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Civil War Days Weekend at Columbus-Belmont State Park (Oct. 11-13)

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Civil War Days

If you’re a Civil War buff, you’ll want to be at Columbus-Belmont State Park during the weekend of October 11-13!

The Park’s popular Civil War Days returns to the banks of the Mississippi River and will feature battle re-enactments, history and museum tours, soldier camps, entertainment, food and more. (Admission is free.)

This marks the 29th year of Civil War Days at Columbus-Belmont.

From the Kentucky State Parks:

This three-day event begins with an Education Day on Friday, featuring cannon and rifle demonstrations, life of a soldier, camp cooking and medical procedures.  Students, scouts, and groups are encouraged to participate, but everyone is invited to attend and take a closer look at our history by taking a step back in time.

The opening ceremony begins Friday evening at 5 p.m. with food and entertainment.  Cannons will fire from the bluffs to end the ceremony, followed by a Ghost Walk through the Confederate earthworks with lanterns lighting the way.

Saturday features a full schedule of events, including music and the Ladies Tea at 11 a.m.Civil War Days

The Civil War Ball on Saturday night will feature music by The 52nd Regimental String Band, along with dance instruction so you don’t have to be experienced to participate.

If you want to shop, you can find everything you need on “Sutler Row” where there will be tents set up with period clothing and accessories. There will be a Beautiful Belle and Handsome Gent contest before the dance and a Best Beard and Scraggly Beard contest during intermission.

Sunday begins with a period morning service at 8:30 a.m. as well as a memorial service in Columbus Cemetery at 10 a.m.

The battles are at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. They will feature guns firing, swords swinging, horses charging, and cannons blasting.

The Civil War Days event is co-sponsored by Columbus-Belmont State Park, Civil War Days Committee, and the Hickman County Judge Executive’s office/Hickman County Fiscal Court.  The park is located on the Mississippi River in far western Kentucky at the junction of highways 58, 80, and 123.

For more information, contact the park office at 270-677-2327, email cindy.lynch@ky.gov or visit www.parks.ky.gov.

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.

Trail of Tears Weekend Planned at Pennyrile Forest May 12-13, 2017

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Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Trail Through the Forest

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is one of the friendliest parks in the Kentucky State Park System. From one year to the next (to the next, to the next), it just proves itself to BE as charming as it LOOKS.

The restaurant (Clifty Creek) in the lodge is also one of the best in the system. Seems friendly people make the best cooks.

There’s an upcoming historical event at this beautiful park that will interest my fellow history buffs.

Learn about the route of the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears in western Kentucky during Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park’s Trail of Tears Weekend May 12-13.

The event, co-sponsored by the Friends of Pennyrile, will feature a bus tour of the trail in Caldwell, Crittenden and Livingston counties. The bus will take participants to Mantle Rock Nature Preserve, which is an important point on Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

The Trail of Tears was a series of forced removals of the Cherokee living east of the Mississippi to what is now Oklahoma.

Guests can attend an introductory program on Friday evening and a historical and musical program on Saturday evening by Laura Hunt Angel.

Space is limited to 50 people.

The fee is $45 and includes the bus tour, a boxed lunch, evening programs and a tour guide. The park is also offering a 10 percent lodging discount. Call 800-325-1711.

The rustic wood and stone Pennyrile Lodge, with 24 rooms, sits serenely on a high cliff overlooking Pennyrile Lake. Open year-round, the park has 12 cottages in the wooded lodge area and on the lake’s shores. The restaurant seats 200, including a private dining room for up to 80. The park also offers hiking trails, fishing, basketball, tennis, camping and horse campsites that are available year-round.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

Mining Show at Carter Caves State Resort Park

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Carter Caves State Resort Park

If you’ve ever visited Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill, Kentucky, you know what I mean when I say it’s a breathtakingly beautiful park. If you’ve never been, here’s a perfect reason to go in just a matter of weeks.

The Eastern Mining Collectors Association will hold its sixth annual Spring Meet and Show at Carter Caves State Resort Park on April 1.

You can learn more about the rich and fascinating history of coal mining in Eastern Kentucky at this free event.

Vendors from across the country and as far away as California will be at the show to sell, buy and trade mining artifacts used in the mining of coal, gold, silver and copper. The artifacts include lamps, mine signs, photos, posters and other items. They will also be available to give free appraisals of mining-related items that you might have hidden in your attic, basement or barn.

Visitors will have an opportunity to talk about coal mining and understand the work that it takes for a miner today, and years ago, to produce coal used for electricity.

The show is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Contact Colin Gatland at 936-367-6295 or cgatland29@gmail.com for more information.

Carter Caves State Resort Park is located at 344 Caveland Drive in Olive Hill. The park has a lodge with a restaurant, cottages and campground. Besides cave tours, activities include hiking, horseback riding, swimming, boating and fishing. For more information about the park, call 1-800-325-0059.

Directions: From Interstate 64, Exit 161, take U.S. 60 east. Go approximately two miles and turn left on KY 182 north. The park entrance is three miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.

Mining Equipment at Carter Caves Mining Show

Photo of Mining Equipment Courtesy of the Kentucky State Parks

Civil War Days at Columbus-Belmont State Park Oct. 7-9, 2016

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If you’re into history as much as I am, you’re probably already reaching for your calendar. This is something you won’t want to miss.

Columbus-Belmont State Park will host the 26th Annual Civil War Days Oct. 7-9.

The weekend will include battle re-enactments, history and museum tours, soldier camps, entertainment, food and more. Admission is free. Civil War Days at Columbus-Belmont State Park

This three-day event will begin on Friday, Oct. 7 with Education Day. There will be cannon and rifle demonstrations, life of a soldier and dance instruction. Students, scouts and groups are encouraged to participate, but everyone is invited to attend and take a closer look at history by taking a step back in time.

The opening ceremony will take place Friday evening with food and entertainment. Cannons will fire from the bluffs to end the ceremony and then there will be a ghost walk through the Confederate earthworks with lanterns lighting the way.

There will be events all day on Saturday with guest speakers and the Kentucky HistoryMobile will be on site.

The Civil War Ball on Saturday night will feature music and dance instruction. The band for the evening will be The 52nd Regimental String Band.

Shopping will be set up on “Sutler Row,” where there will be tents set up with clothing and accessories. There will be a Beautiful Belle and Handsome Gent contest before the dance and a Best Beard and Scraggly Beard contest during intermission.

Sunday will begin with a morning service as well as a memorial service in Columbus Cemetery.

The battle re-enactments will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. They will feature guns firing, cannons blasting, horses running and tents burning.

The Civil War Days event is co-sponsored by Columbus-Belmont State Park, Civil War Days Committee and the Hickman County Judge Executive’s office/Hickman County Fiscal Court. The park is located in far western Kentucky at the junction of highways 58, 80, and 123. For more information, contact the park office at 270-677-2327 or email cindy.lynch@ky.gov or visit www.parks.ky.gov

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