Moonshine, Mistletoe and One Million Lights

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Oct. 18, 2013 - PRLog -- Mistletoe and Moonshine, Christmas Crafters Market, Ruley’s Santa Claus Land, a Dickens Christmas and more: It’s The Heart of Kentucky Holiday Festival, Dec. 6 to 8, in Lebanon and Springfield, Ky. Selected by the Kentucky Travel Industry Association as a 2013 Winter/Holiday Top 10 Festival & Event, Heart of Kentucky coincides with Lebanon’s Dickens’ Christmas on Main Street for a one-of-a-kind holiday weekend that should be at the top of your Christmas list. See the full schedule of activities here (http://www.visitlebanonky.com/events/heart-of-kentucky-holiday-festival-2/).

Main Street merriment

Dickens Christmas on Main is an old-fashioned holiday event with the lighting of the Christmas tree, strolling carolers, live nativity, chili cook-off, refreshments and carriage and pony rides. At 7 p.m., the Dickens Christmas Parade featuring Santa Claus gets underway. Photos with Santa and an Arts & Crafts Fair take place Friday evening and all day Saturday at the Marion County Heritage Center in the Old Courthouse.

Moonshine & Mistletoe and Maker’s Mark

Enjoy an evening of Moonshine & Mistletoe at Limestone Branch Distillery during this weekend open house featuring refreshments and a chance to meet the Master Distiller. Maker’s Mark Distillery hosts a candlelight tour of the historic distillery and charming 1850s Victorian village, from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Millions of lights

Ruley’s Santa Claus Land with its 1 million lights gets a jump on the celebration with a Nov. 27 opening and running through Jan. 1. If a million lights aren’t quite enough, plan to visit Christmas in the Park (nightly Nov. 27-Jan. 2), either by foot or by car, to see this winter wonderland of lights and decorations. Beginning Nov. 30, Serenity Farm Alpacas Holiday Open House will give visitors free farm tours and a chance to do some Christmas shopping at its country store.

Mutton and more

On Sat., Dec. 7, take the kids “mutton busting” (a.k.a. sheep riding), watch bull-riding contests and visit with Santa at the indoor XB Arena. Visit with Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and the Little Red-Haired Girl during the holiday production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” at 8 p.m. on Thurs., Fri. and Sat., Dec. 5-7, at Angelic Hall at Centre Square.

Other events: Christmas Crafters Market & Bakery with artisans selling fine arts and crafts; Carol of the Bells ringing of church bells; Springfield’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town Walk at 10 a.m. Saturday morning; Springfield’s Holiday Home Tour and the 1851 Historic Maple Hill Manor Open house; Washington County Library’s “How-To Festival” at Springfield’s Opera House; and “The Beautiful Music of Christmas,” performed by the Mid-Kentucky Chorus at St. Catherine Hall.

In neighboring Bradfordsville, Christmas in the Country unfolds, an old-fashioned down-home Christmas celebration with community parade, ham and turkey supper and Christmas scenes and music from local performers at the Performing Arts Center.

For information about where to overnight in Lebanon during The Heart of Kentucky Holiday Festival and the full schedule of holiday events, visit www.VisitLebanonKy.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Carla Wagner, Director@VisitLebanonky.com, 270-692-0021

Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission, www.VisitLebanonKy.com

HI- and LOW-RES photos available. ABOUT LEBANON (http://www.visitlebanonky.com/), KY | Geographically located in the center of the state, Lebanon (http://www.visitlebanonky.com) is the “Heart of the Bourbon Belt,” the epicenter of barrel and bourbon making. Attractions include Maker’s Mark Distillery, Limestone Branch Distillery, the Kentucky Cooperage and WhiteMoon Winery. Incorporated as a city in 1815, Lebanon played a crucial role during the Civil War and is today on the Civil War Discovery Trail. It is also part of Kentucky’s historic Holy Land, with sites including the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse. Outdoor recreation options include the newly expanded Gorley Naturalist Trail at Fagan Branch Reservoir, Marion County Quilt Trail and several farm tours; indoors there is the Marion County Heritage Center, a stop of the new Turtle Trek and featuring the Turtleman exhibit, and Stillhouse Art Museum. Shop for antiques, collectibles and handmade crafts in Lebanon and dine at your choice of 40 restaurants.Accommodations include the gracious circa 1833 Myrtledene Bed and Breakfast, plus hotels including the Hampton Inn, cabins and an RV Park. Facebook.com/VisitLebanon (http://www.facebook.com/VisitLebanon)