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Festivals & Events
Week 1 – April 2 – 8
Week 1 :: Week 2 :: Week 3 :: Week 4 :: Week 5
April 1–5 - Picnic on the Porch
Versailles – Woodford Reserve Distillery
This casual lunch is served al fresco on the Visitor Center Terrace overlooking the timeless limestone architecture of Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy a variety of seasonal sandwiches, salads, and delightful desserts prepared by Chef-in-Residence David Larson.
Hours: 11 am to 2 pm
www.woodfordreserve.com
859-879-1812
April 1–6 - National Intercollegiate Polo Championship
Lexington - Kentucky Horse Park
Intercollegiate Polo Teams from all over the country converge on the Kentucky Horse Park in April to vie for the prestigious USPA Intercollegiate Championships. Five days of championship polo featuring the best intercollegiate polo players and horses in the country.
www.kyhorsepark.com
800-232-8772
April 4-6 - Heart of the Bluegrass Antique & Collectible Show
Harrodsburg
Shop for quality antiques and fine collectibles in Historic Harrodsburg. Free admission.
Hours: Fri. 11 am - 7 pm; Sat. 9 am - 5 pm; Sun, 11 am - 5 pm.
859-691-0496
502-753-5665
April 4-25 - Keeneland Thoroughbred Racing Spring Meet
Lexington
Enjoy racing at historic Keeneland Race Course. Every Saturday morning during the meet experience “Breakfast with the Works” and the sites and sounds of the track.
No racing on Mondays or Tuesdays.
www.keeneland.com
800-456-3412
April 5 - First Saturday Nature Discovery: Come Spring
Clermont, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
Children and adults will learn about their connections to the natural world through indoor and outdoor nature discovery experiences and nature inspired arts and crafts. Open to all ages.
Hours: Between 1 pm – 4 pm
www.bernheim.org
502-955-8512
502-863-8104
April 5 – National “Park Day” – Lincoln Boyhood Home
Hodgenville, Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek
Park Day is an annual event created by the Civil War Preservation Trust to assist local groups with maintenance of Civil War sites. Volunteer to assist with re-opening the park’s Overlook Trail. Scouting groups will receive special patches for picking up trash along Knob Creek and the general area.
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm
www.civilwar.org/parkday/
270-358-3137
Show Details
April 5 - Michael Tygart Hike
Greenup - Greenbo Lake State Resort Park
Travel back in history on this 9-mile trek named for early Kentucky explorer, Michael Tygart. The moderately easy trek leads past a mid-19th century iron furnace, historic cemetery, and iron ore pits, descends into Pruitt Fork Valley, site of several pioneer homes and numerous wildflowers. It concludes along the scenic lakeshore.
Hours: 9 am – approximately 2 pm. $15 registration fee includes souvenir.
www.parks.ky.gov
800-325-0083
April 5 - Canoeing for Beginners
Slade - Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Learn the basics of canoeing on the Mill Creek Lake at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and then experience river canoeing on the beautiful Red River at the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The river trip is 8 miles on an enjoyable class I section of the Red River. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration fee of $25 per person includes canoe, paddle, life jacket and snacks.
www.parks.ky.gov
606-663-2214 ext 2104
270-325-3958
April 5 – Wildflower Extravaganza
Henderson - J.J. Audubon State Park
Join us for three leisurely hikes to see the vibrant forest flora as well programs for all ages. Also learn about “problem” plants and how they affect the native plant species during an outdoor invasive species removal. Contact staff for event schedule and program times. Walks and other event programs begin at the Audubon Museum. Please contact Julie McDonald at juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov
270-826-2247
Join us for three leisurely hikes to see the vibrant forest flora. Additional programs for all ages will also be available. We'll also hear about "problem" plants and how they affect the native plant species during and outdoor invasive species removal.
Contact Information
270-826-2247
502-513-1828
April 5 – Scenic McCreary County Red Bud Day
Whitley City
A day full of events along KY Hwy 90 (a Kentucky Scenic Byway) including a Red Bud hike, jam session, arts and crafts, pottery shop open house and more!
www.kyvacations.com
606-376-3008
April 5 – Civil War Preservation Trust Park Day
Perryville – Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
History buffs and preservationists will team up to help clean and restore American’s priceless battlefields. The park will provide lunch and refreshments to volunteers. Sign up at the park the morning of April 5 at 8 am.
859-332-8631
April 5-6 – Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site guided tours
Join the ranger-led tours offering a deeper insight into the Lincoln family’s frontier years in Kentucky. Learn how daily struggles for survival helped shape the character of our future president. Admission is free and open to the public.
Hours: 10 am and 2 pm
www.nps.gov/abli/
270-358-3137
April 5-6 - Canoe Camping
Corbin - Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Enjoy an overnight canoe adventure. Trip will include a day of canoeing, camp set up, overnight, and canoeing until lunch on the next day. Training on minimum impact camping techniques, equipment, training and meals included. Limited to ages 18 and up. Registration fee $75. More information contact: Steve Gilbert at Steve.Gilbert@ky.gov or 606-528-4121.
www.parks.ky.gov
800-325-0063
April 5-6 – Barkley Backpacking 101
Cadiz - Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Interested in spending a night under starry skies and a day surrounded by woods and water? Setting out on an overnight backpacking trip and investing in the gear to do it can be a chore - unless you've been on one of Barkley's Backpacking 101 Weekends! Join the Park Naturalist on Saturday morning for a one-night camping trip where they provide the gear, the experience, and the memories! Registration is limited, so call ahead and reserve your spot.
www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/lb/
800-325-1708
April 5-6 - KY Klassic Traditional Archery Festival
Somerset - Pulaski County Park
A traditional archery festival for all ages.
Hours: Sat. 8 pm through Sun. midday
606-636-6866
April 5-6 - Bardstown Antique Show & Sale
Bardstown - Nelson Co. High School
Annual show with over 100 dealers from 12 states featuring a wide range of antiques, from vintage collectibles to museum quality artifacts.
Hours: Sat. 11 am - 5 pm; Sun. 11 am. - 4 pm.
www.visitbardstown.com or www.parrettlich.com.
800-638-4877 or 812-951-3454
April 6 – Bluebirds at Blackacre
Louisville, Blackacre Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead
Discover one of Kentucky’s most colorful native birds. Volunteer Larry Calton, who created the trail of bluebird nesting boxes, will show a short film about the birds and then lead a hike to look at the nesting pairs around the preserve. Meet at the Schick Nature Center.
Admission: No charge, donations appreciated
Hours: 2 pm
www.blackacreconservancy.org
502-266-9802
April 6 - Lincoln Roots in Nelson County
Bardstown - Wickland,
As our nation celebrates the Lincoln Bicentennial 2008-2010, Wickland, the home of three Governors, will feature monthly events. Program 2 - 4 pm.
www.visitbardstown.com
502-507-0808
Show Details
April 6-13 - Party for the Planet Celebration at the Zoo
Louisville - The Louisville Zoo
Party for the Planet is part of a nationwide celebration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment and make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level. Environment displays, activities and presentations. Come join the fun and learn what you can do to help save our planet.
www.louisvillezoo.org
502-459-2181