Kentucky State Parks will help you ring in 2011 with New Year’s Eve celebrations and parties.

Several state resort parks across Kentucky are having dances, dinners and entertainment on Dec. 31 to welcome in a new year.  The resorts have lodges, cottages, restaurants and other facilities. Many parks will be offering overnight packages that include meals and a party and dance.

Here’s a listing of the parks and the New Year’s celebration details. All events are on Dec. 31 unless otherwise noted. For more information about these and other parks, or to make reservations, visit www.parks.ky.gov:

Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas – Visit Barren River for a Cozy Hideaway Package just for the two of you. Arrive to see the sunset over the lake and enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared by our award winning Chef Michael. Party favors, noisemakers and a bottle of sparkling non-alcoholic beverage with two souvenir glasses ready in your room upon arrival. Lodge package includes one night lodge room, dinner for two, party favors, two souvenir glasses and sparkling beverage for $119 plus tax.  If a fireplace is a must for your cozy evening, the Villa package includes one night’s lodging in a fully furnished romantic cabin, dinner for two, favors, glasses and sparkling beverage for $179.95 plus tax and we will have the fireplace ready for you. Barren River is the perfect place for just the two of you. Call 1-800-325-0057.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet – Come in and join us for our Country New Year’s Eve dinner buffet, including all the favorites. Black-eyed peas and greens, rolled oysters, glazed country ham, peel & eat shrimp, carved roast beef and much more. The dinner buffet is $12.95 for adults, $6.95 for children 6-12 and kids 5 and younger eat free. Dinner offered from 4-8 p.m. in the Hidden Waters Restaurant. Call 1-800-443-7008.

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn – Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park will be offering lodge rooms for $50 a night plus tax along with a special New Year’s Eve dinner for $20 a person plus tax and beverage. The menu will feature rib eye steak and smothered chicken.  Call 1-800-325-0058.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill – Carter Caves State Resort Park will be offering a package that includes a lodge room for one night and a choice of dinner or breakfast for two people for $106.69. Another package that includes a one night stay in a cottage and a choice of dinner or breakfast for two is $197.69. Call 1-800-325-0059.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin – Ring in the New Year at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Package includes dinner, lodging, dance and breakfast for two for $175 plus tax. Music provided by DJ Radioactive Sounds. The dinner and dance only are $30 a person plus tax. Call 1-800-325-0063.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville – Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.  Dance the night away before ringing in 2011 with live music by Klassyc Tymes.  Back by popular demand, this classic rock band plays great tunes from the 50’s through the 80’s.  Make a reservation for our special lodging package for only $179.95, which includes one night’s lodging, dinner, breakfast, dance for two and a special gift.  Other packages available are dinner and dance for $84.95 per couple or dance only for $25 per person.  A special New Year’s Eve dinner will be served from 5-8 p.m. in the beautiful Island View Restaurant overlooking the lake.  The dance will be held from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. CST; doors open at 8 p.m.  Tables may be reserved if you have a group of eight or more.  To make reservations call Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park at 1-800-325-2282.

General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton – The park will be offering a special lodge room rate of $49.95 for New Year’s Eve. Visit the park for dinner and stay the night as we ring in the new year! Call 1-866-462-8853.

 Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg – Begin your New Year’s Eve celebration in style with a delicious and festive buffet meal.  Our meal will feature apricot-glazed pork loin, roasted top round of beef carved on the line, fried chicken and Jenny Wiley’s famous fried catfish. Sides will include mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, steamed broccoli, green beans, whole kernel corn and Normandy blend vegetables.  Don’t forget the peel and eat shrimp along with an all you can eat salad and soup bar.  The featured dessert will be Baked Alaska along with hot and cold banana puddings and other local favorites.  Cost is $15.95 for adults and $7.95 for children.  Call 1-800-325-0142 and don’t forget to ask about our overnight accommodations.

Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora – Dance to the sounds of Motown as Kenlake State Resort Park celebrates the New Year.  Kenlake will be offering a special New Year’s Eve package that includes dinner, a dance, one night lodge stay and breakfast for two for $149.95 plus tax. Cottage packages are also available. Call 1-800-325-0143.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville – Join Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park for a New Year’s Eve celebration that you are sure to enjoy! Party favors, mixers, cheese, veggie and chip trays are provided, and DJ Entertainment with over 100,000 songs provided by Sound Services – DJ Entertainment to ring in the New Year! A package for two that includes dinner, dance, a lodge room, and breakfast the next morning is $159.85 plus tax. Dance tickets are available and only $30 a couple and $15 for singles. Call 1-800-325-0146 x 412, or email: Anthony.Lawrence@ky.gov

Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz – Lake Barkley will ring in the New Year with fine dining, live music and dancing and festive lodging packages. A package that includes dance, dinner, one night lodging and breakfast for two is $249 plus tax. Tickets for the dance only are $100 for two or $50 for singles. Call 1-800-325-1708.

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown – Come and celebrate the arrival of 2011 at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. Special package price of $79.95 plus tax per couple includes one night’s lodge stay and dance featuring “Erica Martin and the Kickstart Band.” There will also be a special prime rib and peel and eat shrimp dinner buffet for $22.95 per person. Dance only tickets can be purchased at the door for $30 per couple or $20 per individual. Cottage package and special rates for extra lodge night also available. Call 1-800-325-1709.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade – Celebrate the New Year with a mouth-watering buffet meal on New Year’s Eve featuring apricot-glazed stuffed pork loin and roasted top round of beef carved to order.  The meal includes the park’s famous fried chicken and fried catfish with all the fixings and peel and eat shrimp with an all you can eat salad, soup and dessert bar featuring fresh strawberry-glazed cheesecake.  This is a meal that will help you make 2010 complete. Cost is $15.95 for adults and $7.95 for children. Call 1-800325-1710.

2011 New Year’s Square Dance at Natural Bridge Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 – Visit Natural Bridge State Resort Park for some easy to learn Appalachian square dancing, clogging, line dancing, two-stepping, polkas, waltzes, and many other couple and individual dances on Jan. 8, 2011.  The warm-up begins at 6:30 p.m. and the official start time is 7:30 p.m.  The dance will be held in the Woodland Center (formerly the Activities Center) and will last until about 10 p.m. or until your feet get tired!  Admission is $3 per adult and children under 12 are free. Call 1-800-325-1710.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs – Come to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park for a rockin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration. The $140 package includes: one night’s lodging, buffet dinner, continental breakfast, dance with DJ and party favors for two people. Buy a second night with your New Year’s Eve package for half price. Call 1-800-325-1711.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville – Enjoy a light-hearted atmosphere, classic dance music and party favorites from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s & 00’s! Ring in the New Year beneath our balloon drop at the stroke of midnight! We’ll provide an assortment of snacks, mixers and party favors. Our $134 plus tax special package includes dance admission, one night’s lodging, evening buffet meal and New Year’s Day brunch for two. Dinner and dance only tickets are also available. Contact the park for details at 800-325-1712.

Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough – Ring in the New Year with Rough River! “Starr Mountain Band” will be back this year and will be playing all of your favorites while you dance your way into the New Year! Party favors and refreshments will be provided, and we will pause the party at midnight to watch the ball drop on the big screen! A package with dinner, dance, one night’s lodging at the lodge and breakfast for two is $145 plus tax. Dinner and dance only tickets will be sold for $85 plus tax for two. Call 1-800-325-1713 for more information and to make your reservations!

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