Department of Parks
Mardi Gras Good Times at Natural Bridge State Resort Park

SLADE, Ky. --  "Let the good times roll" when Natural Bridge State Resort Park celebrates Mardi Gras--or Fat Tuesday--with an annual buffet on Saturday, Feb. 20.  A Cajun bill of fare is featured on the Sandstone Arches buffet menu.  Live jazz and festival beads will punctuate the evening.   There's nothing better than celebrating Carnival to chase away the long winter blues with the purple, green and gold signature colors of this famous festival.    

During the feast, jazz musician and vocalist Gary Nelson performs from 5 to 8 p.m. in the lodge restaurant.  Nelson has played and sung throughout this part of the country and promises just the right accompaniment for dinner.  The buffet includes dry-rub roast pork loin; shrimp etouffee; chicken and sausage gumbo; Cajun crusted catfish; and alligator beignets.  The buffet line runs from 5 to 9 p.m.  The dinner is $16.95 for each adult and $8.95 for children 12 years and under. Children 5 and under eat free. 

Frame your festive feast and reserve a weekend getaway at the park's Hemlock Lodge nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.  Venture outdoors Saturday or Sunday to see spectacular natural arches surrounded by winter scenic views that sport a totally different look when hardwood trees are leafless.    Before or following your Mardi Gras banquet, walk or hike on an outdoor adventure in this area of the Daniel Boone National Forest to see some of the most interesting rock formations in the area. Hiking trips vary from easy to difficult, short to long.   Or the lodge offers plenty of comfortable opportunities to simply relax.  

For more information about the event, contact Hope Howell at 606-663-2214.  Natural Bridge State Resort Park features a lodge, cottages, the Sandstone Arches Restaurant, gift shop and hiking trails.    For more information or for room reservations, phone 1-800-325-1710 or visit www.parks.ky.gov. The resort  park  near Slade is an easy and scenic drive just  52 miles southeast of Lexington off the Mountain Parkway on KY 11.

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The Kentucky State Park System  includes 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 about unique Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov