Falls of the Ohio State Park will host its annual Digging the Past event on Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can explore fossils, minerals, and archaeology with a variety of free programs and games behind the park’s Interpretive Center. Admission to the museum gallery is $7 for all during this event.

These programs are offered at specific times during the day:

• Explore the outer fossil bed on a guided hike from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This hike is for guests ages 12 and older.
• Trek the park’s other fossil beds with a guide. Hikes will leave on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Make a free fossil collection from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• See what you can knock down at geode bowling from noon to 1 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. Prizes will be offered.
• Discover interesting facts about geodes and crystals during a program and giveaway from 1 to 2 p.m.
• Learn about dinosaurs during the Dinosaurs with Dale program from 2 to 3 p.m.
   

Programs offered all day include: 

• Visit refreshed Silurian fossil piles, courtesy of Irving Materials, Inc. (IMI) and Sellersburg Stone Quarry.
• Create an egg carton collection with fossils and minerals for a $1 donation.
• Create crafts like weather rocks, pet rocks, and bead stringing.
• See displays and information from the Falls of the Ohio Archaeological Society.
• Take part in hands-on archaeology activities from the Indiana State Museum.
• Create a make-and-take concrete fossil, courtesy of IMI.
• Browse fossil displays and get your fossil identified, courtesy of the Kentucky Paleontological Society.
• Learn about Orodovician fossil collecting from the Spencer County (Kentucky) Tourism bureau.
• Watch demonstrations of lapidary work (including rock polishing).
• Get your unknown artifacts, rocks and fossils identified.
• Dig “artifacts” in an archaeological mini-mock dig station.
   

Falls of the Ohio State Park (on.IN.gov/fallsoftheohio) is at 201 W. Riverside Dr. in Clarksville, 47129.

 Constellation is kicking off the 24/25 Season with a trip to the beach! This fall, Constellation is excited to present the Indiana premiere of Wipeout by Aurora Real de Asua, on stage September 5 - 29 at the Constellation Playhouse (107 W 9th St, Bloomington). Directed by Constellation’s Associate Artistic Director, Daniella Wheelock, Wipeout follows three lifelong friends as they take to the ocean for a surfing lesson. Starring Mary Carol Reardon, Julie Dixon, and Renee Lockett, this hilarious Constellation Original is not to be missed. 

Age is just a vibe! Three 70-year-old women on surfboards. One 19-year-old hotrod instructor. The currents of the Pacific Ocean. What could possibly go wrong? Wipeout is a poignant comedy about friendship, grief, and the unpredictable tides of life. 

Not only is Constellation excited to be producing the Indiana premiere of this play, it’s thrilled to be producing a play that centers around three female characters in their 70s! Returning after our productions of Deathtrap and The Importance of Being Earnest is Mary Carol Reardon as Claudia. Julie Dixon, a professor at Indiana State University who has been seen previously in productions at the Jewish Theater of Bloomington, is starring as Wynn. Renee Lockett, a Chicago-based actor, will be making her Constellation debut as Gary! Joining this stellar team as their 19-year-old surf instructor, Blaze, is Marck Kiselevach, a Chicago-based actor who has performed across the midwest. 

Wipeout is directed by Constellation’s very own Daniella Wheelock. Daniella has served as Constellation’s Associate Artistic Director since early 2023. Her work was seen previously in Bloomington in our 2024 production of Webster’s B!+@# and 2020 production of The Roommate in January of 2020. 

“Growing up in Southern California, the Pacific was a constant reminder of the relentless surge forward of time and life. Wipeout puts three women–who have spent sixty years lovingly putting up with each other’s BS–in that relentless surge, in the context of a surf lesson. Throw in a young surf instructor completely out of his depth with these ladies, and you’ve got the makings of a great evening of catching waves in the middle of Bloomington,” says director Daniella Wheelock. 

Joining the creative team are Scenic Designer Maggie Jackson, Lighting Designer Laura Glover, Costume Designer Becky Underwood, Sound Designer David Sheehan, Projections Designer Andres Fiz, Props Master Aubrey Krueger, Props Artisan Barb Steininger, Stage Manager Tabitha Burton, and Assistant Stage Manager Kalias Brown.

Wipeout runs September 5-29 at the Constellation Playhouse and tickets are on sale now! Tickets start at $35 for adults and $20 for students. In addition to traditionally-priced performances, Constellation offers Pay What You Will Thursdays for all Thursday evening performances. Supported by Jessika and Bryan Hane, this program allows audiences the chance to choose their own ticket price (from $5-$75) when attending on Thursday evenings. Tickets are available through Constellation’s website (seeconstellation.org), over the phone at (812) 336-9300 (Mon-Fri 12-5pm), or in-person at 122 S Walnut St (open Wed-Fri 12-5pm).  

The Falls of the Ohio Foundation will host Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper for their annual benefit concert, Rock the Rocks - Presented by Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. The live outdoor concert on the 390-million-year-old fossil beds of the Falls of the Ohio State Park, located at 201 West Riverside Drive, will take place on Saturday, September 28, at 4 p.m. Opening will be Dean Heckel and The Jason Carter Band.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have these three incredible artists on the fossil beds of the Falls of the Ohio State Park,” said Kenton Wooden, executive director of the Foundation. “This is a truly unique concert experience that helps us highlight and steward the natural, cultural and historic resources of this amazing landscape. There is nowhere else in the world where you can embed yourself into a landscape millions of years in the making, surrounded by natural beauty and the sounds of these incredible artists.”

Rock the Rocks is being presented by the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, home of Kentucky’s first distiller who got his start on the banks of the Ohio River. All tickets include free food and drink, with a portion of every ticket supporting the mission of the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Tickets are on sale at https://www.fallsoftheohio.org/.