Nebraska’s state parks and recreation areas will be busy Saturday, May 18, the annual free fishing and park entry day. Two of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s premier Panhandle attractions are planning a variety of special activities to help the public enjoy the day in which no park permit is required to enter the parks and SRAs, and no license is required to fish Nebraska waters.

Wildcat Hills Nature Center and State Recreation Area south of Gering will kick off its annual Wildcat Wildlands Day with numerous activities from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., including an 8K fun run, bird hike, wildflower walk, bighorn sheep tour and children’s crafts. The run, which will take place over gentle slopes on gravel surface, begins promptly at 8 a.m. near the Nature Center and is open to all ages. Runners will receive a T-shirt with the $20 registration fee. All other activities are free.

Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford will host its annual fishing derby for children age 12 and under. Prizes await the winners of the event, which takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at Carter P. Johnson Lake.

Fort Robinson also will offer horse drawn tours and jeep rides free of charge from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Park-goers looking for lunch can attend the barbecue on the west lawn of the lodge at noon. The price is $6.

Information about Saturday’s special activities throughout the state may be found at outdoornebraska.org. For more information about the activities at Wildcat Hills, call the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Information about the Fort Robinson activities may be obtained by calling 308-665-2900.