• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
      • Advertise
    • Facts About Kentucky
      • Kentucky Geography 101: Where is Kentucky?!
      • Kentucky’s Lakes (Listed Alphabetically)
    • Famous Kentuckians
    • Kentucky Birds
      • Joys of Bird Watching
      • Bird Watching: Keeping a Journal
      • Backyard Birds Love Water!
      • Create a Backyard Bird Watching Haven
      • How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
    • Kentucky Food
    • Kentucky History
    • Sitemap
  • Pictures
  • Restaurants
    • Best Catfish Restaurants
    • Best Pizza in Ky
    • Best BBQ in Ky
    • Bowling Green Restaurants
    • Gluten Free in Kentucky
    • Kentucky Lake Restaurants
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Owensboro, Gluten Free
    • Owensboro Restaurants
    • Where to Eat Lunch in Owensboro
  • KY State Parks
    • Carter Caves State Resort Park
    • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
    • Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
    • Kenlake State Resort Park
    • Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
    • Lake Barkley State Resort Park
    • Rough River Dam State Resort Park
    • Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
    • Pine Mountain State Resort Park
    • John James Audubon State Park
    • Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
    • More Kentucky State Parks
  • Things to Do
    • Grand Rivers Variety
    • Kentucky State Parks
    • Kentucky Lake
      • Kentucky Lake Pictures
    • Land Between the Lakes
      • Elk & Bison Prairie
      • Golden Pond Planetarium
      • The Homeplace
      • The Nature Station
      • LBL Pictures
        • Elk and Bison Prairie Pictures
    • Windy Hollow Campground and Speedway
    • Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
    • Smothers Park and Owensboro’s Riverfront
    • The Hitching Post
  • Events
You are here: Home / Archives for Kentucky events

Pictures from Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm October 14

October 19, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace

We make just about all of the special events in the Land Between the Lakes – especially the ones involving the Nature Station, the Elk & Bison Prairie, and The Homeplace, so you’d better believe we were at Snap Apple Night last Saturday night. Guests gathered around the bonfires and got all comfortable and cozy while storytellers Robert Valentine and Jamie Futrel told stories (a few that were in the spirit of Halloween).

{Continued Below…}

Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace 2017

Like any event the Homeplace takes part it, the night was absolutely wonderful. God helped with some extraordinary weather, too. They even had hot apple cider to drink – it doesn’t get much better than that!

The “Working Farm” was decorated beautifully – fortunately we got there before it got dark so we could see everything. They did an outstanding job – as they do with everything, if we’re being honest.

{Continued Below…}

Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace 2017

When the sun went down, the lanterns and bonfire added to the ambiance perfectly.  Everyone involved did an exceptional job of making the night extra fun and memorable for guests of all ages.

{Continued Below…}

Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace 2017

There’s just something relaxing, fun, and (very) memorable about a night like this. Sitting back, sipping apple cider, and listening to wonderful stories. The storytellers were absolutely excellent. Jamie Futrel and Robert Valentine were both VERY funny and beyond interesting. I love a good story, so I was completely in my element.

Robert Valentine had an extra, extra special gift that I’m not sure I even knew existed. Heck, maybe he invented it. He was superb – and I mean SUPERB – at telling wonderful stories that seemed to be written especially for children and especially for adults.

Seriously, you could have set him and his stories in a roomful of children and they’d have been a perfect match. You could have set him and his stories in a roomful of adults and they would have been a perfect match.

Now, while this is a great and commendable gift to have with ANY story…  it is an absolute GIFT (all caps) when it comes to “scary” stories.

When I saw all the kids at the event, I kind of wondered how everything would play out. As a mother, I know all too well that young people may “think” they want to be scared out of their wits, only to regret it terribly once their wits begin to get away from them! I have to admit, I sort of wondered how many kids would be having nightmares that night!

This would be a problem I’d soon realize didn’t exist because Robert Valentine, after all, has the GIFT.

The one he just may have invented.

He was able to tell two very interesting, colorful, and “edge of your seat” type scary stories that had all the kids and all the adults spellbound. Best of all, they ended just the way they should have – in a manner that ensured zero nightmares.

{Concluded Below…}

Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace

Whenever you read about an event at the Homeplace, just go ahead and mark your calendar and go. They do not do anything second rate.

I’m not sure they’d even know how to go about it.

Snap Apple Night at the Homeplace 2017

Filed Under: Autumn Fun, LBL, The Homeplace Tagged With: Kentucky events, Kentucky pictures, LBL, The 1850's Homeplace

Wildlife Celebration at Woodlands Nature Station: May 27-29, 2017

May 16, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Great Horned Owl Nature Station LBL

Gorgeous Great Horned Owl

Woodlands Nature Station is one of our favorite places to visit in the Land Between the Lakes. The animals and birds are simply breathtaking and we, literally, see (and photograph) something new each time we visit… which is, trust me, OFTEN.

