Come to the Annual Salt Festival at Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky

Located in Boone County, Kentucky, Big Bone Lick State Park was the home where the buffalo roamed about 15,000 years ago. During the Pleistocene period, often called the Ice Ages, bison, woolly mammoths, mastodons, and giant sloths migrated to the area because they were attracted to the warm salt springs. Many of these prehistoric creatures became trapped and died in the quagmire that they had been so attracted to. The fossilized remains provide clues about life in Kentucky thousands of years ago.

Today, Big Bone Lick is a beautiful park that spreads across 546 green acres. There is a museum that exhibits fossils that were unearthed in the area, and a gift shop that sells edibles, books, and made-in-Kentucky crafts. The park also has a Nature Center, Discovery Trail, walking and hiking trails, 62 campsites, many shaded picnic areas, and playgrounds. There is a bass and bluegill stocked lake for fishing, a campground pool for swimming, miniature golf, tennis, volleyball, basketball, softball, and horseshoes. There are also, of course, bison. Visitors can follow the Discovery Trail along wetlands, grasslands, and wooded savannas to the bog where a tableau re-creates the woolly mammoth and other animals trapped in the very substance that attracted them, known as the “jelly ground” by the pioneers. The trail links to Big Bone Creek Trail and through the original swampland to the Bison Trace and a live buffalo herd.

Highlighting the park’s salty heritage is the annual Salt Festival. The Salt Festival will be held October 19-21. The festival commemorates the return of Lewis and Clark in 1806 after their expedition to the west. This is the 21^st year of the celebration. The Salt Festival will focus on pioneer life and on the prehistoric people in the region. The festival will host an atlatl contest and demonstrations that will go on all day long. The atlatl was a prehistoric hunting device. Some people refer to the atlatl as a “spear thrower,” but that term isn’t technically correct. Each afternoon there will be, in conjunction with the World Atlatl Association, an atlatl throwing contest.

Visitors are invited to explore a pioneer encampment and its attendant demonstrations, some of which are: salt making, tomahawk throwing, leatherwork, beading, soap making, pottery, storytelling, wood carving, weaving, open fire cooking, and dulcimer playing. The park has revamped the Nature Center, and has a brand new atlatl and archery range. The range will be open to the public, as well as, the atlatl club.

There is a lot to learn and even more to enjoy! Bring your family, pack a picnic, chuck an atlatl, tan some hide, and see where the buffalo roamed.  Get the details here.

Check Out Musical Comedy She Loves Me If You Are in Northern Kentucky

Northern Kentucky isn’t known for having a variety of theater options, especially during the summer months. However, if you are in the Northern Kentucky or the Cincinnati, Ohio areas and are looking for an elegant night out, then be sure to buy a ticket to “She Loves Me” at Northern Kentucky University.

“She Loves Me” is a sentimental and smart comedy about two co-workers in a 1930’s perfumery who are constantly bickering with one another. Each begins to write and receive romantic letters, not knowing that they are writing to each other. The central characters, George and Amelia, find solace in their anonymous pen pals, unaware that the romantic letters are being penned by one another. The play is humorous, sweet, and funny.

The play is based upon the book of the same name by Joe Masteroff. The music is by Jerry Bock and the lyrics were written by Sheldon Harnick. This is the same songwriting team from the hit show “Fiddler on the Roof”. The songs are beautifully performed. The audience is treated to the show stopping song, “Ice Cream,” the delightful “Twelve Days to Christmas” and the popular title tune, “She Loves Me”.

The setting for “She Loves Me” is in the 1930’s in a factory. The costumes are beautiful and authentic with a specific attention paid to detail. The credit for that portion of hard work on the period clothing goes to Laura Martin. The set looks fantastic as well, thanks to the dedication of Geoffrey T. Ahlers.

The cast consists of local theater talent, as well as, students from Northern Kentucky University. George Nowack is played by Rich Roedersheimer. Roedersheimer proves that he is capable of being a leading man with his outstanding performance. He sings with confidence and shows that he does indeed have some acting chops. Amalia, the leading lady of the play, is finely portrayed by Lesley Hitch. Hitch has strong vocal talents. Hitch’s portrayal of Amalia was a bit sillier than what is typically associated with the role; however, it does not take away from the enjoyment of the show.  More details here.

Family Fun in the Midwest: Check Out the 2007 Boone County Fair in Kentucky

If you live in Boone County, KY, or in a city nearby, treat your family to some wholesome fun August 6^th-11^th at the 2007 Boone County Fair. I have attended this splendid event since I was a child. In my younger days, I ran tirelessly through the fairgrounds, getting on rides and slides, playing carnival games, and as an adult, I am appreciative of the equestrian shows, beauty pageants, 4-H animals, vegetable and crops competitions, live music and incredible food. The Boone County Fair never disappoints; it is consistently fun year after year.

For those Boone County residents that enjoy a little competition, there is a wide variety of contests at the fair for all age groups. 4-H kids can register to participate in horse, sheep, goat, poultry, and other animal showcases. Your children can also have a great time getting involved in the pig scramble, the great rock race, or the watermelon seed spitting contest. Adults can take part in numerous competitions as well. Exhibit buildings hold the entries for competitions that include items such as: flowers, crops, photography, art, needlework, cakes and other foods, and quilts. Judging takes place throughout the week and blue ribbons are awarded to proud winners.

The competitive spirit is just one aspect of the Boone County Fair. There is always a large array of rides that the children and teens enjoy. Traditional festival games are also part of the experience. Kids and adults try their luck to win prizes ranging from teddy bears, basketballs, posters, and even goldfish. Get more details about the Boone County Fair here.