Sat., Sept. 6 8pm Summer Nights GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM See one of our daytime shows, then go outside to the observatory for a look at the real night sky. Doors open at 7:30pm. $2/$5. Evening program only. Sept. 1-30 Far Out Space Places GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Visit 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 10 am. $2/$4. Sept. 1-30 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" Sat. & Sun. at 11am. $2/$4. Sept. 1-30 Kentucky Skies GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Sneak preview of tonight's sky! Learn the constellations, lore of night sky, and celestial events. See "Kentucky Skies" Sat. & Sun. at 1pm. $2/$4. Sept. 1-30 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. Sept. 1-30 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" Sat. & Sun. at 3pm. $2/$4. Sat., Sept. 6 1pm Flax Facts HOMEPLACE What do Egyptians, the pilgrims, George Washington and black slaves all have in common? They wall wore clothing made from linen thread. Join the staff at the Tool Barn for the multi-step process of breaking down the flax straw and then watch the spinning wheel whirl transforming homegrown flax into versatile thread. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Sat., Sept. 6 1:30pm Bye, Bye Birdie! Bird Walk NATURE STATION As autumn and colder weather approaches, many of the birds that spend the summer here are getting ready to depart for more southern locales. Join us at the Nature Station as we search for osprey, hummingbirds, warblers, and other soon-to-be-southern birds. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Sept. 6 5-7:30pm Sunset Canoe Trip NATURE STATION Enjoy the beauty of an LBL sunset as we paddle the waters of one of Lake Barkley's scenic bays. We'll search for wildlife visiting the lake at twilight such as osprey, herons, beavers, and songbirds. Beginners are welcome! $25 per canoe. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Sept. 7 1:30pm Spider Safari NATURE STATION Let's take a closer look at the world of spiders! These voracious insect-eaters come in a fascinating variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. We'll show some spiders up close and then go on a backyard search as we learn how to look for and identify spiders. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Sept. 7 2pm Ox Power HOMEPLACE They have powerful muscles and some can reach over 2000 pounds in weight. They can pull twice their weight when they need to, what are they? Oxen! You can find ours at the Ox Barn where you can learn some fun facts about them and see the working steer in action. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with HP admission. Sat., Sept. 13 10am - 4pm 19th Annual 1850's Agricultural Fair HOMEPLACE Experience a cornucopia of farm life from heritage farm animals and plowing displays, to lending a hand making fresh apple cider and apple butter, contests of strength and skill, and voting for your favorite heirloom vegetables. As with agricultural fairs of the past, The Homeplace features historic trade people selling their wares, a farmer's market and entertainment including: the old time tunes of The Dixie Volunteers; have your head "read" by visiting the Phrenologist; and enjoy a traditional Punch and Judy puppet show. Festival food available for purchase. Plus, new this year, learn to play cricket, often referred to as baseballs older brother. Cricket enthusiast, Tom Melville, will teach the fundamentals of cricket. Everyone is welcome to join in on the ongoing cricket game. Step back in time, if just for a day, and enjoy the excitement of an old-time agricultural fair! *Ideal for Home Educators. $4/$6. Lawn chairs are welcome on the farm. For more information, call 931 232-6457. Sat., Sept. 13 1-3:30pm Beginners' Orienteering NATURE STATION Have you always wanted to learn how to use a compass? Or teach your kids how to use one? Bring the whole family for a fun afternoon of learning the basics skills of orienteering with hands-on instruction, a beginner-level course to try, and a final challenge using a map and compass to find a hidden prize. $4 per person. Includes same day NS admission. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits are required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat., Sept. 14 1:30pm A Talk About Ticks NATURE STATION It's still tick season at LBL, so stop by the Nature Station to learn about the biology of ticks, the diseases they transmit, how to avoid being bitten, and more. Program free with NS admission. Sat. Sept. 13 9am - 9pm 12-Hour Endurance Mountain Bike Race CANAL LOOP TRAILS A 12-hour mountain bike endurance event on LBL Canal Loop trail system. Kentucky Lake Scenic Drive will be closed to non-participants September 12-14. For more information visit www.woodnwave.com/12.html or contact Steve Wilson at 270-362-2453 or steve@woodnwave.com Sept. 17-21 Piney Camper's Fair PINEY CAMPGROUND This 35-year tradition is a wonderful camping celebration featuring fun games, entertainment, crafts, and more. Check out the latest RVs and equipment, pick up some crafts from the flea market, and dance to the musical entertainment. New to the Camper's Fair this year will be an exhibit of the latest boats provided by a local dealership. Piney is open to the public at no admission fee, Sat., Sept. 20, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun., Sept. 21, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., for the open house. Displays of camping equipment, RVs, and boats will be provided by area dealers. Sat., Sept. 20 1pm Gourd Time at The Homeplace HOMEPLACE Come compare gourds, squashes, and pumpkins. Learn how early farmers used them and see how they are used today as edibles, in decorating, and as craft items. Program free with HP admission. Sat., Sept. 20 1:30pm Bugle Boys NATURE STATION The male elk are making a big ruckus showing off to impress the girls. Before visiting the Elk & Bison Prairie, join us for this presentation as we highlight the fascinating variety of behaviors that you can observe during the elk rut season. Program free with NS admission. Sat., Sept. 20 5:30-7pm Sunset Tour of Elk & Bison Prairie ELK & BISON PRAIRIE (meet at GPVC) Enjoy a guided excursion through the Elk & Bison Prairie during the elk rut season! This is a great time of year to observe these magnificent animals while the bull elk show off to impress the cows. We'll discuss the natural history of elk and bison and fill you in about seasonal happenings in the prairie. $3. Evening program only. Registration limited. Reservations and full deposits required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Meet at the Golden Pond Visitor Center. Sun., Sept. 21 Ongoing from 11am-1pm Animal Tracks Kids Craft NATURE STATION It's fun to search for animal tracks to try to figure out which critters have been active in the woods. Bring the kids to make their own animal tracks guides that they can take with them on their adventures. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Sept. 21 1pm An Apple a Day HOMEPLACE Everyone knows that apples are a delicious fruit eaten raw but can you name other ways apples can be consumed? Come by The Homeplace kitchen as the ladies prepare this amazing fruit for use this winter. They may even have a few apple "receipts" for you to sample. Program free with HP admission. Sun., Sept. 21 2pm Animal Signs Hike NATURE STATION Join the Nature Station staff on a 1-mile hike through the woods and to the lakeshore to discover animal signs. We will look for tracks, homes, and other evidence that the animals left. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Thurs., Sept. 25 2:30pm Monarch Butterfly Tagging NATURE STATION Get up-close and personal with monarch butterflies and be part of a monarch research program by helping us capture, tag, and release these winged wonders. We'll visit several spots in LBL to search for these insects as they make their amazing migration to Mexico. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Reservations are required because space is limited. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sat., Sept. 27 National Public Lands Day (NPLD) LBL WIDE In celebration of National Public Lands Day, LBL will offer all visitors free regular daytime admission to Nature Station, The Homeplace, Golden Pond Planetarium, and Elk & Bison Prairie. Free daytime admission to NS, HP, GPP, & EBP. Sat., Sept. 27 10am-4pm Elk & Bison Prairie Celebration GOLDEN POND VISITOR CENTER/ELK & BISON PRAIRIE Celebrate the wonders and history of The Elk Bison Prairie with hands-on displays and demonstrations at the Golden Pond Visitor Center. Then enjoy the sights and sounds of the EBP and the exciting once a year event, elk bugling. Guided van tours through The Elk Bison Prairie will depart from the GPVC throughout the day or enjoy the prairie on your own. Bring your family and friends to explore the beauty, wildlife and history of LBL. For more information call 270 924-2020. Enjoy FREE admission to the Elk & Bison Prairie