Once upon a time, young park employees held evening dances inside Sequoia’s Beetle Rock building. In the life-affirming spirit of the Giant Forest, this year SNHA will reopen the doors to Beetle Rock for its Big Trees Barn Dance. Though not a true barn, the allure of the 1940s-era building lives on. SNHA interpreters will provide basic dance instruction and period music, and would-be dancers need only bring the magic. Together, history will come alive! The dance takes place every Saturday night from June 22 through Aug. 31. Doors open at 6 p.m.; cost is $5 per person (no refunds). Tickets may be purchased at Giant Forest Museum or the Lodgepole Visitor Center up to three days in advance. Alcohol is not permitted inside or outside of the building.

With virtually no light pollution, few locations in California offer better night sky viewing than Sequoia National Park. In fact, USA Today recently named Sequoia one of 10 national parks that boast some of the best nighttime skies. Learn the basics of backyard stargazing, hear ancient and cultural stories about the constellations, and experience an awe-inspiring evening during Wonders of the Night Sky. Or discover just how much can be seen from Earth’s galaxy by peeking through binoculars and telescopes (provided) during Beyond the Naked Eye. Both programs take place at Wuksachi Lodge. Inquire at the front desk or call 559-565-4070 for times.

The popular Full Moon on Moro Rock offers a unique introduction to the moon. After gradually ascending 400 steps to 6,725 feet elevation, guests gather at the rock’s summit to watch the full moon rise over the Great Western Divide as an interpreter from the Sequoia Field Institute (the educational division of SNHA) discusses the moon’s features. Participants should bring a flashlight for the walk and are encouraged to bring binoculars. Moro Rock is about a 15-minute drive from Wuksachi Lodge, and the moderate 1/3-mile journey to the top takes about 20-30 minutes. Actual program time is one hour. Start times and dates:

• June 22, 8 p.m.
• July 22, 8:15 p.m.
• August 20, 7:30 p.m.
• September 19, 7:15 p.m.
• October 19, 7 p.m.

Beginning June 14 the nightly Wolverton Living History BBQ Dinner beckons hungry guests to enjoy all-you-can-eat feast of pork ribs, chicken, burgers, hot dogs and more. Performances by Living History storytellers take everybody back to the pioneering days of the Old West. Tickets for this one-of-a-kind Sequoia experience at Wolverton Meadow can be purchased same-day at the Wuksachi Lodge or Lodgepole Market. The festivities begin at 6 p.m.

Create even more family memories under the stars at the Kids Campfire, July 1 and July 15. Guests of all ages can bring marshmallows to roast while listening to stories about the people, animals and plants that make Sequoia famous around the world. This free one-hour program takes place at the Wuksachi Lodge campfire circle at Wuksachi Lodge. Inquire at the front desk or call 559-565-4070 for times.

Alternatively, join the fun during More Than S’mores and learn how to use everyday foods from the supermarket and a variety of techniques to make a great camp dinner that everyone will enjoy. Meet at 7 p.m. on July 20 at the park’s Lodgepole Campground. Cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family of five – tastings included. Tickets may be purchased at the Lodgepole Visitor Center.

Wuksachi Lodge’s sponsorship of various SNHA programs aligns with its commitment to environmental stewardship as set forth by its management company, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts. SNHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting education, interpretation, research and the natural and historic preservation of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Devils Postpile National Monument and Lake Kaweah. For more information on additional SNHA programs, visit www.sequoiahistory.org.

Sequoia National Park also offers the widest variety and number of ranger-led programs from late June through August. For park-wide programs listed individually by date, visit the National Park Service’s Schedule of Events.

For information on Wuksachi Lodge’s current vacation packages and availability or to book accommodations, go to VisitSequoia.com/Packages or call toll-free 866-449-4902.

About the Wuksachi Lodge
Located in the heart of Sequoia National Park on the western slope of the Central Sierra, the 102-room Wuksachi Lodge features a panoramic mountain setting, full-service restaurant, cocktail lounge, retail shop, and 1,320 square feet of dedicated meeting space. Furnishings reflect an upscale, natural decor highlighting native granite rock, oak, cedar, and hickory woods as well as modern guest amenities such as Internet access. The Wuksachi Lodge is operated by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, one of the nation’s leading hospitality management companies, under contract with the National Park Service. To learn more, visit VisitSequoia.com.
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About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the largest and most admired privately held hospitality companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly 100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Garden. Delaware North Companies has revenue exceeding $2.6 billion annually and 55,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Gardon
(W)right On Communications, Inc.
for Sequoia National Park
858-755-5411
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