Special Christmas/Holiday Events at Kentucky State Parks

Published 12:00 am Friday, November 21, 2008

Kentucky State Parks will be hosting a wide range of Christmas and holiday-themed events during November and December. As the season nears, you can plan to attend one or more of these festivities.

State park resorts are still offering a $50 a night lodge room Sundays through Thursdays through Dec. 30 with a coupon. To get a copy of the coupon and for more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov

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Audubon State Park, Henderson

Holiday Pottery for Tiny Tots, Friday, Dec. 5.

Bring your tiny tots, ages 3-6 to create a Christmas mug and enjoy the holiday music and snacks. Pick up will be the following week. Time: 10:30-noon (includes one mug & supplies). Fee $13. Staff Contact: Kim McGrew at 270-827-1893 or kim.mcgrew@ky.gov.

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Holiday Fun, Saturday, Dec. 6.

Children ages 6-12 are invited to the Audubon Museum to design a Holiday Mug. Parents are welcome to participate as well.

Time: 1-2 p.m. Fee: $13.00 per person Pre-registration is required.

Staff Contact: Kim McGrew at 270-827-1893 or kim.mcgrew@ky.gov

Nature’s Mysteries, Saturday Dec. 20, 2-3 p.m.

Come crack some of the common secrets of the natural world with the Audubon State Park Naturalist. Staff Contact: Julie McDonald at 270-826-2247 or juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov

Program Fee: Free.

Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas

“Brunch with the Grinch” n Dec. 13. Everyone’s favorite “Who”, the Grinch, will be at Barren River Lake State Resort Park on Saturday, Dec. 13. “Brunch with the Grinch” begins at 10 a.m. and includes snacks, crafts and photo opportunities. Dress in your favorite “Who” attire and join in the fun for this free event. However, we ask that you bring a non-perishable item to be donated to Community Relief in Barren County. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, Dec. 11. Call 270-646-2151 to register.

Big Bone Lick State Park, Union

Dec. 6 from 2:30-4 p.m. Santa Claus is taking some time out from all the work at the North Pole to visit Big Bone Lick State Park in the Visitor’s Center. Everyone is invited to get pictures taken with Santa and receive a free treat! This event is free to the public. Parents, please bring a camera to snap pictures of your children with Santa. 859-384-3522.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet

Santa & Mrs. Claus to visit Blue Licks! n Dec. 13 & 14. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking time away from their very busy holiday schedule to spend some time with the good little boys and girls in our area. Bring your children by the park between the hours of 9-11a.m. to visit Santa and make some holiday memories together. This event is free and you may bring your own camera!

December Dinner Theater n Dec. 12 & 13

Voted one of Kentucky’s top ten winter events in 2007, patrons will dine from a delicious all-you- can-eat buffet featuring Kentucky State Park favorites as well as a dessert buffet. Afterwards, be treated to world-class entertainment! Packages available that include overnight lodge accommodations.

Old Fashioned Holiday Buffet n Dec. 19

Sit down, relax, and enjoy the season by spending quality time with your family and friends. We’ll make the meal so you can make the memories! Your loved ones are sure to enjoy the hot, spiced apple cider, toasted walnuts, assortment of cheeses and crackers, and gingerbread squares, while viewing all of the seasonal decorations around the park. The buffet contains classic holiday favorites. Buffet will be served from 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Price is $12.95 + tax + beverage.

New Year’s Eve Buffet n Dec. 31. The park will be serving a special buffet. Phone: 859-289-5507 or 1-800-443-7008

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn

“Holiday Open House” on Saturday, Dec. 6. It will include a “Breakfast with Santa” from 9 -10 a.m., Christmas crafts, recreational activities and homemade cookies with apple cider. It will also include a special sale of items in the gift shop, with 50% off selected items and 25% off remaining inventory in the shop. Register for a special gift basket with a gift shop purchase; drawing will be at 8 p.m. that day (presence not required to win). 606-398-7510.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill

Holiday Open House n Dec. 7, Noon to 4 p.m. The Carter County Homemakers and Grayson RECC have decorated the lodge with this year’s theme “The Twelve Days of Happy Holidays.”

Everyone is invited to join the festivities, visit with friends and enjoy punch and cookies in the lobby while listening to seasonal music performed by local talent. The chef has planned a special Holiday Buffet in the restaurant, featuring turkey and dressing with all the trimmings, plus a variety of sumptuous desserts. Choose a tag from our special tree and receive discounts in the gift shop. Enter our drawing for 2 nights lodging and other prizes. 606-286-4411.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin

Beginning Saturday, Dec. 6 and continuing Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, bring the kids and have breakfast with a very special guest at the park near Corbin. You guessed it — Santa!

We’ve heard Santa loves biscuits and gravy and will be in the Riverview Restaurant from 9:30-10:30 a.m. every Saturday. If you can’t make it on a Saturday, then come out on Sunday afternoons (Dec. 7, 14 and 21) from 1-2 p.m. and have your picture taken with Santa at the DuPont Lodge. Bring your camera for what will be a great photo opportunity. For more information contact Lisa Davis at 1-800-325-0063.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville

Holiday Open House on Dec. 18, 2008. Come out to watch a group of kids visit with Santa to receive their Angel Tree gifts from 11:30 a.m. n 12:30 p.m. in the Island View Restaurant. Afterwards, stick around to visit with Santa yourself and to make an ornament to place on your tree at home. Dining room open from 11:30 am n 4:00 pm. 270-433-7431.

New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. Celebrate the New Year with Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park and Klassyc Tymes. Dance the night away from 9:30 pm n 1:30 am with Klassyc Tymes, a seven-piece classic rock band from Southern Kentucky that covers great tunes from the 50’s through the 80’s. Call to reserve a lodging package for $149.95 per couple that includes one night’s lodging, dinner, breakfast, and dance for two. Other packages offered are Dinner & Dance package for $74.95 (per couple) and Dance Only package for $20 (per person). Call 1-800-325-2282 to make reservations.

General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton

“Winter Wonderfest Day” – Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with special entertainment includes: Daniel Herron (balloon artist), Albert Bauman (pottery workshop), Brad Allnutt (face painter), carriage rides and holiday concert w/ David Stahl & Reid Moore at 7 p.m.

Christmas trees decorated by local schools, churches and businesses will be on display for the month of December. On Saturday, Santa has promised to join us for breakfast at Two Rivers Restaurant. Make plans to have breakfast at Two Rivers and take in the special activities planned for Saturday morning & afternoon; also a traditional holiday concert in the Lodge Lounge will conclude this day’s events. 502-732-4384.

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup

Holiday Open House – Dec. 6, 7, 2008. Experience the joys and happiness of the holiday season with our Greenbo Lake State Resort Holiday Open House. There will be holiday caroling on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. by music students of the Ashland Area Music Teachers Association and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. by local churches and organizations, a holiday bazaar, many beautiful seasonal trees and decorations, all provided by the Greenup County Homemakers. It’s a festive time and joyous occasion for the entire family, with lots of holiday treats to sample. This year’s theme is “Christmas Around The World”. Media contact name and phone: Jill Kemper 606-473-7324 or 1-800-325-0083.

Poetry Reading. Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. Flatwoods resident Stephen Michael Holt will be reading poetry in the lobby of the Jesse Stuart Lodge. Holt will be reading from his book A Tone Poem of Stones. Joining him will be Maysville native Ron Ellis, author of the fictionalized memoir Cogan’s Woods. They will be signing autographs after their readings.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park

Murder Mystery Dinner, Dec. 31. We will be having an interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre on New Year’s Eve December 31 starting at 8 p.m. Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is proud to team up with the “Any Theme Goes” company to bring an evening full of suspense, fun, laughs, and even murder. For more information please call 1-800-325-0142 or email us at jennywiley@ky.gov .

Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora

Christmas In The Park. Dec. 14. Bring the kids out to enjoy the Christmas trees decorated by area homemakers groups in the upper lobbies. Watch the kid’s eyes light up with a visit from Santa! Let the kids make some Christmas crafts, have their picture made with Santa, and cookies with punch available. 270-474-2211.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville

Breakfast with Santa – Dec.13, 2008. Start or continue a new tradition by having breakfast with Santa this morning. Visit with Santa and have your picture or a button made, receive goodies, make a craft, visit our gift shop or make family portraits by our holiday displays.

New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec. 31, 2008

Join us for a New Years celebration package which includes one night’s lodging, dinner, dance, breakfast, and entertainment by the Alonzo Pennington Band (APB). 270-362-4271.

Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz

Barkley Bash on Dec. 31. Join Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz, KY, for this festive start to 2009! Lake Barkley will be ringing in the New Year with live music, dancing, and a festive countdown celebration, as well as an excellent fine dining and lodging package. Live music for dancing is provided by “The Disciples of Sound,” from 9 p.m. n 1a.m. on Dec. 31. The Barkley Bash package for two includes overnight accommodations, prime rib dinner, dance, party favors, and a hearty breakfast. Call 1-800-325-1708 for reservations or details.

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown

New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec. 31, 2008. Special package includes a park sponsored dance featuring “The Black Velvet Band”, one night’s lodging, special prime rib and peeled shrimp dinner buffet and breakfast for only $175 per couple. For reservations call 1-800-325-1705. ($90 per couple dinner and dance only, $19.99 per person for dinner only.) Contact Robert Myers -270-343-3111, ext. 411.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown

Christmas Candlelight Tours Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-13.

Sample the elegant past during the annual Christmas Candlelight Tours at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Holly, pine and fruit garlands, magnolia and the glow of candlelight adorn the mansion in splendid 1800’s fashion. Guides are dressed in lavish 1850’s attire, music and traditional refreshments make your visit even more memorable. Candlelight tours are held Fridays and Saturdays for the three weekends following Thanksgiving. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $5.50 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3.50 for children 6-12. 502-348-3502.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs

Santa Visits the Park Dec. 12-13, 2008. When Santa visits our park he spreads holiday cheer everywhere. Come and enjoy the festivities at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. 11a.m. to 4 p.m. – Create a variety of holiday crafts including gingerbread houses and holiday wreaths; 5- 6 p.m. – FREE pictures with Santa in the lodge lobby; 5-8 p.m. – Buffet dinner in the dining room. Participants must register by Dec 6 to make crafts. Fee is $25. Participants are also eligible for a 10% discount on lodging. Contact naturalist, Rebecca Clark at 1-800-325-1711 or rebeccae.clark@ky.gov.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville

Dance Traxx New Year’s Eve Party — Dec. 31. The park’s DANCE TRAXX New Year’s Eve Party is set to begin at 8:30 p.m., on Dec. 31, and will feature the best dance music from the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s. Full color, DVD-quality MTV, VH1, CMT, and BET music videos viewed on a 100-inch rear projection screen will accompany much of the music, adding to the already lively and festive atmosphere along with snacks, decorations, party favors, and New Year’s countdown complete with a balloon drop at midnight. The park is offering a package for two featuring Wednesday dinner, dance admission, party favors, overnight lodging, and a New Year’s Day brunch for $134 (+ tax). Dinner and dance only tickets will also available for $63 per couple at the park’s front desk for those who won’t require accommodations. Space is limited and accommodations are expected to fill quickly. For information, call 606-337-3066 or 800-325-1712.

Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough

Rough River “Winter Wonderland” Dec. 1, 2008. Bring in the holiday season with us! View our holiday decorations, our tree lighting ceremony, and of course, Santa Claus will be here for kids of all ages!! Begins at 6 p.m. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided to keep you warm. This event is free although donations will be accepted and canned goods will be collected for those in need around the local area.

New Year’s Eve Celebration! Dec. 31, 2008

Ring in the New Year with us! A live band will be playing all your favorites while you dance your way out of 2008 and into 2009! We will pause the party to watch the ball drop at midnight and we will also provide light snacks and other goodies! Package includes: one night’s lodging, a prime rib dinner buffet, a breakfast buffet on New Year’s Day and the evening entertainment including live music, party favors, and snacks! $135 plus tax per couple. Dinner will be from 5-8 p.m. and the band will kick off at 8 p.m. and play through midnight. Contact Sheila Jones for more information at 1-800-325-1713 or sheila.jones@ky.gov .

White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond

Victorian Christmas Tours – Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 and Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 from 6-8 p.m. The holidays are off to a festive start when you visit White Hall State Historic Site’s “A Victorian Christmas”. Musicians will perform your favorite holiday carols and costumed interpreters will be on hand to answer any questions as you stroll through the holiday bedecked rooms and learn about the Christmas customs celebrated today that were first made popular by the Victorians. Homemade goodies and hot apple cider round off this wonderful family event. “A Victorian Christmas” at White Hall runs each evening. Admission for this event is $6 for adults and $3 for children, age 6-12; children 5 years and under are free. Group rates are available. (859) 623-9178.

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges — more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov