Cindy Earls

The Pickin' Party returns to LBL's Homeplace this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to see old time music on a rustic stage. Nathan Blake Lynn and Josh Coffey emcee while Dixie Volunteers, Charlie Stamper, and buck dancer Thomas Maupin and Overall Creek Band perform. On Sounds Good, Tracy Ross speaks with Homeplace Lead Interpreter Cindy Earls about the event.

Hear the conversation:

Friends of LBL Special Events Coordinator Cindy Earls previews the 2013 Hummingbird Festival with Kate Lochte on Sounds Good. The Festival brings thousands to LBL the first weekend in August. The Woodlands Nature Station will host more than 100 hummingbirds each day, as migration will be at its peak in early August. At the festival, hear demonstrations about banding and caring for the birds, as well as games, activities, and storytelling for the family. See more at friendsoflbl.org.

LBL's Special Events Coordinator Cindy Earls and Public Affairs Specialist Denise Schmittou join Kate Lochte in the studio to talk about special 4th of July events at Land Between the Lakes this weekend. At The Homeplace, attend events including decorating the house and dinner on the ground (bring a picnic lunch), raise the Liberty Pole and join Kentucky Statesman Henry Clay. Enjoy old-time music by The Dixie Volunteers, tales by Don Bailey, patriotic crafts, games, and refreshments. Click here for more information (PDF).

Shoppers today sift through huge inventories of "Black Friday" sale merchandise at area retailers, but shopping for Christmas gifts used to be much simpler 160 years ago. So says Land Between the Lakes Special Events Coordinator Cindy Earls. She says, on Christmas mornings back then, children might only receive an orange, some candy, a pair of socks or, maybe, as a special treat, a doll or a pocket knife. Earls says, after opening their gifts, 19th Century Western Kentucky farm families would visit neighbors. LBL's Homeplace celebrates Christmas 1850 Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.