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Things to Do in Kentucky!

On the following pages you'll find many fun things to do in Kentucky. Whether it's fishing on one of Kentucky's many lakes, exploring caves, visiting a Kentucky State Park, hiking, or golfing a great Kentucky golf course, there are plenty of fun things to do in Kentucky. Just remember to bring your camera! If you're unsure of a date for an event, please leave a comment, e-mail me, or contact me on Twitter (@GenuineKentucky).

Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)

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Golden Pond Visitor's Center and Planetarium

The Golden Pond Visitor Center Planetarium and Observatory

International Astronomy Day is Saturday, May 7, 2022 and The Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory in the Land Between the Lakes has a special day planned for visitors.

The Planetarium will have activities for the kids, solar viewing, and a special program hosted by The WKAA (West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers): Beginners Tips on How to Choose a Telescope.

Shows on International Astronomy Day (Saturday, May 7) will be free and will be available throughout the day! Astronomy Day will also be the day the grand opening for the new Planetarium projector, SkyExplorer.

The West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers will also be offering free solar viewing in the observatory.

Space science crafts will be provided, along with free posters and stickers.

The 360-degree, surround-sound, 40 foot domed planetarium theater is temperature controlled and has very comfortable high back seats. Surround sound adds SO MUCH to the experience. The new SkyExplorer projection system provides the best rendering capacities and delivers a wonderful, realistic image quality for an immersive experience throughout the domed theater.

Solar viewing will (of course) be weather dependent.

For show schedules and more information, please visit www.landbetweenthelakes.us/planetarium.

 

A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

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Owl at Woodlands Nature Station

Owl at Woodlands Nature Station

As I said in my last post, everything is coming back to life around Kentucky… everything from Genuine Kentucky to trees and the wonderful Land Between the Lakes are filled with hope and are firmly facing better days ahead!

If you’ve read Genuine Kentucky any, you know how in love I have always been with the Land Between the Lakes. I cherish every minute I spend there and downright miss it when I’m away. That’s why I’m kind of tickled that my first “coming back to life!” event we’re posting on the Kentucky blog involves the Land Between the Lakes and one of my favorite places in the world, Woodlands Nature Station.

From The Friends of the Land Between the Lakes:

Spring has sprung at Land Between the Lakes and the Woodlands Nature Station offers plenty of family friendly activities throughout the month of April to celebrate. Special programs include Spring Break activities, guided hiking and kayaking trips, Homeschool Day, and more.

“A Sensational Spring Break” is April 2-10 with themed programs, crafts, games, and hikes. April is also Homeschool Month at the Nature Station with the 8th annual Homeschool Day on April 29. Educators are encouraged to check the online calendar at landbetweenthelakes.us for homeschool programs and activities.

“With blooms of wildflowers dotting Hematite Lake, wildlife becoming more active, and the many programs and activities offered at the Nature Station, the next few weeks present the perfect opportunity to get outside and have fun!” said Interpretive Naturalist Marissa Lindstrom.

April program highlights at the Nature Station include:

  • A Sensational Spring Break (programs include Bioluminescence Boogie and SLIME!), April 2-10
  • Homeschool Spring Learning Series: Native Bees, April 14
  • Wildflower Wander Hike, April 16
  • Animal Treat Baskets and Sunday Funday: Rabbit Playtime, April 17
  • Earth Day Sunset Kayak Trip, April 22
  • 8th Annual Homeschool Day: Forest FUN-damentals, April 29

The Woodlands Nature Station is in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults ages 18+; $5 for children ages 5-17; and free for children under 4.

Fun animal-themed programs are available daily and included in the cost of admission.

About the Friends of Land Between the Lakes
The Friends of Land Between the Lakes have partnered with the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area of the USDA Forest Service to provide interpretive and informative services along with support services for those visiting the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
More information is available at www.friendsoflbl.org. The Friends are supported through business and personal memberships, gift shop sales and other contributions.

Things to Do in Lexington, Kentucky!

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Waveland State Historic Site
Waveland State Historic Site

One of my personal favorite cities in Kentucky is beautiful Lexington. When I was a little girl we lived in Lexington for a little over a year. I loved it then and I still love it. With the pandemic, we haven’t been to Lexington in a while (or anywhere else for that matter!) but I just read an article that makes me very anxious to pay the beautiful city a visit!

30 Best Things to Do in Lexington, Ky. will make you anxious for your own visit as soon as possible. Visit the article and then, more importantly, visit Lexington!

Woodlands Nature Station to host 25th Annual Hummingbird Festival

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Hummingbird at the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

Hummingbird at Woodlands Nature Station

Woodlands Nature Station is one of my favorite places, not just in the Land Between the Lakes, but in all of Kentucky! The Nature Station celebrates the migration of hummingbirds during the annual Hummingbird Festival, scheduled for August 7 and 8, 2021.

If you love hummingbirds like I do, the Nature Station is a dream come true. It’s hummingbird paradise!

The weekend of August 7-August 8 marks the beginning of the great hummingbird migration through Land Between the Lakes. I hope you’ll mark your calendar and join in the celebration with the 25th annual Hummingbird Festival.

TIME: 10 am – 5 pm on Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8, 2021

PLACE: Woodlands Nature Station, 3146 Silver Trail Road in the Land Between the Lakes

PRICE: Special admission price is $9 for ages 18 and up, $7 for ages 5 – 17 and free for ages 4 and under.

