Department of Parks
Make a Memorable Mom’s Day at a Kentucky State Park

     FRANKFORT, Ky--Ever since the second Sunday in May was declared a national observance to honor moms nearly a century ago, Mother’s Day has become a day to pamper, spoil and pay tribute to moms for all they give throughout the year.   Regardless of whether you have a new mom, grand mom, honorary mom or mom-to-be in your family, let Kentucky State Parks take care of the mom in your life (and you) as part of the celebration and appreciation for a job well done. 
     Moms like all kinds of things; tastes and preferences run the gamut.  Among the 52 Kentucky State Parks (and the 17 resort parks in particular), the opportunity to show her how much you care and appreciate her comes in many shapes, sizes and yummy menu items.  The family can get away for a relaxing weekend, indulge her in her favorite outdoor activity and dine at the leave-the-cooking-and-cleaning-to-someone-else Sunday Mother’s Day Buffet.  No matter what the weather, she’ll have a fabulous time on her special day during a spectacular spring in Kentucky.  Create new traditions and memories that will last a lifetime.
     For the buffet, moms and their families can feast at the annual Mother’s Day Buffet at all state resort parks.  From fresh fruit to desserts, the succulent roast pork with apple dressing, catfish and hushpuppies and old fashioned chicken and dumplings (like Mom’s!!) in between, there’s not a better deal for $16.95 anywhere.  Children 6 to 12 years of age eat for $7.95 and both include beverage. 
     No need to find mom a gift ahead of time but you may want to make a dry run and take advantage of a gift shop special at many resort parks and historic sites. This year there are more Kentucky-made items in the shops than ever before and there’s different merchandise from park to park.  Or get her an Unbridled Spirit Gift card so she can browse the spring collection and choose. 
     From May 1 through May 9, visit a state park gift shop for a great deal for mom or gift for anyone on your list.  Or let mom pick out her own Mother’s Day gift to be sure she gets exactly what she wants.  Shoppers can save $10 for every $50 spent--or a 20 percent discount--on pottery, jewelry, folk art, cook books and ware, and handbags made right here in the Commonwealth.  Items are available in any price range from the practical to whimsy.  Here are just a few ideas from the variety of beautiful things available this year for Mom:
  ●Blanket Creek Pottery made in Falmouth is as beautiful as it is functional.
  ●The Jon Carloftis Collection from Louisville Stoneware has been creating its signature stoneware for 200 years.  This new collection includes one-of-a-kind, handcrafted functional art for the home and garden.
  ●Mama wants a brand new bag and Caught Ya Lookin’ has just the one for her.  These Leitchfield, Kentucky-made purses are colorful, practical and darling. 
  ●Pottery by Susan Burge of Lawrenceburg is fun and functional.   
  ●Folk art carved by Lonnie and Twyla Money is fabulous and fun.  You never know what the piece may be but you can be sure it will delight the owner.   Creations large and small are in various park’s shops. 
  ●Yard Birds are full of whimsy and part of the Kentucky Crafted program. Make her smile for the rest of the year.
  ●PhbeaD jewelry has just arrived in several gift shops.  Berea artist Melissa Senetar has mixed science and art with her spectacular earrings and necklace pendants.
Powdermill Pottery, also from Berea, includes functional and decorative works of clay.   
     There are more complimentary options just for mom on her special day.  Add to her celebration by arranging a round of mini-golf at 24 park locations or 18 holes at for a golf outing with mom.  Moms, grand moms and moms-to-be play free all day, May 9.  She also gets in free-of-charge at any of the 13 lovely to rustic historic sites around the state.   Each site exhibits life in Kentucky at an earlier time.
      No need to limit the possible activities and packages that show the mom in your life how special she is.  Kentucky State Parks can accommodate the hankering to get outdoors to hike, paddle boat, canoe on her special Sunday.  Or slip a gift card or homemade gift certificate in her card for a future houseboat trip, reserve a cottage for her and her pals to do a girl friend getaway lakeside later this summer or for a Tees and Zzzs or other golf package. 
     Parking, park admission and meandering around in the midst of Kentucky’s most spectacular natural beauty are always free at Kentucky State Parks. Parks are conveniently located in every Kentucky region or make it a mom’s day adventure farther from home.  
      So whether it’s a day trip planned for a scenic ride to gather around for a meal the likes of which mom would create (leaving the cooking and clean up behind) or a long, lazy getaway over the weekend. And knowing mom, she’ll probably book a houseboat excursion or a camping trip at a state park for Father’s Day in June while nobody is looking. 

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Kentucky State Parks are made up of 52 state parks plus one shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 lodge parks– and has more acreage in the system than any other state.  Each year, Kentucky parks draw millions of visitors and generates hundreds of millions to Kentucky’s economy. For more information about amenities, events and other aspects of  KySP, visit the Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov .