***Colorama Bike Ride - September 18, 2010, registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and ride starts at 10:00 a.m. Ride begins and ends at Kitchenette Park. You can choose either at 50, 30 or 10 mile course. T-shirts and lunch provided for each paid rider. Call the Merrill Park and Recreation Department at 715-536-7313 with any questions.

**3rd Annual Lincoln Lager Barleyfest, October 2nd, 2-6pm. Special Ticket Prices at Fairgrounds after Labor Day Parade. Other information visit Barleyfest Website at www.llbarleyfest.com

FALL PROGRAM POSTED UNDER DOWNLOADABLE FORMS

***NEW - Now you can follow Merrill Park and Recreation Department on FACEBOOK.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES:

***Little Gridders Flag Football - 1st grade flag football. Games will be played at the MARC on Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting September 14 and ending October 7. Games start at 5:15. All players must be registered by September 7. Cost: $20.00 - includes t-shirt.

***5th Quarter - Grades 6, 7 & 8 - The Merrill Park and Recreation Department and Merrill Youth Hockey will be hosting the 5th quarter on September 10 and October 8 from 8:30 - 11:00 at the Smith Center. DJ, prizes and inflatable games. Cost: $5.00 per student - includes one 20 oz soda or gatorade and popcorn. If you would like to chaperon call Dawn at 715-536-7313.

***Family Fun Night - September 11 - Cost: $2.00 per person at the Smith Center from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Merrill Park and Recreation Department did it again!! Here is another GREAT way for you to spend some FUN FAMILY time. We are going to be giving everyone a chance to come and have some fun on the inflatables that we use during the 5th Quarters. There will be the Cheesehead Challenge, 34' Obstacle Course, Touchdown Equalizer, 3 lange bungee run and the green and gold bounce. Concessions available through Merrill Youth Hockey. ALL KIDS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT!

***Co-ed Boys and Girls Basketball League - Grades 3 and 4 (all kids will play), Dates September 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2 and 9. Cost: $15.00 includes t-shirt. Time: 6:00 at Kate Goodrich School. We will be running a mini camp on Sept. 28 and October 5 - divide into teams and games played on Oct. 12, 19, 26 and November 2 and 9. Must pre-register.

***Little Dribblers - Grades 1 and 2, Date: September 30, October 7, 14, 21 and 28. Cost: $15.00 includes t-shirt. Boys and girls are welcome to come and learn the basics of basketball. Camp will start at 6:00 p.m. with a half hour of drills and than we will be doing a half hour of relays and games. Must pre-register.

***Haunted Trail Walk - October 23 at the MARC on the trail by the Softball diamonds. Time will be 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 for 12 and over - $2.00 11 and under. Take a mysterious night hike through the trails at the MARC. Experience the eerie forest paths at night. Walk will start by the playground by the ball diamond, half way around the trail you will hop aboard the hay wagon and ride back to the campfire for some vampire smore's and bubbly witches brew. NOTE: Recommended for ages 7 and up. There will be NO touching or grabbing - be prepared to be scared! New items added for 2010.....

***Tiny Tots Halloween Party - October 29 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Smith Center. Cost: FREE. Dress in your favorite costumes and come and have some fun. There will be games and crafts for the little ones plus a special treat.

***Kiddie Cookie Club & Craft: Date: October 21 from 10:00 to 10:45 at the Smith Center, cost $2.00. Come and decorate some cookies for Halloween and create a spooky craft. Must pre-register.

***KALAHARI RESORT BUS TRIP- Date: December 29 - Cost: $35.00 per person includes a personal pan pizza and a large soda plus transportation. Winter Blues?? Come with the Merrill Park and Recreation Department to the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells for a fun filled day. We will be loading the bus at 7:45 and returning between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. (We will be stopping at a McDonalds on the way home) To register please call Dawn at 715-536-7313. This would make a great Christmas Gift! ALL KIDS MUST BE ACCOMPAINED BY AN ADULT.

***NEW THIS YEAR - The Merrill Park and Recreation Department will be selling Open SKate Passes: Single pass - $40.00, family pass $70.00. To purchase a pass stop by the Smith Center.

***Lunch Bunch Story Time & Craft - Monday's after Tot time - Sept 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11 and 15 from 11:00 to Noon in the Multi Purpose Room at the Smith Center. Cost: $10.00. After tot time on Monday's we will h ave a lunch with story time and a craft. The Smith Center will provide everything you need to build your own sandwich plus a healthy side dish with some juice or milk. While you eat we will read a story to you, clean up and do a craft to go with the story. Must pre-register.

***Fun Night - Grades 2 - 4. Date: Jan. 13, 20, 27 & Feb. 3, 10 & 17. Cost: $15.00. Every Thursday night come and have some fun playing a different game every night, Matt Ball, Dodge Ball, Volleyball, and more. Grades 2 and 3 will go from 6:00 - 7:00 and Grades 4 and 5 will go from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Kate Goodrich.

***Halloween Skate: October 29 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. DJ Rink Side, games, and prizes throughout the night. Costume Contest.  Cost: $3.00 - special event.

***Disco Deer - November 19 from 7:00  - 9:00 p.m. DJ Rink Side, games and prizes throughout the night. Anyone wearing orange will receive a free skating pass for the next time they come skating. Cost: $3.00 - special event.

***Holiday SKate - December 17 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. DJ Rink Side, games and prizes throughout the night. Anyone wearing a santa hat will receive a free skate pass for the next time skating. Cost: $3.00 special event.

***PARK RESERVATIONS WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 3, 2011. ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE DONE IN PERSON. OFFICE OPENS AT 7:30 A.M.

NO EARLY RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. RENTAL PRICES: Kitchenette: $60.00 rental fee, $50.00 security deposit; Ott's: $50.00 rental fee, $50.00 security deposit; Riverside: $50.00 rental fee, $50.00 security deposit; Stange: $50.00 rental fee, $50.00 security deposit.

***BIRTHDAY PARTIES: The Merrill Park and Recreation Department is now taking reservations for birthday parties at the Smith Center. Birthday parties are offered on Friday and Saturday evenings during open skate, plus we do have some Sunday afternoons available for birthday parties. We have 3 party packages to choose from:

**Ice Cream Package: Admission, skate rental, reserved table, paper products, balloons, ice cream cup, 1 bottle of soda (20 oz bottle), treat for the birthday child. $6.00 per child

**Hot dog package: Admission, skate rental, reserved table, paper products, balloons, ice cream cup, hot dog, name announcement, 1 bottle of soda, (20 oz bottle) treat for the birthday child. $7.00 per child.

**Pizza package: Admission, skate rental, reserved table, paper products, balloons, ice cream cup, pizza, 1 bottle soda (20 oz bottle), treat for birthday child. $8.00 per child

To reserve a time and date call Dawn at 536-7313.

***WILL BE UPDATING WEEKLY***