Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Land Between The Lakes

Summer Finale and 1850's County Fair & Storytelling Festival Labor Day Weekend at LBL

GOLDEN POND, KY – Spend your Labor Day Weekend enjoying a variety of outdoor activities that celebrate the end of summer at Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area.  

Join us Sept 3-6, as we celebrate LBL’s Summer Finale at Woodlands Nature Station (NS).  Activities include appearances by Smokey Bear, canoe trips, nature hikes, a campfire, a watermelon feast, and much more.  Visitors to the NS can also enjoy live animal programs, nature exhibits, backyard bird-watching, and nature trails.  

New this year at The Homeplace (HP) is the 1850’s County Fair and Storytelling Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 4-5, 10am to 4pm each day.  Step into the past and visit with historic trades’ people as they demonstrate and sell their wares, learn about heritage breeds of farm animals, heirloom vegetables, and enjoy homemade goodies at the farmers’ market.  Learn how to play cricket, a popular 1800’s game, from cricket historian Tom Melville.  Enjoy the old-fashioned tradition of storytelling with some of the best storytellers in our region, Mike Beville, Cherrie Coleman, Gerry Gutfreund, Mary Ann Jordon, and Brother Don Bailey.  An added twist to the traditional storytelling festival will be stories through music, thanks to talented string band, The Dixie Volunteers.  

"LBL’s Summer Finale is a great way to celebrate the end of summer, and we are excited about our new event, the 1850’s County Fair and Storytelling Festival, which will bring the past to life,” said Cindy Earls, Special Events Coordinator.  “These Labor Day Weekend events, from canoe trips to pie eating contests, provide educational fun that the whole family can enjoy!”

Below is a complete list of Summer Finale and 1850’s County Fair and Storytelling Festival activities.  Some events, such as the Sunset Canoe Trip, require advance reservations or an additional fee.  For complete details or to reserve your spot, contact LBL at 270-924-2020.  

Friday, Sept. 3
·        6:30-8:30pm        Nocturnal Neighbors Night Hike (NS-call for reservations)
Saturday, Sept. 4
·        10am-4pm        Heirloom Vegetable Displays, Heritage Livestock Breeds Display,  Storytelling Festival, All American Cricket, Farmers’ Market, Peddler Joe, & Historic Trades (HP)
·        11am                Meet Proctor the Mule (HP),                 Forest Folklore Hike (NS)
·        1pm                Story Time with Smokey Bear (NS)
·        2pm                Oxen Driving Demonstrations (HP)
·        2:30pm                Pie Eating Contest, 1850’s Games & Contests, & How Many Marbles in a Jar? (HP)
·        3pm                Watermelon Feast (NS)
·        7-9pm                Kids’ Campfire (NS-call for reservations)
Sunday, Sept. 5
·        10am-4pm        Heirloom Vegetable Displays, Heritage Livestock Breeds Display,  Storytelling Festival, All American Cricket, Farmers’ Market, Peddler Joe, & Historic Trades (HP)
·        11am                Creature Feature: Barred Owl (NS), Meet Proctor the Mule (HP)
·        2pm                Oxen Driving Demonstrations (HP)
·        2:15pm                All Fired Up! (NS)
·        2:30pm                Pie Eating Contest, 1850’s Games & Contests, & How Many Marbles in a Jar? (HP)
·        5:30-8pm        Sunset Canoe Trip (NS-call for reservations)
Monday, Sept. 6
·        11am                “Trees are a Breeze” Identification Hike (NS)
·        2:15pm                Creature Feature: Bobcat (NS)

Land Between The Lakes is managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with “Friends of LBL,” to provide public lands outdoor recreation and environmental education.  We encourage visitors to review our website at www.lbl.org each season, and throughout the season, for our Calendar of Events, updates on programs and policies, and temporary trail and road closures.  Additional LBL information is also available on our website or by calling 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000.  You can find out more about “Friends of LBL” at www.friendsoflbl.org.