all day. Planetarium shows will not be shown today. Please enjoy our alternate presentations. Sat., Sept. 27 10am-12pm and 1-4pm Organic Gardening HOMEPLACE Although set in the 1850's, The Homeplace has long been a promoter of earth-friendly programs including our heirloom vegetables and field crops program. Farm practices in the past reflected the then popular view that land and resources were limitless. Today we realize that our resources are not limitless; using lessons from the past, we can learn to conserve our limited resources. Organic Farming, a modern concept, was practiced during the 1850's as a matter of necessity instead of a matter of protecting the land and resources. Learn modern organic farming techniques from organic gardening expert, Charles Berryhill. Discover how easy it is to garden or farm using Charles' earth-friendly gardening techniques. 'Try this' at home to protect the water, land, and wildlife in your community. Charles Berryhill and his wife and herbalist, Denise Berryhill own Briarwood Gardens, which features organically grown ingredients for their homemade soaps, balms, dip mixes and teas. Items from Briarwood Gardens will be available for purchase. Invited Artist Charles Berryhill, Organic Gardening Specialist. Admission is free for NPLD. Sat., Sept. 27 11am-3pm Early Americans and the Prairie GOLDEN POND VISITOR CENTER Visit with local Early American historian, Ted Franklin Belue, and author of The Long Hunt: Death of the Buffalo East of the Mississippi and The Hunters of Kentucky: A Narrative History of America's First Far West, 1750-1792 as he brings the early American experience to life. Discover how early explorers and hunters viewed and used the prairies and prairie animals. Mr. Belue's books will be available for purchase and autograph. Invited Artist: Ted Franklin Belue, Historian and Author Program is free to LBL visitors. Sat., Sept. 27 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Little Mouse in the Prairie GOLDEN POND PLANETARIUM Explore the prairie environment as seen through the eyes of some of the smaller creatures that call this place home. Enjoy this presentation in the comforts of planetarium. Program is free to LBL visitors. Sat., Sept. 27 1pm Conservation Heroes NATURE STATION Explore the lives of some of America's most famous and not-so-famous conservationists and naturalists. We will focus on people such as John James Audubon, Rachel Carson, and John Muir. Admission is free for NPLD. Sat., Sept. 27 2:30pm Monarch Butterfly Tagging NATURE STATION Get up-close and personal with monarch butterflies and be part of a monarch research program by helping us capture, tag, and release these winged wonders. We'll visit several spots in LBL to search for these insects as they make their amazing migration to Mexico. *Ideal for Home Educators. Admission is free for NPLD. Reservations are required because space is limited. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Sun., Sept. 28 1pm Handsewing for the Bride's Trousseau HOMEPLACE The wedding is only a few weeks away and the bride isn't ready! Join the ladies at the Double Pen House as they take up needle and thread to make last minute preparations for the bride's trousseau. Program free with HP admission. Sun., Sept. 28 1pm Monarch Mysteries NATURE STATION Did you know that monarch butterflies travel 50 miles per day? They also spend the winter in the mountains of Mexico, clustered by the millions. We will follow the fascinating life cycle of the amazing insect during this presentation. Program free with NS admission. Sun., Sept. 28 2:30pm Monarch Butterfly Tagging NATURE STATION Get up-close and personal with monarch butterflies and be part of a monarch research program by helping us capture, tag, and release these winged wonders. We'll visit several spots in LBL to search for these insects as they make their amazing migration to Mexico. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Reservations are required because space is limited. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Tues., Sept. 30 2:30pm Monarch Butterfly Tagging NATURE STATION Get up-close and personal with monarch butterflies and be part of a monarch research program by helping us capture, tag, and release these winged wonders. We'll visit several spots in LBL to search for these insects as they make their amazing migration to Mexico. *Ideal for Home Educators. Program free with NS admission. Reservations are required because space is limited. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space.