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Elkhorn City: Gateway to Pine Mountain Trail as well SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-EXPRESS Pine Mountain is an ecological treasure in southeastern Kentucky that offers outstanding hiking opportunities. The Pine Mountain Trail is currently under construction and will ultimately connect Breaks Interstate Park with Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Currently 44 miles of pristine hiking trails are open. The Pine Mountain Trail Council invites everyone to head out for a hike and hope they will consider making a donation or getting involved with the project. The Pine Mountain Trail is open with contiguous trail from Breaks Interstate Park to US 119. It is designated in two sections. The section from Breaks to US 23 is the Birch Knob section and totals 28 miles. The US 23 - US 119 is named the Highland section and totals 16 miles for a total of 44 miles. The trail is not yet constructed beyond US 119. However, if hikers wish to do so, they can hike on the Little Shepherd Trail (LST) for another 38 miles from US 119 to US 421. The LST is a narrow, 1 1/2 lane blacktop road that is open to vehicular traffic, albeit it is lightly traveled. There are no shelters or designated areas for camping along most of the LST. From US 119 to Kingdom Come State Park is 14 miles where primitive camping and water is available. There are different ways a volunteer can contribute to the trail depending on how much free time you have. The Pine Mountain Trail Conference has created two different programs for volunteers: Volunteer Vacations: Longer trips that have been put together by the American Hiking Society (AHS) in conjunction with the Pine Mountain Trail Conference. On an AHS
Volunteer Vacation, you visit stunning backcountry locations to construct or rebuild footpaths, cabins and shelters. In the process, you meet new people, explore canyons, peaks and valleys, enjoy quiet evenings around a fire and come home refreshed and rejuvenated. Volunteer Vacations are more fun than work! Weekend Getaways: Designed for those who work a full time job. Volunteers arrive at a campsite prepared by conference members on Friday night. Saturday the volunteers proceed to a worksite on the trail for a full day of trail maintenance, and return home on Sunday. You may visit our website at: www.pinemountaintrail.com/events for a full list of upcoming opportunities. Donations needed The Pine Mountain Trail continues its successful journey across the top of Pine Mountain through the hard work of volunteers from around the state and the countr y, but it can't continue without the financial support of it's members as well as others in the community. By joining and/or donating to the Pine Mountain Trail Conference
you are helping to secure the future of a trail that will be known as Kentucky's Premier Long Trail. Membership options range from volunteer to foundation donations. Download the membership form and send it to Pine Mountain Trail Conference, c/o Letcher County Cooperative Extension Service, P.O. Box 784, Whitesburg, KY 41858. Membership includes a Pine Mountain Trail embroidered patch along with a year subscription to the Highland Sojourner. Volunteer Class...$0 (requires at
least one day of trail construction work) Individual Class...$25-$49 Trailblazer Class...$50-$99 Highlander Class...$100-$499 Pinnacle Class...$500-$999 Legacy Class...$1,000-$4,999 Foundation Class...$5,000+ To make a donation, send checks to Pine Mountain Trail Conference, c/o Letcher County Cooperative Extension Ser vice, P.O. Box 784, Whitesburg, KY 41858 or donate online.
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Breaks Interstate Park offers unique getaway for Apple Blossom visitors BY RUSS CASSADY STAFF WRITER Visitors to Elkhorn City who are in town for the 33rd Apple Blossom Festival may find much of their time occupied by the festival’s events. But those looking for an additional adventure need look no further than Breaks Interstate Park, located less than 10 miles from Elkhorn City. Park Superintendent Matthew O’Quinn said the park tries not to schedule events which would interfere with the festivals and other events held in nearby towns. Instead, he said, the park tries to
complement those events by being part of the package cities have to offer visitors. And, for visitors to Elkhorn City, that offering is closer than they may think. “A trip of seven and a half miles, and they can come and have the run of 4,600 acres,” O’Quinn said. The Breaks Interstate Park, a partnership between the governments of Kentucky and Virginia, is a preserved wilderness area offering camping, hiking and numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. The park’s main attraction is the Russell Fork gorge, the largest canyon East of the Mississippi River, which was
formed over millions of years, following the recession of a vast inland sea. The park features more than 25 miles of hiking trails and 12 miles of biking trails. Also this year, the park is offering a geocaching opportunity. Those interested in participating can either pick up a GPS device at the park’s visitors’ center or pick up their own. Participants can then use the global positioning points to find more than 60 hidden “treasures” throughout the park. Those who would rather have fun on water can take advantage of the Russell Fork River’s whitewater opportunities, or rent a pedal boat, canoe or johnboat
at Laurel Lake, inside the park for exploring or fishing. O’Quinn said the park also offers several lodging opportunities for visitors, from camping sites and areas for RVs to a lodge, cottages and luxury cabins. According to O’Quinn, the park recently began offering an opportunity for visitors to use quiet, battery-operated golf carts to get around the park, which he said offers a chance to see the park in a new light. “If you haven’t ridden a golf cart in the park, you haven’t ridden one,” he said. For more information on the park or its offerings visit, www.breakspark.com
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33rd Apple Blossom festival ready to get under way BY RUSS CASSADY STAFF WRITER The 33nd Annual Apple Blossom Festival will get under way this week, just as it has in the past, but a change this year has organizers excited about the possibilities. According to Chester Adkins, with the White Water Shrine Club, which oversees the Apple Blossom Festival, this year’s event will be held not in the city’s streets, but at the city park. “I think there’s more room up there,” Adkins said. “It’s going to be better.” As always, Adkins said, the festival will feature several food and crafts vendors, rides and inflatables for children, and music. The festival will begin Friday and run through Saturday night. Just like its larger neighbor, Hillbilly Days, the Apple Blossom Festival serves a greater purpose. The money collected from the festival goes into the coffers of the White Water Shrine Club, which transports children from the area to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Lexington and Cincinnatti. “What proceeds we make goes to the transportation fund,” he said. “We transport out of three different counties.” If the families wish to go on their own, the White Water Shrine Club gives the families who are transporting their children to the hospital money to defray the costs of their travel. Adkins said that transportation keeps the club busy. Speaking just weeks before the festival, he said the club had six children from the area who needed to go before Apple Blossom.
MAY 2010 • APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL • PAGE 19
Bushwhacking on the Russell Fork set for Memorial Day weekend BY RUSS CASSADY STAFF WRITER Visitors to Elkhorn City can return in a few weeks for a chance to travel back in time. The 4th Annual Bushwhacking on the Russell Fork, a Civil War reenactment, will be held May 28-30 in Elkhorn City. While there was no single large Civil War battle in Pike County, the Bushwhacking commemorates the battles which did occur in the area, small-scale skirmishes between Confederates and Union forces traveling through the region. Each year, the event brings more than 1,000 visitors to town, some of whom dress in period clothing and reenact the battles, with This year’s event will see a new sponsor come on board: Pike County, as the Pike Fiscal Cour t recently voted to contribute $3,000 to the event. There will be few changes this year to the event, according to Tim Belcher, with the Elkhorn City Heritage Council. On Friday, May 28, the reeanctors will get into town and set up their camps, along the Russell Fork River. The event will really get under way on Saturday, May 29, with the parade
and opening ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m., there will be a ladies’ tea at the mess hall on Russell Street. Period dress will be required at the event. At 1 p.m., Dennis Boggs, portraying Abraham Lincoln, will give a presidential address at the caboose at the corner of Patty Loveless Blvd. and Russell Street. The first battle reenactment will take place at 2 p.m., just off Russell Street. At 7:30 p.m., the grand militar y ball will be held at the mess hall. Period dress is required for the event. The night firing of the cannons will follow at 10:30 p.m., and a ghost walk event, where reenactors will portray various Civil War-era personalities, will be offered. Sunday’s events will begin early, with a memorial ser vice at noon. At 2 p.m., a second battle reenactment will take place. Throughout the event, the camps and “sutlers,” or period era vendors, will be open to the public. Belcher said the Bushwhacking is a great family event, which has inspired more than one child to further investigate the past. “It can spur them to do more in the area of histor y,” he said.
