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 these quaint rural communities.

Book your weekend getaway online or by calling 270.692.0021. Book one night or two at Lincoln Suites in Springfield, where the Lincoln legacy began, or Hampton Inn in Lebanon where you can watch bourbon flow and barrels grow. Packages include discounted lodging rates, two dinner tickets to the Homemakers Christmas Bazaar, two tickets to The Beautiful Music of Christmas and Welcome gifts.

Fri., Dec. 4

Homemakers Christmas Bazaar

415 Fairgrounds Rd., Lebanon KY 40033

Soak up the holiday spirit with a an old-fashioned Christmas Bazaar hosted by the Marion County Homemakers Association in the Marion County Extension Service’s newly renovated banquet hall. Enjoy a chili supper with all the fixin’s, bake sale, quilt show, art and craft vendors, civic booths, live music, children’s activities, pictures with Santa, games and more… this is a true rural holiday experience! — 4-9 p.m.

For more information, call 270.692.3461 or e-mail mlpotter@windstream.net.

Kentucky Cooperage Tours

712 E. Main St., Lebanon KY 40033

See how bourbon barrels are made then take the Maker’s Mark Distillery candlelight tour to see how bourbon is made for a terrific holiday Bourbon Country experience. See how “charring” is done, how staves are shaped, how hoops are put in place and how barrels are made leak proof without manmade sealers. You might even win your very own genuine bourbon barrel or a collectors Maker’s Mark bottle! Take one of the two FREE cooperage tours offered during the day and enter the FREE raffle. You don’t have to be present to win the grand prizes and 10 lucky visitors will win an “All Fired Up About Bourbon” T-shirt. — 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For more information, call 270.692.4674 or e-mail marcia.morgeson@kentuckycooperage.com.

Ruley Holiday Light Show
       165 Stringtown Rd., Loretto, Ky. 40037-8107
       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!

Fore more information, call 270.865.5242.

NOTE: The Ruley Holiday Light Show is also open Sat., Dec. 5, and Sun., Dec. 6, from 6 p.m.-midnight.

Christmas in the Park

525 Graham Memorial Park Dr., Lebanon KY 40033

Take the kids to Graham Memorial Park 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 270.692.9358 or e-mail sportnut47@yahoo.com.

NOTE: Christmas in the Park is also open Sat., Dec. 5, and Sun., Dec. 6, from 6 p.m.-midnight.

A Tuna Christmas

105 W. Main St., Springfield KY 40069

Presented by the Central Kentucky Community Theatre, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and proceeds benefit the Theatre. Enjoy the great food and drink at the performance location, Mordecai’s on Main, a featured restaurant in the book “101 Best Places to Dine in Kentucky.” — 7 p.m.

For more information, call 859.336.5412 ext. 2 or e-mail springren2001@yahoo.com.

Passport to Shopping Heaven!

Downtown, Lebanon KY 40033

Visit four participating shops and two participating restaurants, have them sticker your Passport then mail it in for a free prize, including T-shirts, commemorative coins, ornaments, tickets and more.

Have fun shopping in the unique pedestrian environment of Main Street or drive out to your favorites. No purchase is required but we bet you’ll find great gifts for the entire family and neat mementos of your visit.

For more information or to request your Passport in advance, call 270.692.0021 or e-mail VisitLebanonKy@windstream.net. Passports can also be picked up at the Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission office at 239 N. Spalding Ave. Ste. 200, Lebanon KY 40033-1518.

NOTE: The Passport to Shopping Heaven promotion continues through Sunday although not all shops will be open on Sunday. Passports should be mailed to Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission, 239 N. Spalding Ave. Ste. 200, Lebanon KY 40033-1518.

Entertainment/Nightlife!

♥Karaoke at Big Jim’s Steakhouse & Buffet, 212 W. Main St., Lebanon KY 40033, Tel. 270.692.3970 — 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Sat., Dec. 5

Christmas at the Opera House

127 W. Main St., Springfield KY 40069

♥Christmas Crafters Market – Step back in time to the early 1900s at the fully restored Opera House. The finest handmade arts and crafts will be on display and for sale. Artists and crafters from all over Kentucky will have wares available for great gifts and live music and visits with Santa will take place during the sale. — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

♥Washington County Homemakers’ Christmas Bakery – Mmm, mmm, delicious… Homemade baked goods by the Washington County Homemakers’ clubs. Choose from a delicious selection of cakes, pies, breads, cookies and candies. — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

♥Christmas Music in The Opera House – Come see and hear the sounds of the local children’s theatre and other musicians playing beautiful Christmas music on the baby grand piano — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information, call 859.336.5412 ext. 2 or e-mail springren2001@yahoo.com.

Maker’s Mark Distillery Candlelight Tours

3350 Burks Spring Rd., Loretto KY 40037

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.

This year, live music, an ice skating rink (skates will be provided at no charge), a snow making machine, special attractions and non-alcoholic refreshments will be included in this unique Maker’s Mark experience.

In addition, exclusive Maker’s Mark holiday bottles with specially decorated labels will be available and Maker’s Mark Pres. Bill Samuels Jr., Master Distiller Kevin Smith and/or Rob Samuels will be around to sign them. 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 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call 270.865.2099 or e-mail sydina.bradshaw@makersmark.com.

Santa Arrives by Red Helicopter!

610 Lincoln Park Rd., Springfield KY 40069

Welcome Santa Claus as he arrives via red helicopter on the Washington County High School campus. Awaiting his arrival will be the Springfield Fire Department where he will be picked up in a red fire truck and driven downtown to the Springfield Opera House to meet with children and hear their Christmas wishes! — 11:45 a.m. arrival, noon at the Opera House.

For more information, call 859.336.5412 ext. 2 or e-mail springren2001@yahoo.com.

Season of the Bounty Celebration of the Holidays
       257 Penn’s Store Rd., Gravel Switch KY 40328
       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 cheese 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 859.332.7715 or e-mail pennsstore@aol.com.
           NOTE: The Season of the Bounty Celebration of the Holidays will also be open Sun., Dec. 6, from 1-5 p.m.

Christmas in the Country

Bradfordsville KY 40009

Visit this booming hamlet just outside downtown Lebanon and see an old-fashioned down home Christmas celebration that includes a bazaar all day Saturday, a community parade at 3 p.m. and a scrumptious ham and turkey supper starting at 4:30 p.m. The Performing Arts Center will feature various Christmas scenes depicted by local actors and music arranged and performed by local ensembles at 7 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, call 270.337.3796 or e-mail dedelen@hotmail.com.

The Beautiful Music of Christmas

2735 Bardstown Rd., St. Catharine KY 40061

Revel in the beauty of the sounds of The Mid-Kentucky Chorus as it presents its annual Christmas concert. Singers and musicians from seven counties join to create an uplifting and spectacular experience in St. Catharine Hall at St. Catherine College. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and free for students and children. — 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call 859.336.9232 or e-mail lensusan@bellsouth.net.

NOTE: The Mid-Kentucky Chorus Christmas Concert will also be performed Sun., Dec. 6, at 3 p.m.

Breakfast in Bethlehem

305 Lincoln Park Rd., Springfield KY 40069-1319

The Springfield Baptist Church will delight everyone from one to 100 with a bountiful breakfast of homemade waffles, sausage casseroles and more! Bring the kids to see a presentation about the true meaning of Christmas. Monetary donations are accepted and proceeds will go to support the Church Building Fund. — 8-11 a.m.

For more information, call 859.336.3544.

Christmas Cookie Tour

Central Kentucky farms

The Central Kentucky Agritourism Association hosts this unique tour with a drawing for a $100 gift certificate. The more farms visited, the greater the chances of winning. The winning entry drawn will receive the grand prize for redemption at the farm in which it was turned in. - 1-5 p.m.

A complete listing of participating farms can be found here, at The Opera House in Springfield or the Centre Square Convention Center in Lebanon. Call 270.692.0021 to have a copy mailed.

Entertainment/Nightlife!

♥Phillip Clarkson at Chasers, 110 N. Proctor Knott Ave., Lebanon KY 40033, Tel. 270.699.2221  — 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.

♥Back Street Band at Big Jim’s Steakhouse & Buffet, 212 W. Main St., Lebanon KY 40033, Tel. 270.692.3970 — 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

♥Brandon Holder at Mordecai’s on Main, 105 W. Main St., Springfield KY 40069, Tel. 859.336.3500 - 9 p.m.-midnight.

Sunday, Dec. 6

Entertainment/Nightlife!

♥Mordecai’s on Main brunch featuring the beautiful music of Christmas by Brandon Holder, 105 W. Main St., Springfield KY 40069, Tel. 859.336.3500 — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

*A convenience charge of $2 will be added to the total.

**When purchasing overnight packages, please specify check-in & check-out dates, smoking preference, any special needs and one queen or two in the Comments section.

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@windstream.net

for more information or a FREE Welcome packet.