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You are here: Home / Archives for Kenlake State Resort Park

Kenlake State Resort Park to Host Hot August Blues, Aug. 26-27

August 11, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Hot August Blues at Kenlake

Kenlake State Resort Park will host the 27th annual The Hot August Blues Festival Aug. 26-27. This annual even has grown into something extra special in Kentucky – I think its popularity surpassed anyone’s wildest expectations!

The festival is held at the park’s amphitheater on the shore of Kentucky Lake. The show opens Friday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. and on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m.

The lineup for Friday includes Deja’ Blues Band, Blues and Greys, Bottoms Up Blues Band and River Towne Alley Cats. For Saturday, the lineup features Adam and the H-Bombs, Da Mudcats, Toad Strangler, 2 Miles Back Band, Long Tall Deb featuring Colin John and the Markey Blue Band.

Advance tickets are $15 for Friday and $20 for Saturday. Two-day advance tickets are $30 per person. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets at the gate are $20 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $40 for both days.

Advance tickets may be purchased online or at these locations: Roof Brothers Wine & Spirits in Paducah; Kaylee’s Farmhouse Restaurant in Aurora, the UPS Store in Murray and at Kenlake State Resort Park (cash only).

More ticket and schedule information is available at www.hotaugustbluesfestival.com. The festival is held rain or shine, and guests may bring chairs and coolers (no glass). A shuttle service from the park lodge and campground will also be available. Service animals only.

As a warm-up for the festival, Kenlake will host its “Neighborhood Night” with a free concert on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 6-10 p.m. Two bands are scheduled to play, The Sullivan 3 and the Andy Gibson Trio. Food will also be available.

Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs for an evening of blues music on the front lawn. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted for two charitable groups — the Marshall County Exceptional Center and Murray W.A.T.C.H.

The park restaurant will be open and special lodging rates for Thursday night starting at $54.95 for a lodge room are available.

Kenlake State Resort Park is located minutes away from the Land between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre nature lover’s paradise and environmental education area. Kenlake offers lodging, cottages, campground and restaurant. For more information about the park, call 1-800-325-0143.

See Also:

Pictures of Kenlake State Resort Park

Filed Under: Kenlake State Resort Park, Summertime in Kentucky Tagged With: Hot August Blues at Kenlake, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky music events

Kentucky Lake and Kenlake Marina (Pictures of the Day)

July 21, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kenlake Marina at Kentucky Lake
There are countless peaceful and relaxing get-aways in Kentucky – no matter what part of the state you’re in, you can find a beautiful place to get away from all the cares and worries of the world.

Yes, even politics and EVEN the constant stream of bad news.

The Kentucky State Parks are ideal for mini retreats – whether it’s for a few hours or a few days (at the Resort Parks).

Kenlake State Resort Park, which sits right on beautiful Kentucky Lake, is one of the first parks that comes to mind when I think “peaceful getaway.” Within minutes of the Land Between the Lakes, Willow Pond Catfish, and The Hitching Post, Kenlake State Resort Park is close enough to everything you need – yet (when you’re ready to unwind again), it provides you a blissful escape.

 

Kentucky Lake at Kenlake State Resort Park
Kentucky Lake at Kenlake State Resort Park
Kentucky Lake at Kenlake State Resort Park
Kenlake Marina at Kentucky Lake
Kenlake Marina at Kentucky Lake

See more pictures of Kenlake State Resort Park.

Filed Under: Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Picture of the Day Tagged With: Kenlake Marina Pictures, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake pictures

Kentucky Lake and Kenlake: Summertime’s Dynamic Duo

June 1, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Kentucky Lake at Kenlake
Beautiful Kentucky Lake at Kenlake
When it comes to summertime, there’s nothing like going to the lake, is there?! Actually, when you live in the Western part of Kentucky, you refer to it as, “Going to the lakes,” because Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley are so close to one another.  The Land Between the Lakes divides these two beautiful lakes so, as you’d imagine, there are about a thousand and one things to do in this gorgeous part of Kentucky.

Most of the state knows about Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, and Lake Barkley State Resort Park. Each of these three are three of our favorite places in the world, but I’m always surprised when people aren’t familiar with another such place – Kenlake State Resort Park.

