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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).

The Kentucky Indiana All-Star Game to Return to the Owensboro Sportscenter

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Kentucky Indiana Game

Spectra, the providers of Venue Management to the Owensboro Sportscenter, is excited to announce the return of the Kentucky Indiana All-Star Game to Owensboro!

The Kentucky Indiana All-Star Game is the oldest continuing high school all-star game in the U.S.  Since 1940, with the exception of two years during WWII and last year during the pandemic, the game has showcased the best high school seniors in the two states.  Beginning in 1953, a home-and-home series takes place with one game in each state.  This year the game in Kentucky will be played on Friday, June 11 at the Owensboro Sportscenter in Owensboro, KY.  The game in Indiana will take place the following day on Saturday, June 12 at Southport Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

Prior to those games, each state will name their top high school senior player for both boys and girls who will be recognized as Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball.

“The Kentucky Indiana All Star Game has a rich history of being in Owensboro, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to the Owensboro Sportscenter after all these years,” stated Laura Alexander, General Manager with Spectra Venue Management at the Owensboro Sportscenter.

The complete lineups for the 2021 Kentucky and Indiana All-Stars and ticket information will be coming soon.

About the Owensboro Sportscenter
The Owensboro Sportscenter, one of the city’s most historic buildings, opened in 1949.  It is a multi-purpose 5,000 seat arena that hosts graduations, concerts, sporting events, trade shows, meetings, and receptions. The Owensboro Sportscenter is home to the Owensboro Thoroughbreds of the TBL (The Basketball League), Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers Men’s and Women’s Basketball of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, and the Owensboro Catholic High School Aces Basketball.  Learn more at OwensboroSportscenter.com.

About Spectra   
Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships. Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com.

Kentucky State Park Campgrounds Preparing to Open March 13

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Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground

Playground at the Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground

I recently told one of my daughters, “I have never been THIS ready for spring and summer in my life!” I am, undoubtedly, one of the biggest fans of winter in the world. I love the cold, brisk air, I love the extra excuses to indulge in hot chocolate, coffee, and chai tea lattes and I love the sweaters, hoodies, and scarves.

I watch excitedly for snow even when it isn’t in the forecast, I love college and pro football, and I delight in making more soup and chili than my family can possibly eat.

Having said all of that…. bring on the sunshine! Baseball, car trips, fresh produce, trees in bloom, flowers, birds filling the trees, and visits to Kentucky State Parks and the Land Between the Lakes always make me eager for spring and summer – more so this year than ever, for some reason.

When I saw the following press release in my e-mail, I let out an audible, “Whoop!” I always get excited when Kentucky Events start dropping into the inbox because it’s as though Kentucky… and my very world… come back to life after a long nap!

If you frequently camp or are beginning the tradition, look alive… Camping season is about to open at Kentucky State Parks!

Continued Below….


Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground

Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground

From the Kentucky State Parks:

“Our state parks are treasured by thousands of Kentucky families, including mine,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “I hope to see Team Kentucky outside and having fun this year – stay safe and keep exploring!”

The camping season officially opens March 13, 2020, at all 30 Kentucky State Park campgrounds that feature about 2,300 campsites across the state.

“One of the most popular recreational activities at Kentucky State Parks every year is camping,” said Parks Commissioner Robert Conway. “We’re making some improvements at several campgrounds that our guests will like.”

During the month of April, all Kentucky State Park campgrounds are offering buy one night, get one free, Sunday through Thursday. (Use the promotion code “Spring2020” for online reservations.)

The weekend of April 24-26 is the annual Camper Appreciation Weekend when campers get two nights for the price of one. State park campgrounds are offering a variety of activities during Camper Appreciation Weekend, including entertainment, arts and crafts, putt-putt golf, bonfires, movies, cookouts and nature programs.

Several campgrounds will see upgrades during 2020. Electric upgrades are planned at Carr Creek State Park and General Burnside Island State Park is getting electric and sewer upgrades. Some sites at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park’s campground are being re-designed to better accommodate campers.

All state park campgrounds have water and electric services with dump stations or sewer hookups, along with picnic tables and fire rings at each improved site, and bathhouses. Primitive sites are also available.

Park sites will remain open through mid-November and a few remain open during winter months.

The campground at John James Audubon State Park remains closed in 2020 due to work on a nearby dam.

