State parks hosting spooky events for Halloween

First event is Oct. 1

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 23, 2015) — Many Kentucky State Parks will have special events for Halloween.

Here are scheduled events:

Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas — Scary Weekend, Oct. 16-17

• Barren River Lake State Resort Park in partnership with Friends of Barren River Lake and Park invite campers to this “spooktacular” weekend where ghosts and goblins of all shapes and sizes take over the Barren River campground. Events include costume contests, rolling pumpkins, trick-or-treating and tie-dying. Campers: Don’t forget to bring candy for the trick-or-treating. For more information, contact Jamie Avery at 1-800-325-0057 or [email protected].

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet — Zombie Walk, Oct. 24

• This zombie costume party is the first of its kind in the Kentucky State Parks. Includes a viewing of George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” on our outdoor big screen. Food and novelty concessions will be available. Event will begin at 5:45 p.m. with the Zombie Walk and costume competition. Movie will begin following the costume competition. Admission is $5 for the walk and movie. Registration is suggested. For more information contact Paul Tierney at [email protected] or call 859-289-5507.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill — Carter Caves Haunted Trail, Oct. 9-10, 16-17, 23-24

• Includes a haunted walk. Admission is $10 per person. Concessions will be available at the beginning of the trail. The trail is not recommended for young children. Transportation to and from the trailhead will be provided by the park. Ticket sales are open each event night from 7:30-10 p.m. at Carter Caves’ public pool. Call 606-286-4411 for information.

Cascade Cave Cave-in Movie — Oct. 31

• Cascade Cave for an will show a family-friendly spooky flick inside the cave. (The film has not been selected.) The price is $5 per person at the door. Seating is not provided, so participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs.  Popcorn and drink concessions will be available at the cave (cash only). Call the park at 606-286-4411 for more details.

Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus — ‘Un-Boo-Lievable’ Weekend, Oct. 23-25

• Enjoy a fun-filled weekend with campsite trick-or-treating. Prizes will be given for best decorated campsite and best costume. There will be a chili and dessert cook-off followed by a “Ghost Ride.” Activities are for campers only. Call 270-677-2327.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin — Tour of Terror, Oct. 23-24, 30-31

• Guides will take guests on a haunted tour of the park. Not recommended for children under 10. The adventure begins at the visitor center near the falls area. Cost is $10 per person. Tickets will go on sale at 7 p.m. each night at the visitor center. Call 800-325-0063.

E.P. ‘Tom’ Sawyer State Park, Louisville — The Land of EP: A History Hike, Oct. 1, Nov. 12

• Hike along with park staff to some of the most interesting historic sites on the park and learn about the past of the old Central State Hospital. Some of the areas visit will be the cave entrance, the administration area and the cemeteries. Hike will be 6-8 p.m. Meet at archery range. Admission is $5; ages 3 and under are free. Registration is required. Call 502-429-7270 or email Nick Price at [email protected].

Spirits of Sawyer 2015 — Oct. 16, Nov. 6

Visit the park to explore the history of E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park and head out on a “ghost hunt” led by a local paranormal investigative group. Visitors will get the chance to see how the investigative instruments work in person. Groups will explore the historic areas such as the old dairy barn and the cemetery. Event will be 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and starts at the Sawyer-Hayes Community Center.  Admission is $25 a person and registration is required. Visit the park to register. For more information, call 502-429-7270 or email Nick Price at [email protected].

Grayson Lake State Park, Olive Hill — Annual Halloween Fest, Oct. 24

• Campers can enjoy lunch, crafts, chili cook off, costume contest, campsite decorating contest, haunted trail and treat-or-treating. Activities are for campers only. Call 606-474-9727 for information.

Green River Lake State Park, Campbellsville — Haunted Halloween Corn Maze, Oct. 17

• The maze, located on State Park Road off Lone Valley Road, is a joint project of the park and the Friends of Green River Lake. There will be a $5 admission charge on Oct. 17 during the park’s “Haunted Maze” from 7-8 p.m. for young kids and 8:30-10:30 p.m. for teenagers and adults. The proceeds will be divided between Green County FFA and The Friends of Green River Lake. The friends group uses funding to make improvements around the lake. The maze is an image of the FFA logo. For more information, call Green River Lake State Park at 270-465-8255.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg — Halloween Campground and Haunted Boat Rides, Oct. 16-17, 23-24

• Events include haunted boat rides and hay rides on Friday and Saturday nights and trick-or-treating, campsite decorating contest, and a costume contest on Saturday nights. Haunted boat rides will be offered from dusk until 11 p.m. The fee is $5 a person. For more information, call 800-325-0142.

John James Audubon State Park, Henderson — Halloween in the Campground, Oct. 24

• The park will hold its Halloween in the Campground event Oct. 24 from 4-6:30 p.m. There will be trick-or-treating, a birds of prey program at the campground shelter, and a campsite decorating contest with prizes. Call the campground office at 270-826-5939 or Julie McDonald at 270-826-2247.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Calvert City — Campground Halloween, Oct. 23-24

• Activities include trick-or-treating, campsite decorating contest, campfire tales, crafts, and games. Campers: Don’t forget to bring candy for trick-or-treating. Call 270-362-4276, ext. 412 for details.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown — The Shadows of Federal Hill, Oct. 22-24

• The tour and stories include sad and haunting historical tales about the home, the family who lived there and their guests, including Stephen Foster. The tours will be conducted from 6-8 p.m. and admission is $16 a person. The Stephen Foster Story performers will also sing as part of the program. Call 502-348-3502 for information.

Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg — Haunted Frontier, Oct. 29-31

• The haunting experience takes place next to one of the oldest cemeteries in Kentucky. The experience starts at dark and lasts until 10 p.m. for only $5 a person. This activity is not recommended for children under 10. Call 859-734-3314.

Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site, Tompkinsville — Halloween in the Park, Oct. 9

• Children through age 10 will enjoy the costume parade, as well as the Halloween-themed games and activities. Carve or decorate a jack-o’-lantern at home and bring it for the contests. Prizes will be awarded. Admission is $5 per person, which includes a hot dog dinner. Registration by Oct. 7 is required. Due to the nature of this event, adults must be registered with a child for admission. Call 270-487-8481.

Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs — Halloween Extravaganza, Oct. 23-25

• Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is hosting a Halloween extravaganza on Oct. 23-25. The park is offering Halloween arts and crafts on Friday evening. There will be more fun Halloween programs on Saturday including, contests for best-decorated campsite, best costume (children and adults) and best jack-o’-lantern. The weekend wraps up on Saturday night with storytelling. Call 800-325-1711.

White Hall State Historic Site, Richmond — Ghost Walk, Oct. 22-24, 30-31

• White Hall State Historic Site offers an alternative to the typical haunted house. “Ghosts” will come out of the darkness to tell the incredible stories of the Clay family, but in a theatrical history lesson tour that is very family-friendly. Afterwards, guests are treated to hot apple cider and cookies. Tickets are $10 per person and are by reservation only. Tours run from 7-9:30 p.m. Call the park at 859-623-9178.