If you love hummingbirds, this is the event for you! August brings hundreds of hummingbirds to the Woodlands Nature Station as they migrate south to Central America. You can see as many as 200 in a single day!

Special programming includes:

Saturday, August 7

  • 10 am – 4:30 pm | Hummingbird Banding and Release Demonstrations – licensed banders Brainard Palmer-Ball Jr. and Mark Monroe
  • 11am | 2019/2020 Photo Contest Awards
  • 12pm | Attracting Bluebirds – Bob Peak, The North American Bluebird Society
  • 1pm | The Buzz on Beekeeping – Scott Sutton, Houston-Stewart County Beekeepers Association
  • 2pm | Social Eco-art: Igniting Conversation and Invoking Social Change – Shannon Roberts, The New South Arts Initiative
  • 3pm | Rest Stops for Ruby-Throats: Landscaping for Migrating Birds and Butterflies -Botanist Alicia Bosela, owner of Ironweed Native Plant Nursery
  • 4pm | Build a Hummingbird
  • 4:30 pm – Parade of Raptors

Sunday, August 8

  • 10 am – 4:30 pm | Hummingbird Banding and Release Demonstrations – Licensed banders Brainard Palmer-Ball Jr. and Mark Monroe
  • 11am | Bringing Nature Home: Creating a Haven for Wildlife
  • 12pm | Rest Stops for the Ruby-Throats: Landscaping for Migrating Birds and Butterflies-Botanist Alicia Bosela, owner of Ironweed Native Plant Nursery
  • 1pm | Build a Hummingbird
  • 2pm | Attracting Bluebirds – Bob Peak, The North American Bluebird Society
  • 3pm | Pollinators: Beyond the Bees
  • 4pm | Attracting Purple Martins
  • 4:30 pm – Parade of Raptors

Ongoing activities include:

  • Hummingbird Photo Gallery
  • Hummingbird Gift Shop
  • Kids’ Crafts and Games
  • Local Craftsmen and Artists
  • Attracting Bluebirds
  • Kentucky Wildlife
  • Garden Friend or Foe? – Live Animals
  • Attracting Native Bees
  • Monarch Magic
  • Beekeeping Basics
  • Native Plant Sale
  • and more!

For more information, call 270.924.2299 or visit www.landbetweenthelakes.us.

Fourth grade students can go to https://www.nationalparks.org/our-work/campaigns-initiatives/every-kid-outdoors to get their free Every Kid Outdoors pass, and get their family in for free.
For more information, please call the Nature Station at 270-924-2299.
If you love birds, you’ll love The Birds o Kentucky by Burt L. Monroe, Jr. Click the link to learn more about this wonderful guide to Kentucky’s beautiful birds.
Hummingbirds at The Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)
Hummingbirds at The Nature Station (Land Between the Lakes)

Ale-8-One Has Brought Back a Favorite Drink This Summer: Orange Cream Ale-8-One

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Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soda
Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soft Drink

If you’re a Kentuckian, you know all too well how delicious Ale-8-One soft drinks are. While the original is the “go to” drink for a lot of Kentuckians, the Cherry Zero is my personal obsession. OBSESSION. It’s unbelievably delicious.

The iconic Kentucky soda is bringing back the summer fan favorite, Orange Cream Ale-8-One, while supplies last. This popular seasonal addition to the current Ale-8-One family
of products delivers a dreamsicle inspired flavor that evokes a sweet sense of nostalgia, just in time to kick off the brand’s 95-year anniversary this summer! Orange Cream Ale-8-One made its debut on June 8th in the Bluegrass region along with expanded footprints in, Louisville, Cincinnati, Pikeville, and most of Western Kentucky in Kroger, Walmart, and Meijer retailers.

I found this particular box of smooth deliciousness at one of the Kroger stores here in Owensboro. It was on a display near the meat and deli, so when you’re looking for this iconic seasonal drink,  be sure to tour your store. They get creative with product placement sometimes.

Continued Below….

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soda

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soda

“The tremendous positive response from our first two summer launches of Orange Cream Ale-8-One has been overwhelming. We are delighted to be able to return this summertime classic to the shelves this year. Consumers had plenty of time last summer to experiment with recipes at home; we are excited for them to share their float and cocktail creations with friends this time around.” –  Chris Doyle, Marketing Director for Ale8-One

Orange Cream Ale-8-One will be available as a limited edition 4-pack. The small batch seasonal soda is crafted with an all-natural orange and vanilla blend combined with the Ale-8-One secret formula.

About Ale-8-One

Ale-8-One Bottling Company was founded in 1902 by G.L. Wainscott in Winchester, Kentucky, and remains the oldest, privately held bottler in the United States still owned and operated by the founding family. Ale-8-One soft drink has been bottled in green glass in Winchester since 1926. The only soft drink invented in Kentucky still in existence, Ale-8’s proprietary blend is flavored with ginger and citrus and contains less carbonation and fewer calories than conventional sodas. The company’s founder and inventor, G.L. Wainscott, developed the recipe, and to this day, his great-great-nephew, Fielding Rogers, personally blends every batch of Ale-8-One. Ale-8-One is widely available in Kentucky, available nationwide online, available in Kroger stores throughout
the Southeast, and can be found at most Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and Fresh Market. For more information, visit ale8one.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soda

Ale-8-One Orange Cream Soft Drink

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Flowering Tree in Bowling Green
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