Summit Lake will host its sixth annual Festival of the Freezing Moon, Oct. 19-20, with activities that include kayaking, star gazing, pumpkin carving and a performance by a folk and bluegrass trio from—fittingly—Moonsville.

Friday will feature a moonlight kayak paddle on the lake and star gazing with Steve and Debbie Russell. The roughly two-hour moonlight paddle will tour coves along the lake’s south side. Paddlers must bring their own boats and have a 2012 DNR Lake Permit, life vest and flashlight. The Russells will bring their telescopes to share. People with telescopes are encouraged to bring theirs.

Saturday will include a chili cook-off, campsite decorating contest, and the annual pumpkin carving contest. Participants should bring their own pumpkins. The park will also have free, 30-minute interpretive hayrides. Diane Shaffer of Wildlife Resqu Haus will be at the park with birds of prey. Trick-or-treat in the campground will run from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Saturday evening will conclude with Aloysius and the Stampede, a folk/bluegrass trio from the Madison County community of Moonsville. The band combines storytelling with roots music.

The events and concert are free, but the standard gate fee of $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle will be charged.

Camping on property that weekend is required to participate in the chili cook-off and the campsite decorating contest. All other events are open to the public.

For more information, call (765) 766-5873.

Summit Lake State Park is at 5993 N. Messick Road, New Castle, 47362.

Logo courtesy Indiana Department of Natural Resources