Carter Caves State Resort Park will host the 25th annual Pioneer Life Week July 25-31.
The annual event allows visitors to see how pioneers and Native Americans lived. Most events are free to the public. The pioneer encampment near the park campground is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 31.
The programs include tomahawk throwing, black powder rifle demonstrations, flint knapping, spinning and weaving demonstrations, primitive fire making, horn smithing demonstrations, pioneer clothing interpretation, and living history tours of Saltpetre Cave. On Thursday, July 28,, the park will host a Kentucky Chautauqua program with Harry Smith portraying Private William Greathouse from the War of 1812, at 8 p.m. at the park amphitheater.
Country Fair Day will be Saturday, July 30, featuring old farm tools and machinery, woodcarving, seed spitting, flint knapping, pottery making, pioneer toys, flute music, a pie auction and more. A free ice cream social will be at 4 p.m.
Carter Caves also offers cave tours, canoe trips, hiking, golf, mini-golf, fishing, camping, horseback riding and swimming. Carter Caves also has a lodge and restaurant. During the week, the restaurant will have a Buffalo Buffet including buffalo ribs and roast, carved on the line, on Friday, July 31.
For more information, call the park at 1-800-325-0059 or 1-606-286-4411.
The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 49 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our website at: http://www.parks.ky.gov
(story provided by Kentucky Dept. of Parks)