The Nature Station will have their annual Wildlife Celebration, Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday through Monday, May 27-29, 2017. Nature Station admission is $5 age 13 and up, $3 age 5-12, and free for ages 4 and under.

Guests can learn all about nature’s superheroes, visit with Smokey Bear and find ways they can assist wildlife in the Nature Station’s backyard at Land Between the Lakes. Special event programs are included with standard admission unless otherwise noted.

“Join us to help celebrate the diversity and complexity of native wildlife through a fun superhero theme. Bring the whole family and see wolves, turkeys and bats in a whole new way,” says Monica West, Land Between the Lakes naturalist. “We’re also offering two canoe trips that weekend for people to view wildlife from the water. We usually see a lot of native birds, mammals and reptiles along the shoreline and on the water during these outings.”

{Continued Below….}

White-Breasted Nuthatch LBL Nature Station

White-Breasted Nuthatch

Nestled in the woods between Honker and Hematite lakes, the Nature Station serves as a gateway to the 6,800-acre Nature Watch Area. The friendly and very knowledgeable staff also serve as “go to” specialists for wildlife viewing throughout Land Between the Lakes.

One of the coolest things about the Nature Station is that, in addition to their many wonderful resident birds, animals, turtles, and snakes, you’ll see birds and animals who also choose to call this paradise home.  A cage doesn’t keep them sticking around… appreciation for being treated like royalty does!  We are a couple of the biggest bird lovers you’ll ever meet. We don’t just have one “feeding station” in our yard… we have multiple feeding stations, suet feeders, houses, and too many feeders to count. So, we are very familiar with seeing a variety of birds. Yet, we STILL see birds at the Nature Station we don’t see regularly in our own yard.

You’ll also frequently see squirrels who call this beautiful place home. If you’re lucky, you might even see a skunk or two (pictured below)! We’ve had that great honor a couple of times. Other visitors to the center looked at me like I was “half crazy” when I stepped closer and got down on their level to take a picture. My husband just smiled as if to say, “If you think she’s half-crazy, you’re underestimating her.”

Gotta admit he’s right. When it comes to animals, I’m off my chain.  That’s why The Nature Station is one of my favorite places on earth. They’re my kind of people.

{Continued Below the Cute Little Stinker….}

Beautiful Skunk at the Nature Station

Adorable Skunk at the Nature Station Last Autumn

Something that I love about the staff (aside from the friendliness and eagerness to “brag” on the beauties they care for) is that, it seems, each member has an “area of expertise.”  One may know everything there is to possibly know about wolves while another could tell you things you’d never even imagined about owls. One may be a walking turtle encyclopedia while another knows more about turkeys than the turkeys know themselves.

They even have a resident snake expert who seems to love snakes as much as I love my cats. Go figure!

Wildlife Celebration Events:

Saturday, May 27, 2017

  • 10am-4pm – Be a Hero for Turtles
  • 10am-4pm – Be a Hero for Hurt and Orphaned Animals
  • 11:30am – Owls: X-Men of the Sky
  • 1pm – Transformer Turkeys
  • 2:30pm – Bats: Power Behind the Caped Crusader
  • 3:30pm – Red Wolves: Wookiees of the Land Between the Lakes
  • 6-8:30pm–Sunset Canoe Trip ($25; Reservations required; call 270-924-2020)

Sunday, May 28, 2017

  • 10am-4pm – Be a Monarch Butterfly Buddy
  • 11:30am – Just-hiss League of America
  • 1:30pm – Fantastic Four of Lake and Shore
  • 2:30pm – Captain America: The Bald Eagle
  • 3:30pm – Nature Station Daredevil
  • 6-8:30pm–Family Sunset Canoe Trip ($25; Reservations required;
    call 270-924-2020)

Monday, May 29, 2017

  • 10am-4pm – Throughout the day–visits with Smokey Bear
  • 10am-4pm – Be a Scientist Hero for Nature
  • 11:30am – Who’s the Real Flash?
  • 1:30pm – Be A Superhero for Baby Birds
  • 3:30pm – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Call 270-924-2020 to pre-register for guided canoe trips Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Daily canoe and kayak rentals start Saturday, May 27, 10am-4pm, weather permitting. For more details, call 270-924-2299.

Turtle, Woodlands Nature Station

 

Filed Under: Events, Kentucky Birds, LBL, News, Springtime in Kentucky, Summertime in Kentucky, The Nature Station Tagged With: Kentucky events, News, things to do in Kentucky, things to do in the Land Between the Lakes, Woodlands Nature Station

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

April 5, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Blog, Events, Kentucky History, News, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: hiking in Kentucky, Kentucky events, Kentucky historical events, Pennyrile Forest State Park Events

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

March 31, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Events, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With: Carter Caves State Park events, Kentucky events, state park events, wildflowers

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

April 14, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Hiking, Lake Barkley State Resort Park, News Tagged With: Kentucky events, Kentucky hiking, Lake Barkley State Resort Park hiking

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Go to page 6
  • Go to Next Page »

Welcome to Genuine Kentucky!

