FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State Parks will be celebrating the 4th of July this year with fireworks, entertainment, camping, picnics and plenty of fun for the family.
Many state parks will be holding special events for guests and campers – some on July 4 or at other times during the holiday weekend.
The following parks will have fireworks: Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, General Butler State Resort Park, Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Kenlake State Resort Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Lake Barkley State Resort Park and Rough River Dam State Resort Park.
“We appreciate the organizations that are supporting the fireworks displays this year at our state parks,” Parks Commissioner Gerry van der Meer said. “We receive great support from our community partners.”
Here is a listing of state park events planned for the July 4th weekend. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas
4th of July Celebration
Join us a Barren River Lake State Resort Park for a “booming” good time. Activities for the weekend will begin on July 3rd with the Pre-4th block party which will include karaoke, a non-motorized parade (be sure to show your spirit with your Red, White and Blue) and the famous “Whatever Floats Your Boat” competition. The fun will continue on the 4th as we kick off the annual beach party at 11 a.m. with WCLU radio and Gander Mountain, there will be a variety of activities throughout the day. The festivities continue with live entertainment and the fireworks extravaganza - sponsored by The Friends of Barren River Lake. Food vendors will also be available. For more information, contact Recreation Supervisor Lisa Deavers at lisa.deavers@ky.gov or 800-325-0057.
Big Bone Lick State Park, Union
Creek Stomping
July 4
Explore a region of the park that will surely get you swimming with pleasure. Join the naturalist to see all the wonders that can be found and experienced in Big Bone Creek as you stay cool while learning about nature. Caution: You will get wet, extremely wet. Parents must accompany children and registration is required. Not recommended for young children. Weather permitting. For more information about what to bring please contact Todd Young at 859-384-3522 or todd.yougn@ky.gov
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet
July 3-5
The Cedar Hill Institute will be kicking the weekend off with a free violin concert 1-3 p.m. at the Worthington Lodge. Hidden Waters Restaurant will serve their First Friday Seafood Buffet 4-9 p.m. On Saturday, July 4th the park naturalist will provide a free guided battlefield walk at 1 p.m. It covers ½ a mile and lasts 1 hour. Free Children’s Nature Crafts planned for Saturday. Hidden Waters Restaurant will serve their Great American Hamburger & Hot Dog Buffet from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. A Cornhole Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, July 5th. Teams must pre-register. The winning team receives a $100 Unbridled Spirit gift card and 2nd place receives a $50 gift card. Call Paul Tierney at 800-443-7008 to sign up your team.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn
4th of July Celebration.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park will be having its Independence Day celebration on Saturday July 4th. There will be activities and food. From 5-10 p.m. the band 2nd Wind will be performing on the Marina Road. Fireworks, over the lake, will be at dark. Events sponsored by Buckhorn Scenic Trail Association and Perry County Clerk’s office. Call 800-325-0058.
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Burkesville
Independence Day Celebration
July 3-5
The park will offer various July 4th games and crafts throughout the weekend. Friday night you can show us your talent at our Karaoke contest where audience members cast their vote for their favorite. Saturday you can show your American pride with a red, white, & blue tie-dye t-shirts ($5 per shirt), or join our Independence Day non-motorized parade. Saturday night get ready to dance at our pool party with a live band. 800-325-2282.
Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond
4th of July Fest
July 1-5
Come celebrate our nation’s birthday with a weekend of patriotic activities. The park will have scheduled times for a campers’ decoration contest, crafts, bingo, free tours, hayrides, a parade, NASCAR on the big screen TV. 859-527-3131.
General Burnside State Park, Burnside
Independence Day
July 3-5
Kids can decorate their bikes and join in on the July 4th Parade. But you don't need a bike -- we can decorate you to walk in the parade! Activites, games and prizes for all ages. On the 5th of July there will be a Checker Tournament for ages 8 and up to see who is the Checker King or Queen! We will also have a watermelon seed spitting contest. So come enjoy your 4th of July with us. Events start July 4 at 5 p.m. and July 5 at 10 a.m. 606-561-4104.
General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton
Fireworks over Butler Lake
July 4
Spend the weekend at General Butler State Resort Park and take in an explosive fireworks celebration over Butler Lake at 9:30 p.m. The park will hold an All-American Grill Out from 3-8 p.m. (Adults $10 and children are $5) at the park entrance, tye-dye shirts at 3 p.m., musical entertainment by Brushfire starting around 3:30 p.m. at the mini-golf area. We suggest viewing our fireworks show sponsored by Carrollton-Carroll County Tourism from the Butler Lake Beachfront Area. Remember bring along a blanket or chair for your comfort. This event is free. 866-462-8853.
