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2014 Kentucky Summer Bucket List Calendar of Events

5/5/2014

This is a companion calendar to the 2014 Kentucky Summer Bucket List. See the Bucket List HERE.

Please double check all dates/times before you make arrangements to attend an event. Venues may change their plans, and their changes may not be reflected below.

May
2-4 Civil War Living History,Days, John James Audubon Park
2-4 9th Annual Geocache Event, Lake Cumberland State Park
3 Derby Day Festival, Williamstown, 9 - 5pm
3 Birds of the Bluegrass at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 8am
9-10 Herpetology Weekend, Natural Bridge
10-11 Bluegrass Birding Festival, Jacobson Park
14-18 Bluegrass Classic Stockdog Trial
16-17 Old Louisville SpringFest
16-17 Fountain Run BBQ Festival and 5k Run
17-18 KY Sheep and Fiber Festival, Masterson Station
17 Story Time Marathon at the Morris book shop. 11am-2pm
17 Founders Day, McConnell Springs Park, 10am-4pm
17 Free entry day to the Kentucky Children’s Garden at the Arboretum, 10am-12n
24 Ordovician Fossil Roundup, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
24 Herpetology Program at Floracliff, reservations required, $5
24 Stargazing at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 9:30pm
25 Primitive Skills Day, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
29 Dusk Bird Adventure, KY Arboretum, 7-9pm, $4
30- 1 Glasgow Highland Games, Barren River Lake State Park

June
5-8 Great American Brass Band Festival, Danville. Includes the Great American Balloon Race, June 6, 5:30-7pm. Free. Great American Creation Station for kids, June 6, 12-5pm, Free. Concerts and picnics throughout the weekend.
7 Audubon State Park Kids Fishing Derby
7 Introduction to Kentucky’s Dragonflies and Damselflies, Floracliff, reservations required
7 Wooden Spoon Carving, McConnell Springs Park, 10am
7 Kids Outdoor Day, Green River State Park, Free
12-22 The Sound of Music performed under the stars at Old Fort Harrod State Park
14 Family Fun Day at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site
14 Little Explorers Walk at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 10am
15 Creek Stomping, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. Free. 12n - 2:30pm. For families.
20 Creatures of the Night at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 9pm
20 Moths and Bats of the Palisades, Floracliff, reservations required, $5
21 Junior Naturalist “Pioneer Skills for Kids” at McConnell Springs, 10am, K-5
21-22 Fort Harrod Settlement and Raid, full scale re-enactment. Huge event.
28 Stargazing at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 9:30pm
28-29 Paleolympics. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

July
3-26 “James Harrod, The Battle for Kentucky” (play), Old Fort Harrod
3 Patriotic Concert with the Lexington Philharmonic and the Lexington Singers at Transylvania University
4 4th of July Festival and Parade, Downtown Lexington
6 Creek Stomping, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. Free. 12n - 2:30pm. For families.
6-13 Jets Over Kentucky
13 Little Explorers Walk at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 1pm
18-19 Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship & Freedom Festival, Leitchfield, KY. Fireworks, all ages fiddler championship, free carnival rides. Free.
19 Sweet Corn Festival at Evans Orchard
19 Junior Naturalist “What’s in a Wetland?” at McConnell Springs, 10am, K-5
25 Creatures of the Night at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 8:30pm
26 Revolutionary Kids Day. Jack Jouett House Historic Site, Versailles
26 Stargazing at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 9:30pm
31 Ballet Under the Stars at Woodland Park

August
1-3 Ballet Under the Stars at Woodland Park
2 Primitive Skills Day, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
2 Countdown to Kindergarten, McConnell Springs Park, 9am-5pm
9 Little Explorers Walk at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 10am
15-17 Lone Star Championship Rodeo, Hopkinsville
15-16 Pioneer Days, Old Fort Harrod
16 Voices in the Night at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 9pm
16 Junior Naturalist “Butterflies and Dragonflies” at McConnell Springs, 10am, K-5
16-17 Battle of Blue Licks Commemoration, Blue Licks Battlefield
16-17 Woodland Art Fair at Woodland Park
17 Ice Cream Social and Games at McConnell Springs, 2-4pm
23 Stargazing at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 9pm
29 Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival, Winchester
30 Monroe Co. Watermelon Festival

