Several special events are planned at Grand Teton National Park to celebrate the National Park Service Centennial.All events are free and open to the public, and the park entrance fee will be waived Thursday, August 25 through Sunday, August 28.The park entrance fee is still applicable on other days.

Founder’s Day, August 25, 2016, marks the 100^th anniversary in which President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park Service “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for future generations.” Today there are 412 units of the National Park Service.

Upcoming National Park Service Centennial highlights in Grand Teton National Park include:

Thursday, August 18: Grand Teton National Park- Past and Present Challenges

The University of Wyoming/National Park Service Harlow Seminar Series hosts Robert Righter presenting about historical and anticipated challenges of the park as the National Park Service celebrates 100 years.Barbeque dinner provided with a suggested $5 donation at 5:30 p.m. with presentation at 6:30 p.m. in the Berol Lodge at the AMK Ranch in the park.

Monday, August 22: The Grand Rescue

Join the filmmakers and the 1967 rescue crew for a film screening and discussion of their experience at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center Auditorium from 5 –7 p.m.

Monday, August 22, 2016 marks the 49th anniversary of an unprecedented rescue on the North Face of the Grand Teton.The film recounts this infamous rescue.The event is free, although tickets are required from www.eventbrite.com (search for Grand Rescue).

Join an earlier screening from 3-4 p.m. without accompanying discussion.No tickets required.

Tuesday, August 23 and Thursday August 25: This Land is Our Land: The Stephen T. Mather Story

Learn how the first director of the National Park Service set the course for preserving the public lands we enjoy today.The 45-minute program will be presented at the Colter Bay Amphitheater on August 23 and 25 at 9:00 p.m. each night, and at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center on August 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 24: Predators of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Join biologist Eli Williams of The Cougar Fund to learn about how national parks are crucial to the long-term conservation of predators as well as how all can safely live and recreate in a landscape inhabited by predators.The program will be at the Colter Bay Amphitheater at 7 p.m.

Thursday, August 25: Founder’s Day!

Visit the park and look for photo booths and Instagram frames throughout the park, as well as enjoy birthday cake served at noon at all park visitor centers.

Thursday, August 25: John Muir: University of the Wilderness Music Presentation

Chance Urban Chamber Music performs University of the Wilderness, a score celebrating John Muir’s words with accompanying nature-inspired music.This group of musicians is performing at multiple national parks during the National Park Service’s centennial year.The performance will be held at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center Auditorium at 5 p.m.

Thursday, August 25:Family Night of Storytelling

Join Ken Thomasma for a family night of storytelling at the Colter Bay Amphitheater at 7 p.m.Thomasma is a local Jackson Hole resident, educator of 44 years, acclaimed storyteller, and award-wining author of young adult books including The Truth about Sacagawea and Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran.

Thursday, August 25: Classical Music in Nature- Local Radio Broadcast

American Public Media’s Performance Today will air a public radio broadcast of classical music in nature, recorded in Grand Teton National Park.Host Fred Child will present a one-hour broadcast celebrating the centennial of the National Park Service. For a complete list of stations and broadcast times, visit https://www.yourclassical.org/programs/performance-today/stations/list.The broadcast will be available to stream from the website for thirty days.

Friday, August 26: Centennial Children’s Choir Celebration

The Singing Angels will perform “Children’s Earth Anthem,” a song composed and written by Charles Eversole and Louise Phillips for the National Park Service Centennial.”Children’s Earth Anthem” is being performed by groups of children in numerous National Park Service sites across the country.The performance will be held at the Colter Bay Amphitheater at 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 20 to Sunday, August 28:Join park rangers for special centennial programs, as well as regularly scheduled programs.Refer to the park newspaper or the park website at https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/calendar.htmfor details and more information.

Thursday, August 25 to Sunday, August 28:Fee-free days! Park entrance fees will be waived.

Grand Teton Association, the park’s cooperating association, is celebrating the centennial with a variety of centennial-themed products available at park visitor centers and online at https://www.grandtetonpark.org/.On Founder’s Day, August 25, all merchandise will be 15% off.

Street banners celebrating the centennial, sponsored by the Association, are located throughout downtown Jackson.A special publication that shares National Park Service Centennial activities in Grand Teton National Park will be provided to visitors with the summer edition of the park newspaper available at park entrance stations and visitor centers.The special edition will also be provided as an insert with the Jackson Hole News and Guide on Wednesday, August 17.

The goal of the centennial is to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates.Currently, there are 412 units of the National Park Service.

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