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Carter Caves State Resort Park: Wildflower Pilgrimage April 21-22, 2017

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Carter Caves State Resort Park

Talk about a beautiful and photogenic experience! Combining the beauty of Carter Caves State Park with gorgeous wildflowers? Sign me up!

The Wildflower Pilgrimage is set for April 21-22 at Carter Caves State Resort Park (near Olive Hill).

Throughout the weekend guests will experience the beauty of the area during wildflower walks. This is the perfect weekend for experienced wildflower enthusiasts, beginner bloomers or those who just enjoy being in the woods to get outside and experience the natural beauty of spring.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of Carter Caves and all trips are free this year.

Participants will be able to sign up for the hikes at the park. Overnight lodging and camping is available (you can find the prices by calling the park – the phone number is below). The park’s friends group will host a hot dog cook out on Saturday with proceeds benefiting the park.

Call the park at 606-286-4411 for more information or to make lodging reservations.

In addition to cave tours, Carter Caves offers hiking, mini-golf, fishing and a gem mine. Carter Caves also has a lodge, cottages and restaurant. For more information, call the park at 1-800-325-0059 or visit parks.ky.gov.

Directions to Carter Caves State Resort Park from Interstate 64 East: take exit 161 (Olive Hill exit). Turn left off the exit onto U.S. 60 east. Go approximately 2 miles and turn left on KY 182 north. Park entrance is 3 miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.

Black-Eyed Susans

Second Saturday Hike at Lake Barkley State Resort Park Set for May 14

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The next Second Saturday guided hike at Lake Barkley State Resort Park on May 14 will focus on the study of the changing ecosystem.

The hike is scheduled for 10 a.m. and will start at the lobby of the park lodge. No reservations are necessary. Sturdy, comfortable footwear is strongly suggested.

“From our waterways to our weather patterns, and from our plant and animal communities to the smiling faces at our favorite park, change is inevitable,” park naturalist David Kem said. “This hike will focus on forest succession, the study of our changing ecosystem. By identifying plants and animals, as well as uncovering clues to our park’s past, participants will learn to ‘read’ the forest around them.”

Families and individuals can enjoy other entertainment and lodging opportunities at the park. Lake Barkley State Resort Park is the largest state resort park in Kentucky and features a lodge, cottages, the Windows on the Water Restaurant, a seasonal campground, 18-hole golf course, fitness center with indoor pool, marina, fishing, tennis courts, hiking trails, gift shop, and recreational and nature programming.  The park is located at 3500 State Park Road in Cadiz.  From I-24, take the Highway 68 exit west toward Cadiz.

For more information contact David Kem, david.kem@ky.gov  or call the lodge at 1-800-325

Hiking Lake Barkley State Resort Park

Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks

An Old Kentucky Garden Party at My Old Kentucky Home State Park

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If you’ve ever been to Bardstown, you know what I mean when I say this is a very special Kentucky town. If you’ve never visited Bardstown, here’s your chance!

Enjoy an evening full of Kentucky history in the newly landscaped gardens at Federal Hill by Jon Carloftis at “An Old Kentucky Garden Party” on April 28 from 5:30-8 p.m., at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown.

The event will feature photographs from Linda Bruckheimer’s “Local Color: Scenes from the Kentucky Roadside” collection, the Stephen Foster Story Singers, southern hors d’oeuvres, mint juleps and Kentucky spirits.

Bruckheimer, a Kentucky native, has been recognized for her preservation and philanthropic work across the country. She has restored numerous buildings in Bloomfield and in 2012, Preservation Kentucky established the Linda Bruckheimer Excellence in Rural Preservation Award.  Her photography is inspired by a road trip from Kentucky to Hollywood. An Old Kentucky Garden Party

Carloftis, also a Kentucky native, is an award-winning garden designer, writer, author and lecturer. His 25-year career in gardening began in New York City where he designed and installed rooftop gardens in Manhattan.

The event will benefit Preservation Kentucky and the Kentucky State Park Foundation. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information, call 502-871-4570 or visit preservationkentucky.org.