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EC offers tourism opportunities year-round BY RUSS CASSADY STAFF WRITER While the Apple Blossom Festival and the Bushwhacking on the Russell Fork are two of Elkhorn City’s tourist offerings, there are several other options for visitors year-round. One of the city’s main tourist offerings is the whitewater boating available on the Russell Fork River. According to Steve Ruth, Elkhorn City tourism and
development liaison, while October is the main month for whitewater activities, the spring and summer also offer some options. “May is a water-filled month,” he said. “There’s nearly always something to paddle.” Ruth said whitewater initiatives are under way in the city, and include inflatable kayaks, called “duckies,” which were acquired last year. The duckies offer visitors a chance to paddle on less rough parts of the
river without having their own equipment. Whitewater enthusiasts flock to Elkhorn City through the year, but particularly during October, when water releases from the Flanagan Dam in Virginia, done each weekend that month, raise water on the river and increase flow in some areas to levels only passable by expert paddlers. The city also offers opportunities on dry land as well. The city serves as the trailhead for
the Pine Mountain Trail, a 44mile hiking trail, which runs from Elkhorn City to U.S. 119 in Letcher County. The trail is also a part of the Great Eastern Trail, an initiative under development to establish a long-distance trail, like the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trial, which runs from Maine to Georgia. Elkhorn City is also an ATVfriendly town, Ruth said, with the vehicles allowed to legally operate on city streets, and in some surrounding areas.
Outdoors enthusiasts who prefer a quieter way to connect with nature can consider fishing, as well. Ruth said the Russell Fork and other surrounding waterways are constantly stocked with fish, especially trout, making the city an increasing destination for fishermen. For more information on events and tourism opportunities in Elkhorn City, visit the Elkhorn City Heritage Council’s Web site at, www.elkhorncity.org.
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EC offers tourism opportunities year-round BY RUSS CASSADY STAFF WRITER While the Apple Blossom Festival and the Bushwhacking on the Russell Fork are two of Elkhorn City’s tourist offerings, there are several other options for visitors year-round. One of the city’s main tourist offerings is the whitewater boating available on the Russell Fork River. According to Steve Ruth, Elkhorn City tourism and
development liaison, while October is the main month for whitewater activities, the spring and summer also offer some options. “May is a water-filled month,” he said. “There’s nearly always something to paddle.” Ruth said whitewater initiatives are under way in the city, and include inflatable kayaks, called “duckies,” which were acquired last year. The duckies offer visitors a chance to paddle on less rough parts of the
river without having their own equipment. Whitewater enthusiasts flock to Elkhorn City through the year, but particularly during October, when water releases from the Flanagan Dam in Virginia, done each weekend that month, raise water on the river and increase flow in some areas to levels only passable by expert paddlers. The city also offers opportunities on dry land as well. The city serves as the trailhead for
the Pine Mountain Trail, a 44mile hiking trail, which runs from Elkhorn City to U.S. 119 in Letcher County. The trail is also a part of the Great Eastern Trail, an initiative under development to establish a long-distance trail, like the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trial, which runs from Maine to Georgia. Elkhorn City is also an ATVfriendly town, Ruth said, with the vehicles allowed to legally operate on city streets, and in some surrounding areas.
Outdoors enthusiasts who prefer a quieter way to connect with nature can consider fishing, as well. Ruth said the Russell Fork and other surrounding waterways are constantly stocked with fish, especially trout, making the city an increasing destination for fishermen. For more information on events and tourism opportunities in Elkhorn City, visit the Elkhorn City Heritage Council’s Web site at, www.elkhorncity.org.
