Celebrate July 4th Weekend With State Park Firework Shows

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 29, 2011

There’s no better way to celebrate America’s birthday than with a fireworks display.

The Kentucky State Parks have several parks offering free firework shows this year. State parks are great places for picnics, hikes, wildlife viewing, fishing, swimming, boating, golf and other family activities.

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Kentucky State Parks also offer campgrounds, lodges, cottages and restaurants that make for great vacations and weekend trips. Visit www.parks.ky.gov for information and reservations.

Here is a list of firework shows and holiday events at Kentucky State Parks:

  • Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas July 4 – Barren River’s annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration is sponsored by The Friends of Barren River.  Activities for the weekend include a variety of fun games and crafts such as tie-dye bandanas on Saturday, and our “whatever floats your boat” contest on Sunday. July 4th there will be back-to-back family fun activities from 12:30 – 5 p.m. such as dizzy bat, three-legged race, hula hoop contest, and more.  There will be live entertainment at 5:30 p.m. followed by the fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. (please note this is an approximate time and fireworks will begin when it gets dark).  For more information contact Jamie Avery at jamie.avery@ky.gov or 1-800-325-0057.
  • Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn July 4 – A variety of patriotic activities will take place, culminating with a fireworks display sponsored by the Perry County Tourism Commission!  A cookout starts at 3 p.m. with hot dogs, potato wedges and drinks. At noon, there will be water races in the beach area, limbo and hula hoop, water balloon toss, tug-of-war and horseshoe tournament. The band “2nd Wind” will play at 7 p.m., sponsored by Pine Branch Coal Sales. Fireworks begin at dark. Call 1-800-325-0058 for more details.
  • Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora July 3 – Kenlake will have fireworks Sunday, July 3 around dusk at the old beach area.  Live music with local band “Critical Condition” starts at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will open at 4 p.m. The event is sponsored by the businesses of Aurora. Call 1-800-325-0143 for more information.
  • Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville July 3 – Kentucky Dam Marina and local businesses are sponsoring fireworks Sunday July 3. Music by “Xander” starts at 6:30 p.m. just outside the Conference Center at the lakeside stage. Food will be available. Call 1-800-325-0146 for more information.
  • Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz July 3 – The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. at the public swimming beach. The 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky National Guard will provide music starting at 6 p.m. The fireworks are sponsored by the Friends of Lake Barkley State Resort Park with generous support from the community. Please no dogs or personal fireworks. For more information, call 1-800-325-1708.
  • Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown July 3 – State Dock and Jamestown Marina are co-sponsoring a fireworks show Sunday, July 3 at 9 p.m. CDT. The fireworks can be seen from the Park Look Out and the Lure Lodge patio. Call 1-800-325-1709 for more information.
  • My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown July 2 – Celebrate Stephen Foster’s 185th birthday (July 4) on the grounds of My Old Kentucky Home State Park with old fashioned games on the lawn beginning at 7 p.m. followed by The Stephen Foster Story at 8:30 p.m. At intermission, guests will be treated to birthday cupcakes and immediately following the show, guests remain seated and the cast will join them to view a magnificent fireworks display. This event is sponsored by Newcomb Oil.
  • Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough July 2 – You will hear a Rumble over Rough River Lake as the park celebrates Independence Day with its annual fireworks display! Fourth of July related recreational activities will be going on all weekend long! So come on out and show your spirit for the Red, White and Blue! Sponsored by Rough River Business and Tourism. For more information call the Park at 1-800-325-1713.

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

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