Kentucky Home for the Holidays

It's no coincidence that every cultural and religious tradition on the planet marks a holiday in mid-winter. The moment when the sun returns, the days start getting longer, spring is closer than fall was, is always a time for celebration.

Whatever your reason for the season, you can find great holiday events throughout Kentucky this year.

Festival of Trees and Trains, Paramount Arts Center, Ashland
November 22 - 30, 2008
Each year the Paramount Arts Center and hundreds of community members and volunteers transform the historic theater into a magical wonderland filled with sparkling trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, trains and entertainment.
www.paramountartscenter.com
606-324-3175

Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Artists Collaborative Theatre, Elkhorn City
November 24 - December 10, 2008
A wonderful play for the holiday season. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. For ticket information, go to:
www.act4.org
606-754-4228

A Christmas Carol, Actors Theatre, Louisville
November 26 - December 23, 2008
Louisville's biggest and best holiday tradition - The classic story of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the "spirits" of Christmas told with warmth and visual splendor. For ticket information, go to:
www.actorstheatre.org
502-584-1265

Christmas in the Park, Freeman Lake Park, Elizabethtown
November 26, 2008 – January 1, 2009
Come and experience the glow of Christmas! This holiday season, treat you and your family to the brilliant display of lights by taking a driving tour of Freeman Lake Park. Free, but a donation box is on site. Download a map at for this driving tour at:
www.touretown.com/christmasinthepark.shtml
800-437-0092

Christmas Village & Skating Rink at Lee's Ford Resort Marina, Nancy
November 28– December 31, 2008
A festival of lights, ice skating, crafts and fun at exciting Lake Cumberland.
www.leesfordmarina.com/events.htm
606-636-6426

Noble Park Holiday Light Display, Paducah
November 28 – December 31, 2008
The region’s premiere lighting display is sponsored by Paducah Power System. Free admission, but monetary donations or canned goods accepted for local charities. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 6-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 6-10 p.m.
www.paducahpower.com
270-575-4000

Christmas in the Valley, Renfro Valley
November 7 – December 21, 2008
Travel back in time to a nostalgic country Christmas. Experience Santa Land, cloggers, twinkling lights, shopping with a country flair. Top off your evening with the original production, Christmas in the Valley. For show times, log on to:
www.renfrovalley.com/entertainment
800-765-7464.


Lighting of the Distillery, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort
December 4 – December 31, 2008
Everyone is invited to the gardens of Buffalo Trace for the annual Christmas Lighting. Don’t miss this magical evening of holiday cheer, festive lights, refreshments and a visit from the man of the hour—Santa Claus! It’s free, and you can come see the lights any night through December 31.
www.buffalotrace.com
800-654-8471

Holiday Lights Spectacular, Beech Bend Park, Bowling Green
December 5, 2008 – January 3, 2009
Over two miles of dazzling animated lights, plus WBKO's Christmas Village, North Pole Express hay ride, ice skating, visits and pictures with Santa. Visit Santa’s Barnyard with live animals, amusement rides including the Kentucky Rumbler, Christmas gift shop, HoHo Golf, bonfires and food and drinks. Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $15 per car, $35 for a commercial van, $100 for a bus. Rides and ice skating cost extra.
270-781-7634
www.beechbend.com/Home Page.htm

The Nutcracker, Lexington Ballet Company/Lexington Philharmonic
December 19 - 21, 2008
The Lexington Ballet is collaborating with The Lexington Philharmonic to bring to life the cherished fairytale of The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is perfect to include in any holiday plans.
For ticket information, visit:
www.lexingtonballet.org.
859-233-3925

For more details on these and other holiday events and activities around Kentucky, visit www.mykentuckybackyard.com/seasonal. This web site of the Kentucky Department of Travel maintains an extensive list of things to do right here in the commonwealth. Listings change frequently.

Cross-posted at BlueGrassRoots.

Lights, Moonbows, Eagles and More

Cold weather has finally arrived in Kentucky, only a month late. But if you think that puts the state parks off-limits until spring, think again. Some of the best park events of the year happen in the winter.

Southern Lights at the Horse Park

Run, walk or stroll your way through thousands of dazzling lights at the 7th annual Southern Lights Stroll Thursday, November 20 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Registration begins at 6 pm. Pre-registration is $15 and walk-up registration $20 plus a non-perishable food item for God’s Pantry.

To download and print a Southern Lights Stroll Registration Form, click here for the PDF.

Stroll proceeds benefit the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

Southern Lights will be open nightly November 21 – December 31, 2008 from 5:30 – 10 pm. Indoor attractions are closed November 27 & December 24-31. For more information about Southern Lights, visit www.southernlightsky.org.

Cumberland Falls Astronomy

Cumberland Falls State Park is taking advantage of interest in its famous moonbow to attract stargazers.

Called the Moonbow Astronomy Center-River of Stars, the new program will allow park guests and visitors to view the planets and stars through telescopes from the park near Corbin.

The park will also be announcing events for 2009, including dates for viewing the “moonbow” at Cumberland Falls, special hikes and programming.

Known as the "Niagara of the South," the 125-foot wide curtain of water is dramatic day or night. But it's only at night during a full moon that you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere

“It is our continuing goal to provide quality programming while enhancing learning opportunities for youth and adults,” said Park Manager Lisa Davis. “We hope to supplement the state curriculum requirements with this astronomy program. While being educational, this program is also fun and unique.”

The equipment for the program was funded through a $5,000 grant from Tour Southern and Eastern Kentucky, an organization that promotes tourism in the region. The Louisville Astronomical Society is also assisting with expert volunteers.

The park will be hosting “Star Parties” where the public will be invited to view different aspects of the night sky and solar objects. Star packages including lodging will be available and “Star” birthday parties will be offered based upon availability.

Get details here.

Holidays at the Parks

Kentucky State Parks will be hosting a wide range of Christmas and holiday-themed events during November and December. As the season nears, you can plan to attend one or more of these festivities.

State park resorts are still offering a $50 a night lodge room Sundays through Thursdays through Dec. 30 with a coupon. To get a copy of the coupon and for more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov.

At least 20 different parks in every part of the state offer events to appeal to families, couples and individuals. Get the details here.

Eagle Watch Weekends

If you've never seen America's national symbol soaring through a sharp, clear winter sky, you've missed one of Kentucky's greatest sights.

With January and February approaching, it’s time for nature lovers to make plans for a Kentucky State Park tradition – Eagle Watch Weekends in January and February.

American Bald Eagles will be gathering around the major lakes of Western Kentucky and South-Central Kentucky as they look for food during the winter. Kentucky State Parks will take you there to observe and learn about these beautiful birds of prey.

For 40 years, the Kentucky State Parks have offered Eagle Watch Weekends, a chance to view the eagles from land and water and learn about the national symbol and other wildlife.

“This is a great opportunity for amateurs and experienced bird watchers to see eagles and other animals in their natural habitat,” said State Park Recreation Director and Naturalist Carey Tichenor. “These are some of the most popular wildlife viewing events that our parks sponsor.”

The tours take place at four resort parks during weekends in January and February on an excursion yacht, barges, pontoon boats and by van, depending upon the location and tour. They are led by state park naturalists and Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists.

Ticket prices for the tours range from $20 to $55 a person. Most tours last between two and three and one half hours. The weekends also include an evening program on birds of prey.

Get details here.

Cross-posted at BlueGrassRoots.