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Department of Parks
Blue Licks Marks 226th Anniversary of Last Revolution Battle Aug. 16-17
MOUNT OLIVET, Ky. – On Aug. 16-17, 2008 Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park commemorates the Battle of Blue Licks, the last battle of the Revolutionary War. This fun, family-oriented event will feature something for everyone, from battle reenactments and living history programs to “hands-on” activities and musical entertainment.
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park is excited that many Kentuckians are choosing to shorten drive times, save money, and discover the treasures in their own back yard. Fortunately for many residents of Kentucky, Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park is a quick day trip and so the park is preparing for large crowds again this year during the third weekend in August.
Some of the highlights of this year’s reenactment include:
• The 3 p.m. battles on Saturday and Sunday will be conducted on property adjacent to the park. Guests should allow time to park and reach the site since the park will be closed to through traffic.
• The Pioneer encampment, British and Native American encampments, and 18th Century Sutlers will be located near the battlefield.
• There will be more programming and more diversity in the events and activities this year, including a living history program on the Roles of Women in War, a Pioneer Fashion Show, Spinning and Weaving demonstration, and much more. (See program below for schedule.)
Guests should bring cameras, binoculars, comfortable walking shoes and clothing, lawn chairs, and sun screen. Food and drinks can be brought to the park, while a variety of food will also be sold at the park. In case of bad weather during the battle reenactments, guests should bring rain jackets and not use umbrellas so views are not blocked.
Admission is $5 per person; children ages 12 and under are free. Paid admission covers parking, viewing the battle reenactment, free access to all areas of the park including the 18-hole miniature golf course, swimming pool, Pioneer Museum, and all activities, programs, demonstrations, and entertainment.
The Pioneer Museum underwent a major renovation last year and provides a perspective on the battle from three distinctly different points of view. The museum contains fossils, prehistoric animal bones, pioneer tools, Native American artifacts, Revolutionary War memorabilia, and more. It covers many rich and fascinating layers of history.
Here is a complete schedule of events:
Friday, Aug. 15
6:30pm: “A Kentucky Evening with Friends” Dinner/Fundraiser for the park’s
friends group, The Blue Licks Commemorative Commission, Inc.
Saturday, Aug. 16
8:00am: Memorial Battlefield Interpretive Walk
9am-5pm: 18th Century Sutlers Open to Public
9am-5pm: Pioneer, British, & Native American Encampments Open to Public
9:30am: 18th Century Spinning & Weaving Program
10am-4pm: Hands on Pottery by Albert Bauman
10am: Daniel Boone portrayed by Steve Caudill
10:30am: Medicinal & Edible Plants of the 18th Century
10:30am: Tomahawk Throwing Demonstrations
11:00am: Book Signing with Author, Dale Payne
11:00am: Mind Your Manners: 18th Century Etiquette
11:30am: Fallen into the Hands of Indians
12:00pm: Finding the Battle of Blue Licks: Archaelogy at Blue Licks
Presented by Dr. Adrian Mandzy
12:30pm: Memorial Battlefield Interpretive Walk
1:00pm: Old Time Music by Gunpowder Creek
2:00pm: Sons of the American Revolution Memorial Service
3:00pm: Battle Reenactment
3:45pm: The Running of the Gauntlet – Living History Program
4:00pm: Period Music by Pale, Stout, & Amber
5:00pm: Tomahawk Throwing Competition
8:00pm: Pioneer Gatherin’ with Pale, Stout, & Amber
Sunday, Aug. 17
8:00am: Memorial Battlefield Interpretive Walk
9am-3pm: 18th Century Sutlers Open to Public
9am-3pm: Pioneer, British, & Native American Encampments Open to Public
9:30am: Pre-settlement Era Kentucky presented by Author John Curry
10:00am: How to Pick a Fight: Battlefield Tactics at Blue Licks
10:30am: Book Signing with Author, John Curry
10:30am: Daniel Boone portrayed by Steve Caudill
11:00am: Salt Making Demonstration
11:30am: Ky. Exploration on Horseback: Packing and Uses by Jesse Mains
12:00pm: Roles of Indian Women in War
1:00pm: Pioneer Fashion Show
1:30pm: Mt. Olivet Country Tap Cloggers
2:00pm: Musical Entertainment by The Dulcimer Dames
3:00pm: Battle Reenactment
3:45pm: The Running of the Gauntlet – Living History Program
Blue Lick Battlefield State Resort Park is one of the few Revolutionary War battlefields left in the country and offers various events, festivals, and recreation opportunities throughout the year. The park contains a restaurant, lodge, cottages, museum, campground, gift shop, picnic areas, hiking trails, swimming pool, and more.
The park is located 48 miles northeast of Lexington on U.S. 68, between Mount Olivet and Carlisle. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call the park at 1-800-443-7008. You can also visit www.battleofbluelicks.org for more information.
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov.
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