July 1-31 Far Out Space Places GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Visit the most extreme destinations in our cosmic neighborhood. Scale the cliffs of the Mariner Valley on Mars, glide on the winds of Neptune and visit the original lunar landing site of the Apollo astronauts. See "Far Out Space Places" daily at 10am and Sat. & Sun. at 4pm. $2/$4. July 1-31 Explorers of the International Space Station GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM See what it's like to live on the space station and do important scientific work. Before your trip is over, learn how to find the space station in your own night sky. See "Explorers" daily at 11am. $2/$4. July 1-31 Kentucky Skies GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Sneak preview of tonight's sky! Learn the constellations, lore of night sky, and celestial events. See "Kentucky Skies" daily at 1pm. $2/$4. July 1-31 Search for Life in the Universe GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Host Leonard Nimoy examines the ingredients necessary for life on our planet, as we ponder the possibility of life in our solar system and beyond. See "Search for Life in the Universe" daily at 2pm. $2/$4. July 1-31 Blown Away: The Wild World of Weather GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM See incredible views of our earth's weather through spectacular footage. Features a journey into space to explore the sun's effect on our weather. See "Blown Away" daily at 3pm. $2/$4. July 1-31 Summer Nights GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM See one of our daytime shows (see list below), then go outside to the observatory for a look at the real night sky. Show Schedule: Search for Life 6/7; KY Skies 6/14; Blown Away 6/21; Explorers 6/28. See " Summer Nights" Saturdays at 8pm, doors open at 7:30pm. $2/$5. Evening program only. Tue., Jul. 1 10:30am Woodland Walk NATURE STATION Let's go for a hike on one of our favorite trails! This 1-mile guided hike will take us through the woods, along a lakeshore, and by the edge of a field. As we hike, we will search for signs of wildlife we may find along the way. Program free to all LBL visitors. Meet at Nature Station. Tue., Jul. 1 2pm Let's Get Snappy! NATURE STATION Did you know that Kentucky Lake is home to a type of turtle that can weigh over 200 pounds? Visit the Nature Station as we take a closer look at our resident alligator snapping turtle, and its smaller cousin the common snapper, while they enjoy chow time. Program free with NS admission. Wed., Jul. 2 1-3pm Echoes of the Iron Industry GOLDEN POND VISITOR CENTER This area was once a hub of industry with several iron furnaces operating here between the rivers. Stop by the Golden Pond Visitor Center as we discuss the processes involved in iron production, as well as what environmental and economic impacts the iron industry had on this area during the 19th century. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free to LBL visitors. Wed., Jul. 2 1-3pm I Spy Iron Scavenger Hunt HOMEPLACE The iron industry was very important to people living Between the Rivers in the 1850s. Many items they used daily were made of iron. Come to The Homeplace today for an iron scavenger hunt. As you tour the farm see how many items you can find that are made of iron. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Thu., Jul. 3 10:30am Storytime with 'Possum NATURE STATION Bring the little ones for this unique storytime program! Your kids will love to explore the world of the opossum as we read a story about an opossum and then meet a live opossum up close. We will also make an opossum craft that your kids can take home. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jul. 3 2pm Leave it to Beaver NATURE STATION The beaver is one of our most important wildlife species in Land Between The Lakes. It provides habitat for wood ducks, turtles, snakes, and fish. Sit back and stay dry as we take a closer look at the role of the beaver during this indoor presentation. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Thu., Jul. 3 6:30-8:30pm Sunset Beaver Marsh Hike NATURE STATION Join the Nature Station staff for a 2-mile hike around Hematite Lake looking for wildlife and wildflowers. This time of the evening is the best time to see beavers, herons, waterfowl, and songbirds. We will end the night enjoying the sunset from Hematite Dam. Program free to all LBL visitors. Meet at Hematite Lake Trailhead. Fri., Jul. 4 1-4pm Independence Day HOMEPLACE Enjoy an afternoon of holiday fun and entertainment at The Homeplace as we celebrate one of the biggest holidays in the 1850s, Independence Day. Festivities kick off with a visit from the popular Kentucky statesman, Henry Clay, as he regales us with stories of his life: his adventures