PAGE 6 • APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL • MAY 2010
33rd Apple Blossom festival ready to get under way BY RUSS CASSADY STAFF WRITER The 33nd Annual Apple Blossom Festival will get under way this week, just as it has in the past, but a change this year has organizers excited about the possibilities. According to Chester Adkins, with the White Water Shrine Club, which oversees the Apple Blossom Festival, this year’s event will be held not in the city’s streets, but at the city park. “I think there’s more room up there,” Adkins said. “It’s going to be better.” As always, Adkins said, the festival will feature several food and crafts vendors, rides and inflatables for children, and music. The festival will begin Friday and run through Saturday night. Just like its larger neighbor, Hillbilly Days, the Apple Blossom Festival serves a greater purpose. The money collected from the festival goes into the coffers of the White Water Shrine Club, which transports children from the area to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Lexington and Cincinnatti. “What proceeds we make goes to the transportation fund,” he said. “We transport out of three different counties.” If the families wish to go on their own, the White Water Shrine Club gives the families who are transporting their children to the hospital money to defray the costs of their travel. Adkins said that transportation keeps the club busy. Speaking just weeks before the festival, he said the club had six children from the area who needed to go before Apple Blossom.
MAY 2010 • APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL • PAGE 19
Bushwhacking on the Russell Fork set for Memorial Day weekend BY RUSS CASSADY STAFF WRITER Visitors to Elkhorn City can return in a few weeks for a chance to travel back in time. The 4th Annual Bushwhacking on the Russell Fork, a Civil War reenactment, will be held May 28-30 in Elkhorn City. While there was no single large Civil War battle in Pike County, the Bushwhacking commemorates the battles which did occur in the area, small-scale skirmishes between Confederates and Union forces traveling through the region. Each year, the event brings more than 1,000 visitors to town, some of whom dress in period clothing and reenact the battles, with This year’s event will see a new sponsor come on board: Pike County, as the Pike Fiscal Cour t recently voted to contribute $3,000 to the event. There will be few changes this year to the event, according to Tim Belcher, with the Elkhorn City Heritage Council. On Friday, May 28, the reeanctors will get into town and set up their camps, along the Russell Fork River. The event will really get under way on Saturday, May 29, with the parade
and opening ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m., there will be a ladies’ tea at the mess hall on Russell Street. Period dress will be required at the event. At 1 p.m., Dennis Boggs, portraying Abraham Lincoln, will give a presidential address at the caboose at the corner of Patty Loveless Blvd. and Russell Street. The first battle reenactment will take place at 2 p.m., just off Russell Street. At 7:30 p.m., the grand militar y ball will be held at the mess hall. Period dress is required for the event. The night firing of the cannons will follow at 10:30 p.m., and a ghost walk event, where reenactors will portray various Civil War-era personalities, will be offered. Sunday’s events will begin early, with a memorial ser vice at noon. At 2 p.m., a second battle reenactment will take place. Throughout the event, the camps and “sutlers,” or period era vendors, will be open to the public. Belcher said the Bushwhacking is a great family event, which has inspired more than one child to further investigate the past. “It can spur them to do more in the area of histor y,” he said.
