Department of Parks
225th Anniversary of Battle of Blue Licks Schedule Announced
MOUNT OLIVET, Ky. – The 225th Anniversary of the Battle of Blue Licks will include some new features for visitors, including a different battlefield for the reenactments.
The changes are in part to accommodate a larger crowd and to make sure guests have an opportunity to view the battle reenactments during the weekend of Aug. 18-19 at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park near Mount Olivet. The weekend commemorates the last Revolutionary War battle fought in Kentucky.
Some of the changes include:
- The 3 p.m. battles on Saturday and Sunday will be conducted on property adjacent to the park – not on the park site near the Pioneer Museum. This will allow for more space for viewing and for the reenactors. However, guests should allow for time to park and reach the site since parking will not be allowed near the battle site. Shuttles will be available.
- The pioneer encampment will be set up across U.S. 68 at a reproduction of Tanners Station, an 18th century trade fort. British and Native American encampments will be near the battlefield.
- The U.S. Postal Service will provide a cancellation stamp honoring the anniversary on Saturday near the museum.
The park recommends that guests bring cameras, binoculars, comfortable walking shoes and clothing, lawn chairs, and sun lotion. Food and drinks can be brought to the park and 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 fee is $5 per person; children ages 12 and under are free. Paid admission covers parking, viewing the battle reenactment, access to all areas of the park including the miniature golf course, swimming area and the Pioneer Museum, which recently underwent a renovation. The museum has pioneer artifacts, fossils and information about the battle. A shuttle will be provided to help guests go from the parking area to the park grounds.
Here is a complete schedule of events:
Friday, Aug. 17
9 p.m.: Worthington Lodge: Ghosts of Kentucky.
Saturday, Aug. 18
8 a.m.: Pioneer Museum, Memorial Battlefield Interpretive Walk
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Tanners Station, Pioneer Encampment open
9 a.m. -5 p.m.: Near Battlefield, British and Native American Encampments open
9:30 a.m.: Big Tent, Music by John Tierney & the Back Porch Pickers
10 a.m.: Pioneer Museum, Grand Re-opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Museum Area, Albert Bauman: Hands on Pottery
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Pioneer Museum, Weaving and 18th century Textiles and Weaponry
11 a.m.: Big Tent, Daniel Boone portrayed by Steve Caudill
11 a.m.: Pioneer Museum, Book Signing with author, Dale Payne
11:30 a.m.: Tanners Station, Tomahawk Throwing demonstrations
11:30 a.m.: Pioneer Museum, Memorial Battlefield Interpretive Walk
1 p.m.: Big Tent, Danville Pipe Band
3 p.m.: Battlefield, Battle Reenactment
3:45 p.m.: Monument, Sons of the Amererican Revolution Memorial Service
4 p.m.: Big Tent, Danville Pipe Band
4:30 p.m.: Tanners Station, Tomahawk Throwing competition
5 p.m.- 9 p.m.: Worthington Lodge, Pioneer Dinner Buffet
6:30 p.m.: Pioneer Museum, Memorial Battlefield Interpretive Walk
7 p.m.: Big Tent, Daniel Boone portrayed by Steve Caudill
10 p.m.: Pioneer Museum, Battlefield Paranormal Investigation -“A Spirit Tour”
Sunday, Aug. 19
8 a.m.: Pioneer Museum, Memorial Battlefield Interpretive Walk
9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Tanners Station, Pioneer Encampment open
9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Near Battlefield, British and Native American Encampments open
10 a.m. –3 p.m.: Pioneer Museum, Weaving and18th century Textiles and Weaponry
10:30 a.m.: Big Tent, Daniel Boone portrayed by Steve Caudill
11:30 a.m.: Pioneer Museum, Memorial Battlefield Interpretive Walk
1 p.m.: Big Tent, Simon Kenton portrayed by Mel Hankla
2 p.m.: Monument, 225th Anniversary Memorial Service
TBA: Big Tent, Folk Music by Racheal McCartney-Benjamin
3 p.m.: Battlefield, Battle Reenactment
3:30 p.m.: Big Tent, Period Music by Pale, Stout and Amber
Blue Lick Battlefield State Resort Park is one of the few Revolutionary War battlefields left in the country. The park is equipped with a lodge, Hidden Waters Restaurant, cottages, mini-golf, gift shop, picnic area, hiking trails, swimming pool and a campground. 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 Commerce 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