as a Kentucky senator, Speaker of the House, Secretary of State, and his unsuccessful run for the presidency. Then let the games begin! Join in on the fun! Play old-time games, enjoy a cool slice of watermelon, and cool off under the shade of the maple trees while enjoying music and a few tall tales. The day will end with a bang as a paper hot air balloon is launched into the sky to celebrate the biggest holiday of the 1850s, Independence Day. Henry Clay is portrayed by George McGee and the program is funded in part by the Kentucky Humanities council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Fri., Jul. 4 Throughout the Day Visit with Smokey Bear NATURE STATION The great American icon, Smokey Bear, will be making appearances throughout the day. Bring the kids to meet Smokey, take some memorable pictures, and even walk away with some Smokey Bear goodies. Program free with NS admission. Fri., Jul. 4 1pm Truly American Animals NATURE STATION Distinctly North American animals such as the wild turkey, red wolf, and bald eagle have played important roles in our nation's history and culture. Meet some of these truly American creatures and find out how they have helped to shape this country's identity. Program free with NS admission. Fri., Jul. 4 2:30pm Let the Turtle Race Begin! NATURE STATION We all know that the turtle can beat the hare, but what if it was just a turtle race? Which turtle species would win? Let's stage an official turtle race and find out! Meet the competitors, learn what makes each turtle different, and vote for the one you think will win. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 5 10am-12pm and 1-4pm 19th Century Photography: Invited Artist: Tim Parson, Wet Plate Artist HOMEPLACE Imagine a time when the image of loved ones was only achieved by an artist's brush. Then perhaps you can imagine the excitement that photography created in the mid 1800s! Relive the excitement of having your "image struck" when you visit with historic photography expert Tim Parson. Throughout the day, using period photography equipment, Mr. Parson will demonstrate the techniques of 1800's photography, and display his collection of historic and reproduced photographs. Mr. Parson will be available to take photographs on a first-come, first-served, basis for a fee. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Sat., Jul. 5 Ongoing from 10am-4pm All-American Scavenger Hunt NATURE STATION Learn more about our great American plants and animals by trying your hand at a special scavenger hunt around the Nature Station. Figure out all the answers and you will get a prize! *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 5 11am Wildlife Viewing Tips for LBL NATURE STATION Would you like to find out some "hot spots" for viewing wildlife in LBL? Who better to ask than the staff who work here! Attend this brief slide show to discover the best places and times to look for your favorite local wildlife. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 5 2pm Creature Feature: Bald Eagle NATURE STATION Let's celebrate Independence Day weekend by taking a closer look at our national symbol, the bald eagle. Visit with our resident eagle as we share the story of this magnificent bird. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 5 7-9:30pm The Night Shift NATURE STATION Who comes out at night to enjoy the delights of darkness? You do! Join us for this special after-hours program and meet some notorious nocturnal creatures such as owls and an opossum. Also, catch a glimpse of the NS animals by starlight and take part in fun activities that range from mild to wild to just plain batty! Program free with same day NS admission, or $2/$3 for evening program admission only. Last check-in at 8:30pm. Sun., Jul. 6 1pm Berries + Fruits + Sweets = Summer Treats! HOMEPLACE We've been to the blackberry patch with our pails to pick fresh juicy berries. We've also had the long fruit pole picker in the orchard to get those delicious apples and peaches. Now come by the kitchen and see what the ladies have created with these summertime treats. Program free with HP admission. Sun., Jul. 6 1:30pm Name That Tune NATURE STATION Was that a squirrel or a bird? What sort of frog was that? Join us today as we bring back an old classic. Learn different local bird and frog songs as we compete to see who can "Name That Tune!" Program free with NS admission. Tue., Jul. 8 2pm Truly Talon-ted NATURE STATION Enjoy face-to-face encounters with the master hunters of the bird world, the raptors! By meeting several species of owls and a hawk, you'll see first-hand how these birds use stealth, speed, and superior senses to rule the skies. Program free with NS admission. Wed., Jul. 9 1pm Notions of the Nigh Ox HOMEPLACE Through body positioning and verbal commands, the notions for the nigh ox should be controlled. We shall see! Meet at the ox barn to learn what makes an ox, how they work, and to see the working steer in action. Program free with HP admission. Thu., Jul. 10 2pm Creature Feature: Red Wolf NATURE STATION The endangered red wolf - is it on the road to recovery? Take advantage of this opportunity to get a good look at this elusive predator. We will share the story of how our native southeastern wolf is fighting back from the brink of extinction. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul 12 All Day Cool & Crawly Critters Day NATURE STATION Hey kids! Celebrate nature with an up-close-and-personal look at big bugs, slender snakes, terrific turtles, and more! Learn about the strange and unusual critters of LBL and the world from the scientists and naturalists who study everything from insects to mammals. Enjoy animal games, crafts, jokes, and lots of cool and crawly critters at the Nature Station. *Ideal for Home Educators. $3/$4. Sat., Jul 12 1pm Don't Fence Me In HOMEPLACE Fence in the crops and fence out the animals. Learn universal ways of using natural materials for building miniature fences, cribs, and cages. Children are encouraged to create and adults will be tolerated. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Sun., Jul. 13 1:30pm Survival of the Fittest NATURE STATION Is that opossum dead? Do turtles hold their breath all winter long? Animals have some amazing ways of staying alive. Today we'll take a look at critters big and small and learn about their unique adaptations that help them survive. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Jul. 13 2pm What's Draft Power Anyway? HOMEPLACE Have you ever wondered about the term "draft" animal or just how the different parts of a horse's harness are used for work? Come to the horse barn for explanations and more as we prepare one of the horses to do some work around the farm. Program free with HP admission. Tue., Jul. 15 2pm Tales of Scales NATURE STATION Get up-close-and-personal with reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, salamanders, and turtles. We'll introduce you to several "ambassadors" from the cold-blooded world as we explore the fascinating ways these slimy and scaly critters survive. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Wed., Jul. 16 1pm and 2pm Summer School?!? HOMEPLACE In the mid-19th century, children attended school 3 to 6 months of the year and only when they weren't needed on the farm. Dress in period clothing and join our class for a sample lesson 1850's style. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Wed., Jul. 16 6:30-9pm Moonlight Canoe Trip NATURE STATION Enjoy the setting of the sun and the beginning of an evening under the moon as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll watch for shoreline wildlife such as herons and osprey as the sun goes down and then listen for others under the light of the stars and moon. $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Thu., Jul. 17 2pm Creature Feature: Barred Owl NATURE STATION What's that owl hooting in the distance? If you live near the woods, it might well be a barred owl. Get an up-close look at our resident barred owl and discover how this secretive bird of prey survives as a hunter of the night. Program free with NS admission. Fri. and Sat., Jul. 18 & 19 8pm (Rodeo) LBL Primitive Rodeo and Wranglers Grand Jubilee WRANGLERS CAMPGROUND J-N Rodeo Company comes to Wranglers Campground with saddle-bronc, bareback riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. Bring your own lawn chair. We are once again combining the Rodeo and the Grand Jubilee to include half-price camping, a watermelon feast, and more. For more information call 270-924-2201. Sat., Jul. 19 10:30-11:30am and 12-1pm Build a Bug Box NATURE STATION Hey kids! How would you like to have your very own bug box? These handy boxes are great for holding bugs while you examine them up close. Join us as we build and paint our own bug boxes. $2 per bug box. Program only. Reservations are required because materials are limited. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat., Jul. 19 1pm Summer's Bouquet of Color HOMEPLACE Both wild and cultivated summer flowers are in full bloom. Come to the yard of the Single Pen House and learn how to create a bouquet of color for dying using these plants. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Sat., Jul. 19 2pm Insect Safari NATURE STATION Let's discover the miniature world of butterflies, beetles, and other insects. Using nets, bug boxes, and magnifying glasses, we will explore the backyard gardens to search for these often overlooked creatures. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Jul. 20 1pm Puttin' by the Garden HOMEPLACE Summer fruits and vegetables had to be preserved for the winter months; however, before home canning became popular, preserving was a slow, tricky job. Visit the ladies of The Homeplace as they "put-by" the garden and orchard harvest. Program free with HP admission. Sun., Jul. 20 2pm Hummingbirds for Kids NATURE STATION Can you flap your wings as fast as a hummingbird? We'll put your skills to the test to see how good of a hummingbird you would be. Also, help us put out feeders in the gardens, watch the hummingbirds enjoy their feast, and make a craft to take home. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Jul. 22 2pm Pocket Full o'Possum NATURE STATION Visit with the Nature Station's resident opossum while she enjoys chow time. Discover more about this unusual mammal that carries its babies in its pouch, "plays 'possum," and loves to eat persimmons! Program free with NS admission. Wed., Jul. 23 10am-12pm Dinnertime! HOMEPLACE Dinner, the noon meal, is started early in the morning with the food hitting the table around 12 noon. Call on the cooks as they prepare a hearty meal using a wood cook stove for the farm staff working today. Program free with HP admission. Thu., Jul. 24 2pm Creature Feature: Alligator Snapping Turtle NATURE STATION Wiggle! Wiggle! Chomp! People aren't the only ones in LBL who use lures to catch fish. So do alligator snapping turtles! Let's take an up-close look at our resident snappers and see why they are such good "fishermen." Program free with NS admission. Sat. and Sun., Jul. 26 & 27 10am-5pm Drag Boat Races PISGAH BAY See blown alcohol, hydros, jets, and flat bottom boats go in excess of 150 miles per hour. Time trials on Sat. and racing on Sun. Pre-registration and medical release required for racers. For more information contact KY Drag Boat Assoc. 800-732-0088 or www.kdba.net. Sat., Jul. 26 1pm Gardening for Butterflies and Hummingbirds NATURE STATION Would you like to attract more butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden? If so join the Nature Station staff for a tour of our gardens. We'll begin with a slide presentation on common butterflies and the ruby-throated hummingbird and then go outside for a tour of the gardens. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Jul. 26 1-3pm Tomato-mania! HOMEPLACE Today we'll have a number of wonderful, old type heirloom tomatoes available for display and discussion as we dig into tomato history and horticulture. Vote for your favorite tomato during our taste test as we democratically decide which tomato is tops to sink your teeth in to! Program free with HP admission. Sat., Jul. 26 7-9pm A Night with Lightning Bugs NATURE STATION Lightning bugs, also known as fireflies, abound in the fields and meadows surrounding the Nature Station. Join us for this evening program as we make bug jars, play some games, and take a night hike to see what's lighting up the woods. $2/$3. Evening program only. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Jul. 27 1pm An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure HOMEPLACE Insects could make living in the 1850s very uncomfortable as they could cause everything from rashes to epidemics. A desperate housewife tried many different home remedies to free her home of these unwanted guests. If these tiny animals caused an illness in her family, she again turned to home remedies for a cure. Join in the "fun" as we create concoctions meant to prevent, as well as cure, insect borne summer maladies. Program free with HP admission. Sun., Jul. 27 2pm Explore Earth's Bison & Buffalo NATURE STATION Sit back, relax, and enjoy this presentation about bison and buffalo species from around the world. We'll take you on a journey to four continents as we learn about the gregarious, global relatives of our native American bison. Program free with NS admission. Tue., Jul. 29 2pm Frog Bog NATURE STATION Join us in the Nature Station Theater for a fun exploration of all things frog! Help us put together a tree frog puzzle, meet our resident frog and toad, and join us in a musical frog pond chorus! Learn more about a frog's life cycle, frog myths, and why frogs need our help. Program free with NS admission. Wed., Jul. 30 1pm Horses in Harness HOMEPLACE See our draft horses at work and learn how these gentle giants provided the muscle and spirit that powered many local farms during the 1850s. Program free with HP admission. Thu., Jul. 31 2pm Creature Feature: Screech Owl NATURE STATION Imagine surviving on your own in the wild if you were only 8 inches tall and weighed a quarter of a pound! Welcome to the world of the screech owl! Meet our resident screech owl and see how such a small fry can be a big winner in nature. Program free with NS admission.