GATESVILLE – On land, and by water, they came to enjoy a day that only Mother Nature can provide.

And despite cloud-covered skies and damp, cool temperatures, not even Mother Nature could keep them away.

A crowd numbering in excess of 1,500 flocked to Millpond Day here Saturday where officials from Merchants Millpond State Park, joined by the director of the North Carolina State Park system, laid out the proverbial “green carpet” and showcased this place that’s listed among the state’s “Ten Natural Wonders.”

“Things went very, very well….to tell the truth, if the sun had been out and the temperature a bit warmer, I really don’t know where we would have parked all the cars because the crowd today was fantastic,” said Joy Greenwood, Superintendent of Merchants Millpond State Park.

“This is our sixth year of hosting Millpond Day and we’ve seen it grow each year,” Greenwood added. “It’s become a great community event; something that brings us all together and it’s always encouraging to hear from those who are visiting us for the very first time….we welcome you and hope you’ll come see us again.”

Greenwood also noted the importance of family fun time and the fact that visiting a state park helps to promote healthy living through exercise.

Millpond Day started off with a “bang” – literally, as the starter’s gun sounded for the 165 participants in the annual 5K fun run and walk. Logan Eure of Clayton, the 14-year-old grandson of Perry and Joyce Eure of Eure, won that event with a blistering time of 17 minutes and 20 seconds.

As the morning progressed, the crowd steadily grew larger at the park’s Visitors Center. There, young and old were treated to a wide variety of activities. One was an informative venture (the “tree cookie” game) to see how many state parks, represented by name and year founded by way of a small pine log cut-out positioned within a roped-off area, participants could touch without falling off the log.

Each of the 41 State Parks was represented, highlighted by the oldest – Mount Mitchell, purchased by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1916 in an effort to stop widespread timber harvest from the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River. North Carolina’s system of state parks now stretch as far west as Gorges State Park in Sapphire to Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head.

Other activities included a fly fishing demonstration, complete with the art of tying bait flies; sidewalk chalk art; a visit with Smokey the Bear of the NC Forest Service; health and wellness booths; antique cars; and wildlife displays by Merchants Millpond and the Edenton Fishery.

Food and craft vendors were also on hand.

The Bobby Plow Band provided the musical entertainment up until 12 noon followed by the combined marching bands representing Gates County High School and Central Middle School.

North Carolina’s system of state parks now stretch as far west as Gorges State Park in Sapphire to Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head.

Mike Murphy, Director of the State Parks, said any day was a great day to be at a North Carolina park.

“This year marks our centennial with the start being out west at Mt. Mitchell,” Murphy said. “We purchased that land for $20,000 for 795 acres on the top of that mountain.”

Murphy said from those humble beginnings 100 years ago, North Carolina State Parks now boast of 230,000 acres at locations from the mountains to the coast.”

“We’re very blessed to have a system of parks, recreational areas, state trails, rivers and lakes, to include one of the very finest right here at Merchants Millpond,” Murphy noted.

Last year, 17.3 million people visited North Carolina state parks. Merchants Millpond averages in excess of 250,000 guests annually.

“What’s really exciting is that because of the ConnectNC Bond being approved by voters in our state this past March, the State Parks system will receive a total of $75 million to make improvements at each of our parks,” Murphy said. “Over $900,000 of that money is earmarked to make campground improvements here at Merchants Millpond. That in turn helps the Gates County economy as those improvements will add to the number of people visiting this park each and every year.”

Murphy said the success noted at Merchants Millpond could be directly attributed to the park’s staff, headed by Greenwood, as well as a volunteer group known as “The Friends of the Millpond.”

“Thanks also to Gates County officials….you know you’ve got a good thing going when the motto of your county is ‘Home to Merchants Millpond State Park’,” Murphy stressed.

Murphy encouraged those in attendance to consider visiting as many state parks as they can. A full listing of those locations is available at www.ncparks.gov.

Merchants Millpond is open daily (except Christmas Day). Park hours are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Fall and Spring); 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Winter) and 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Summer).

For more information call 252-357-1191.