Main :: Wildflowers :: Calendar
Off The Beaten Path :: About
Festivals & Events
Week 3 – April 16 – 22
Week 1 :: Week 2 :: Week 3 :: Week 4 :: Week 5
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 15-19 - 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 17-19 – Hillbilly Days
Pikeville
For 31 years, Shriners have faithfully journeyed to Pikeville from all over the United States and Canada to raise money to help crippled children. Come enjoy the parade, food and events decked out in your hillbilly best. Have a fun-filled weekend while helping the deserving children.
www.hillbillydays.com
606-432-5504
April 17-20 - Wildflower Weekend
Slade - Natural Bridge State Resort Park
The beautiful area around Natural Bridge is home to hundreds of native plant species; enjoy them this weekend with other botanists, gardeners, and nature lovers. Field trips are for all levels of participation, from beginner to advanced wildflower enthusiasts and from short, easy walks to longer hikes at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge National Geologic Area. Evening speakers will focus on the native plants in the region. Registration upon arrival: $8 per adult, $5 per child (ages 12-17), Free for under 12.
www.parks.ky.gov
800-325-1710 ext 2104
April 18-19 - Camper Yard Sale
Mount Olivet - Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
Clean out your closets and join us for a campground-wide yard sale. Set up on your campsite and then enjoy browsing through other campsites. Registered campers only may sell, but the general public is invited to shop.
www.parks.ky.gov
859-289-5507 or 800-443-7008
April 18-19 - Kenlake's Bowfishing 101
Aurora - Kenlake State Resort Park
FREE introduction to bowfishing. The event includes a classroom style seminar and also a HANDS-ON demonstration with instruction for bowfishing. While in the classroom, you will learn about the basic bowfishing equipment, types of fish to hunt for, safe bowfishing practices, the times of the year best suited for bowfishing, different ways to go bowfishing, how to handle the fish after they have been shot, and proper fish cleaning and disposal. You will learn to shoot by means of a simulated hunt situation. Once you are familiar with shooting we'll take you for a target shoot with prizes awarded. Finally, we put your skills to the test and take you to the water for the real thing! Bowfishing is the fastest growing archery activity today in which everyone can participate, including men, women, and children. Package price: $59.00 for room (excluding tax)
www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/kl
270-474-2211
April 18-19 - Spring Jubilee Charity Walking Horse Show
Harrodsburg - Mercer County Fairgrounds
The show will feature saddlebreds, walking horses, road horses and ponies. Enjoy the opportunity to view the various breeds as approximately 400 entries will be featured during the event. Sponsored by the Kentucky Walking Horse Association Ladies Auxiliary. Hours: Fri. 6:30 pm; Sat. 5:30 pm.
859-734-2364
502-753-5665
April 18-20 - 3rd Annual Geocache Weekend
Jamestown - Lake Cumberland State Resort Park & Dale Hollow State Resort Park
Celebrate Earth Day Weekend during the third Annual Geocache Weekend. The event will be held at both parks starting at Lake Cumberland S.R.P. on Friday and Saturday and ending on Sunday at Dale Hollow Lake S.R.P. This event is designed for the beginning cachers to the experienced veterans. Please bring your own GPS. $20.00 per couple (additional children $10) and $10 per individual. Each couple will receive two geocaching weekend t-shirts and an instructional presentation. For registration contact Robert Myers at RobertA.Myers@ky.gov or call 800-325-1709.
www.parks.ky.gov/resortparks/lc/index.htm
800-325-1709
April 18-20 - Henderson Tri-Fest - Breakfast Lions Club
Henderson - Downtown Henderson
Free entertainment, food booths, carnival rides and games, fireworks, 5K road race and bike ride.
www.hendersontrifest.org
800-648-3128
April 18-20 - Nature Photography Weekend
Corbin - Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Nature photography buffs will enjoy this weekend that features a 24-hour slide competition. Photographers with all skill levels can pick up helpful tips from evening guest speakers. Plaques will be given in several categories in both beginner and advanced classes. Registration is $40 per person, $50 per person after April 15.
www.parks.ky.gov
800-325-0063
April 19 - Spring Wildflower Walks
Clermont – Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
A colorful awakening is beginning in the woodlands! This popular series of guided wildflower walks features the changing face of the forest floor throughout spring. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. (Limit 20 each walk)
Hours: 1 pm – 2:30 pm – Admission: $5 members; $7.50 non-members
www.bernhiem.org
502-955-8512
April 19 – Full Moon Hikes
Louisville, Blackacre Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead
Explore Blackacre by the light of the full moon on a guided tour of Blackacre’s meadows and trails for this family-friendly hike. Dress for weather.
No charge, donations accepted.
Hours: 9 pm
www.blackacreconservancy.org
502-266-9802
April 19 - Spring Walk in the Arboretum
Clermont – Berheim Arboretum & Research Forest
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Sun & Shade Trail and learn about top performing ornamental trees and shrubs for your Kentucky landscape. The Sun and Shade Garden was established in 1960 and is one of Bernheim’s most prominent and best-interpreted gardens. Diverse collections of prominent landscape plants include redbud, dogwood, witch hazel, Hydrangea, Magnolia, tulip tree, yellowwood, Japanese umbrella-pine and dawn redwood that exceed 80 feet in height.
