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Sports

Big Island Weekend Adventure

The Steamboat Minnehaha will return to Big Island on June 18 and 19, recreating a voyage it made last year for the first time in eight decades.  Visitors who board the historic steamboat at the Excelsior Dock will experience a restored wilderness park full of the wonders nature has to offer.  They’ll walk along wooded trails, picnic on a grassy knoll, swim at a sandy beach and view a pair of bald eagles nesting atop an old tree.

To enhance the visitors’ experience, there will be tour guides on hand to provide historical background on the island, including its days as an amusement park and a veterans’ camp.  There also will be signs placed throughout the park showing where the amusement rides were located and identifying what remains from the period of 1906-1911. 

Since all but one of the structures were removed last winter, this will be the first time the public will see the park restored to its natural beauty.  As a wilderness park, Big Island does not offer food or beverage service or provide restroom facilities.  A restroom is available on the boat.

During the “Big Island Wilderness Adventure” all trips leave from and return to the Excelsior City Docks.  The scheduled departures are at 9:30 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:50 p.m., 2:20 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Round trip tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.  It is strongly suggested people order tickets online at www.steamboatminnehaha.org.

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