EVANSTON — Friends of Bear River State Park raised funds in a first-time raffle for the park’s interpretive education programs and improvements.

“The club started in 2020,” said Pam Betz, the group’s secretary.

Betz has a fondness for the park and recalled a memory of running into a moose and her baby there while on a walk. Using caution, she called the park’s superintendent, Tyfani Sager, who came to help. Betz said that, although the moose charged, she remained calm.

“The moose was just protecting her baby,” she said.   

The 324-acre day use Bear River State Park is home to small herds of bison and elk where visitors can walk paved trails to view the animals. The visitor center showcases taxidermy displays of Wyoming’s impressive array of wildlife and provides travelers with tourism information.

Raffle tickets sold for $10 each and the group sold almost 200 total. Items donated included a carved elk by Amelia R., elk lamp by Bobbi S., elk sculpture by Allison C., elk print by Penny O., and elk painting by Leisa R. and Tina D.

Friends of Bear River State Park President Elaine Warren was at the raffle event and listed a few of the upcoming programs for the park, including Paint Night with artist Leisa Reiter on Thursday, Jan. 11. The fee for the event is $35 and participants take home their painting.

Park information and upcoming events can be found at the Bear River State Park Facebook page.