Hours: 10 am – noon – Admission: $5 members, $7.50 non members, advise registration required
www.bernheim.org
502-955-8512.
April 19 - Hillbilly Night
Prestonsburg - Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
It’s Hillbilly Days again in eastern Kentucky. Enjoy a festive hillbilly supper with roasted pig carved on the line, fried chicken, barbecued ribs, and all the trimmings, including assorted vegetables and desserts. Enjoy the Hillbilly Days events in nearby Pike County and spend Saturday night at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park for the dinner.
www.parks.ky.gov
800-325-0142
April 19 - Southern Kentucky Book Fest
Bowling Green - Sloan Convention Center
Cultural and educational activity geared toward people of all ages. Over 200 local, regional and nationally known authors will be on hand to autograph books. Event includes a variety of special speakers, costumed literary characters and children's activities. Admission: Free
www.sokybookfest.org
270-745-5016
April 19 - Southern Knights Car Cruise
Georgetown - Southern Knights Car Cruise
Car enthusiasts bring restored, classic and hot rod cars out. Location: Kohl's - Hours: 5 pm -10 pm
www.georgetownky.com
502-863-3960
April 19 - Backyard BBQ & Flea Market
Owensboro - Diamond Lake Resort
Want to test your BBQ skills in a "no stress" environment? Do you have "treasures" in your closet or attic that someone else would love to have? Then this is the event for you! Several different cooking categories with low entry fees and great awards. A great way to season your smoker for the season.
www.diamondlakeresort.net
270-229-4900
April 19 - Michael Tygart Earth Day Hike
Greenup - Greenbo Lake State Resort Park
Travel back in history on this nine-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. Begins at 9 am and ends approximately 2 pm. $15 registration fee includes souvenir.
www.parks.ky.gov
800-325-0083
April 19-20 - 21st Annual Chocolate Festival
Maysville - Washington Historic District
Free admission. Rivers of dark sweet chocolate flow through 1700s village shops during this award winning festival. "Miss & Mr. Chocolate Festival" Pageant, homemade chocolates, fudge contest, candy hunts, outside vendors, games, clogging, entertainment, guided tours, horse-drawn carriage rides make a fun filled weekend! Displays in Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum and Log Visitor's Center.
www.washingtonky.com
606-759-7423
April 19 – 20 - White Lightening X-C Mountain Bike Race
Golden Pond, Land Between the Lakes
Register for a mountain bike race for all ages. Sanctioned by the National Off-Rod Bicycling Association, the event will cover 11 miles of varied terrain. Race lengths vary from 2 to 33 miles. Costs vary by race. Helmets and NORBA license ($10 for one-day sold on spot) required.
Time trials on April 19, race on April 20.
www.woodnwave.com
270-924-2016
April 19-20 - Wildflower Weekend
Mammoth Cave National Park
Rangers and visiting naturalists lead wildflower walks to some of the best sites in the park -- Green River Bluffs Trail, Cedar Sink and Turnhole Bend – along with other scheduled events.
maca_park_information@nps.gov
270-758-2192
April 19-20 - Greenbo Quilt Show
Greenup - Greenbo Lake State Resort Park
Tri-state area quilters display their finest works. Ribbons will be awarded in fifteen categories along with Best of Show and People’s Choice awards. Hours: Sat., 10 am – 8 pm; Sun., Noon – 4 pm.
www.parks.ky.gov
800-325-0083
April 19-20 – 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 19-20 - Ice Pack Spring Car Show
Richmond - Fort Boonesborough State Park
This annual show benefits Kentucky Cystic Fibrosis services. Saturday's show features motorcycles and Sunday's show features cars and trucks.
www.parks.ky.gov
859-527-3131 or 859-744-7434.
April 19-20 - Georgetown International Kite and Culture Festival
Georgetown - Cardome Centre
Join the more than 7,000 people that attend each year. Highlights include: the international food court, non-stop entertainment, children's crafts, displays, exhibits, and free kite making. Great family event.
Admission: Free – Parking: $3 per car
www.kitefest.com
502-863-1575 ext 102
April 20 – Full “Pink” Moon Night Hike
Clermont, Berheim Arboretum & Research Forest
Hiking isn’t just for daytime. Why not start near sunset, which is also approximately moonrise on a full moon night. Night hikes cover fairly open territory but not necessarily on established trails. Please dress according to the weather and don’t forget to call between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on the day of the program to find out about last minute changes due to the weather. Cloud cover does not cancel our full moon hikes but severe rain might. Hours: 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm. Admission: $7 members, $10 non-members; advance registration required.
www.bernheim.org
502-955-8512
April 21-26 - Rotary Club Annual TV and Radio Auction
Madisonville - Hopkins County Fairgrounds
This annual fund raiser is to benefit local scholarships and youth athletics. Local businesses donate items to be auctioned.
Hours: Begins 6 pm each evening.
www.hopkinscountytourism.com
270-825-0427
April 22-26 - Celebrate National Wildlife Week and Earth Day
Frankfort - Salato Wildlife Education Center
Join the Salato staff in activities and exhibits celebrating Kentucky's diverse resources. Salato will once again be giving away free trees to the first 500 families who visit us on Earth Day (April 22). No registration is required.
502-564-7109
fw.ky.gov
800-858-1549 ext. 429