Come out to the Profile Trail parking area to celebrate Grandfather Mountain State Park's 15-year anniversary! We will have lots of activities and events to commemorate the day that the state park was authorized. Organizations attending will include:

• Friends of State Parks to provide information about how to join and their current projects;

• Blue Ridge Conservancy to discuss how to help preserve land and to explain the work they do with the NC Division of Parks and Recreation;

• Mast General Store to teach about the Year of the Trail and Leave No Trace principles;

• Footsloggers to help visitors find the correct shoe for their foot size and intended outdoor activity;

• Linville-Central Rescue Squad to provide tips on staying safe in the wilderness and to discuss how search dogs are used by teams to find lost people or those unable to signal for help; and

• REI to teach about the 10 essentials to carry when hiking and how to properly fit and pack a backpack.

It will be a great day for hiking and outdoor enthusiasts! Local musician John Dooley will be performing live. The first 100 visitors will receive a free lunch catered by the Carolina Barbeque of Newland. Grandfather Mountain State Park staff will also be leading programs and handing out free park swag!