“Sizzle and pop” or simply chill out as W.Va. State Parks offer a variety of opportunities to bring in the New Year

          Bringing in the New Year at a West Virginia State Park can be all “sizzle and pop” or just chilling out. “Special dinners, traditional dance parties, or just some quiet time, it’s all about how folks want to greet 2010,” said State Parks Programming Coordinator Sissie Summers. Reservations are required for most events, so it’s not too early to make your year-end plans.

           Traditional dance parties are featured at four lodge parks this Dec. 31: North Bend, Twin Falls, Tygart Lake and Cacapon state parks. Two parks – Chief Logan Lodge and Canaan Valley – are starting new trends; and Blackwater Falls, Hawks Nest, Stonewall Resort and Pipestem Resort are chilling out, recognizing that some people just want an evening with good food and a comfortable getaway. 

Traditional Dance Parties

• North Bend State Park, near Cairo in Ritchie County, reports that early reservations are still available for this year’s celebration. “Our 29-room lodge is starting to fill up,” say’s Kristi Steed. “We try to make our party affordable, but callers are saying the main reasons they come back is because they had a good time and the food was great.”  The Russell Ahner Band will play from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. The New Year’s Eve Buffet features a carving station with four entrees and Chef Ingle’s fabulous assorted dessert table.  North Bend includes overnight at the parks’ lodge on Thursday, Dec. 31, dinner, celebration dance and breakfast Friday morning for $209.30 per couple. The cost is inclusive of taxes and gratuities. The park offers a come early, stay late rate for visitors wanting to extend their stay into the weekend.  Dress is casual. For information and additional offers, call 304-643-2931.
• Twin Falls State Park, near Mullens in Wyoming County, has two New Year’s Eve packages for one or two night stays, dinner and dance on the last day of the year, evening refreshments and champagne toast at midnight. “We’ve been having New Year’s Eve parties for as long as I’ve been working at Twin Falls. It’s a great time,” says Rita McAllister.  “It’s like having your family gather together for a great start to a new year.” Music for dancing will be by DJ Superman. Reservations are required. A one night lodge package is $190 per couple with options of additional lodge nights’ and cabin rentals as available. For Twin Falls information, call 304-294-4000.
• Tygart Lake State Park, near Grafton in Taylor County, has perhaps the best danceable tunes played by the band “Steppin Stone” with great vocals and a wide variety of musical genres. The dance is from 8 p.m. until midnight. The overnight package includes room accommodations at Tygart Lake Lodge, dinner for two, the dance, evening snacks, door prizes and champagne toast at midnight. “Group reservations are welcome,” according to Assistant Superintendent Brennon O’Sullivan. “Also if folks just want to attend the dance and have dinner, we will take reservations for evening activities only.”  The one-night package rate is $209 per couple and for evening only (dinner/dance) the cost is $75.  Reservations are required; call 304-265-6144.
  
        The dinner menu includes quiche Lorraine, salmon cakes, rosemary pork roast, stuffed chicken breast, southern style green beans, sauerkraut, Hoppin Jack, roasted potatoes with onions & peppers, cinnamon cooked apples, French dinner rolls and assorted desserts. Food service at Tygart Lake Lodge is by Blue Moon Café and Valerie Beavers

• Cacapon Resort State Park, near Berkeley Springs in Morgan County, also features a package on New Year’s Eve with overnight accommodations, dinner and dance, breakfast and champagne toast at midnight. The one-night package for two is $205.27 including taxes.  Rates for additional nights at Cacapon lodge are available for a long weekend away. Music at Cacapon’s dance party features “The Shades,” a live band playing rock, rhythms and blues. Reservations are required. Call 304-258-1022 for additional information.

New Year, New Trends

• Chief Logan Lodge, near Logan in Logan County, is one of the break-away parks setting new trends by offering quiet accommodations on a traditional party night. Visitors will find a comfortable room with king or queen accommodations, a good meal, and the lodge lounge open with snacks, and music. The buffet price is $15.95 with Chef Cathy Fout serving up a hearty choice of entrée’s, sides and desserts. King and double queen rooms for this weekend are $65 with reduced rates for king rooms with balconies and suites. The bar opens at 8 pm. with hors o’douveres.  Reservations are recommended.
• Canaan Valley, also near Davis and Blackwater Falls, packages a three-day weekend skiing into the New Year. The park offers two options – The New Year’s Family Bash, a three day and night opportunity that includes lodging, daily breakfast, three day lift ticket, Family New Year’s Bash, and Beech Club privileges.  The “Bash” includes DJ, dinner, games, prizes and a punch toast at midnight and party favors. Also offered is The New Year’s Celebration Party for Adults, a three-night package much like the Family Bash, but New Year’s eve dinner will be in the Hickory Dining Room and entertainment in the Laurel Lounge with music by Brother Short, champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Pricing for these events is available by calling 304-866-4121.

A “Chillin’Out” New Year’s Eve

• Blackwater Falls, near Davis in Tucker County, invites those needing a quiet getaway to bring in the New Year. “A lot of folks are looking for a little ‘do nothing’ time after Christmas,” says Park Supt. Robert Gilligan. “You’d be surprised how many people thank us for peace and quiet.”  The Blackwater Falls lodge and cabins, as well as the park’s restaurant, are open year round. The lodge has wireless Internet access, a fireplace in lobby and a traditional game room, indoor pool and fitness center. “Most folks come to enjoy the winter scenery and, if we’re lucky and there’s enough snow, a chance to sled ride and use a rope pull to get back to the top and hit the sled run again. It’s my idea of New Year’s fun,” Gilligan said. Blackwater's restaurant will feature a New Year's Eve buffet special and a New Year’s Day breakfast buffet. For information about packages and events at Blackwater Falls, call 304-259-5612.
• Other parks “chilling out” with quiet getaways include Hawks Nest near Ansted in Fayette County, Pipestem Resort in Summers County and Stonewall Resort in Lewis County. Special room rates and dinner options are planned at these areas for folks just needing a nice night away.
  
        Pipestem Resort offers even more options. When calling the lodge for room reservations on Thursday, New Year's Eve, Friday, and Saturday, wish the lodge reservation clerks a “Happy New Year” and the room rate is reduced 20 percent. If guests would like to attend a New Year's Eve dance, Resort Food Service, Inc., is hosting a New Year's Eve dance complete with DJ and party room and a New Year's Eve Grand Dinner in the Bluestone Restaurant. For dinner and/or dance reservations, call Beth Bailey at 304-466-1800 x 368, ext. 365, for room reservations.
  
        Stonewall’s “T.J. Muskies” will be open New Year’s Eve with live entertainment to bring in the year. Holiday foods will be available for an upscale evening designed to rewind just in time for the New Year.  Dining and room reservations are recommended at Stonewall's Stillwaters Restaurant, 304-269-7400.

          For details and reservations about events and packages at a specific park, call the park directly for full details. Dinner menus vary and reservations are recommended. Winter events for 2010 are posted and new activities and package are announced frequently with many posted to www.twitter.com/wvstateparks. Parks Web sites are found at www.wvstateparks.com. Reservations may be made using 800 CALL WVA and asking for the park by name.