SABINE PASS — Sea Rim State Park is once again hosting a special event to kick off the New Year that brings visitors up close with nature.

This year will mark the state park’s third time to host the First Day Hike, which will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the park, located at 19335 Texas 87 South.

Glenda Rutherford, office manager, said many Texas state parks participate in First Day Hikes and the one at Sea Rim originally took place on the nature trail, but since that is being repaired the hike was moved to the beach.

“We hike on the beach for two miles,” Rutherford said. “We started about three years ago and kept it up and it’s a huge success. We walk down on to each beach and to the boardwalk, and there are those that continue to walk. It’s a really fun experience we have here.”

Sea Rim gets some help with the event from Texas Master Naturalists, who are a group of volunteers who “provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas” their website states.

People taking part in the hike can learn about Sea Rim State Park’s history and information about the wildlife they might see.

Rutherford said they usually have 25 people do the hike coming from all over; some from the Houston area, while some of the campers on site make the hike including, visitors from Canada.

Park hosts also come out to the event — the current park hosts are from Minnesota and they have had park hosts from Vermont.

The fee to take part in the hike is the entrance fee, $3 per person 13 and above. Those 12 and under are free. For more information, call the park at 409-971-2559.