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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.

Fireside Chats During February at Fort Boonesborough

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Kevin Hardesty as Daniel Boone4-Week Series Features Kentucky Historical Figures!

From Kentucky State Parks: Featuring famous characters from Kentucky history, a series of “Fireside Chats” sponsored by Fort Boonesborough State Park and the Fort Boonesborough Foundation will start at the Richmond park beginning Feb. 2, 2019.

The fireside chats will be offered every Saturday during February, starting at 6:45 p.m. each day in the museum blockhouse. A “Taste of Frontier Fare” will be offered each Saturday from 5:30-6:15 p.m., and the 18th Century Tavern blockhouse will be open from 5-6:30 p.m. with free cider, treats and games.

Below is the schedule of portrayals of Kentucky historical figures:

  • Feb. 2: Daniel Boone, Kentucky explorer and pioneer, portrayed by Kevin Hardesty.
  • Feb. 9: Jemima Boone, daughter of Daniel, portrayed by Betsy B. Smith
  • Feb. 16: George Rogers Clark, Revolutionary War hero and founder of Louisville, portrayed by Mel Hankla
  • Feb. 23: Maggie Delaney, indentured servant, portrayed by Carol Jarboe.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and children under 12 are $5 each. Reservations are required due to limited seating. All proceeds benefit the Fort Boonesborough Foundation.

The gift shop will also be open.  Guests interested in browsing are encouraged to make time to come a few minutes early.  Call 859-527-3131 or visit fortboonesboroughlivinghistory.org for more information.

In addition to a reconstructed fort, the park also has a campground, hiking trails, mini-golf, picnic shelters and a gift shop. Fort Boonesborough is located near Richmond. From Interstate 75, take Exit 95 to KY 627. On I-64, exit at Winchester to KY 627.

Photo Credit: The picture of Kevin Hardesty as Daniel Boone is from the Kentucky State Parks.

Sandhill Crane Tours Jan. 23-27, 2019 at Barren River Lake State Resort Park

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Sandhill Cranes at Barren River Lake State Resort Park

Fellow bird lovers, here’s something I know you’ll be interested in! Beautiful Barren River Lake State Resort Park (Lucas, KY) is hosting its Nature Watch Weekend from January 23 to January 27 (2019).

Each year, thousands of Sandhill Cranes make Barren River Lake a stop on their journey back home.  Join fellow bird enthusiasts as you get up close to these beautiful cranes as they migrate through the area.  Just imagine the photography opportunities.

Participants can register for one of two trips. The morning sunrise trip takes guests to the roosting site before sunrise to experience the beauty of the cranes leaving the roost as they journey to nearby cornfields to spend the day. The sunset trip begins by viewing the birds in the cornfields and ends at the roosting site so you may view the magnificence of thousands of cranes circling overhead as they get ready to settle down for the night.

Each of these trips will be lead by naturalists from the Kentucky Department of Parks.

Please note that the dates selected are based on historical records under normal weather conditions in January and past trends of the cranes’ arrival in this area.  This narrow window of opportunity can vary by several days based on weather and the cranes’ migration schedule.

Registration is $45 per adult, $40 for seniors, and $30 per child 8-12 years old (must be at least 8 years old to go on van tours). The registration fee includes all educational sessions, a box lunch, a long sleeve t-shirt, and your choice of a morning or afternoon tour by van.

Call the park at 270-646-2151 for information and reservations.  Barren River Lake State Resort Park has a lodge, cottages and restaurant.

Photo Credit: The beautiful picture is from the Kentucky State Parks. Visit the Kentucky State Park website for more information about Barren River Lake State Resort Park as well as the other parks.

2018-2019 Winter Schedule for Kentucky State Resort Parks

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Kenlake State Resort Park's Lodge

Kenlake State Resort Park’s Lodge

Spring and Summer aren’t the only times you’ll enjoy a visit to the Kentucky State Parks – they’re just as warm, welcoming, and fun during the fall and winter. In fact, maybe even more so because they’re quieter and less crowded!

The resort parks have different hours during the colder months, so always double check before leaving home. Below is their recently announced schedule for the winter months.

Each of the Kentucky State Park Resort Parks will be open on weekends through the winter months in 2018-2019.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will be open seven days a week; the other 15 resort parks will have different schedules, with many of them closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Restaurant schedules will also be based on the resort schedules during the winter.

All resort parks have lodges and food services; 15 parks also have cottages. Cottages will be open daily at these parks through the winter.

There will be no changes for full-time staff within the Parks – all will be working their normal hours during the winter. On days the resort parks are not open to the public, staff will be cleaning and repairing park facilities.

Below are the winter dates and schedules for the 17 resort parks. The first day listed is the day of the week available to check in a lodge room, the second day is the check-out day.

Barren River Lake, Dec. 3, 2018-March 2, 2019, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Blue Licks Battlefield, Nov. 12-April 1, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out)

Buckhorn Lake, Nov. 1-March 31, open Friday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Carter Caves, Dec. 27-March 3, open Wednesday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Cumberland Falls, Dec. 16-March 3, open Tuesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Dale Hollow Lake, Nov. 11-March 1, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

General Butler, Dec. 23-March 31, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Greenbo Lake, Nov. 1-March 30, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Jenny Wiley, open daily.

Kenlake, Dec. 9-March 10, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Kentucky Dam Village, Nov. 12-March 1, open Thursday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Lake Barkley, Nov. 25-Feb. 27, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Lake Cumberland, Dec. 1-Feb. 28, open Wednesday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Natural Bridge, open daily.

Pennyrile Forest, Dec. 14-March 3, open Friday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Pine Mountain, Jan. 1-Jan. 31, open Wednesday (check in) through Monday (check out).

Rough River Dam, Nov. 4-April 30, open Thursday (check in) through Sunday (check out).

Many resort parks will host seasonal events such as Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas programs and New Year’s Eve parties.

For more information about Kentucky State Parks or to make reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov

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