Kentucky Department of Parks

Old Fort Harrod State Park In 1774, James Harrod established the first permanent settlement west of the Alleghenies in what would become Central Kentucky.

Calendar of Events

All special events are subject to change and may be cancelled or postponed by the Kentucky Department of Parks due to unforeseen circumstances. Please confirm event schedule prior to arrival for date, time and fee information, especially if you plan to visit a Kentucky State Park for a specific event. Event details and contact information for all 52 Kentucky State Parks can be found on this website.

Easter Egg Hunt
4/4/2009

This event is sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club and is free to the public, it starts at 12:00. Anyone attending the Easter egg hunt is allowed to visit the fort at a reduced rate of $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children over 6.

Journey to Kentucky Play
4/16/2009 to 5/22/2009

Teachers, students and visitors will love this interactive play about the first step towards western expansion. Audiences will go back in time and meet a fictional family who is taking the brave journey to Kentucky. Your students will be led on the ultimate adventure through the Cumberland Gap. Audiences will even get a glimpse into what everyday life was like in the late 1700’s. The kids will have a blast while getting involved in the account of the capture of the Boone and Calloway girls. Filtered throughout this 40 minute production will be song and dance from the early days on the frontier. After the production, the students will get a chance to ask the actors questions. The play begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp and is $7.00 per person.

Picnic in the Park
6/5/09,6/12/09,6/19/09 and 6/20/09

For a more laid-back experience, guests are invited to “Picnic in the Park” every Friday during June and July by bringing their own picnic lunch and listening to live music and entertainment under the scenic and historic Osage Orange Tree. Picnic times are from noon to 1 p.m. and dates are June 5,12,19,26 and July 3,10,17,24,31.

Old Fort Harrod Settlement and Raid
6/13 and 6/14

Settlers will be camping inside and near the fort and Natives under the big old tree. Visitors are encouraged to come and walk through the Native American and Settlers camps, stop and speak with the reenactors and get a first hand interpretation of life in 1777, to witness a Ceretery Memorial service and get a front row seat to a Native American attack.

Flag Day Retirement Ceremony
6/14/2009

On June 14, the Park will offer a Flag Day Retirement Ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m. in front of the Fort. Boy Scout troop 127 hosts this event. They will properly retire all old flags and offer a patriotic ceremony.

Picnic in the Park
7/3/09,7/10/09,7/17/09 , 7/24/09 and 7/31/09

For a more laid-back experience, guests are invited to “Picnic in the Park” every Friday during June and July by bringing their own picnic lunch and listening to live music and entertainment under the scenic and historic Osage Orange Tree. Picnic times are from noon to 1 p.m. and dates are June 5,12,19,26 and July 3,10,17,24,31.

Mercer County Relay for Life Ceremony
8/14/2009 to 8/15/2009

This event is associated with the American Cancer Society. Throughout the 12 hour period cancer survivors, friends, and family will be entertained by a disk jockey, a luminary service, guest speakers, music, entertainment, and games. Different groups will walk for the cure consecutively throughtout the night and early morning. Primitive camping spots are availabe along with a shelter house, restrooms, and a picnic and playground area.

Journey to Kentucky Play II
9/14/2009 to 10/23/2009

From September 14 to October 23, the Mercer County High School Department of Drama will perform the live play “Journey to Kentucky” in the James Harrod Conference Center. Teachers, students and visitors will love this interactive play about the first step towards western expansion. Audiences will go back in time and meet a fictional family who is taking the brave journey to Kentucky. Your students will be led on the ultimate adventure through the Cumberland Gap. Audiences will even get a glimpse into what everyday life was like in the late 1700’s. The kids will have a blast while getting involved in the account of the capture of the Boone and Calloway girls. Filtered throughout this 40 minute production will be song and dance from the early days on the frontier. After the production, the students will get a chance to ask the actors questions. The play begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp and is $7.00 per person.

More Information

Contact Information

Old Fort Harrod State Park
100 South College Street
Harrodsburg, KY 40330-0156
859-734-3314
Park Manager: David Coleman