District Digest News Stories

Lake Cumberland celebrates with Fall Festival at Historic Mill Springs Mill

Lake Cumberland Park Ranger
Published Nov. 7, 2017
Lake Cumberland

Historic Mills Springs Mill in Wayne County, KY hosted the annual Haunted Fun Fest where Trick-or-treaters in the Lake Cumberland area come to a safe environment for candy and fun.

Lake Cumberland

Trick-or-treaters in the Lake Cumberland area enjoyed both at the annual Corps of Engineers Haunted Fun Fest, located on the grounds of Historical Mill Springs Mill in Wayne County, KY.

Lake Cumberland

Trick-or-treaters in the Lake Cumberland area enjoyed both at the annual Corps of Engineers Haunted Fun Fest, located on the grounds of Historical Mill Springs Mill in Wayne County, KY.

Lake Cumberland

Trick-or-treaters in the Lake Cumberland area enjoyed both at the annual Corps of Engineers Haunted Fun Fest, located on the grounds of Historical Mill Springs Mill in Wayne County, KY.

MONTICELLO, KY. (Nov. 2, 2017) – History and a little horror! Trick-or-treaters in the Lake Cumberland area enjoyed both at the annual Corps of Engineers Haunted Fun Fest, located on the grounds of Historical Mill Springs Mill in Wayne County, KY.

The Festival, piloted in 2012 by Park Rangers Aurora Scott and Phillip Sliger and has been organized by the Lake Cumberland Park Ranger staff every year since. 

Scott said public outreach has always been the goal. 

“This is just one of many ways to get that face-to-face public interaction and promote our cultural and historical resources in a way that encourages interpretive learning for our community of friends and residents,” said Scott.

The area surrounding Mill Springs was home to a Civil War battle on January 19, 1862 and offers a scenic background.  Hosting the Haunted Fun Fest at such a historical location provides the perfect opportunity for large-scale outreach.  

According to Scott, on average the event usually hosts 1,500 visitors in a 2 to 3-hour period.

“The history of the site creates the perfect atmosphere to host a Halloween event. It also affords the Ranger staff the opportunity to get Lake Cumberland area residents connected and invested in the preservation of this historical resource,” said Judy Daulton, Park Ranger. 

In addition, Scott says, “the festival serves to build and strengthen relationships with many local agencies and businesses who participate in giving out candy and other treats as part of the festivities. Representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Division of Forestry, NRCS, the Wayne County Public Library and Conley Bottom Marina are among the usual participants.”

The event operates on donations received from the Friends of Lake Cumberland group and the efforts of the named Agencies and businesses who volunteer their time each year to provide a safe and interactive environment for the public to enjoy Halloween and experience local History.

(The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.)