Friends of Dunbar Cave

The Friends of Dunbar Cave is a non-profit group that meets every third Thursday of the month at the Dunbar Cave administration building. We actively support Clarksville’s only state park. Among other activities, we have bought and spread tons of mulch on the trails, purchase interpretative signs for the park, purchase computers for park staff, as well as sponsor several educational events at the park through out the year.

Family memberships start at only $25.00, which includes a T Shirt so you can show the community you support the park. A membership table will be set up at Cooling at the Cave – stop by and see how you can help support OUR state park.

Dunbar Cave State Natural Area will present many nature programs this summer.

Upcoming events include: Native American Artifacts, Nature Hike, Bats and Cave Salamanders, Childrens’ Theatre, Cooling at the Cave and so much more!

Programs are free unless noted otherwise. All programs require reservations by the deadline listed. Programs with no reservations by the deadline are canceled.

All programs begin at the Visitor Center unless another site is listed.

Children must be accompanied by an adult (one adult for each three children). The age limits are definite – please do not sign up a child who is too young or too old for the program. Call 931.648.5526 for reservations.

Sunday, July 24th

Native American Artifacts

Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 7-12

Long ago Native Americans lived in what is now Tennessee. Come see and learn about artifacts they left behind and what they were used for.

Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 22nd.

Don’t Feed the Geese!

Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Ages: All ages

Observe the geese and discuss the importance of migration and why we shouldn’t feed the animals.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 22nd.

Monday, July 25th

Nature Hike

Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Ages: 5 and up

Hike the Short Loop (1 mile) and learn about plants and animals found in the park.

Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 23rd.

The Geography of Tennessee

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 8 – adult

Discuss and learn about the various regions that Tennessee has to offer.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 23rd.

Bats and Cave Salamanders

Time: 8:00pm – 9:15pm
Ages: 8 to adult

Stick around after the park closes and view some of the nocturnal delights that emerge from our cave once day turns to night. Bring a flashlight!

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 23rd.

Tuesday, July 26th

Recycling

Time: 2:00pm – 2:30pm
Ages: 5 to adult

View a short presentation on how and why to recycle.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 24th.

Sinkhole Geology

Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8 to adult

Understand how and why the earth opens up beneath our feet … and houses… and streets! Short indoor presentation plus a hike on the Short Loop Trail to see actual sinkholes.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 24th.

Thursday, July 28th

Beginning Birding

Time: 8:15am – 10:15am
Ages: Adults

Birding is a fun hobby – learn the basics with this program. Bring binoculars.

Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 26th.

Bats Are Fun

Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Ages: 5 – 8

Learn about bats through videos, books and games.

Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 26th.

Friday, July 29th

Trees Are Terrific Hike

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 7 to adult

Learn the trees of the region on our one mile trail.

Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 27th.

Hike Down Idaho Springs

Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Ages: 8 to adult

Observe the original stream that flows from the cave and see how the landscape looked before the formation of Swan Lake. Bring old shoes and clothes that can get wet and muddy.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 27th.

Night Hike

Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Age: All Ages

Walk the Short Loop trail (1 mile) with a Ranger at night as we explore the woods and lakeshore for nocturnal critters such as owls, deer, frog, and raccoons. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes.

Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 27th.

Saturday, July 30th

Childrens Theatre Craft Activity

Time: 10:30am – 11:00am
Age: All Ages

Join us for a crafty activity that leads in to the performance later.

Reservations By: 4:30pm July 29th.

Childrens’ Theatre – Animal Tales – A flood of Friends

Time: 11:00am

Performance by the wonderful actors, dressed up as animals. No reservations needed.

Childrens Theatre Craft Activity

Time: 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Age: All Ages

Join us for a crafty activity that leads in to the performance later.

Reservations By: 4:30pm July 29th.

Childrens’ Theatre – Animal Tales – A flood of Friends

Time: 1:00pm

Repeat performance of the 11:00 presentation.

No reservations needed.

Cooling at the Cave

Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Age: All ages

The Friends of Dunbar Cave present music, games and refreshments at the cool cave entrance. Refreshments for a donation, t-shirts and postcards available to purchase.

Sunday, July 31st

Native American Artifacts

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Age: Ages 7-12

Long ago Native Americans lived in what is now Tennessee. Come see and learn about artifacts they left behind and what they were used for.

Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 29th.

Don’t Feed the Geese!

Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Age: All ages

Observe the geese and discuss the importance of migration and why we shouldn’t feed the animals.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 22nd.

Dunbar Cave State Natural Area will present many nature programs this summer.

Upcoming events include: Evening Critter Hike, History of Dunbar Cave, Geology of a Cave, Dragonfiles and so much more!

Programs are free unless noted otherwise. All programs require reservations by the deadline listed. Programs with no reservations by the deadline are canceled.

All programs begin at the Visitor Center unless another site is listed.

Children must be accompanied by an adult (one adult for each three children). The age limits are definite – please do not sign up a child who is too young or too old for the program. Call 931.648.5526 for reservations.

Sunday, July 17th

Evening Critter Hike

Time: 8:00pm – 9:15pm
Ages: 8 – Adult

Join us for a hike to observe the many creatures that come out to feed and socialize at night on the park.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 15th.

Monday, July 18th

History of Dunbar Cave

Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Ages: 8 – Adult

Join Ranger Adam at the cave entrance and learn about the reasons why Dunbar Cave has drawn people to it over the years. Topics will include Native American use of the cave and the Dunbar Cave and Idaho Springs Resorts.

Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 16th.

Fish of Swan Lake

Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 7 to adult

While wandering around the lake, view and discuss the varied fish species Dunbar has to offer.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 16th.

Tuesday, July 19th

A Sense of Nature

Time: 8:30am – 10:00 am
Ages: 5 – 10

We will use our eyes, ears, noses, mouths and fingers to learn about nature.

Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 17th.

Tree Identification Hike

Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Ages: 6 – 12

Join Ranger Adam for a walk around the park discovering some of the common trees found in our area.

Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 17th.

Cave Critters

Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Ages: All Ages

We will observe the many creatures Dunbar Cave calls home, including bats, rats, salamanders, spiders and crickets.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 17th.

Thursday, July 21st

Friends Meeting

Time: 6:00pm

IF you use the park and/or attend our programs, you should become a member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave! Meet in the Visitor Center.

Friday, July 22nd

Birds of Dunbar Cave SNA

Time: 7:00am – 8:30am
Ages: All ages

Birdwatching at its best – come take an early morning hike and see our many different birds.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 20th.

Pond Life

Time: 9:00am – 10:30am
Ages: 4 – adult

Whats in the “pond”? Muskrats, turtles, fish, dragonflies and others call Swan Lake home. Join us as we look at these creatures. Bring a coffee can with both ends cut off (have mom or dad use a can opener) if you have an empty one around.

Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 20th.

Geology of a Cave

Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Ages: All Ages

Learn how caves are made and about karst topography (what’s that? Come and find out!) in the Visitor Center AV room, then get a first hand observation of how caves are formed at the cave itself.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 20th.

History of Dunbar Cave

Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Ages: 8 – Adult

Join Ranger Adam at the cave entrance and learn about the reasons why Dunbar Cave has drawn people to it over the years. Topics will include Native American use of the cave and the Dunbar Cave and Idaho Springs Resorts.

Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 20th.

Saturday, July 23rd

Sunrise Hike

Time: 5:30am – 6:30am
Ages: adult

A quiet hike of the park to gather yourself and start the day off fresh by greeting the sun as it rises.

Program Leader: Jerrod Manning, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 21st.

Dragonflies

Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Ages: 10 – adult

Join dragonfly expert and photographer Richard Connors and learn to identify the colorful dragonflies and damselflies of the Area. Includes slide program and walk around the lake. Bring binoculars and cameras if you have them (binoculars not required, but very helpful in seeing small creatures!)

Program Leaders: Richard Connors and Amy Wallace
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 21st.

Wildflower Stroll

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 10-Adult

Learn the names and lore of the flowers on this hike to the cave and along the lake.

Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Reservations By: 4:30pm July 21st.

Night Hike

Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Ages: All ages

Join us as the sun goes down and the night creatures (bats, owls, raccoons, beaver and others) come out. Bring a flashlight.

Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger
Reservations By: Noon July 23rd.

Clarksville, TN – The weather is getting hotter, and the Friends of Dunbar Cave are gearing up to cool down!