 

Cumberland Falls Storytelling Festival March 11-12, 2016

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Cumberland Falls at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Beautiful Cumberland Falls at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (in January)
As usual, Genuine Kentucky slowed down over the winter months. Like most people, winter for our family involves a lot of homemade soup, chili in front of the tv, following college basketball (go Cats!), and enjoying every single minute of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

Like the trees that I’m so obsessed with, I tend to “rest” a little in the winter months – but spring is within reach, so (like them) I’m waking up too.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to see all the new “events” and “announcements” coming in the e-mail.  It’s like the whole state is waking up after a long winter nap!

I have quite a few Kentucky Events to tell you about, so the press releases will be coming hot and heavy over the next few days.  Hopefully you’re as excited to get out and enjoy our beautiful state again as we are.

From the Kentucky State Resort Parks:

Everyone likes to hear a good story.

Make plans to hear some good stories at the Cumberland Falls Storytelling Festival the weekend of March 11-12 at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

The whole family can kick back and enjoy tales about life in the Appalachian Foothills. Additionally, craft artisans will have traditional handmade items for sale throughout the weekend.

The weekend kicks off Friday evening at 8 p.m. with a ghost walk around the falls area. On Saturday storytellers will take the stage throughout the day.

Tim Lowry
Tim Lowry

The Bluegrass band “Colonel Strings” from Whitley County High School will play at 6 p.m.  The weekend will come to a close with a Saturday evening concert at 8 p.m. by Tim Lowry.   There will also be a liar’s contest open for anyone to enter.   This year’s featured tellers are Tim Lowry, Stephen Hollen and Pam Holcomb.
The cost for the entire weekend is $20 per person. Overnight weekend package are available for $129 per person, which includes two nights’ lodging, five meals and admission to the event.

Click here for more information about the festival.  For reservations, call 606-528-4121.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (near Corbin, KY) has a lodge, Riverview Restaurant, cottages, hiking trails, fishing, other recreational activities and a gorgeous view of Cumberland Falls.

Photo Credit: Picture of Tim Lowry is from the Kentucky State Parks.

Fort Henry: 154th Anniversary in the Land Between The Lakes

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Fort Henry
 

If, like us, you’re both a History Buff and fan of the Land Between the Lakes, the following news from the LBL will be of particular interest.

From the Land Between the Lakes:
The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and Living History Museum in Land Between The Lakes and Fort Donelson National Battlefield are partnering to remember the 154th Anniversary of the Battle at Fort Henry with a program and walk on Saturday, February 6.

A program about local Civil War history will be presented from 1-2:30pm at the Homeplace. A guided ¼ mile walk follows the program from 3-4pm at the Fort Henry Trail parking area. Participants will drive and meet at the Fort Henry Trail. The walk is weather dependent. Registration and full deposit for the day is required:  $5/adults and $3/children. Call 270-924-2020 to make your reservation. Interpretive Center and gift shop will be open for this program; farm site will be closed. Doors open at 12:30pm.

Invited historian, Susan “Ski” Witzofsky, sets the stage for war “Between the Rivers.” In February of 1862, Confederate forces occupied Fort Henry as federal forces moved up the Tennessee River. The program will cover Fort Henry’s construction, battle, and legacy 154 years later. Individuals can relive the siege with a guided walk along the Fort Henry Trails and Confederate fortifications.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield will also host a Walk at Fort Heiman the same day from 10-11am. Meet park staff and volunteers for a brief walk around the historic features at Fort Heiman. For more information, contact 931-232-5706 x110 or visitwww.nps.gov/fodo. Program is weather dependent.

Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area manages more than 170,000 acres in western Kentucky and Tennessee as part of the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture’s public lands program. Land Between The Lakes offers outdoor recreation, lake access, land management, and environmental education to over 1.4 million visitors annually. The Friends of Land Between The Lakes works in partnership with the Forest Service providing program services, funds development, and volunteer support.

To find more information about Land Between The Lakes, log on to the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us or call toll-free at 1-800-LBL-7077 or local at 270-924-2000. For more information on the Friends of Land Between The Lakes, log on to www.friendsoflbl.org.

"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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