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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

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

Wolf Week at Woodlands Nature Station October 5 -11!

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Red Wolf at Woodlands Nature Station

Woodlands Nature Station, in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, will celebrate Wolf Week October 5 – 11, 2019.

The Friends of Land Between the Lakes would love for your family to join them at Woodlands Nature Station during fall break for Wolf Week! The fun will run from 10 am – 5 pm, October 5 – 11, 2019 at the Nature Station.  Admission is $5 for ages 13 and up, $3 for ages 5 – 12 and free for ages 4 and under.

You’ll see the beautiful endangered red wolves who call the Nature Station home.  Special wolf programs are offered each day, including feeding time (daily at 2:30 pm). You can even become a werewolf! Discover what makes this beautiful animal so very special.

As an animal lover, I LOVE opportunities like this, for several reasons:

  • Any time spent with animals makes my heart soar.
  • Learning more about animals helps us to be able to help them more – to keep species alive and thriving.
  • Aside from my family (including cats who are like family), animals and birds are my favorite things to photograph – so opportunities like this make me AND my camera extra happy.
  • The Nature Station is exceptional at putting on programs that help teach children to respect (and to help in any way they can) wildlife. We need more children growing up to be men and women who appreciate, love, respect, and want to preserve animals and birds who are counting on us. Their future depends on us as well as those who come after us.

Woodlands Nature Station will also be naming the resident female red wolf to go along with the male wolf that is already named, and you get to help! Join them during Wolf Week or on Facebook @woodlandsnaturestation to provide appropriate and educational name suggestions from September 30 – October 6, 2019, and then again to vote on the final names from October 7-12, 2019, with the winning name being announced during the Nature Station’s Woolly Bear Festival on October 13, 2019.

Programming includes:

Saturday, October 5
11 am – 1 pm – Wolf Origami
11:30 am – 12 pm – Club Tooth and Claw
12:30 – 2 pm – The True Story of the Three Little Pigs: A Puppet Show
1 – 3 pm – DIY Canine Track Books
2:30 – 2:50 pm – Red Wolf Treat Time
3:30 – 4 pm – Bites for Bobcat

Sunday, October 6
11 am – 1 pm – Playdough Puppies
11:30 am – 12 pm – Eat, Prey, Love
1 – 3 pm – DIY Canine Track Books
2:30 – 3:15 pm – Happy Wolf Day Party
3:30 – 4 pm – Sunday Funday – Crafty Coyotes

Monday, October 7
1:30 – 2 pm – The Rare Red: A Look Ahead
2:30 – 2:50 pm – Red Wolf Treat Time
3:30 – 4 pm – The Awesome Opossum

Tuesday, October 8
1:30 – 2 pm – I Wish I Were a Werewolf
2:30 – 2:50 pm – Red Wolf Treat Time
3:30 – 4 pm – Dinner Time for Bald Eagle

Wednesday, October 9
1:30 – 2:30 pm – Crafty Coyotes
2:30 – 2:50 pm – Red Wolf Treat Time
3:30 – 4 pm – For Goodness Snakes

Thursday, October 10
1:30 – 3 pm – The Art of the Wolf Paint by Number Workshop – $15 fee, registration required, call 270.924.2020
2:30 – 2:50 pm – Red Wolf Treat Time
3:30 – 4 pm – Vulture Culture

Friday, October 11
1:30 – 2 pm – Back With the Pack
2:30 – 2:50 pm – Red Wolf Treat Time
3:30 – 3:50 pm – Red Wolf Treat Time, Second Helpings!

For more information, please call 270.924.2299 or visit www.landbetweenthelakes.us.

Red Wolf at Woodlands Nature Station LBL

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.

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

"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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