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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

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.

Old Things New (Official Music Video) by Chad Hoard

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The wonderful video and song below are from Kentucky’s own Chad Hoard. This is the title track from Chad’s debut album “Old Things New.”

I would be sharing this beautiful and inspiring video with you, anyway, BUT there’s a little extra incentive. Chad is actually married to my husband’s youngest niece. What’s more, another of his nieces co-stars in the video.

Amazing thing is, I never knew Chad sang or that she acted…. but, boy do I know now!

I hope you’ll visit Chad Hoard’s Official Website and read more about this Western Kentucky born and raised musician, song writer, and singer. You can also download the album free on the website.

Upcoming August Events at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

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Hummingbirds at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes

Saturday, August 11

9:30am-12pm | Hummingbird Photography Workshop

Hands-on workshop with instructors who’ll show photos on the big screen in the Nature Station’s theater as they lead a discussion on the qualities of the photos, share tips on how to improve them through photographic technique, composition, and editing and more. Includes Nature Station admission. Participants are encouraged to bring photos they have already taken on an external hardware device. Bring a lunch and stay in the afternoon to take your own photographs. $15 per person. Limited space. Registration and deposit required.

11am-2pm | Hummingbird Kids’ Craft
Join our naturalists as you learn how to make a super simple and fun bird nest, complete with your own crafty versions of baby hummingbirds!

2-2:30pm | Knee-high Naturalists: Hummingbirds
Join us for a story, a craft, and a memorable nature experience witnessing dozens of hummingbirds as they buzz around the Nature Station’s gardens and feeders. This program is specially designed to make hummingbirds fun for preschoolers.

Sunday, August 12

2-2:30pm | Knee-high Naturalists: Hummingbirds
Come discover hummingbirds with your young naturalist! Join us for a story, a craft, and a memorable nature experience witnessing dozens of hummingbirds as they buzz around the Nature Station’s gardens and feeders. This program is specially designed for preschoolers.

Monday, August 13

3:30-3:50pm | Monday Funday: Deer and Turkey Playtime
Watch as our animals react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Tuesday, August 14

10-11am | Morning with the Hummingbirds
Mornings are one of the best times to view Nature Station’s hummingbirds as they feed at our freshly filled feeders. Let’s step outside into the gardens and watch them in their morning feeding frenzy.

Wednesday, August 15

11:30am-12:15pm | Hummingbirds of the World
Join us for this presentation to discover some of the world’s most interesting hummingbirds such as the Marvelous Spatuletail, Bee Hummingbird, Streamertail, and Sword-billed Hummingbird.

Thursday, August 16

10-11am | Morning with the Hummingbirds
Mornings are one of the best times to view Nature Station’s hummingbirds as they feed at our freshly filled feeders. Let’s step outside into the gardens and watch them in their morning feeding frenzy. Then, join us for an indoor presentation to learn about hummingbird’s natural history and how to help them during their migration.

Friday, August 17

3:30-3:50pm | Feed the Animals Fridays: Opossum
Come help feed Nature Station’s resident opossum during her chow time! We’ll let you sneak into the opossum’s enclosure while she’s not there and hide treats for her to find.

Saturday, August 18

9-10am | Hummingbird Café
Join us under the shade in our garden and enjoy some coffee (hot or iced), juice, and breakfast goodies while the hummingbirds have a feeding frenzy of their own! Relax in our scenic wildflower gardens. $10 per person, includes same day NS admission. Reservation required. Call 270.924.2020 to reserve your space.

2:30-3pm | Dive Into the Hive

Discover what all the buzz is about! You’re invited to bee a part of the hive! Come along on Honeybee Awareness Day as we play bee games, join a hive, and discover what each bee does for the hive! This is a perfect activity for children of all ages.

Sunday, August 19

2:30-3pm | Creature Feature: Bobcat
Did you know that about 200 bobcats live right here in Land Between The Lakes? Find out how these masters of stealth survive so well without being seen.

Hummingbird at Woodlands Nature Station

2018 Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Resort Parks

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Kenlake Hotel at Kenlake State Resort Park

Kenlake State Resort Park’s Lodge

As I’m typing this information about Easter Buffets at Kentucky State Parks, I am seriously (I mean SERIOUSLY) wishing I was sitting in one of the Park’s restaurants with my husband enjoying a cup of their wonderful coffee. Their coffee is the stuff legends are made of.

I am unable to eat very often at the restaurants any longer because, for health reasons, I have to eat gluten-free. Unfortunately (as of now), the restaurants do not offer gluten-free menus or information. I have, however, gotten their hamburgers (off bun, of course) and had ZERO problems. I’ve also eaten salads off of their salad buffets.

I really, really, really hope that sometime in the near future the wonderful Parks will offer more in the way of gluten-free options and information because, quite frankly, I miss dining with them!

The 2018 Easter Buffet

Kentucky State Parks will be serving the annual Easter buffet April 1 at 15 resort park restaurants.

The menu includes beef carved on the line, baked country ham and local favorites. The meal will also include fresh fruit, a cheese bar, garden vegetables, salad and desserts.

The price for adults is $19.50, and children (12 and under) are $9.50, not including tax. The price does not include a beverage. The buffet will be served starting at noon with various ending times.

Buckhorn Lake and Kenlake state resort parks will not be serving the Easter buffet. All other resort parks will host the buffet.

Several parks are planning egg hunts and other activities for guests. For more information, or to make lodging reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov.

NOTE: When you get a chance to support our State Parks in any way, shape or form, please do so. Eat at their restaurants, shop in their gift shops, and partake in all they have to offer. I want them to be available for our children and grand-children for years and years to come!

"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")

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