Big Bone Lick

UNION, Kentucky – Big Bone Lick State Park will be hosting the annual Salt Festival during the weekend of October 16-18 at the park in Boone County.

The weekend will feature demonstrations of pioneer and Native American life, salt making, spear throwing, storytelling, music, crafts and more.

Visitors can also see the park’s bison herd and newly-renovated nature center.  Friday, Oct. 16, is set aside for school group field trips from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  School groups should pre-register by calling (859) 384-3522.

The admission for Saturday and Sunday is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children.  The Salt Festival is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Big Bone Lick State Park is recognized as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology.  The area played a significant role in the development of scientific thought regarding extinction and the relationship of geology and paleontology the world over.

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced in January that the park in Boone County had been selected as one of 582 National Natural Landmarks in the country.

The 512-acre park features a bison herd, a campground, a museum and gift shop, and a lake for bank fishing.  The park is located 22 miles southwest of Covington on KY 338, off U.S. 42-127 and Interstate 71/75.

Get into the Halloween spirit during this frighteningly fun day at the park on Saturday, October 3, 2009.  Participants will learn how to turn cheap everyday items into spooky and scary Halloween decorations.  From these hands-on and how-to demonstrations, beginners and long-time haunters alike will absolutely freak out over these clever ideas to spook up your haunted yard or Halloween party.  There will be goodie bags and door prizes for participants.

Make-and-take projects include night eyes, PVC ever-last candles, and cobwebs.  Hands-on demonstrations include corpsing a blucky skeleton and making a cemetery fence.  You will also learn how to find cheap prop material and Halloween party ideas.

Contact Todd Young at (859) 384-3522 or todd.young@ky.gov for more information.

Big Bone Lick State Park is the site of the Fourth Annual Bad to the Bone Duathlon on September 19, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.  Participants will run 3.1 miles, bike 25.3 miles, and run 3.1 miles again.  The race features views of some of the most beautiful scenery in northern Kentucky such as pleasant valleys, peaceful pastures, enchanting woodland trails, and roads and towns along the Ohio River.  Racers will need the tranquil scenery to deal with the physical toughness of the running trails and bike courses.

To promote the history of this unique area, money collected from race fees enable the non-profit organization Friends of Big Bone — sponsors of the Bad-to-the-Bone Duathlon — to help make improvements in the park.  Currently money is being used to upgrade the signage of the main trail.  In the future, the group hopes to help improve the content and layout of the Visitor’s Center.

When racers cross the finish line, they can be proud of completing a grueling race.  They can also realize that they ran where mastodons, mammoths, and giant sloths once stood.

For more information or to register for the race, please visit the Bad to the Bone website.

The “World’s Longest Yard Sale,” also known as the “127 Corridor Sale,” stretches 654 miles across 5 states from West Unity, Ohio to Gadsden, Alabama.  Hundreds of thousands of shoppers enjoy this event each year.  It’s officially the largest outdoor shopping event in the world.  It’s nearly impossible for shoppers to cover the entire route in four days, so be prepared to pick up next year where you left off this year.

You’ll find homeowners selling stuff they’ve accumulated throughout the years, as well as professional dealers and vendors.  The one thing you are guaranteed to find is great deals on unique merchandise.  So pack your camera, sunglasses, a good pair of walking shoes, and plenty of cash, and come on out to the World’s Longest Yard Sale!  And don’t forget your patience, because the crowds and traffic can be a bit heavy in places.

And if you happen to visit the Yard Sale in Union, Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati, you’ll find yourself only a mile away from Big Bone Lick State Park.  So after you’re tired shopping for bargains, come and relax for a picnic at the park.

This year the World’s Longest Yard Sale runs from Thursday August 6th through Sunday August 9th.

Official Website

Jane’s Saddlebag and Kentucky Chautauqua will present the play “Daniel Boone: Pathfinder” at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the outdoor amphitheater at Big Bone Lick State Park.  The play will show Boone as an intrepid explorer and natural leader whose exploits justify his larger-than-life reputation.

Scott New portrays Daniel Boone in the play.  New has had a lifelong interest in the Kentucky frontier and early American history. He is a character interpreter for Kentucky State Parks and has portrayed Daniel Boone in films and plays for more than 10 years.

Kentucky Chautauqua presents history dramas that have brought to life more than 50 famous figures from Kentucky’s past.

Story at KY Post

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away…  Okay, this isn’t Star Wars, but have you ever wondered what the galaxies actually look like from Earth?  What about the distant stars you can’t see with the naked eye?

Here is your chance to see galaxies, stars, planets, and the Moon from right here on Earth.  Join our two special guests from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) as they set up telescopes so that you can view the wonders in the heavens above.  See for yourself the beauty and splendor as you search the stars.

Searching the Stars dates:
August 14 at 9:15 pm
August 28 at 9:00 pm

Meet at the Campground Store at Big Bone Lick State Park.

Join our special guest professors Dr. Wayne Bresser and Dr. Ray McNeil from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) as they show you the wonders of the sun.  If you have ever wondered what the sun really looks like close up, you can be one of the few people in the area to safely look through a telescope and see the sun in full view.  Both Ray and Wayne will be on hand to answer any questions you might have after viewing the sun through their special equipment.

Solar Observation dates:
August 22 at 10:00 am
Sept 5 at 10:00 am
Oct 31 at 10:00 am

Meet at the Nature Center at Big Bone Lick State Park.

Jane’s Saddlebag in Northern Kentucky is hosting a day camp for children this summer.

Nancy Jordan Blackmore, author of the popular children’s book The Story of Big Bone Lick, will be “Grandma” for the week as your child takes a step back in time and learns to appreciate life in a natural farm setting.

Children will enjoy hands-on experience with horses, goats, cow, miniature donkey, llamas, and other farm animals.  Plus they will learn the fascinating history of the giant ice age animals who once called this area home, tales of the Indian tribes who occupied Northern Kentucky, and so much more.

Each child will also receive his or her very own autographed copy of The Story of Big Bone Lick to take home as a memento of this treasured childhood experience.  Each day will be filled with a life-learning experience, a calming nature to be secure and safe around animals, and incredible new adventures. 

More Information

Take the ride of your life at the 2009 Tour de Cure!  The 2009 Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Tour de Cure begins at the historic Big Bone Lick State Park in Union, Kentucky on May 30, 2009.  Cyclists will enjoy a beautiful, scenic tour through Boone, Gallatin, Grant and Owen counties in Northern Kentucky on routes of 35, 62, 100 miles, including a Family Fun Ride (8+ miles).  We offer a variety of well-mapped and well-marked rides for biking enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.  Cyclists have options for rolling to very hilly terrain.

Begin your day with a light breakfast at Big Bone Lick State Park.  First Aid volunteers, bike shop mechanics and volunteers are positioned at along the ride.  All rest stops will have restroom facilities, fruit, energy bars, water, sports drinks and other snacks.  SAG support vehicles will be on hand just in case you need them.  Invite your friends and family to join you at the finish line to enjoy lunch and family entertainment and activities.

Register Today!  You can register as an individual or create/join a team.  Once you have registered, create your own personal Tour Web page to send emails to your friends, family & co-workers.  Fund raising online is fast, quick and easy!  Do you know someone with diabetes?  Raising money on behalf of more than 23 million Americans with diabetes will make the ride more memorable.

Contact your local Tour de Cure Director:
Sarah Jefferson
sjefferson@diabetes.org
513-759-9330, ext 6661

For Registration or More Information

The spear and atlatl have been primary weapons for thousands of years and are still being used even in modern times.

Join the park naturalist at the atlatl field to learn and experience first hand the grace and power of these two weapons that have shaped human culture.

This is a free event and no registration is required.  859-384-3522.

Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009