What better day to express our love and gratitude for the forest than on Valentine's Day!
This competition is about “sharing love for nature with kindred spirits and encouraging you to go out and tap into the benefits that forests have for our mind and body.” It all started in 2020 in Northern Finland (more information can be found at halipuu.com) and is now an international competition. At Lake Hope we are tapping into the fun and very real benefits that the forest has to offer. Whether you think it's wacky or wonderful, we encourage you to join us!
The competition has four main events:
- Speed-hugging- Participants have 1 minute to hug as many trees as possible in a designated area, that meet or exceed a height of 6 feet, for at least 5 seconds each. The highest number wins (and mathematically that can only be up to 12). Tie breaking rounds will be held if need be.
- Biggest Hug-Participates will all hug the same tree and a measurement from the longest fingertip to longest fingertip will be taken. A gap between the fingers will results in a positive (+) score (i.e., +3”) and an overlap in the fingers will results in a negative (-) score. The lowest number wins.
- Most Dedicated- Participants must hold on to a tree of their choice for as long as they can under their own strength, without their feet touching the ground.
- Freestyle- Participants will have up to 1 minute to appropriately interact in any way they choose with one tree. Judges will award points based on creativity, emotion, and communion with the tree. This can be a group event although only one award will be granted.
No pre-registration necessary. Winners will receive an eco-friendly award! Get creative and dress for competition and the weather. Kids are welcome to participate in the competition
Join local guest judges as we crown this year's tree hugging champions!
• Meet at the Nature Center.
• For more information call the Nature Center: 740-596-3030
Recreation programs and activities can be inherently dangerous. Participants accept and acknowledge that any injury or property damage that occurs during a program or activity is not the responsibility of ODNR or its naturalist educators.
You may also like the following events from Lake Hope State Park:
Also check out other
Contests in Zaleski,
Kids events & activities in Zaleski.
