CULVER, OR -- Festival of the Land returns Saturday to Cove Palisades State Park. Park Ranger Erin Bennett says last year’s inaugural event was a big success, drawing guests from as far away as Portland, "It was really a lot of fun, we had 450 people that came. And, we’re hoping to have 600-700 this year."

Bennett says it’s a celebration of the area outside Madras, where the Crooked River and Deschutes River canyons meet, "There’s so many different cultures and stories; but this is the one thing that we all have in common: a place that we can all be and thrive and live and have our lives." 

She tells KBND News, "The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will be there, and they will be talking about First Foods and some of their traditions and stories." Visitors can also learn about "vaqueros" - Latin-American cowboys who roped on cattle ranches and became potato farmers - and, White European settlers, "We’re going to have a covered wagon here that was actually featured in the movie Lonesome Dove, and he’ll be doing dutch oven demonstrations. So, you’ll get to try fruits that would’ve been growing here, at the orchard at the Cove, back in the late 1800s." There’s also a petting zoo and conversations with an archeologist. 

Saturday’s event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crooked River Day Use Area. All activities are free and there will be food vendors and a farmers market with items available for purchase. Click HERE for more information. 

It’s one of a number of State Parks Day events planned around Oregon. "It’s definitely a celebration. And this is a way that Oregon State Parks can say ‘thank you,’ back to our community. That’s really important to us. So, this is something not just for our visitors, but for our community members, as well," says Bennett. Day Use parking fees and overnight camping fees are waived for State Parks Day. Bennett says, "There is still some room and Saturday night is free camping. So, if they go on Reserve America, they can probably still get a spot."