A dual birthday party is being marked this weekend in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, with activities ranging from cave tours and learning how the giant sequoias are enduring California's drought to all-you-can-eat barbecues.
Activities on Saturday run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from 10 a.m.-noon a special anniversary ceremony will take place in Sequoia at the General Sherman Tree main parking area and trailhead. During this activity, you can sit and enjoy music and guest speakers under the trees. Speakers will share highlights of the past 125 years and hopes for the parks' future. This area is wheelchair accessible.
"Sequoia National Park is the nation’s second oldest, and one of the first national parks in the world. It was created in 1890, the result of individual Americans putting their passions to work to protect giant sequoias and preserve them for the enjoyment of all people, for all time. Kings Canyon National Park, created in 1940 to preserve High Sierra wilderness, grew out of a vigorous 60-year debate between development and preservation interests," the parks' superintendent, Woody Smeck, wrote in a special anniversary guide to the parks. "That passion for preserving something unique and meaningful lives at the core of our national parks; each one embodies a tangible expression of the American experience.
"These early struggles and hard-fought victories are easily forgotten today. In fact, the existence of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks seems to be a 'given.' Yet, like most things created in a democracy, parks are only as durable as the public support that created them," he said. "Each generation must decide to champion their cause and promote their protection. Past generations bequeathed this legacy to us. As we celebrate the 125th and 75th anniversaries of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, please consider your role in their stewardship and make your commitment to their future."
Entrance fees to the two parks will be waived on Friday in honor of the 125th anniversary of Sequoia, and on Saturday as part of the national fee-free day to all national parks in honor of National Public Lands Day.
For a list of all activities, check out the parks' special anniversary guide.
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