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Think Kentucky: Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet offers holiday gift ideas with Bluegrass tint


The Kentucky Cabinet of Tourism, Arts and Heritage is encouraging Kentuckians to give a gift with a Kentucky theme this holiday season.

“The holidays are a perfect time to give gifts made in Kentucky to friends and family,” said Don Parkinson, Secretary of the Cabinet of Tourism, Arts and Heritage. “Throughout the state, shops feature uniquely Kentucky gifts from books, food, artwork, performances and more.”

Kentucky Unbridled Spirit Gift Card

Unbridled Spirit Gift Cards can be used at Kentucky State Parks, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Artisan Center at Berea and the Kentucky Historical Society museum and gift shop. The cards never lose their value and can be used for online purchases as well as overnight stays, meals in restaurants and gift store items. Unbridled Spirit Gift Cards can be purchased at any of the locations listed above or online.

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Kentucky State Parks

State parks are a great place for Christmas and holiday gatherings. The resort parks have restaurants, meeting areas and gift shops that offer unique gift ideas. Wildlife tours are available at many parks, they include elk viewing tours, looking for eagles at the Land Between the Lakes and watching sandhill cranes as they migrate through Kentucky. For more information, visit parks.ky.gov.

Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea presents a wide array of Kentucky-made items, including fine craft, visual art, music, books, and specialty food products made by more than 700 Kentucky artists. Events on Saturdays in December feature musical performances and artist demonstrations. The Center’s gallery exhibits, shopping, and travel information areas are all open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the cafe offers fine Kentucky cuisine from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The Center is located just off I-75 at Berea Exit 77. For more information visit the Center’s Facebook page and website.

Kentucky Horse Park

The Official Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop is the premier outlet for horse-themed home décor, gifts, jewelry, books, artwork, clothing, toys, and more. The shop carries a wide selection of logo wear, Arthur Court, Breyer® model horses and other collectibles, Kentucky Proud products, custom-made and ready-made gift baskets, videos, and furniture.

The gift shop is open the same hours as the Kentucky Horse Park, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The gift shop is also open and available evening hours with Southern Lights admission during the holiday season.

Kentucky Historical Society

The 1792 Stewart Home School Store at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort has a wide selection of books, Kentucky crafts and other specialty items. Gift memberships to the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) are also available. Members receive a discount in the 1792 Store, special prices on research services and members-only discounts on special events. For more information, contact KHS Membership at 502-564-1792 or visit www.history.ky.gov.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

A gift certificate from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is the perfect gift for the outdoors enthusiast who does everything. The gift certificate can be redeemed for licenses and permits, Kentucky Afield Magazine subscriptions, Otter Creek passes and Conservation Camp registration fees. Individual copies of the department’s popular Kentucky Afield Outdoor Calendar are also for sale at $7.50 apiece.

Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

Give the gift of the arts by purchasing tickets to one of the splendid events at the Kentucky Center. The center is the home to Louisville’s nationally-renowned arts scene, the Louisville Orchestra, the Kentucky Opera, the Louisville Ballet, Stage One Family Theatre and PNC Bank Broadway in Louisville, as well as a host of community theaters and Kentucky Center Presents performances. For more information, visit www.kentuckycenter.org.

Kentucky Arts Council

The Kentucky Arts Council is urging holiday shoppers to “Give a Gift Made in Kentucky.” Shoppers interested in purchasing Kentucky-made art and craft items can visit more than 20 businesses designated as Kentucky Crafted Retailers, or buy from the artists directly. Participating Kentucky artists include those in the arts council’s Kentucky Crafted program, Architectural Artists Directory and Performing Artists Directory. Many retailers and artists and nonprofit arts organizations are hosting special events and offering promotions and discounts throughout the holiday season. For more information, visit the campaign website.

Kentucky Heritage Council

Kentucky Main Street communities across the Commonwealth feature some of the most unique shopping experiences to be found anywhere, from clothing boutiques and restaurants to gift shops, bookstores and inns, located in charming historic buildings that have been rehabilitated to serve new uses. The Kentucky Heritage Council’s Kentucky Main Street Program encourages everyone to support small businesses and #shopdowntown this holiday season! For more information, visit www.heritage.ky.gov/mainstreet.

From Kentucky Tourism Cabinet Communications


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