Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Boone County provides visitors a glimpse into the past during the annual Salt Festival Oct. 18-20.
Take a step back in time. The three-day festival features demonstrations of European settler living and skills, frontier ingenuity, traditions, and lifeways. Browse the crafter’s corner to see the many unique and hand-crafted items for sale and find lots of good eats at the food court. Enjoy folk and bluegrass music, listen to a storyteller, view prehistoric artifacts, and watch traditional Native American drumming and dancing. See how salt was extracted from the springs of Big Bone, explore environmental education, and watch a flintknapper make a stone point.
Eventgoers can also experience the park museum, active salt springs and the bison herd, the park’s living links to Kentucky’s early history.
The Salt Festival is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m-6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.
General admission is $10 for adults (13 and older), $5 for children (6-12), and free for children 5 and younger.
School Day is returning for 2024. Preregistered schools receive a discounted admission rate for Friday, Oct. 18. Schools must preregister by Oct. 7. Tickets are available for purchase online.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is recognized as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology for its significant role in the development of scientific thought regarding extinction and the relationship between geology and paleontology.
In 2009, the U.S. Department of the Interior selected Big Bone Lick State Historic Site as one of 582 National Natural Landmarks in the country.
The 512-acre park features a bison herd, campground, museum and gift shop. The park is 22 miles southwest of Covington on Kentucky Highway 338, off U.S. Highway 42-127 and Interstate Highway 71/75.
For additional information on Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, click here.
Kentucky State Parks is holding a series of events throughout 2024 to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses.