The Kentucky State Parks will be ready for the winter holidays this year with special meals, decorations, candlelight tours, entertainment and other special events planned.

State parks are a great place for holiday gatherings in December. All 17 resort parks have restaurants and state parks gift shops that offer unique gift ideas. That includes Kentucky Unbridled Spirit gift cards that are valid at Kentucky State Parks, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

Many state resort parks will also be holding New Year’s Eve parties and dinners on Dec. 31, 2010. For more information about these and other events, visit www.parks.ky.gov

Here is a listing of holiday events at Kentucky State Parks:

• Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas Dec. 11 Brunch with the Grinch: Come on out to Whoville at Barren River Lake State Resort Park for a $5 brunch featuring the Grinch and green eggs and ham!  Holiday crafts and cheerful memories will also be made! All ages are welcome and bring your camera for pictures! This event will begin at 10 a.m. (CST). Call Sheila Jones to register, 1-800-325-0057 or 270-646-2151.
• Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet Dec. 16 Christmas Jam Session: Visit the park for a Christmas Jam session as friends and neighbors sing songs and celebrate the season with local musicians. Starts at 6 p.m. until the last tone is carried out. The floor will be open to all in the Arlington dining room. For more information call 800-443-7008.
• Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn Dec. 4 Holiday in the Park/Santa & Dinner with entertainment by The Dean Osborne Band: Come out to Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park and enjoy “Holiday in the Park.” Bring your kids out to have their picture taken with Santa at noon and enjoy milk and homemade cookies. There will also be children’s and adult crafts from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Santa will be back from 5-8 p.m. for our Holiday-themed dinner $12.99 (not including drink, tax and gratuity) with special entertainment by The Dean Osborne Band 6-8 p.m. in the restaurant. Gather around our cozy fireplace in the lodge lobby for a rendition of “The Night before Christmas” at 8 p.m. at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park. Call 1-800-325-0057 for information.
• Butler-Turpin State Historic House at General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton Dec. 4 A Butler Christmas Tea & Tour: Join the Friends of Butler for its second annual Christmas Tea & Tour. Enjoy an array of delightful homemade favorites served in the cozy stone kitchen after touring the beautifully period-decorated historic house. Open 2-5 p.m. Advance tickets $5 per person, $7 at the door. Tickets sold at General Butler State Resort Park Lodge Front Desk or contact Kathy Rarey, 502.525.7256 or kparey@yahoo.com
• Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill Dec. 12 Open House: Carter Caves will be holding an open house on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010 from 1-4 p.m. with dancers, a bell choir and singers from the area. Piano music offered throughout the day. Call 1-800-325-0059.
• Constitution Square State Historic Site, Danville Dec. 3 and Dec. 9 Christmas Parade and Sip, Shop and Stroll: The gift shop at Constitution Square State Historic Site in Danville will be open for the Dec. 3 Christmas Parade that starts at 7 p.m. and the Dec. 9 Sip, Shop and Stroll from 4-8 p.m. The shop offers great gifts for the holidays. Storewide discount available through the end of December. Call 859-239-7089.
• Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin Dec. 4, 11, 18 Holiday Hayride: Enjoy a holiday hayride through the park to visit Santa Claus. The cost is $4 per adult, $1 per child. Hayride is free with paid meal at Riverview Restaurant inside Dupont Lodge. Call 1-800-325-0063.
• General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton Dec. 4 Festival of Trees & Winter Wonderfest Day: Christmas trees decorated by local schools, churches, organizations and businesses will adorn the Butler Lodge to help ring-in the holiday season. Winter Wonderfest Day is full of surprises for the young and young at heart! Santa will be featured for breakfast on Saturday morning; along with morning activities in the Lodge Lounge and an evening holiday concert. Call 1-866-462-8853.
• Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup Dec. 4-5 Christmas Open House: Experience the joys and happiness of the holiday season with the Greenbo Lake Open House. There will be caroling, a bazaar, many beautiful Christmas trees and decorations, all provided by the Greenup County Homemakers. A festive time and joyous occasion for the entire family with lots of Christmas treats to sample. Call 1-800-325-0083.
• Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg Dec. 18 and 19 Breakfast with Santa and Frosty: Come to Jenny Wiley State Resort Park for a morning with our friends from the North Pole.  You will be able to enjoy a great Appalachian style breakfast in the Music Highway Grill and meet Santa and his friend Frosty.  Also, have your picture made with Santa or Frosty as you tell them what you would like to have for Christmas.  Santa will have a small gift for every boy and girl.  Call 1-800-325-0142.
• John James Audubon State Park Henderson
  • Dec. 11 Santa’s at the Park: Come join the elves at the annual “Santa’s at the Park,” event on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10:30-noon, for children ages 3-7 and their families. Share the holiday activities, art, storytelling and treats with Santa. Photos will be optional the day of for an extra fee. Fee is $7. Photos with Santa will also optional the day of. Pre-registration required. Staff Contact: Kim McGrew-Liggett Audubon Museum (270) 827-1893 kim.mcgrew@ky.gov.
  • Dec. 15 Holiday Scrapbooking – Christmas Adults are invited to enjoy the company of other scrapbookers and refreshments as they create adorable Christmas pages and cards. Materials and instruction for two scrapbook pages and one card will be available for each registered participant. Or, bring your own scrapbook and materials. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been scrapbooking for years, this Christmas session will give you inspiration and ideas for creating perfect holly jolly pages and cards. Cost is $5. Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-registration is required with Beth Tompkins at beth.tompkins@ky.gov or (270) 826-2247.
• Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora Dec. 12 Visit With Santa: Bring the kids out to visit their favorite person…Santa!! Crafts for the kids to make, pictures, cookies and punch! From 2-4 p.m. Don’t forget to visit the restaurant for a wonderful Sunday lunch buffet. Call 1-800-325-0143.
• Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville Dec. 11 Breakfast With Santa: Start a new tradition or continue one by having breakfast with Santa this morning. Visit with Santa and have your photo taken and receive a candy cane from Santa himself! After breakfast, make a craft, visit the gift shop or make a family portrait by our holiday displays. Call 1-800-325-0146.
• My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown
  • Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11 Candlelight Tour: Holly, pine and fruit garlands, magnolia, and the glow of candlelight adorn the mansion in splendid 1800’s fashion. Elaborate period holiday costumes, music and traditional refreshments make your visit even more memorable. Admission is $5.50 for adults; $5 for seniors; $3.50 for children ages 6-12 and children under 6 are free. Group rates are available. Tours from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Call 1-800-323-7803.
  • My Old Kentucky Home is also offering Children’s Holiday Storytime Reading in the grand home’s nursery on Friday and Saturday Nov. 26 and 27; Saturday, Dec. 18. Times are 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Fee is $10 per child and includes coloring book, treat and home tour with accompanying adult.
•  Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs
  • Nov. 27 Snowflake Dedication and Open House: Come by and enjoy the holiday decorations and live music before dinner. Do some holiday shopping at the gift shop. Free wrapping provided. Starts at 6:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Pennyrile. Call 1-800-325-1711.
  • Dec. 4 Santa Visits the Park: When Santa visits our park he spreads holiday cheer everywhere. Come and enjoy the festivities at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – free pictures with Santa in the Lodge Lobby!  Call 1-800-325-1711.
• Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough Dec. 3 Supper With Santa: Rough River Dam State Resort Park will host Supper With Santa starting at 4 p.m. with a kid-friendly buffet featuring selections such as chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, and baked ham.  The buffet will also include an assortment of holiday cookies and desserts and a full salad bar.  The price will be $7.99 for adults and $4.99 for children (children 5 and under eat free with adult buffet purchase). At 6 p.m., the park will have a visit from the big man himself. Santa is set to be at the park to visit with children of all ages. Reports have it the Santa will be taking requests until around 8 p.m. So come to Rough River Dam State Resort Park and help us truly kick off the Holiday Season.  Call 1-800-325-1713.

• Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington Dec. 11-12 Candlelight Tour: Visitors will experience a mid-19th century Kentucky plantation Christmas, replete with holiday season decorations, songs and music of the period.  Refreshments will be served in the two century-old log cabin located on the grounds.  Ticket prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for students of any age and pre-schoolers are free. Tours from 6-9 p.m. For information, call 859-272-3611.       

• White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11 Victorian Christmas Tours: Decorated trees with lights and blown glass ornaments, seasonal cards and even commercialism all became popularized when Queen Victoria reigned over Great Britain: known as the Victorian Era. Visit White Hall to experience the splendor of the holiday season and get a glimpse of the past. Walk-thru evening tours plus light refreshments will be from 6-8 p.m. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the local food bank. Adult tickets are $6 and children ages 6 -12 are $3. Adult group rates are available for 10 or more. For more information, call 859-623-9178.

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 51 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges — more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at http://www.parks.ky.gov