To make camping reservations at a Kentucky State Park or for more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground

Rough River Dam State Resort Park Campground

1850 Christmas at the Homeplace: Are You Ready to Meet Santa?!

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Christmas at the Homeplace (Land Between the Lakes)

As we often say on this Kentucky blog, the end of summer in NO WAY means the end of things to do and see in Kentucky. So grab your coat, gloves, and get ready to enjoy the beautiful Bluegrass all winter long!

The Homeplace will celebrate Christmas in 1850 on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 1 to 4 pm, inside the Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area.

The Friends of Land Between the Lakes invite you to step back in time to the smell of pine needles and gingerbread and to stockings hung by the fire with care, to a simple 1850 Christmas at the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and Living History Museum at Land Between the Lakes from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday, November 30, 2019.

Admission is $5 for ages 12 and above; $3 for those 5 to 12; and free for 4 and under.

Wander around the farm and visit the homes to see how the farm family decorated for the Christmas season. Learn how to make traditional Christmas decorations and collect recipes for holiday treats to make at home. Join in singing 1800s carols as we usher in Santa Claus’ arrival.

This special event is sponsored by Bristol Broadcasting Company, which operates nine full power radio stations in the Paducah, Kentucky, market, including 93.3 WKYQ, Today’s 24 Carrot Country and Willie 102.1, Country’s All Time Greatest Hits.

Fourth grade students can go to https://everykidinapark.gov, get their free Every Kid in a Park pass, and get their family in for free! For more information, call the Homeplace at 931.298.3133.

The Homeplace is located in the Land Between the Lakes at 4512 on The Trace

Photo Credit: The Land Between the Lakes

Kentucky State Parks Offering Discounts to Current Military, Retirees, Veterans

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Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park Lodge

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park’s Lodge (Facing Kentucky Lake)

From the Kentucky State Parks:

Current and former members of the nation’s armed forces can receive lodging discounts at Kentucky State Parks with the “USA Military Discount” program from Nov. 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020.

Those on active military duty, retired members of the military, veterans, members of the National Guard and reservists, are eligible for the program.

With the USA Military Discount, lodge rooms are available starting at $59.95 a night; one-bedroom cottages for $79.95 a night; two-bedroom cottages for $89.95 a night and three-bedroom cottages for $99.95 a night. Tax is not included in these rates. These rates are good at resort parks and the cottages at John James Audubon State Park.

The rate is $5 more per night at these parks: Barren River, Cumberland Falls, Kentucky Dam Village, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland and Natural Bridge.

The Kentucky State Parks have 17 resorts that offer golf, fishing, hiking on scenic trails, beautiful scenery and restaurants. Many resorts are near or include historic sites and museums and offer programs during the fall and winter, such as elk tours, eagle watching tours and entertainment.

This offer may not be used in conjunction with other special discounts or packages. The discount is based on availability, for leisure travel only, and may exclude special events and holidays. Proof of military service is required at check-in.

For more information about Kentucky State Parks and to make reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov. For online reservations, look for the promotion code under special codes and enter “USA” to receive the discount for November-March.

During the months of April through October, current and former members of the military can get a 15 percent lodging discount. When making online reservations, use the code “MILI” to get the April-October discount.

Salt Festival at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site October 18-20, 2019

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Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Salt Festival.Big Bone Lick State Historic Site wants to take you back in time during the 37th annual Salt Festival next weekend (Oct. 18-20, 2019).

The festival features live demonstrations of pioneer lifeways and frontier skills. 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. Browse the crafters corner to see the many local, handcrafted items for sale, and take advantage of the good eats at the food court.

This year’s festival entertainment will feature “The Journey of York,” the story of William Clark’s slave along the transcontinental expedition of the Corps of Discovery. Big Bone Lick was recently added to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Also returning to the festival field is All Nation’s Drum, an Intertribal Native American group showcasing traditional song and dance.

While visiting the park, be sure to drop by the park’s museum and visitors center to see some of the “big bones.” A shuttle van will transport event-goers to and from the festival field, museum, and campground at regular intervals.

Don’t miss seeing the bison herd, the park’s living link to Kentucky’s early history.

On Friday, Oct. 18, the park will host school groups. Schools interested in bringing classes to the festival should call the park at 859-384-3522 as pre-registration is required to receive the discounted school admission rate. Deadline to register is October 9. Regular festival admission is $5 per person; children 5 and under are free. Admission is open to the public all three days of the festival. The festival is cash only.

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.

Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks

"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
Fraley Music Festival
Maddox