Heart of Kentucky
Holiday Festival…

There’s no time better to spend a weekend in the true Heart of Kentucky than during the holidays. Whether it’s good food, fun festivals, unusual sights or great shopping for gifts made with tender, loving care, Springfield and Lebanon have it all.

Enjoy parades, visits with Santa, neat activities, quaint shops and, most of all, hospitality that comes with a visit to the Heart of Kentucky Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in 2007.

  The finest handmade arts and crafts will be on display and for sale at the historic Opera House on Main Street in Springfield and at Centre Square in beautiful downtown Lebanon. Crafters from all over Kentucky will have goods available for great gifts.

Live music and visits with Santa will take place during the sale at Centre Square on Friday night and live Christmas music will be performed during the sale at the Opera House on Saturday.

Take the kids to Graham Memorial Park in Lebanon to drive by or walk the paved trails through a holiday wonderland of lights and decorations. Young and old will be delighted by the moving scenes, large blow-up igloos, toy soldiers, arches and more. It’s free and open each night.

For more information, call Matthew Mattingly, 270.692.9358.

Historic Penn’s Store is a virtual time machine. Stuck in the 1800s, this is the oldest country store in America being run continuously by the same family. Warm your hands over the potbellied stove. Get a ‘loney sandwich with mater and buy some nifty trinkets for gifts. It will be all gussied up for your visit that Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and holiday decorations and gifts will be discounted.

For more information, call Jeanne Penn Lane, 859.332.7715.

Friday, Nov. 30

Dickens Christmas

Lebanon, Ky.

Feel the holiday spirit with a walk through historic downtown Lebanon to see an old-fashioned Community Christmas Tree lighting, listen to the uplifting sounds of children singing and taste some wild recipes in the chili cook-off.

Store hours are extended for convenient shopping and there’s a free concert at the Centre Square Convention Center!

♥Singing on the Courthouse Steps — 6 p.m.

♥Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree (14 ft. tall!) — 7 p.m.

♥Strolling carolers — 6-7 p.m.

♥Free hot dogs, cider and hot chocolate — 5:30-7 p.m.

♥Chili Cook-Off. Buy one bowl then try them all! The proceeds go to a local charity — 5:30-7 p.m.

♥Carriage rides along historic Spalding Avenue — 5:30-8:30 p.m.

♥Live Nativity scene at Lebanon United Methodist Church — 6:30 p.m.

♥Marion County Cloggers on Main Street — 5:30-7 p.m.

♥Dickens Christmas Parade — 7 p.m.

♥Kentucky Fellowship of Musicians concert (variety) at the Centre Square Convention Center—7:30-9 p.m.

♥Visits with Santa at the Centre Square Convention Center (photos available for a nominal fee)—Immediately following parade.

For more information, call 270.692.6002 or 270.692.9594.

Heart of Kentucky Art & Craft Market

Lebanon, Ky.

Outstanding regional art and crafts will be on display and for sale at the Centre Square Convention Center at 239 N. Spalding Ave. These wares are special and make great gifts. — 5-9 p.m.

For more information, call 270.692.1085.  Apply Online!

Ruley Holiday Light Show

Loretto, Ky.

Throughout the weekend each night, visit the Ruley family’s outlandish holiday light show at 165 Stringtown Rd., Loretto KY 40037.

Started as a hobby, the show covers two acres and has 300,000 lights and dozens of holiday displays, including giant stars and wreaths, the Grinch, helicopter and train scenes and more. The show begins at 6 p.m. and lasts until midnight each night. It’s astonishing!

Call 270.865.5242 for more information.

Saturday, Dec. 1

Christmas Crafters Market

Springfield, Ky.

Handmade arts and crafts will be on display and for sale at the Opera House on Main Street. Crafters from all over Kentucky will have wares available for great gift shopping. — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information, call Springfield Main Street/Renaissance, 859.336.5412.

NOTE: Start at either Market (Lebanon or Springfield). Pick up a free raffle ticket and have it punched at each location. Leave it in the box at either location to be entered in a drawing for money and prizes.

Heart of Kentucky Art & Craft Market

Lebanon, Ky.

Outstanding regional art and crafts will be on display and for sale at the Centre Square Convention Center at 239 N. Spalding Ave. These wares are special and make great gifts. — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information, call 270.692.1085.  Apply Online!

Washington County Homemakers’ Christmas Bakery

Springfield, Ky.

Mmm, mmm, delicious… Homemade baked goods by the Washington County Homemakers’ clubs will be for sale at The Opera House on Main Street. Crafters from all over Kentucky will have wares available for great gift shopping. — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information, call 859.336.5412 ext. 2.

Christmas Music in The Opera House

Springfield, Ky.

 Come see and hear musicians playing beautiful Christmas music on the new Baby Grand Piano in The Opera House during the Christmas Crafters Market –10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Christmas Parade

Springfield, Ky.

