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A Towpath Trail cyclist crosses over the Ohio and Erie Canal on a modern bridge built over the stone foundations of Lock 36 in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Brecksville on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. The entire park will be a showcase for the National Park Service this year as NPS celebrates its centennial.

(Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- Cuyahoga Valley National Park is marking the National Park Service Centennial with loads of activities for visitors, including special concerts, picnics and train rides.

"It's a great time to showcase all that the National Park Service offers and introduce this park to the next generation," Craig Kenkel, superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, said in a press release.

Six major events:

May 20-21: National Geographic BioBlitz and BioDiversity Festival - CVNP is the Midwest showcase site for the 24-hour national event to find and identify as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi and other organisms as possible. Findings will be shared live on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Locally, CVNP also will host a festival with hands-on science exhibits, food, crafts and family-friendly entertainment.

June 18: Picnic in The National Park - Dine outdoors in your national park the same day as millions of others around the country. Countryside, a private nonprofit supporter of CVNP, will sell special centennial picnic baskets and bags at its weekly Farmers' Market at Howe Meadow. It also will provide special maps so picnickers can find their special spot.

July 17: The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center - Enjoy music to celebrate the NPS centennial as performed by the orchestra. As part of the orchestra's annual series at its summer home, Blossom Music Festival, the concert will include Aaron Copland's "Suite from Appalachian Spring." The Conservancy for CVNP will announce additional on-site activities at a later date.

July 29-30: American Solar Challenge - The solar-powered car world gathers in Cuyahoga Valley National Park to begin an 1,800-mile, eight-day race that stops at eight national park sites before ending in South Dakota. Gather at the pre-race sustainability fair July 29 at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, and the next day assemble to cheer at the starting line.

Aug. 20-21: Party in The National Park: Happy 100th National Park Service - Volunteer for Founders' Day of Service, picnic in the park with locally created Countryside baskets, enjoy an outdoor concert with a special performance by the Singing Angels, and take a ride on Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Nov. 4: Akron Symphony Orchestra and CVNP Collaboration - Listen to the orchestra while experiencing a visual montage from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron.

CVNP visitors also can participate in other activities, from riding on the new mountain-bike trail to taking a leisurely stroll on the Towpath Trail. Whether learning about the history of the park at Boston Store Visitor Center or Canal Exploration Center, or tapping your toes at Happy Days Lodge for one of the music series hosted by the Conservancy, visitors will find something to do that fits their interests.

For the 100 Ways to Celebrate the NPS Centennial in CVNP, visit nps.gov/cuva/centennial.htm or ConservancyforCVNP/NPS100.

All visitors are encouraged to share their CVNP experiences through the national Find Your Park campaign by using the hashtag #FindYourPark and #CVNP on their social media channels or detailing their stories in words or images at FindYourPark.com.

A special centennial opportunity for fourth graders:

The National Park Service introduced a new program, Every Kid in a Park, as part of the centennial celebration. Fourth graders can earn a pass that provides free access for themselves and their families to all federally managed lands and waters, including national parks, forests and wildlife refuges. The pass is valid through Aug. 31, 2016.

While Cuyahoga Valley National Park doesn't charge an admission fee, students can earn their national pass locally. Fourth graders need to complete an online activity, print a voucher, and redeem it at the Boston Store Visitor Center. Details can be found at everykidinapark.gov. Children with the pass can ride free with an adult purchase on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.