Kentucky Lake and Kenlake Marina
Kentucky Lake and Kenlake Marina
Kenlake is a beautiful, historic state park situated directly on Kentucky Lake. It has a marina, lodge, gift shop, and restaurant. In fact, when I was able to eat at the Kentucky State Resort Park restaurants (before I had to start eating gluten/wheat free for health reasons), I remember Kenlake having one of the best restaurants in the park system. It always amazed me that two of the consistently best restaurants (Kenlake and Lake Barkley) were so close to one another.

Since the Parks can’t provide gluten free information, I’m unable to eat at them any longer (which is a bummer because I’m all about our state parks!), but if you CAN, by all means, DO.

Kentucky Lake and Kenlake Marina
Kenlake Marina on Kentucky Lake
These pictures are from this past weekend. Kenlake is an especially beautiful, peaceful, and fun state park. When you go, be sure to explore the entire park to see all that it  has to see… and photograph. It’s usually less crowded than the other nearby parks, which can often be another plus.

Another great thing going for Kenlake is the fact that it’s mere minutes from two places you read A LOT about on Genuine Kentucky: Willow Pond and The Hitching Post & Old Country Store. It’s also a very short drive to Belew’s, another Kentucky Lake legend.

See More Pictures of Kenlake State Resort Park.

Kentucky Lake
Fishing at Kenlake

Filed Under: Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake Tagged With: Kenlake pictures, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky Lake pictures

The Hot August Blues Festival at Kenlake State Resort Park ( August 23rd and 24th, 2013)

July 24, 2013 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Hot August Blues Festival at Kenlake State Resort Park

Although this event has expired, there is always something to see and do in Kentucky. Visit our Kentucky Events  page for up to the minute happenings and be sure to check out our Things to Do in Kentucky  page. Be sure to keep an eye on Genuine Kentucky for information about this year’s Hot August Blues Festival!

Some annual traditions are popular in the state of Kentucky, then there’s the annual Hot August Blues Festival at Kenlake State Park. Popular doesn’t even begin to describe what goes on in this beautiful park each August.

The Hot August Blues Festival at Kenlake State Resort Park is celebrating its 24th anniversary Aug. 23-24 (2013). The wildly popular festival is held at the park�s amphitheater on the shore of Kentucky Lake. The show opens Friday, Aug. 23, with Street Corner Blue at 6 p.m.

The program on Saturday, Aug. 24, starts at 2 p.m. with Nightfish. Advance tickets are $12 for Friday and $17 for Saturday. Two-day advance tickets are $25 a person. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets at the gate are $15 for Friday, $20 for Saturday and $30 for both days.

Advance tickets may be purchased online through Aug. 23 at 10 a.m.

The park will host Neighborhood Night on Thursday, Aug. 22, with blues and rock music on the lawn at the lodge at 6 p.m. The Harper Brothers Band and others will play. This concert is free, but donations are accepted for local charities.

Special lodging rates at Kenlake are available for Aug. 22. More ticket and schedule information is available at www.hotaugustbluesfestival.com. Tickets are available at Kenlake and other locations in the area. The festival is held rain or shine, and guests may bring chairs and coolers (no glass).

Kenlake State Resort Park is located minutes away from the Land between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre nature lover’s paradise and environmental education area. Kenlake offers lodging, cottages, campground and restaurant. For more information about the park, call 1-800-325-0143.

Attractions to See and Things to Do While in the Kentucky Lake Area

We’re pretty familiar with the Kenlake State Park area because it’s one of our favorite places in the entire state. If possible, plan to arrive in the area a day or two before the festival begins and stay a day or more after it’s wrapped up. There are so many things to do and see in this region that two days is never enough.

Below are just a few of the attractions near Kenlake State Resort Park.

  • Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area
  • Kentucky Lake
  • Lake Barkley
  • Lake Barkley State Resort Park
  • The Homeplace
  • The Nature Station
  • The Elk & Bison Prairie
  • The Planetarium
  • The Hitching Post Gift Shop and Old Country Store (Aurora)

Where to eat during The Hot August Blues Festival

Kenlake State Resort Park actually has one of the best lodge restaurants in the Kentucky State Park System – especially when you order “off the menu.” Their hamburgers and fried catfish sandwiches are better than you’ll find in most restaurants – and the prices are very reasonable.