September
3-6 Fraley Festival of Traditional Music, Carter Caves State Resort Park
6 Camp Nelson Civil War Days
13 Evans Orchard Apple Festival
13-14 Crave Lexington, Local Food & Live Music
14 Raven Run Butterflies at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 1pm
20 Midway Fall Festival
20 Junior Naturalist “Kentucky’s Autumn Trees” at McConnell Springs, 10am, K-5
20 Stargazing at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, 8pm
25-26 World Chicken Festival, London

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2014 Kentucky Summer Bucket List

5/5/2014

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Introduction to the Bucket List

Welcome to the Third Edition of the Kentucky Summer Bucket List! It's been entertaining to watch the List pop up on Facebook and Pinterest, and even more interesting to observe that people accessing the list end up staying on the site to learn more about Charlotte Mason education (bonus!)

This List just skims the surface of what there is to do in this incredibly interesting state that is full of natural beauty and rich culture and history. It will not include everything on the previous bucket lists: 2012, 2013, so check those out if you want even more ideas. This List focuses on the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, but it also includes several things to do in other Kentucky regions as well as Cincinnati.

COST KEY*
Free
$ - less than $10 per adult
$$ - $10-15 per adult
$$$ - more than $15 per adult

*Children are often significantly discounted or free. Ask for government, military, veteran, first responder or teacher discounts. This key does not guarantee that prices or dates won't change at these venues. This is only a guide; please check each venue for updated information.

When you are done perusing the Bucket List, check out the companion post: the Kentucky Summer Bucket List Calendar of Events.

Bluegrass Family Fun

Visit Shaker Village and cruise on the Dixie Belle Riverboat in Harrodsburg. Before you visit, look at the annual membership prices. You may find that joining Shaker Village saves you money on combined Village/Riverboat tickets and gives you member access to other events. $$
Join the Kentucky State Parks Family Adventure Quest. This Quest offers prizes for families who visit multiple state parks and complete family activities. State park fees apply. $
Go to the Movies!

Free Friday Flicks at Jacobson Park, May 30 - June 27
Summer Movie Express, Regal Cinemas, $1 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am, starting June 3.
Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark, $1 movie or $5 for 10 movies, Thursdays and Fridays at 10am, starting June 11. $1 off snack coupon on website.
Summer Kids Flicks at AmStar Theaters, Tuesdaya and Wednesdays at 10am starting June 4. $3.50 includes movie, popcorn and drink.
Theaters of Georgetown, FREE movies, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting June 5.

Take the kids out to the ballgame - Lexington Legends Baseball - Kids Eat Free every Monday night at the ballpark. $-$$$ (depends on your seat, meals)
Meet a naturalist, plant a garden or stomp in the creek at the Kentucky Children’s Garden. $
Tour Ashland, Henry Clay’s home and gardens near downtown Lexington. $$
Walk around Lexington Cemetery. Bring your camera for beautiful pictures. Stop by the Visitors Center for a Kids Scavenger Hunt guide. Free.
Visit Kentucky Horse Park. Don't miss the museum, and make sure the kids complete the scavenger hunt at the Children's Barn. $$
Ride, walk or jog on The Legacy Trail. Free.
Tour the Mary Todd Lincoln House. Word is the docents are fantastic guides, and the home contains really interesting period furniture and clothing. Hop on over to Shakespeare & Co. for dessert afterward. $
Discover the trees and plants of Kentucky by taking a walk at the Kentucky Arboretum. Free.
Ride the Rails at the Bluegrass Railroad Museum. The prices are really reasonable and include an interesting museum inside. Check out the family membership if you plan to go more than once.
Go to the Aviation Museum of Kentucky. Kids 10 yrs and older can attend Aviation Camp this summer! $
Walk through the Civil War Museum at the Hunt-Morgan House. $
Tour Waveland State Historic Site and picnic on the grounds. $
Look at the Foucault Pendulum and the World’s Largest Ceiling Clock at the Lexington Public Central Library, and don’t forget to go to the Book Cellar in the basement! Free.
Make a day of it and visit the great, family-friendly Kentucky State History Museum in Frankfort. Admission includes the KY State Military Museum and the Old State Capitol. A Great Value! $

