Candlelight walk returns to Council Grounds May 2

Council Grounds State Park will host its annual Spring Candlelight Walk on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m., with support from the Friends of Council Grounds State Park, Friends of the River Bend Trail, and the City of Merrill.
Attendees can park and access the event from the Merrill Area Recreation Complex or from inside Council Grounds State Park. Vehicle admission stickers are required for park entry, and one-day or annual passes can be purchased at the park office.
The 1.5-mile gravel trail will be lit with small lights to guide walkers, and shorter sections of the route are also available for those who prefer a less strenuous outing. Organizers suggest bringing a flashlight for added visibility when walking to and from vehicles.
The Friends of Council Grounds will offer fresh popcorn and a warming fire at the park office, weather permitting. Strollers and leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome for those comfortable navigating a crowd in low-light conditions — and attendees may even spot a special guest.
“Smoky Bear just may show up,” said Laurie Nikolai-Svetlik, one of the event organizers.
The event is weather-dependent. Updates will be posted to the Friends of Council Grounds State Park Facebook page.