Stick around for an old-fashioned small-town Christmas parade along Main Street. Abraham Lincoln’s parents were married in Springfield and probably watched parades along the same route. The award-winning Washington County High School marching band will lead the 2007 parade. Afterwards, visit Santa in the Opera House. He’ll have his list and photos will be available for a nominal fee. — 11 a.m.

For more information, call  Sue Harmon, 859.481.1073.

Christmas in the Country

Bradfordsville, Ky.

Visit this booming hamlet in the southern portion of Marion County and see an old-fashioned down home Christmas celebration that includes a Christmas Bazaar all day Saturday, a community Christmas parade at 3 p.m. and a scrumptious ham and turkey supper starting at 4:30 p.m.

This oasis nestled in the knobs takes visitors back to gentler times when the sidewalks weren't so long and everyone smiled and said, “Merry Christmas” as you passed.

For more information, contact David Edelen, 270.337.3796.

1851 Historic Maple Hill Manor Holiday Open House

Springfield, Ky.

Maple Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast, Alpaca & Llama Farm and Fiber Farm Store welcomes the public to this wonderful FREE event. It features an historic home tour, homemade holiday treats, Fiber Farm Store specials on all Alpaca-made garments & gifts and spa treatments (complementary hand massage and manicure treatment plus free lipstick with purchase of $30 or more). — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information, call 859.336.3075.

Maker’s Mark Distillery Candlelight Tours

Loretto, Ky.

Makers’ Mark Distillery will be entertaining in rare form. The world famous bourbon maker will give FREE candlelight guided walking tours of its operation. Take a step back in time in this lovely Victorian village and enjoy the wonderment of the decorated old buildings and learn all about the production of Maker’s Mark. Don’t forget to dip your finger in the huge vat of mash for a taste of the product before it gets to the barrel and the bottle.—5:30-7:30 p.m.

Candlelight tours will also be given Dec. 8.

For more information, call the gift shop, 270.865.2099.

Mid-Kentucky Chorus Christmas Concert

Lebanon, Ky.

Revel in the beauty of the sounds of The Mid-Kentucky Chorus at St. Catharine as it presents its annual Christmas concert. This year’s event is called “The Beautiful Music of Christmas” and will be performed at historic St. Augustine Catholic Church in downtown Lebanon.

Singers and musicians from seven counties join to create an uplifting and spectacular experience.  Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and free for students and children. — 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call Susan Spalding, 859.336.9232.

Sunday, Dec. 2

Lions/Rotary Radio Auction

Springfield, Ky.

This is a dynamic live auction carried on WLSK 100.9 The Mike FM radio. It can be seen in person at Simms & Montgomery Insurance & Real Estate downtown. Get great deals and all money raised benefits community projects and scholarships. — 1 p.m.-?

For more information, call Margaret Goatley, 859.336.3939.

Sounds and Sights of the Season

Springfield, Ky.

The Springfield-Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Washington County Ministerial Association invite everyone to a true Christmas celebration on the Courthouse lawn. Hear the Christmas story, sing carols and view the lighting of the official Washington County tree.—5-6:15 p.m.

"Shop Local" Snowflake Promotion

Lebanon & Springfield

Both Lebanon & Springfield Chambers of Commerce sponsor a chance to win a $100 gift certificate for shopping local retailers. Register at participating stores through Dec. 15. You don’t have to be present to win. No purchase necessary.

Heart of Kentucky Holiday Festival Packages!

Hampton Inn of Lebanon - $95 (1 night), $178 (2 nights)

Enjoy the modern comforts of this new hotel with amenities found at Hampton Inn properties nationwide, including free local phone calls, Lodgenet in-room movie rental and Nintendo, smoking and non-smoking rooms, free The Courier-Journal each morning, coffee makers, free wireless high-speed Internet access, irons and boards, complimentary coffee and tea 24 hours a day, indoor pool, elevator, voice mail, guest laundry and alarm clock radios.

Your package includes hot breakfast for two each morning, Welcome gifts and two tickets to the Mid-Kentucky Chorus Christmas Concert. All other tours and sights require no admission.

Historic Maple Hill Manor - $168 (1 night), $301 (2 nights)

This working farm is stately set on 14 tranquil acres in the scenic Bluegrass Region and the home is considered one of the best preserved Antebellum Homes in the Commonwealth. Its tranquil, country setting is surrounded by picturesque rolling hills of bluegrass with a 3,000 acre race horse farm on one side and 300 acre cattle and tobacco farm on the other - a beautiful and restful place to seek refuge and enjoy the country fresh air.

Your package includes an award-winning full country "gourmet" breakfast each morning, homemade dessert each evening, 24-hour beverage service, Welcome gifts and two tickets to the Mid-Kentucky Chorus Christmas Concert. All other tours and sights require no admission.

Download the 2007 Heart of Kentucky Holiday Festival Brochure

All roads lead to Lebanon, the geographic center of the state and the true

Heart of Kentucky! Call 270.692.0021 or e-mail visitlebanonky@alltel.net

for more information or a FREE Welcome packet.