Fall at Kentucky State Parks

UPDATED: Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 2, Oct. 15, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 13

One of the reasons Fall is my favorite time of year is that I grew up canoeing, hiking, caving and camping at Kentucky State Parks during their most intensely colorful and enjoyable season.

• Name the New Bison "Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is looking for a name for its newest bison heifer and wants your help. The park will announce the winning name Dec. 1 during a special holiday gathering, starting at 10 a.m. at the park visitor’s center. Guests will also have a chance to meet and learn about the bison. The deadline for online voting is Nov. 30. The link to vote is: http://parks.ky.gov/parks/historicsites/big-bone-lick/"

• Holiday Events "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." Click the link for a complete list.

• Turkey Shoot "Lake Barkley State Resort Park is hosting a Turkey Shoot – a target shooting competition – on Nov. 17."

• Mystery Dinner Theater "Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, in partnership with Greenup County Arts Council, will present “Another Fistful of Bullets!,” an interactive mystery, on Nov. 30."

• Thanksgiving Buffet "Kentucky State Park restaurants are preparing for one of the busiest days of the year – Thanksgiving Day. The Thanksgiving Day buffet will be served Nov. 22, 2012, at all 17 resort park restaurants, a tradition for the parks and many families across Kentucky."

• Military and Veteran Discounts "The Kentucky State Parks are offering lodging discounts to current and former members of our nation’s military services with the “USA Military Pass” program from Nov. 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013."

• Archaeology Days "In observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War in Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University’s Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work will be holding “Archaeology Days” at White Hall State Historic Site near Richmond .... Each event will be held on Friday and Saturday during the first weekend of each month, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on these dates: Sept. 7-8; Oct. 5-6; Nov. 2-3; and Dec. 7-8. (Some sessions may be rescheduled or moved due to bad weather)."

• Nature Preserves Exhibit "As a celebration of its 35th anniversary, the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission has put together a photo exhibit that is touring the state, including three Kentucky State Park locations."

• Elk Tours "Jenny Wiley and Buckhorn Lake State Parks in eastern Kentucky will offer guests a unique wildlife viewing opportunity this fall and winter – elk viewing tours."

• Buffet Specials "Need a night off from the kitchen? Then make your way out to Lake Barkley State Resort Park’s Windows on the Water Restaurant for one of the park’s special buffets starting in May. The first Friday of the month will feature a seafood buffet with crab legs, frog legs, shrimp, and fried oysters – all for $22.95 for adults and $7.99 for children. The third Saturday of the month will feature a whole hog roast, barbecue chicken and assorted sides for $18.95 for adults and $6.99 for children."