Department of Parks
Natural Bridge Celebrates 85th Anniversary on Nov. 5

SLADE, Ky. – Come to the Hemlock Lodge for a little history, live music and great food during the Nov. 5 celebration of Natural Bridge State Resort Park’s 85^th anniversary as a state park.

Historic pictures and memorabilia will be on display from 1-4 p.m. In an effort to build the park’s historic collections, guests are invited to bring in historic photos or memorabilia related to Natural Bridge. The park will scan images on site and return the originals.

The Brushfire Bluegrass Band will perform from 4-5:40 p.m. in the Hemlock Lodge lobby.

A special buffet will be served 4-9 p.m. at the Sandstone Arches Restaurant. Buffet items will include pinto bean soup, potato and corn chowder, fresh salad bar, Hot Brown casserole, chicken and dumplings, grilled pork chops, fried catfish, carved beef roast, stewed tomatoes, Southern style green beans, fried potatoes, cornbread, rolls, banana pudding, red velvet cake, fruit cobbler and an Ale-8-One cake. 

Since this is the Ale-8-One soft drink’s 85^th anniversary year as well, free Ale-8-One bottled soft drinks will be served to diners by an actor portraying G.L.Wainscott, founder and inventor of Ale-8-One.  

To highlight the celebration, special guest Wilson Francis will take you back in time for a presentation at 7:30 p.m., focusing on the early history of Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the surrounding area. Francis served for 25 years as park naturalist and park manager at Natural Bridge.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park has a lodge, cottages, the Sandstone Arches Restaurant, gift shop and hiking trails. For more information or for room reservations, phone 1-800-325-1710. The resort near Slade is 52 miles southeast of Lexington off the Mountain Parkway on KY 11, exit 33.

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