“…Facilitating Education and Experiences…”

In 2004, FOSM started helping the Serpent Mound Park staff hold public events until 2015, as the Park’s Volunteer Group. We’ve dedicated 1000’s of hours to the park. During that time, we helped with astronomy nights, plant sales, reptile days, site projects, and the Manager would make us responsible for overseeing that the rules were followed during after hours permit requests. In that time we also created two unique events on the Solstices – Lighting the Serpent on the Winter Solstice and FOSM’s Summer Solstice Celebration (festival). 

After park management was contracted out to the Arc of Appalachia, some pre-FOSM events were handed back to the park staff to oversee. However, the Persieds Meteor Shower Viewing, The Lighting and the festival, were ours to host. In 2017, the CEO of the Ohio History Connection (OHC) (owners of the Serpent Mound Park) canceled our permit indefinitely, towards hold the Lighting. According to a press release put out by OHC, “The decision to discontinue Lighting the Serpent was based on careful evaluation of the event and how it relates to the history of Serpent Mound.” However, before and since other OHC mound sites and other State and Federal Mound Parks have held Luminaria Events. Why? 

F.O.S.M.’s Summer Solstice Celebration Festival

Our festival focusses on local history and heritage, Earth Friendly/Sustainability, Recycle/Repurpose/Reuse, Holistic Wellness, Regional Ecology, Regional Musicians, Summer Family Fun Activities, Traditional Skills, Arts and Crafts, Native Like and Indigenous Made Wares.

Our lectures could be on subjects like:

• Ancient Knowledges and Local Lore: Archeoastronomy, Archaeology, Standing Stones, Stories and Legends, uses of springs and waterways
• Early Inhabitance: Mound Builders, Indigenous Peoples of Americas, Artifacts, Early Indigenous and European Traditional Skills and Crafts
• Unusual Aspects: Dowsing, Ley Lines, and Crop Circles 
• Nature: Bird watching, herbs, wild flowers, native plant foraging, Earth Friendly ways, hiking, kayaking,

Speaker & Entertainment

Workshops & Hikes

 

Learn more

Vending Opportunities

Site Rules

• This is a family friendly event – there is to be NO alcohol, drugs, guns, or nudity!
• Children are welcome and must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
• There is no smoking in the Main Tents, in the port-o-lets or within the group hikes. There are proper places to put one’s cigarette butts, so please do not throw them on the ground.
• Dogs are permitted, but must be leashed at all times, next to owner, and must be cleaned up after.
• The back gate to the Serpent Mound Park is closed. One can use the Buckeye Trail to access the park during open hours.