You are cordially invited to the biennial…
W.G. & Ophelia Shockley Reunion
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Hard Labor Creek State Park
5 Hard Labor Creek Road
Rutledge, GA 30663
Group Shelter #2 on the beach side
Given by Barbara Shockley Smith, Callie Burnette, Ayla Crippen, & Alicia Smith Karell
To RSVP, please email Callie at: Callieburnette@gmail.com
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10:00am: Registration/Outdoor Games
11:00am: Family Sharing Time
11:45am: Group Picture
12:00pm: BBQ Lunch
1:00pm – 10pm: Swimming, Kayaking, & Visiting
LUNCH MENU
Pulled pork BBQ
Slaw
Mac & Cheese
Pickles
Buns/rolls
Sauce (sweet and vinegar)
As is tradition, we encourage you to please share a favorite side dish and/or dessert.
Water & tea will be provided.
COST PER PERSON / FAMILY
Cost for BBQ and shelter rental is:
$10 per person
$40 per family
Donations for our next reunion on August 1, 2026 will also be accepted and greatly appreciated.
DIRECTIONS TO HARD LABOR CREEK
Traveling East from Atlanta on I-20 take the Rutledge Exit (Exit 105). Turn left onto Fairplay Road. Traveling West on I-20 from Madison take the Rutledge Exit (Exit 105). Turn right onto Fairplay road.
Coming from either direction off I-20, Fairplay Road will take you directly into the little town of Rutledge. Fairplay Road dead ends into the railroad tracks in Rutledge. At this point, there is a jog to the left and then an immediate jog to the right to go over the tracks. You will still be on Fairplay Road and in the center of Rutledge. Continue on Fairplay Road to the park, which is just a couple of miles outside Rutledge.
This year our shelter is across the road from the main entrance (Shelter # 2). Coming from Rutledge, the road leading to our shelter will be on the right. This road, which is the road to the beach where our shelter is located, is not well marked so there should be a sign on the main road saying Shockley Reunion.
Coming from the little town of Bostwick, take Fairplay Road all the way to the park. Turn left when you see the sign that says Shockley Reunion and follow it to the shelter. There will be a sign that says Shockley Reunion.
PARKING
The park is open from 7:00am – 10:00pm. Park office is open 8:00am – 5:00pm.
Park passes are required for every vehicle visiting the park.
The parking passes are $5 per vehicle.
You can pay at the self pay box in the parking lot, the park office, or online.
You will need to get a pass to display on your vehicle if purchased online.
Internet access is only at the Trading Post.
FUN IN THE SUN!
We will be on the lake side of the park, so feel free to bring your bathing suits, towels, beach chairs & outdoor games for a fun day in the sun!
There are bathrooms attached to our shelter and a changing area adjacent to the beach.
Mini Golf
Mini golf is located across from the park’s Trading Post.
Putt putt costs $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.
Clubs and golfs balls are located at the Trading Post.
Guests can rent equipment during Trading Post hours from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
Kayak Rentals (The staff says these go fast, & renting in the morning is recommended)
- $30 per solo kayak for 3 hours, weight capacity: 375 lbs.
- $40 per tandem (double) kayak for three hours, weight capacity: 550 lbs.
- Available seasonally, usually April to November.
- No fishing boat rentals.
- ADA accessible kayak launch available*
Procedure
Please go to the park office to pay and get the keys. Office opens at 8:00am.
The park accepts cash, credit, and debit cards. The key provided will open both padlocks: kayak bay and life jacket/paddle cubbies.
Your rental time (3 hours) starts 15 min after you get the keys and ends 15 min before you return the keys (for example, if your rental is from 1:30-4:30pm, you may retrieve the keys at 1:15 pm and return them by 4:45pm).
All rented kayaks must be returned to the proper bay, locked, and the key must be returned to the park office. If the kayak is returned after the end of the rental period, the renter will be charged the next incremental fee upon return ($30). In case of lost keys, the renter will be charged a re-key/lock fee of $30.
* The ADA accessible launch provides easy and stable access to and from the lake, giving individuals with varying abilities to enjoy the thrill of paddling. It is funded by a Georgia Natural Resources Foundation grant.
Rental Rules
- Minimum 16 years of age to rent kayaks.
- Children must be at least 3 years old to ride in the kayaks and accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Must be able to swim.
- Must sign a Recreational Vehicle & Equipment Rental Agreement.
Directions to Beach & Kayak Rack
From the park office, head left out of park gate / right at stop sign / go 1 mile (pass stone park entrance) / look for 1st paved road on your left / take this left and follow signs to the beach.
For more information about Hard Labor Creek and its recreational opportunities, please visit: https://gastateparks.org/HardLaborCreek
Park office: 706-557-3001
Shockley Family Reunion 