Crossroads will be rockin’ this week, celebrating science, the arts, geology, and Halloween fun. On Friday, October 17, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, designated trails will glow with the lights of Jack-o'-Lanterns and luminaries for our annual Trails & Treats event.
Families—costumes and bags encouraged—will follow the trail between twinkle-lighted treat stations where they will receive toys and puzzles, bookmarks, bandages, stickers, coupons, healthy snacks, lots of candy—and then, appropriately, a toothbrush.
This event is free thanks to our Crossroads volunteers and our sponsors: Target, Tadych’s Marketplace, Plum Loco Animal Farm, Door County Medical Center, Culver’s, Cherry Lanes, the Y, The Farm, and Smile Designs.
The very next day, Crossroads will join with educational institutions, museums, nature centers, and libraries for the Wisconsin Science Festival, a statewide celebration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.
This year’s theme is Rock & Roll! And for the next two weeks, Crossroads will offer a variety of special programs featuring the geology that shapes Wisconsin and the Door Peninsula.
On October 18, for our weekly family program, Science Saturday, we will use Queen’s rock classic “We Will Rock You” to teach the differences between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. But why all three rock types? Weren’t the rocks of Door County formed under a warm, shallow sea?
As far as scientists can determine, there was never an active volcano in the region we now refer to as the Door Peninsula. But way back—way, way back—more than a billion years ago, there was volcanic activity in this region that created igneous and metamorphic rock. Those “basement formations” of Wisconsin are now deep within the bedrock.
The rocks that make up our Niagara Cuesta were formed more than 400 million years ago, so most of the rocks we find are sedimentary. However, we do find granite and basalt, which are igneous, as well as schist and quartzite, which are metamorphic.
It’s because of the glaciers! When massive Ice Age glaciers—an unimaginable two miles thick—engulfed and crushed mountains, they plucked up igneous and metamorphic rocks, dragging them south. When the ice melted, some of those durable ancient rocks remained here.
So, on Saturday, we will learn how to identify different rocks. On Monday, we will screen excerpts from WPT’s Hometown Stories, Ridges & Swales, and others—each featuring stunning videography that showcases the unique post-glacial geology of the Door Peninsula.
Our weekly Environmental Exploration activity on Tuesday, October 21, at 3:30 PM will feature “Rocks and the Arts,” and learners of all ages will discover how rocks have been used by artists, followed by a make-and-take project. And the Wandering Wednesday group will stroll through the Big Creek Preserve, observing ancient shorelines of post-glacial lakes.
You’ll want to Rock and Roll with us this week and next, and don’t forget to join us for Trails and Treats.
Thursday, October 16
6:00 Door County Science on Tap-Spiders and Spider Research
Mike Draney will talk about spiders at the Bridge Up Brewing Company, 129 North Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay. Free and open to the public
Friday, October 17
4:00–7:00 PM Trails & Treats
Trick or treat on our luminary- and Jack-o-lantern-lit trails. Costumes and bags advised for a variety of wonderful treats. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, located at Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
Saturday, October 18
2:00 PM Science Saturday: “We Will Rock You” (Wisconsin Science Festival)
Learn the differences between the types of rocks by singing new lyrics to a classic rock song, Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Families and learners of all ages are welcome. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, located at Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
Monday, October 20
1:30 PM Geology Videos (Wisconsin Science Festival)
Excerpts from WPT’s Hometown Stories and Ridges & Swales will show stunning images of Door County’s geologic features. Free and open to the public.
Tuesday, October 21
3:30 PM Environmental Exploration: Rocks & the Arts (Wisconsin Science Festival)
Learners of all ages are welcome to learn about the ways artists have used rocks, followed by a make-and-take project. Free and open to all ages.
Wednesday, October 22
1:30 PM Wandering Wednesday: Ancient Shorelines (Wisconsin Science Festival)
Take a stroll with our naturalists as we explore ancient shorelines. Easy walking. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, located at Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