The Great Outdoors: Bluegrass Region

Go birding, look at the "blue hole" aquifer, and stomp the creek at McConnell Springs. Their upcoming summer events look fantastic. Free to walk and explore. Some events have a minimal fee.
Get a workout with the Jacobson Park Paddle Boats - $4 for 30 minutes. Fish, go birding, play at their amazing playground. Several geocaches here too!
Take a hike at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. If you have young children, make sure to ask a park employee which hike is more "child-friendly"! Free.
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary (not open to the public, but open for reserved tours for groups up to 15 ppl). Their $5 workshops are highly recommended.
Salato Wildlife Education Center. This is the closest thing the Bluegrass has to a zoo. Visit the deer, the elk, the bear, the wildcat and much more at Salato. $
Dupree Nature Preserve, Lancaster (Kentucky’s newest nature preserve!). They are developing several family-friendly activities and trails. Free.

State Parks and Historic Sites

Daniel Boone National Forest
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Perryville.
Cumberland Falls State Park. Check the Park calendar and catch the moonbow at Cumberland Falls - it's magical!
Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park
Buckhorn Lake State Park
Red River Gorge, 50th Anniversary celebrations all year. An absolutely breathtaking part of Kentucky, RRG is great for hiking, climbing and camping.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade. Free - $$. There are multiple trails for all skill levels. Take a picnic, hike a trail and ride the skylift. It's beautiful!
Federal Hill (aka My Old Kentucky Home), Bardstown. If in season, try to catch a showing of the musical based on Stephen Foster's life.

National Parks in Kentucky

If there is one thing you must do this summer, it is Visit a National Park! If you have children, the Junior Ranger Program is one of the very best introductions to the history and natural resources of a park. The Junior Ranger program offers children ~5 and older an opportunity to fill out a short book of age-appropriate activities and earn a "Junior Ranger Badge" for that park. Our kids have loved becoming JRs at each National Park we visit. They collect stamps in their NPS Passport and trade cards with Park Rangers. I cannot recommend this program highly enough!

An Hour or Two Away

Creation Museum, N. Kentucky. $$$
Cincinnati Zoo. $$$ (if you are an educator, register for educator discounts). This is a GREAT zoo.
John James Audubon Museum and Campground, Henderson. State Park fees apply.
Frazier History Museum, Louisville. This living history museum always has wonderful live demonstrations. Check the calendar before you go. $-$$
Big South Fork Railway, Stearns. $$$
Kentucky Railway Museum and Train Rides. Look for specials on their calendar. $$$
Kentucky Splash Water Park. $
Louisville Slugger Museum. $$
East Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium. $
Bernheim Forest & Arboretum, Bullitt Co. $
Ohio Renaissance Fair - 8 weekends, August 30 - October 19. $$-$$$

Now, check out the
Kentucky Bucket List Summer Calendar!

0 Comments

2014 Kentucky Summer Bucket List Calendar of Events

2014 Kentucky Summer Bucket List

Introduction to the Bucket List

Bluegrass Family Fun

The Great Outdoors: Bluegrass Region

State Parks and Historic Sites

National Parks in Kentucky

An Hour or Two Away

Now, check out the
Kentucky Bucket List Summer Calendar!

Author

Archives

Categories

Favorite CM Sites...

2014 Kentucky Summer Bucket List Calendar of Events

2014 Kentucky Summer Bucket List

Introduction to the Bucket List

Bluegrass Family Fun

The Great Outdoors: Bluegrass Region

State Parks and Historic Sites

National Parks in Kentucky

An Hour or Two Away

Now, check out theKentucky Bucket List Summer Calendar!

Author

Archives

Categories

Favorite CM Sites...

Now, check out the
Kentucky Bucket List Summer Calendar!