Department of Parks
Arts in the Parks Summer Writing Workshop at Columbus-Belmont May 21

COLUMBUS, Ky. – Columbus-Belmont State Park will be hosting the first Arts in the Parks summer writing workshop on May 21, 2011.

The workshop, sponsored by the Kentucky Young Writers Connection, is open to third graders through adults. It will start at 1 p.m. and last until 9 p.m.

The program allows participants to explore their creative side within the natural beauty of the park.  Learn how to develop a short story through the writing process from brainstorming to a well-written story.  Enjoy dinner overlooking the Mississippi River. Learn the unique history of the area from interpretive guides. 

Mingle with Kentucky authors who are ready to answer your questions. At the end of the day, we’ll attend a storytelling event overlooking the river where the participant will have the option to present their story to the public.    

Registration is $12 and the deadline to register is April 30, 2011. If you have any questions, contact Allison Bruning at 1-502-732-5574 or allisonbruning@gmail.com

Columbus-Belmont State Park, located in Hickman County along the Mississippi River, has a museum, gift shop and campground.  For more information about Columbus-Belmont State Park, please contact Cindy Lynch at 270-677-2327 or by email at cindy.lynch@ky.gov

Columbus-Belmont State Park is a 160-acre site where fortifications were built by the Confederates and later occupied by Union forces. The 1861 Battle of Belmont, a raid fought to test the strength of this Confederate stronghold, marked the opening of the Union’s Western Campaign.  It was also Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s first active engagement in the Civil War. Some of the artillery, which shelled the Union troops, and the six-ton anchor that held the great chain stretching across the river, are on display in the park.

--30--

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 51 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 website at http://www.parks.ky.gov