Sunshine and snow combined Saturday to make the Snowman in the Forest at Cook Forest State Park one of the most successful days ever.
“We had a great turnout today,” said Susie Irwin of the Cook Forest Vacation Bureau. We had upwards of 400 people here today.”
Irwin said the visitors consumed 400 bowls of chili and 365 hot dogs. “We had 38 dogs come out for our Happy Dog contest,” she said. Local Girl Scouts and a few boys from the crowd judged the dogs.
Cook Forest Park Manager Ryan Borcz said Saturday’s clear skies and warmer temperatures combined to make the 2020 Snowman in the Forest one the best in recent memory.
The event was centered on the new pavilion located along River Road near the playground. The pavilion was a joint effort between the Cook Forest Vacation Bureau and Cook Forest State Park.
During the day there was a chili cook-off, carriage rides, a snowshoe interpretive hike, Happy Dog Contest and door prizes.
“We are looking forward to next year,” said Irwin.