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New Mammoth Exhibition, New Trail Festival, New Foodie Adventures and More
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Springtime in Kentucky’s oldest settlement of Harrodsburg is all about discovery
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3,000 acres of discovery
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill has discoveries aplenty: Watch a sheep shearing demo, March 26-April 1, and then learn how the Shakers spun wool into yarn; explore the new exhibition, “Those Large Bones: The Shaker Mammoth” – the story of Shaker fossil hunters and their excavation of a prehistoric mammoth, opening April 1.

Go off-road running and hiking during Shaker Village’s first-ever Spring Trail Festival on April 16 (distances of 5 miles, 10 miles, 25k and 50k) and end the day with a post-race party in the barn, complete with food, beer and music. Enjoy Breakfast with the Babies on spring Saturdays, featuring a kid-friendly buffet and a hands-on introduction to the newest farm family members, including lambs, kids, chicks and more.

Shaker Village’s Fresh Food Adventures include the Lexington Chef Cooperative on April 9 with a collection of award-winning Lexington chefs getting together for a one-time-only dining event. A Forest and Fields Feast with author Kate Horning and featuring Sheltowee Farm and Michter’s Distillery takes place on May 14. This vegetarian evening is sure to inspire a happier life through sustainable health and nutrition. Click into Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill’s very active Calendar of Events for details about these spring events and many more. For reservations and ticket information, call 800-734-5611 ext. 1545, www.ShakerVillageKy.org

Discoveries on stage
Witness an authentic Native American peace council, with all the great chiefs and war captains from both the Ohio Valley and the southern Five Civilized Tribes in attendance, along with all the legendary heroes from Kentucky’s colonial frontier: “Spies of Fort Harrod-The Grand Council,” hosted by John Curry, is presented at 1 p.m. on April 16 at Old Fort Harrod State Park. Watch James Harrod, Anne Pogue McGinty, Captain Pike, Black Fish, Dragging Canoe, Nonhelema and others gather round the council fire to try and work together to forge peace.
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“This grand peace council never actually happened and we went on to slaughter one another for decades,” said Curry. “But oh boy, if they’d only given it a try – think of the possibilities.”

Admission to the Grand Council is included with your tour ticket for the fort, which also includes admittance to the Mansion Museum. www.Parks.Ky.gov

See perennial stage fave, “The Odd Couple,” at the Ragged Edge Community Theater on April 22, 24 and 29 and May 1. This comedy, written more than 50 years ago by Neil Simon, pits neat against slovenly and uptight against easygoing in the characters of Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison to hilarious results. www.RaggedEdgeTheatre.org

Discover beautiful music with a seat at the Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass, May 28-29 at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill or on a blanket for the Great American Brass Band Lawn Concerts at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill and Beaumont Inn on June 3. On Saturday mornings, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., grab some breakfast or lunch at the Kentucky Fudge Company and Next Door Eatery, music a la the Pickers & Grinners on the side.

There are discoveries enough to fill a weekend. Book your stay at the Inn at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill where more than 70 guest rooms, suites and private cottages sit among a 3,000-acre Nature Preserve; the Beaumont Inn – a former school for young ladies that combines hotel amenities with bed and breakfast ambience; the nearby all-inclusive Bright Leaf Golf Resort; or one of several bed and breakfast inns, including Canaan Land Farm, Coleman House or Wanderland. Visit www.HarrodsburgKy.com for details.

Media Contact:
Karen Hackett, Executive Director
Harrodsburg/Mercer County Tourist Commission
800-355-9192 or 859-734-2364

Photos:

Spring is blooming at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg, KY.
Credit: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Kids love making discoveries at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, including meeting the new farm babies.
Credit: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

A costumed interpreter stokes the fire at Old Fort Harrod State Park.
Credit: Harrodsburg/Mercer County Tourist Commission

Hi- and Low-Res photos available.

About Harrodsburg, KY
Sitting amidst four National Register Historic Districts in the heart of Kentucky’s famed Bluegrass region, Kentucky’s oldest town is one of the coolest places in history. Harrodsburg is surrounded by the bourbon and craft distilleries of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and the Brewgrass Trail, and within a short drive of more than a dozen wineries. There are horseback riding trails, backroads and byways for bicycle enthusiasts, and outdoor water sports from kayaking to skiing. Overnight options include Beaumont Inn, the state’s oldest family-operated country inn and Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, America’s largest restored Shaker community and a founding member of Discovery Destinations, a collection of distinct, independent destination properties. Commemorating the first permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains is Old Fort Harrod State Park with full-scale replica fort. Providing an up-close view of one of the most unique ecosystems in the country, the geologically ancient Kentucky River Palisades, is the authentic 115-passenger Dixie Belle sternwheeler. Harrodsburg is one of “the 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Kentucky” (TheCultureTrip.com); one of Best Choice Reviews’ “50 Best Small Town Downtowns in America”; Smithsonian Magazine’s “20 Best Small Towns to Visit”; one of BBC NEWS Magazine’s “Five hidden US Travel Destinations”; and one of the “10 Most Beautiful, Charming Small Towns in Kentucky” (OnlyInYourState.com). Authentic, affordable, family-friendly – and full of the unexpected. Facebook/Harrodsburg