Just a few minutes from Kenlake State Resort Park (in Aurora), you’ll find the following (each of which we HIGHLY recommend):

  • The Brass Lantern – A very classy restaurant with dinners you’ll talk about for years to come. Seriously, the food is THAT good.
  • The Willow Pond (Aurora) – fried catfish, beans, coleslaw, grilled catfish, baked potatoes… good food at really good prices. Like The Brass Lantern, Willow Pond is a “supper” restaurant.  When eating at The Willow Pond (and loving the catfish and hush puppies), you’d probably be surprised for me to tell you this, but it’s true: this Willow Pond used to be even better! The fried catfish and hush puppies are still good, but for years they were so good they nearly brought tears to your eyes.
  • Belew’s Dairy Bar is a little further up the road, but more than worth the couple of minutes it takes to get there. This drive in restaurant is a legend in this area for good reason. The burgers are fantastic and the ice cream, milkshakes and other treats will remind you why we all scream for ice cream in the first place.
  • In front of The Hitching Post (Aurora) you’ll find the best hot dogs you ever had in your life at an adorable little stand owned and operated by a couple of lovable Yankees! These characters are as friendly and personable as their hot dogs are delicious. You HAVE to stop for these hot dogs at least once.  I say “once,” but trust me – you’ll go back again! Here’s the game plan: Enjoy the best hot dog in the world, then head inside the Hitching Post for homemade fudge. What about that plan doesn’t scream YESSSSSS?!

I really want you to make a special breakfast or lunch trip to nearby Benton, Kentucky (mere minutes) while you’re in the area for The Hot August Blues Festival. Why? For an absolutely fantastic lunch that’s healthy, delicious, and served by people who my grandmother would have called, “Good people. Darn good people.”

Come on, how can you pass up an opportunity to meet good people… darn good people?!

Cafe Chas in downtown Benton is a new restaurant that’d be a perfect 10 out of 10 even if it were owned and operated by scoundrels. But the fact that they’re wonderful people sweetens the deal. The wraps, sandwiches, and pasta salad will make your taste buds feel like they’re having their own little festival.  And if (like me), you live for great tea and coffee, Cafe Chas will honestly cause your cup to run over. They give Starbucks a run for their money with specialty drinks, teas, and coffee that are uncommonly fantastic.

Again, I hope you’ll arrive in the area early and stay late. You won’t regret a minute.

If you have any questions about the area (things to do, places to eat…) please don’t hesitate to contact me. Either send me a DM on Twitter on my Personal account (@JoiTaniaSigers) or e-mail me at joisigers @ aim.com.

Dixie Dogs in Aurora Kentucky

Best. Hot dogs. Ever.

Filed Under: Aurora, Benton, Blog, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Lake, LBL, Summertime in Kentucky Tagged With: Hot August Blues Festival, Kenlake State Resort Park

Two Kentucky State Parks Lose their Golf Courses

May 22, 2013 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Rough River Dam State Resort Park Golf Course

If you read Genuine Kentucky regularly, you know what a huge fan I am the Kentucky State Parks. Even if this is your first time on Genuine Kentucky, you know now, right? I’d honestly just as soon spend a day, evening, or weekend at a Kentucky State Resort Park as anyplace in the world (aside from home sweet home).  So if I ever say anything remotely critical of any of the state parks, know that it is with love and respect. After all, we all love our country, but we’ll still voice our opinions if we disagree with something.

Now that the “I’ve got nothing but love for them” disclaimer is taken care of, I’ll give you a little disappointing news along with my commentary (for what that’s ever worth!).

The Kentucky State Park System recently closed the golf courses at two of the State Resort Parks: Kenlake and Rough River.  First of all, know that the decision to close these parks wasn’t made by the individual parks, themselves. The decision was out of their hands.

Second of all, there’s no doubt in my mind that the closings weren’t something the State Park System took lightly.  I’m certain the closings were the results of financial issues. We’re all pinching pennies and tightening our belts these days.

