Winter RV Visitors Enjoy Escapes and Entertainment at Honey Creek State Park
MORAVIA, IA - Guests from Iowa and the Midwest are discovering the fun and entertainment at Honey Creek Resort State Park this winter.
According to Jeremie Slagle, general manager of the resort, Honey Creek is hosting several special events and overnight packages. Two events in March include a Jazz, Wine and Brew Fest on Saturday, March 14, and a "Spring Break at the Lake" special package from now through the end of March.
The jazz festival will feature wine and beer tasting from 13 Iowa wineries, four brewers, Templeton Rye Distillery and music from the jazz group Ashanti. Chef Patrick Koffman will prepare special food and cheese parings. Cost to attend the festival is $25 per person.
"We are so excited to feature Iowa wineries and entertainment," said Slagle. "We think people will really appreciate a chance to escape the winter blues, enjoy themselves at the fest, and experience the beautiful setting of our lakeshore resort."
Families looking for an affordable spring break getaway, or just an escape from winter, can take advantage of the resort's Spring Break at the Lake special. For as low as $89/night for a standard room, families can stay at the resort and receive four free water park passes. Programs by state park interpreters will include Fireside Chats on Friday nights and Nature Arts and Crafts on Saturdays throughout March.
"From a family friendly menu in the restaurant, to nature activities for kids, to the arcade in the Buccaneer Bay water park, Honey Creek is the perfect, close-to-home destination for families," said Slagle.
Interest in Honey Creek's amenities is steadily growing, as more visitors experience what Honey Creek has to offer, according to Lee Fundanet, Director of Operations for Central Group Companies, which manages the resort.
"We've had great interest in our special events," said Fundanet. "As an example, a Valentine's package for this weekend has completely booked the hotel with overnight stays this Saturday, and mostly booked the Friday night prior."
Currently, every Saturday night in February and the first two Saturdays in March are completely booked. Friday nights, week nights and the Saturdays of March 21 and 28 still have rooms available.
According to Slagle, the resort has been receiving room reservations at a fast pace. In the week of Feb. 2-9 alone, resort staff booked more than 800 reservations. The resort's web site has received more than 75,000 hits since the resort opened. Many guests are looking forward to summer; the 28 new cabins, which will open in early summer, are 76 percent booked for the month of July.
For more information on special events, packages and nature programs, go to www.honeycreekresort.com
The brewers at the Jazz, Wine and Brew Fest include Raccoon River Brewing Company, Des Moines; Rock Bottom Brewery, West Des Moines; Granite City Brewing Company, West Des Moines and the Iowa Brewers Union. The Iowa wineries include: Fireside Winery, Marengo; Grape Escape Vineyard and Winery, Pleasantville; Heartland Harvest Winery, Fort Madison; Jasper Winery, Newton; Johnson Brothers, Des Moines; La Vida Loca, Indianola; Rosey Acres Winery, Runnells; Snus Hill Vineyard & Winery, Madrid; Southern Hills Winery, Osceola; Summerset Winery, Indianola; Tabor Home Vineyard and Winery, Baldwin; Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton. Additionally, Templeton Rye Whiskey, Templeton, will be at the event.
About Honey Creek Resort State Park
Honey Creek Resort State Park offers 105 guest rooms and suites, a 6,500 square foot convention center, 18-hole championship golf course, 15,000 square foot indoor water park, dining, an RV park and a variety of exciting outdoor adventures with interpretive programs and activities. Twenty-eight guest cabins will be open in spring 2009.
Driving directions:
Located on Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Honey Creek Resort is just 20 minutes north of Centerville, 35 minutes southwest of Ottumwa and 95 miles southeast of Des Moines. Visitors can get there by taking Highway 5 to Moravia and turning west on County Road J18.
From Des Moines: From Interstate 35 south of Des Moines, take Highway 5 southeast through Albia. Turn west (right) at Moravia onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.
From southern Iowa and Missouri: Take Highway 5 north through Centerville. Turn west (left) onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.
From Interstate 80 (Iowa City): Take Highway 218/Exit 239 south from Iowa City. Turn west (right) onto Highway 34. Turn south (left) Albia onto Highway 5. Turn west (right) at Moravia onto County Road J18. Turn left (south) on 185th Ave.