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MAY 2010 • APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL • PAGE 5
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Breaks Interstate Park offers unique getaway for Apple Blossom visitors BY RUSS CASSADY STAFF WRITER Visitors to Elkhorn City who are in town for the 33rd Apple Blossom Festival may find much of their time occupied by the festival’s events. But those looking for an additional adventure need look no further than Breaks Interstate Park, located less than 10 miles from Elkhorn City. Park Superintendent Matthew O’Quinn said the park tries not to schedule events which would interfere with the festivals and other events held in nearby towns. Instead, he said, the park tries to
complement those events by being part of the package cities have to offer visitors. And, for visitors to Elkhorn City, that offering is closer than they may think. “A trip of seven and a half miles, and they can come and have the run of 4,600 acres,” O’Quinn said. The Breaks Interstate Park, a partnership between the governments of Kentucky and Virginia, is a preserved wilderness area offering camping, hiking and numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. The park’s main attraction is the Russell Fork gorge, the largest canyon East of the Mississippi River, which was
formed over millions of years, following the recession of a vast inland sea. The park features more than 25 miles of hiking trails and 12 miles of biking trails. Also this year, the park is offering a geocaching opportunity. Those interested in participating can either pick up a GPS device at the park’s visitors’ center or pick up their own. Participants can then use the global positioning points to find more than 60 hidden “treasures” throughout the park. Those who would rather have fun on water can take advantage of the Russell Fork River’s whitewater opportunities, or rent a pedal boat, canoe or johnboat
at Laurel Lake, inside the park for exploring or fishing. O’Quinn said the park also offers several lodging opportunities for visitors, from camping sites and areas for RVs to a lodge, cottages and luxury cabins. According to O’Quinn, the park recently began offering an opportunity for visitors to use quiet, battery-operated golf carts to get around the park, which he said offers a chance to see the park in a new light. “If you haven’t ridden a golf cart in the park, you haven’t ridden one,” he said. For more information on the park or its offerings visit, www.breakspark.com
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Elkhorn City: Gateway to Pine Mountain Trail as well SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-EXPRESS Pine Mountain is an ecological treasure in southeastern Kentucky that offers outstanding hiking opportunities. The Pine Mountain Trail is currently under construction and will ultimately connect Breaks Interstate Park with Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Currently 44 miles of pristine hiking trails are open. The Pine Mountain Trail Council invites everyone to head out for a hike and hope they will consider making a donation or getting involved with the project. The Pine Mountain Trail is open with contiguous trail from Breaks Interstate Park to US 119. It is designated in two sections. The section from Breaks to US 23 is the Birch Knob section and totals 28 miles. The US 23 - US 119 is named the Highland section and totals 16 miles for a total of 44 miles. The trail is not yet constructed beyond US 119. However, if hikers wish to do so, they can hike on the Little Shepherd Trail (LST) for another 38 miles from US 119 to US 421. The LST is a narrow, 1 1/2 lane blacktop road that is open to vehicular traffic, albeit it is lightly traveled. There are no shelters or designated areas for camping along most of the LST. From US 119 to Kingdom Come State Park is 14 miles where primitive camping and water is available. There are different ways a volunteer can contribute to the trail depending on how much free time you have. The Pine Mountain Trail Conference has created two different programs for volunteers: Volunteer Vacations: Longer trips that have been put together by the American Hiking Society (AHS) in conjunction with the Pine Mountain Trail Conference. On an AHS
Volunteer Vacation, you visit stunning backcountry locations to construct or rebuild footpaths, cabins and shelters. In the process, you meet new people, explore canyons, peaks and valleys, enjoy quiet evenings around a fire and come home refreshed and rejuvenated. Volunteer Vacations are more fun than work! Weekend Getaways: Designed for those who work a full time job. Volunteers arrive at a campsite prepared by conference members on Friday night. Saturday the volunteers proceed to a worksite on the trail for a full day of trail maintenance, and return home on Sunday. You may visit our website at: www.pinemountaintrail.com/events for a full list of upcoming opportunities. Donations needed The Pine Mountain Trail continues its successful journey across the top of Pine Mountain through the hard work of volunteers from around the state and the countr y, but it can't continue without the financial support of it's members as well as others in the community. By joining and/or donating to the Pine Mountain Trail Conference
you are helping to secure the future of a trail that will be known as Kentucky's Premier Long Trail. Membership options range from volunteer to foundation donations. Download the membership form and send it to Pine Mountain Trail Conference, c/o Letcher County Cooperative Extension Service, P.O. Box 784, Whitesburg, KY 41858. Membership includes a Pine Mountain Trail embroidered patch along with a year subscription to the Highland Sojourner. Volunteer Class...$0 (requires at
least one day of trail construction work) Individual Class...$25-$49 Trailblazer Class...$50-$99 Highlander Class...$100-$499 Pinnacle Class...$500-$999 Legacy Class...$1,000-$4,999 Foundation Class...$5,000+ To make a donation, send checks to Pine Mountain Trail Conference, c/o Letcher County Cooperative Extension Ser vice, P.O. Box 784, Whitesburg, KY 41858 or donate online.
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