Locals have always come to the mouth of Dunbar Cave in the dog days of summer to beat the heat. With a year round breeze of 56 degree blowing from the cave, the Friends of Dunbar Cave invite your family to enjoy Mother Nature’s air conditioning on July 30th 3:00pm-5:00pm. For those who need assistance, or just want a ride, a golf cart donated by the City of Clarksville Golf Pro Jeff Vaughn will be running from the parking lot to the cave entrance, and back.

A crowd of people at Cooling at the Cave listening to the Cumberland Winds Jazz Band

About the Friends of Dunbar Cave

The Friends of Dunbar Cave is a non-profit group that meets every third Thursday of the month at the Dunbar Cave administration building. We actively support Clarksville’s only state park. Among other activities, we have bought and spread tons of mulch on the trails, purchase interpretative signs for the park, purchase computers for park staff, as well as sponsor several educational events at the park through out the year. Family memberships start at only $25.00, which includes a T Shirt so you can show the community you support the park. A membership table will be set up at Cooling at the Cave – stop by and see how you can help support OUR state park.

Readers may remember that last year Spring Fling was on the weekend of the historic flood. We are hoping that Mother Nature is more co-operative this year. But rain or shine, bring the family out for a good time!

Crowd watches Save Our American Raptors (SOAR)

Events start at 8:15am and continue all day long.

Spring Fling Activities

• A bird watching hike led by a local Warioto Audubon Chapter,
• A wildflower hike led by park staff,
• Canoeing on Swan Lake – the only chance to do so all year, donations welcomed for this activity. Show up early to sign up, since this event fills up fast.
• Raptors by SOAR (Save Our American Raptors) showing a variety of birds of prey. One of events more popular shows. Watch your kids eyes light up when a hawk flys over the crowd. This up close look at a variety of birds is always a crowd pleaser!
• APSU naturalist, Nathan Parker, will educate the audience a variety of reptiles and snakes – including showing the group live reptiles. Nathan’s presentation is extremely popular with the kids.

SOAR Eagle

A variety of organizations will have booths, including information on ways to be more green, uses of hiking and camping equipment, and as well as information about bats and white nose syndrome.

Although donations are welcomed to offset the cost of the event, all activities are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available for a donation.

Dunbar Cave State Park is located at 300 Dunbar Cave Road.

This event is an annual event put on by the Friends of Dunbar Cave. FODC has a variety of activities all year long, including the Spring Fling, Cooling at the Cave, as well as provide interpretative signs and helping ensure the trails are well maintained. It is a not for profit group that is very active in the park. If you use the park, please consider joining up and supporting the group’s efforts with a donation of time or maybe become a member!!

The designated drop-off pile is located in the corner of the parking lot, at intersection of Dunbar and Old Dunbar Cave Roads. The park is open daily 8:00am until sunset. Trees will be accepted through January 9th, 2011.

The second phase of the project is the shredding of the collected trees. The resulting mulch will be will be saved until early Spring and used to cover park pathways. Christmas trees are considered a good source of park mulch because they are free of vines and seeds from invasive plants. The mulch helps control erosion without introducing unwanted plants to the trails.

With the heat index passing 100 lately, it is perfect timing for the Friends of Dunbar Cave‘s annual Cooling at the Cave event. Bring your family out Saturday, July 31, from 4pm to 6pm and enjoy sitting at the mouth of the cave, which stays at 58 degrees year round.

Sitting in the shade at the mouth of the cave is how locals cooled off before the cave was a designated State Natural Area. Folks would bring tables, chairs, and board games. Some would play instruments, while others danced. This is the atmosphere the Friends of Dunbar Cave recreate every year.

Cookies and lemonade will be available for a small donation. We will also have sugar free options. The Friends of Dunbar Cave will also have a membership table to solicit your support of your state park, as well as T-shirts that are available for a donation.Tables and chairs will be provided, but we encourage everyone to bring lawn chairs and board games.

This year, we are happy to announce Cumberland Winds will be this year’s musical entertainment. Cumberland Winds is a jazz ensemble that will playing unplugged, while you cool off and enjoy some quality family time at your state park.

Cumberland Winds Jazz Project at Jammin in the Alley

We hope to see you and your family at Cooling at The Cave!

For a more historical article on Cooling at The Cave, see Debbie Boen’s article from last year.