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup
July 4th
The evening festivities will kick off at the Greenbo Lake Amphitheatre with a 7:30 p.m. concert featuring The Kentucky Blue Collar Band. The band adds a little bid of Blues, with a little bid of Rock, and then adds a Southern Country Boy attitude to round out the original and unique sound of The Kentucky Blue Collar Band. Bring you lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is $5 per person, children 12 years to six years of age $2, and children 5 years and under free. Fireworks sponsored by the Greenup County Tourism Commission will start at 10 p.m. from the Community Pool Parking Lot. 800-325-0083.
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg
July 3-4
Starting Friday July 3, the park will hold a Watermelon Eating Contest, Old-Fashion Sack Race, Pine Derby Cars and Race, Huck Finn Raft Race, Patriotic T-Shirts, Independence Day Face Painting, patriotic crafts, and much more. Special guest Tim Michaels -- “The One Man Band” – will perform Friday night and on Saturday the park will hold a cornhole tournament. 800-325-0142.
Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora
Fireworks on July 2
Kenlake State Resort Park will be the site for a fireworks show on July 2 sponsored by Kenlake Marina, Ken Oak Resort and Twin Lakes Moorings. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. with volleyball, tug of war and ultimate Frisbee. Bring a blanket to enjoy the show at the old Kenlake Beach. 1-800-325-0143.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville
Good Ole USA Days
July 2-5
A four-day celebration of our nation's birthday with traditional activities, entertainment, music, and FUN. There will be fireworks 15 minutes after dusk on July 4th. The fireworks will be set off at Gobbler’s Knob which runs parallel to the marina and can be viewed from the lodge. 800-325-0146.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz
4th of July at the Beach – July 3
Celebrate America at Lake Barkley Beach! Join us on Friday, July 3, for an awesome fireworks display, a talented regional line-up of live music, beach games for the whole family, snacks and food vending and a cool swim in the lake. Entertainment by the Harper Brothers band and Russ Calhoun & the Cumberland Road. The fireworks display is sponsored by local businesses, the city of Cadiz and other individuals. 800-325-1708.
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown
July 4th Weekend
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park will kick off the weekend with a campground parade on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by a Lil’ Miss and Mr. Firecracker Talent Contest for ages 12 and under at 8 p.m. The Kentucky Reptile Zoo will visit on Saturday. There will be a fireworks show on July 3 sponsored by Jamestown Marina and State Dock that can be viewed from the state park lodge lookout area.. 800-325-1709.
My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown
Celebrate our Nation's Birthday and Stephen Foster's!
Join us July 4th for old-fashioned family fun beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the amphitheater next to the park. Games include watermelon eating and seed-spitting, water balloon toss, hula hoop, face painting, inflatable birthday cake and more! Enjoy Kentucky's Official Outdoor Musical, Stephen Foster-The Musical, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Birthday cake will be served at intermission followed by one of Kentucky's largest fireworks displays, sponsored by Newcomb Oil, at 11 p.m. For ticket information, call 800-626-1563 or visit www.stephenfoster.com
Paintsville Lake State Park, Paintsville
4th of July Most Patriotic Campsite
Join Paintsville Lake State Park in celebrating the 4th of July! Decorate your campsite in red, white, and blue and show your pride in the USA. First and second place winners in both RV and Tent campers will receive free camping! 606-297-8486.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs
4th of July
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park will create the perfect patriotic atmosphere this Fourth of July weekend. Along with regularly scheduled recreation activities, the park will have some extra fun for the weekend. At 6:30 p.m. on July 3rd, the park staff will take guests to the Tradewater Pirates baseball game, which will end with a bang of fireworks around 9-9:30 p.m. The park will also host "The World of Reptiles" program presented by award winning naturalist Scott Shupe at 7:30 p.m. On July 4th, there will be a mini parade in the campground, and a campsite decorating contest, so bring supplies to decorate your bikes, wagons, and campsites for Independence Day. 800-325-1711.
Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough
Rumble Over Rough River
You will hear a Rumble over Rough River Lake as the park celebrates Independence Day with its annual fireworks display on Saturday, July 4th! This year will be even bigger and better than previous year thanks to Rough River Lake Business and Tourism Association, Inc. The park will have a DJ entertaining before the fireworks and concessions will also be available. Fourth of July related recreational activities will be going on all weekend long as well as other special entertainment! So come on out and show your spirit for the Red, White and Blue! Fireworks will begin at approximately 9 p.m. 800-325-1713.
Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville
July 4
The park will host live entertainment on July 4th beginning at 7:30 p.m. featuring Brushfire. Other activities near the park start at 2 p.m. with vendors, games, and food near the Corps of Engineers offices. The Taylorsville/Spencer County tourism office is sponsoring a “Light-Up Salt River” fireworks at the Corps of Engineers office. 502-477-8713.
--30--
The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov