Friends of State Parks gather at Footsloggers

The Friends of High Country State Parks will gather from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Footsloggers in downtown Boone to raise greater public awareness of the organization and the area’s state parks.

The Friends of High Country State Parks invite supporters of the four Boone area state parks to come out for live music and a grilled lunch around the climbing tower in Footsloggers’ courtyard.

Music will be performed by Bob White, Tom Whyte and Ed Midgett.

Representatives of each of the at local parks — Elk Knob, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Jefferson and New River — will be on hand to provide “one-stop shopping” with information and exhibits on their trails and recreational offerings.

The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail will also have a table at the event.

Footsloggers is providing food for anyone who makes a donation to the Friends of High Country State Parks as FHCSP begins a major membership drive.

Membership benefits include quarterly Web newsletter updates and participation at “FHCSP members only” events at the three parks and one natural area. Members will receive discounts at Footsloggers and other participating businesses around the High Country.

Regular membership is $10, family membership is $15, students are $5, and a life membership is $250. Membership will also be available soon through the group’s Web site.

The mission of the organization is “to encourage local efforts to support recreation, education, preservation and adequate funding at our local state parks in the High Country,” president Bob White said.

The group will mount service projects and fund modest but important initiatives in our local parks, he said. The group hopes to create volunteer rewards based upon time accumulated helping to implement the group’s projects.

For more information, visit friendsofhcsp.wordpress.com.