Genuine Kentucky is a Kentucky Blog and online magazine celebrating the beautiful Bluegrass State. We shine the spotlight on Kentucky with pictures, restaurant reviews, news, tourism, Things to Do in Kentucky, and more.

We’re proud Kentuckians and the non-profit effort you see before you is a labor of love.

E-mail me anytime! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Blog Updates

The Pond Grilled Shrimp and Baked Potato.

Delicious Grilled Shrimp at The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky If you're anything like me, you LOVE to get out in all the hustle … [Read More...] about Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…

Beautiful Cardinal in Ice Covered Tree

Cardinal Riding Out the 2014 Ice Storm Can you believe it's been 8 years since the famous 2014 ice storm (well, it was … [Read More...] about Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty

The Pond Catfish and Baked Potato

Baked Potato and Grilled Catfish at The Pond One of my favorite Kentucky restaurants is The Pond in Aurora, Kentucky. I love … [Read More...] about The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine

Kentucky Lake - Winter at Lighthouse Landing

Lighthouse Landing at Kentucky Lake If you were a regular reader of Genuine Kentucky, you know all too well that we've been … [Read More...] about Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!

The Kentucky Legend Cafe

Photo Credit: The Owensboro Convention Center My youngest daughter, Stephany, often talk about squeezing as much joy out of … [Read More...] about Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)

Golden Pond Visitor's Center and Planetarium

The Golden Pond Visitor Center Planetarium and Observatory International Astronomy Day is Saturday, May 7, 2022 and The … [Read More...] about Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)

Smothers Park Owensboro

Some of the more popular posts we've done on Genuine Kentucky have been the ones under the category "Where to eat in … [Read More...] about Kentucky Legend Café: Delicious Place to Enjoy Lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky

Gorgeous owl at the Nature Station

Owl at Woodlands Nature Station As I said in my last post, everything is coming back to life around Kentucky... everything … [Read More...] about A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

Follow Genuine Kentucky on Twitter!

Tweets by @GenuineKentucky


"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")

Flowering Tree in Bowling Green
Fraley Music Festival
Maddox

Kentucky News and Events

  • Enjoying all Kentucky Has to Offer in Cold and Flu Season…
  • Throwback to 2014 and the Kentucky Ice Storm… Even Then, There was Beauty
  • The Pond at Kentucky Lake: Always a Relaxing and Wonderful Place to Dine
  • Genuine Kentucky… Recovering from a Whirlwind of Changes!
  • Hot Dog Days of Summer at the Kentucky Legend Cafe in Owensboro (Located in the Convention Center)
  • Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Activities for Astronomy Day (May 7, 2022)
  • Kentucky Legend Café: Delicious Place to Enjoy Lunch in Owensboro, Kentucky
  • A Sensational Spring Break at Woodlands Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes April 2-10, 2022

Kentucky State Parks

We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

A personal goal is to visit, photograph, and enjoy each and every one of our state parks and eat at each of the state resort parks. Make no mistake about it, we're well on our way!

Bird Watching in Kentucky!

One of our greatest passions is birds and bird watching is an absolute favorite pastime. If you love our feathered friends and want to learn more about bird watching and attracting birds to your own backyard, be sure to check out our section dedicated entirely to Kentucky birds.

Kentucky Restaurants and Reviews

Kentucky Restaurant Reviews

Where are the best Kentucky restaurants?! Find out in our Kentucky Restaurant Reviews.

Also See: Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Kentucky Events

The pandemic has crushed many activities, events, and normalcy – not just in Kentucky, but all around the world. As we creep back toward normal, I want desperately to highlight any and all events going on around Kentucky. Please E-mail me any information you’d like shared about your Kentucky event! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Pictures

Kentucky Pictures
Check out the beautiful Pictures of Kentucky in our photo albums!

Advertising & Reviews

If you are interested in advertising on Genuine Kentucky, please contact us: e-mail Joi Sigers.

Also, if you have a resort, condo, golf course, restaurant, or even a cup of coffee (LOVE coffee!) you'd like for us to review, please contact us at joi@genuinekentucky.com.

Genuine Kentucky Disclaimer

We do not work for any Kentucky service or organization. We are simply proud to have been born and raised in the greatest state in the country and are thrilled to call it home. This site serves as our tribute to Kentucky and its warm and wonderful people. Our mission is to bring more travelers to Kentucky and keep more Kentuckians home! See our Privacy Policy.
Copyright Genuine Kentucky 2022