CCC Reunion at Cumberland Falls this Saturday

As rising unemployment increases calls for a second, bigger, better, more-job-oriented stimulus, you can enjoy a concrete reminder right here in Kentucky of how well big government employment projects really work

CORBIN, Ky. – Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is hosting a reunion for a group of people who left their mark on Kentucky and the rest of the country during the Great Depression.

A reunion of the Civilian Conservation Corps will be held on October 10, 2009 from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

The CCC was a work relief program established in 1933 by President Franklin Roosevelt to combat poverty and unemployment. The young men who made up the CCC constructed buildings and trails at local, state and federal parks, worked on conservation and flood control projects, planted trees and fought forest fires.

CCC crews built a lodge at Cumberland Falls (that later burned down) along with cottages, shelters, trails and a fire tower. There are CCC buildings and projects still in use today at several Kentucky State Parks.

About 80,000 Kentuckians served in the CCC and nearly 100 camps were built across the Commonwealth. For more information on the Civilian Conservation Corps visit http://www.cccalumni.org/

Cumberland Falls is described as the "The Niagara of the South" plunging 65 feet – nearly seven stories -- into a boulder strewn gorge. The park includes historic DuPont Lodge (built in 1941 by the Works Progress Administration), cottages, Riverview Restaurant, gift shop and visitor center, campground, hiking trails and fishing. Every month, the unique “moonbow” is visable at the falls, weather permitting.

For event registration and information, contact Naturalist Bret Smitley at 1-800-325-0063 or email BretA.Smitley@ky.gov.

It's going to be cool but sunny on Saturday - perfect fall weather to enjoy the fruits of "big government" putting people to work to build public works.