I’d be the last person to EVER try to tell anyone else how to do their job. I’d even be less likely to give financial advice!  My husband could tell you how outrageous that’d be.  I don’t have a financial savvy bone in my body. I can spend money like it’s my job, but save it or budget it?

You’re kidding, right?

I’d simply like to say, as I’m dishing this news out, that this is really disappointing.  I’m actually even more disappointed by the Rough River news than the Kenlake.  Why?  Several reasons.

  • In the Kenlake State Resort Park area, there are several other golf courses available.  Yes, the one at Kenlake was beautiful and the man who ran the golf course was one of the friendliest people we’ve ever encountered at any of the parks. However, Lake Barkley State Resort Park is minutes away and has a very popular golf course. Kentucky Dam Village, for that matter, is also fairly close.  So there are actually other Kentucky State Resort Park options when it comes to golf in the area.  The closing of Kenlake’s golf course (as disappointing as it is) could possibly mean more golfers on these other Kentucky State Park golf courses.
  • The Rough River Dam State Resort Park had a beautiful Par-3 golf course.  It was the only Par-3 golf course in the system. A course such as this one is IDEAL for golfing with children, IDEAL for teaching others how to golf, IDEAL for older golfers who want to enjoy the game without driving themselves nuts, IDEAL for individuals who are trying to “pick” the game back up and dust off the cobwebs, etc.  This golf course had a “family friendly” feel to it that made it extra special.

When we drove onto the Rough River Dam State Park’s property Saturday evening, our jaws dropped when we saw what was once a gorgeous, perfectly manicured golf course.  It was obvious, right off the bat, that something was rotten in Denmark. It looked like a scene from one of those zombie movies when the camera scans across abandoned cities and ghost towns! Our jaws dropped and we knew what must have happened.

I thought immediately of the last time we were on the course. A couple was golfing with their young son, teaching him the game and having an absolutely beautiful time.  I thought of the other groups of older men and women who were still playing the game they loved.  I thought of a husband and wife as they tried to “take the game back up,” having fun and teasing one another.

I remembered just how gorgeous the views of Rough River Dam and the lake were from the golf course.  Amid all the images springing to mind, I just thought, “Well. This sucks.”

The golf course was always the first thing you’d see when you pulled into the beautiful park and, boy, did it make a great first impression!

Again, let me say that I GET it. All agencies, businesses, and organizations have to operate within budgets just like the rest of us. It’s a sickening part of life, but sometimes those “ends” just will not meet.

The thing that I hate the most about situations like this is the fact that the wrong people end up on the short end.  It’s kind of like when a college football coach violates an NCAA rule. The coach is fired – which makes perfect sense – but then the entire program gets slapped on the hand.  Punishments come down as though they’re from God, himself, banning the program from post-season play, taking away “wins,” etc.  The innocent, loyal fans and players (present and future) are punished, in effect, for something they had nothing to do with.

The wrong people end up on the short end.

The faces who sprang to mind when I saw the “ghost course” now find themselves on the short end and the same phrase comes to mind now as then, “Well. This sucks.”

I have a real distaste for negativity, so I’ll try to turn things around before I wrap this up.  I just refuse to end on a negative note and “This sucks” is pretty negative! So, allow me to say that there are still a gazillion and one things to do at Rough River and Kenlake.  After all, let’s face it, the lakes (Rough River Lake and Kentucky Lake) are the big attractions at these parks.  Nothing compares to spending a day on the lake fishing, boating, water-skiing, or any other water activities that bring a smile to your face.

There’s also hiking, camping, picnicking, photography, and more. In the case of Rough River, there’s even an adorable miniature golf course. These parks are always cooking up extra special events and activities for people of all ages to enjoy and each park has wonderful people on staff.

I hope you’ll visit these parks as well as the other Kentucky State Parks as often as possible. If these closings don’t serve as reminders of the importance of enjoying and supporting our parks, nothing will.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Golfing, Kenlake State Resort Park, Rough River Dam State Resort Park Tagged With: Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky golf, Kentucky State Parks, Rough River Dam State Resort Park

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