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Credit: KY State Parks
Step back in time as Big Bone Lick State Historic Site returns to days long past during the 35th annual Salt Festival the weekend of Oct. 13-15.
The festival features demonstrations of pioneer living, frontier skills, traditions, and lifeways. Browse the crafters corner to see the many handcrafted items for sale and find lots of good eats at the food court. Enjoy folk and bluegrass music, listen to a storyteller, view prehistoric Ice Age artifacts, and observe a blacksmith working red-hot iron. See how salt was extracted from the waters of Big Bone, watch a flintknapper make a stone point, and discover how bison hair was spun into yarn.
While visiting the park, be sure to drop by the park’s museum and visitor’s center to see some of the “big bones.” A shuttle van will transport event-goers to and from the festival field to the center at regular intervals. Don’t miss seeing the bison herd, the park’s living link to Kentucky’s early history.
On Friday, Oct. 13, the park will host school groups. The cost is $2 per person. Schools interested in bringing classes to the festival should call the park at 859-384-3522.
Regular festival admission is $5 per person; children 5 and under are free.
For information about the park, visit http://parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/big-bone-lick/. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is recognized as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology for its significant role in the development of scientific thought regarding extinction and the relationship between geology and paleontology the world over. The park is located 22 miles southwest of Covington on KY 338, off US 42/127 and I-71 & I-75. From I-75 north or south, take exit 175 to KY 338. From I-71 north or south, take exit 62 to 127N/42E to KY 338.
Credit: KY State Parks
Kentucky State Parks across the Commonwealth will host Halloween events throughout October.
Many of the park system’s campgrounds will have special activities for campers, including decorations, costumes, hayrides and games for the kids. Resort parks, recreation parks and historic sites will also have special Halloween events during October.
A list of events is available at: http://parks.ky.gov/halloween/
Parents of young children should check in advance as some parks have age recommendations for events.
Many state resort parks have inexpensive rates for lodge rooms and cottages during the fall. In addition to excellent restaurants, Kentucky State Parks have trails, playgrounds and plenty of wildlife viewing areas and fall colors that make for excellent family outings.
For more information about state park events, or to make lodging or camping reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Credit: KY State Parks
The Garden Club of Kentucky will dedicate two more Monarch butterfly waystations at the William Whitley House State Historic Site and Carter Caves State Resort Park in September.
The William Whitley House ceremony is Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. and the Carter Caves event is Sept. 27 at 2 p.m.
Members of the Garden Club of Kentucky have worked with state parks and other groups to design and install Monarch waystations.
Monarch butterflies need specific resources for their migration to and from Mexico. Those include nectar producing flowers, shelter and milkweed, the only plant that Monarch caterpillars will eat. These Kentucky waystations serve millions of migrating Monarch butterflies.
Other Kentucky State Parks with Monarch waystations include: Kentucky Dam Village, Waveland, Blue Licks Battlefield, Perryville Battlefield, Old Fort Harrod, Fort Boonesborough, Cumberland Falls, Lake Barkley, Jenny Wiley, Pennyrile Forest, General Butler and Barren River Lake.
For more information about the Monarch waystation program or butterfly gardening, visit www.monarchwatch.org
For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Credit: KY State Parks
Students from nine more Kentucky schools are taking field trips to a Kentucky State Park this fall thanks to a transportation grant from the Kentucky State Parks Foundation.
The KSPF’s “Inside Out Education” initiative allows schools to seek the grants that enable students to learn about the environment, history or culture at a Kentucky State Park. The recent round of grants brings the total number of students served to 3,919 with 56 grants awarded.
“We’re very proud that more students are having the opportunity to experience the outdoors at a Kentucky State Park with the help of these grants,” Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland said. “These students will get to see history and the environment up close.”
The nine schools and parks they plan to visit are:
Beechgrove Elementary, Kenton County, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Madison County High School, Madison County, Carter Caves State Resort Park
Daniel Boone Elementary, Madison County, Waveland State Historic Site
Frayser Elementary, Jefferson County, Old Fort Harrod State Park
Owensboro Middle School, Owensboro, John James Audubon State Park
Muhlenberg County High School, Muhlenberg County, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
Muhlenberg County High School Muhlenberg County, Jefferson Davis State Historic Site
Longest Elementary School, Muhlenberg County, John James Audubon State Park
Longest Elementary School, Muhlenberg County, Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site
The Muhlenberg County school trips are made possible by a grant from the Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation.
For 2018 spring/summer consideration, applications are due March 1, 2018. For more information, visit: http://www.kentuckystateparksfoundation.org/about/inside-out-education/
For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit: www.parks.ky.gov
Credit: KY State Parks
The golf course at Pine Mountain State Resort Park will offer seasonal deals to golfers this fall.
The course is offering discount cards with a game of golf for $29 on weekdays and $34 on weekends. Golfers also have the opportunity to pay $50 to play all day Saturday. For those who have less time, the course has a deal for nine holes with a golf cart after 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The course recently renovated its fairways with Bermuda grass and has added new golf carts.
For more information about the golf course, call 800-814-8002 or visit http://parks.ky.gov/golf/18_hole/pine-mountain/
Pine Mountain State Resort Park has a 30-room lodge, cottages and a full-service restaurant. It also has hiking trails and other recreational opportunities for guests. Pine Mountain State Resort Park is located south of Pineville, on U.S. 25E, 10 miles north of Middlesboro.
Credit: KY State Parks
Let the Kentucky State Parks help you celebrate the 4th of July weekend this year!
Several state parks are planning special events that include fireworks displays, picnics, entertainment and more.
These parks are planning fireworks shows: Kenlake, Kentucky Dam Village, My Old Kentucky Home, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Barren River Lake and Rough River Dam.
There will also be special events at campgrounds as well as entertainment and recreational activities.
For a list of July 4th events at state parks, visit: http://parks.ky.gov/fourth-of-july/
For more information about Kentucky State Parks, including lodging and camping reservations, visit: www.parks.ky.gov
Credit: KY State Parks
Give mom a break this Mother’s Day with a buffet at a Kentucky State Park. The Kentucky State Parks will be offering a Mother’s Day buffet Sunday, May 14, at its resort parks.
The menu includes salad bar, fruit, cheese, roast beef, roast pork with apple dressing, chicken and dumplings, fried catfish and hush puppies, vegetables and desserts.
The buffet will start at 11 a.m. and closing times will vary by park. General Butler State Resort Park is having seatings at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30, 4 and 5:30.
The adult price is $19.50 plus tax; $9.50 plus tax for children ages 6-12 (drink included).
The resort parks all have gift shops. Visit a state park gift shop for unique Kentucky handcrafted items. Kentucky State Park gift cards are also available at parks and make excellent gifts.
For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov.
