Grand opening of Johnson's Shut-Ins is Saturday

LESTERVILLE, Mo. -- A grand opening ceremony will take place at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville Saturday, according to a Missouri Department of Natural Resources news release.

The event marks the official reopening of the park, which was damaged in 2005 after the failure of the Taum Sauk reservoir sent 1.3 billion gallons of water rushing through the park.

The public is invited to the 11 a.m. ceremony at the new Black River Center. Gov. Jay Nixon will be the keynote speaker.

The Black River Center will be open for the first time following the ceremony. According to the news release, it serves as the main orientation center for the park and provides exhibits about the park and information on the surrounding area.

Guided tours of the park will be available in the afternoon, and craft demonstrations and food booths will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the main day-use area of the park.

For more information go to www.mostateparks.com.