Crossroads at Big Creek

10/30/2026

Please join us for free programs for all ages!
📆 Find out more at https://bit.ly/eventsatcrossroads

10/28/2026

Nature's Halloween Magic 🍄✨

The changing season makes late October and early November an ideal time to explore the outdoors and discover some of nature's most fascinating mysteries. As Halloween approaches, thoughts often turn to magic, folklore, and things that appear a little mysterious. While fairy rings may sound like something from a storybook, these remarkable circles found in lawns, meadows, and forests are very real and offer a glimpse into the hidden world of fungi beneath our feet.

Throughout October, Crossroads at Big Creek invites the community to connect with nature through special programs and self-guided activities...
..One of the most intriguing fungal phenomena visitors may encounter this season is the fairy ring. Fairy rings can appear as circles of mushrooms, lush green grass, or even rings of brown grass. They form as underground fungal networks called mycelium spread outward from a central point while feeding on decaying leaves, roots, and other organic matter beneath the soil.

Continue reading:
🔗 https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/natures-halloween-magic/

10/23/2026

Bee's Knees Honey Workshop: Inside the Hive

Participants can meet local beekeepers from Door County Beekeepers Club, for a buzz-worthy family adventure! 🌼

✨ Discover how honey is made
🍯 Learn why pollinators are so important
👩‍🌾 Meet local beekeepers
🐝 Try on a real beekeeper suit
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for the whole family!

📅 October 24
⏰ 10:00 AM

🐝 Free & Open to the Public!

Part of 🐻🍯 Winnie-Pooh-Looza at Crossroads

🔗 Learn more at https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/event/inside-the-hive/

🐝 Come explore the amazing world of bees and discover why these tiny pollinators make such a big difference! 🌻💛

10/21/2026

📚🐻🍯 School's Out? Come Explore with Us! 🍯🐻📚

Looking for a fun way to spend the day off from school? Join us at Crossroads at Big Creek on Thursday, October 23 for a morning of nature, discovery, and adventure!

🌼 Explore interactive exhibits about bees and black bears at the Collins Learning Center and learn why these incredible animals are so important to our local ecosystems.

📖 Take a stroll along the trails and enjoy a special Trail Tale featuring Winnie-the-Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood. As you wander through the woods, imagine you're exploring alongside Pooh and his friends!

🎲 After your hike, stop by the Learning Center for fun self-guided indoor and outdoor games the whole family can enjoy.

📅 Thursday, October 23 ⏰ 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 📍 Crossroads at Big Creek

✅ No registration required ✅ Free and open to the public ❤️ Made possible through the generosity of donors like you

With no school for Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay students, it's the perfect opportunity to get outside, learn something new, and make memories together!

🔗 Learn more: https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/event/schools-out-excursion-bees-bears/

🔬 And check out and Lightsabers: From Fusion Energy to Movie Magic at 1:00 p.m., a fascinating presentation blending cutting-edge science with behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories!

Join one of our naturalists for some free family-oriented activities and nature exploration. Suitable for all ages, program topics range from glaciers and fossils to the insects and amphibians in our wetlands.

10/21/2026

🚨 Event Reminder: Lasers & Lightsabers with Brian Lindow! 🚨

Join us for a fascinating presentation that combines cutting-edge science 🔬 with behind-the-scenes movie magic 🎬!

"Lasers and Lightsabers" features guest speaker Brian Lindow, who brings a unique perspective from his years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and nearly a decade working at Skywalker Ranch.

✨ Discover: 🔹 The breakthrough science behind fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) 🔹 What it's like to work inside a world-renowned national research laboratory 🔹 Behind-the-scenes stories, photos, and insights from Skywalker Ranch and the filmmaking world 🔹 The real science that inspires science fiction!

🧪 Stick around for a hands-on science showcase featuring: • A giant salt crystal • Real laser targets • Aerogel - the world's lightest manmade material

Everyone will have the opportunity to hold the aerogel and examine these remarkable science materials up close!

📅 Thursday, October 22 | 5:00 PM 📅 Friday, October 23 | 1:00 PM

🎟️ Free and open to the public. Registration is not required. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Engaging for all ages!

Don't miss this rare chance to experience the science of lasers and the storytelling behind one of the most iconic movie franchises ever created. ⭐🔬✨

🔗 Learn more at https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/event/lasers-and-lightsabers-pm/

10/21/2026

🍁🍂 The Science of Fall

The changing season makes October an ideal time to explore the outdoors and observe these natural phenomena firsthand. Crossroads at Big Creek offers several opportunities for community members to connect with nature throughout the month.

Winnie-Pooh-Looza, a month-long countywide celebration of A.A. Milne's beloved bear presented by Friends of Door County Libraries continues throughout October. As a community partner, Crossroads is bringing a touch of Hundred Acre Wood magic to the preserve with self-guided activities, indoor and outdoor discoveries, and a special Winnie-the-Pooh Trail Tale inspired by Pooh and friends.

You are also invited to participate in Wandering Wednesday hikes at 1:30 p.m., where naturalists lead easy walks through the preserve, highlighting seasonal changes and the wonders of the natural world, from colorful foliage and forest ecology to weather patterns and signs of approaching winter.

For those fascinated by both science and storytelling, Lasers and Lightsabers: From Fusion Energy to Movie Magic on October 22 and 23 blends cutting-edge science with behind-the-scenes insights from the world of filmmaking in a dynamic and visually engaging presentation.

Continue reading...
🔗 https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/the-science-of-fall/

10/19/2026

🍂🎃 Thank You for Making Trails & Treats So Special! 🎃🍂

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for Trails & Treats on Friday! 🧡 The evening was chilly and windy, and we are so grateful that you bundled up and braved the weather to celebrate with us. 🍁🌬️

A very special thank you goes out to our incredible volunteers. 🙌✨ Your time, energy, creativity, and enthusiasm helped make the event a wonderful experience for so many families. We simply couldn't do it without you!

🍬🍭 We'd also like to give a huge shoutout to these generous local businesses for donating treats and helping make the evening extra sweet:

Chaser's/ Apple Valley Lanes, Door County YMCA, Culver's, Smile Designs of Door County, Door County Medical Center, Target

Thank you for supporting our community and helping create memorable outdoor experiences for children and families. 💚🌲

📸 Did you snap photos during the event? We'd love to see them! Share your favorite Trails & Treats pictures in the comments below and help us relive the fun. 🎃👻🍂

We are so grateful for everyone who helped make this year's event a success. Thank you for being part of our Crossroads community! 🦉✨

10/17/2026

🎨♻️ Let’s Get Crafty: Mosaic Art Reminder! ♻️🎨

Looking for a fun and creative way to spend your afternoon? Join us as we transform discarded glass into beautiful, one-of-a-kind mosaic art! 🌈✨ Give new life to upcycled materials while creating something uniquely your own.

📅 Monday, October 19
🕜 1:30 PM
💚 Free! All materials provided

⏳ A few spots are still available, so don't wait!

👉 Register here: https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/event/lets-get-crafty-mosaics/

We can't wait to create with you! 🎨🧩♻️✨

10/15/2026

🎃🍬🍭 Prepping the loot generously donated for Trails & Treats on Friday from Door County Medical Center, Target of Sturgeon Bay, Chaser's/ Apple Valley Lanes, Door County YMCA, Culver's, and Smile Designs of Door County. Thank you! 🧡