| Home | Links | Contact Us |

Kentucky Festivals Fairs and Celebrations
| April | May | June | July | August |
| September | October | November | December |

April:

4/19/2008 5:00 P.M.- 4/19/2008 9:00 P.M. Hillbilly Night, Prestonsburg, KY
PRESTONSBURG - Kentucky Appalachians
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
75 Theatre Court
It's Hillbilly Days again in eastern Kentucky. Enjoy a festive hillbilly supper with roasted pig carved on the line, fried chicken, barbecued ribs, and all the trimmings, including assorted vegetables and desserts. It is good eating to make you say "Yee Haw". The event is held the same weekend as the annual Hillbilly Festival in nearby Pike County, Kentucky.
Contact Information
parks.ky.gov
 jennywiley@ky.gov
(800) 325-0142

May:

5/9/2008 10:00 A.M.- 5/10/2008 10:00 P.M. Apple Blossom Festival, Elkhorn City, KY
ELKHORN CITY - Kentucky Appalachians
Downtown Elkhorn City
The Apple Blossom Festival celebrates the glory of springtime in the mountains. Vendor booths and a parade fill the streets as locals and visitors enjoy the craft booths, country music, local art and delicious foods. 606-754-8510
Contact Information
www.tourpikecounty.com
tourpikeco@se-tel.com
(606) 432-5063

*********************

May 23, 2008 - May 25, 2008 - Feast of the Flowering Moon
Chillicothe, Ohio
Chillicothe, Ohio's first capital city, rich in Indian history, hosts the annual Feast of the Flowering Moon Festival. Started in 1984, the festival draws crowds of approximately 85,000. Yoctangee Park, in historic downtown, makes a perfect setting for this family oriented three-day event featuring Native American music, dancing, traders and exhibits, a mountain men encampment rendezvous with working craftsmen and demonstrations, an extensive arts and crafts show with over 80 crafter's and commercial exhibits. Entertainment is continuous on the main stage with good food, fun, games and contests for the whole family to enjoy. This is an educational experience for the entire family. Handicap parking is available at the Feast. The handicap parking will be from the Alley of West Water (by crafts etc & glad tidings) to Walnut St.

All events are FREE to the public. These events include: Main Stage Entertainment, Kid's Fun Run (Saturday), Senior Citizens Day & Bingo (Friday), Gospel Day (Sunday), Memorial Day Parade, Duck Race (ducks are free at the Hospice Booth), & more.
Submitted by Ben Roberts
Website Address

June:

Poke Sallet Festival

Thursday, June 5--Sunday, June 8 2008
Harlan, KY
(Kids' Day--June 4)
(Additional events preceding festival--see events)

NEW!! EXPANDED THROUGH SUNDAY
Christian Music Concert on the Main Stage Annual Corey Daniels Memorial Bike Show & Run Harlan County Humane Society Pet Show
Coordinated by:
Dan Mosley, Special Programs Coordinator
danmosley@harlanonline.net or 606-573-2600
& the Poke Sallet Festival Committee
 

*********************

A Festival of Mountain Arts
Location: Whitesburg, KY (Letcher County)
Dates: 10 June 2008 - 14 June 2008
Info: Link  E-mail  Hometown  
Description: Whitesburg, KY, Presented by Appalshop. Featuring West Virginia’s Kathy Mattea (16 top ten hits, 2 Grammys), Kentucky’s Darrell Scott “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” writer), Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys from the Grand Ole Opry,

Seedtime on the Cumberland 2008, the 22nd annual celebration presented by Appalshop, will happen June 10 through 14. Headlining musical acts will include Kathy Mattea, Darrell and Wayne Scott, Lee Sexton, and Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys. Also scheduled to appear are Kentucky Wild Horse, Brett Ratliff and the Clack Mountain String Band, Rich and the Poor Folks, Songs of Coal, and the Cowan Creek Pick and Bow All-Stars. Seedtime will additionally offer film screenings, picking contests, gallery exhibits, Singing on the Mountain at Indian Bottom, literary readings, a square dance with caller Randy Wilson, a Youth Bored concert, nature hikes, and craft and food vendors. While the evening concerts will be ticketed, most of the events are free to the public. $25 advance discount tickets for admission to both Friday and Saturday evening concerts will be available through June 6. Tickets can be obtained by calling 800-838-3006 or online by clicking here.

Appalshop is proud to present the 22nd annual Seedtime on the Cumberland festival, June 10-14 2008. Please join us on the Appalshop grounds in Whitesburg, Kentucky as we celebrate the art and culture of Letcher County and Central Appalachia.

Each spring, for 22 years now, folks from all over have gathered to hear, see, and enjoy masters of mountain music, storytelling, and crafts at Appalshop’s Seedtime on the Cumberland Festival. This year we are proud to host some of the region’s finest artists, and to introduce you to some younger artists who are carrying forth our cultural traditions.
Location: Whitesburg, KY (Letcher County)
Dates: 06/10/2008 - 06/14/2008
Info: Link  E-mail  Hometown  

*********************

Cowan Creek Mountain Music School
Description: The seventh annual Cowan Creek Mountain Music School, June 23 - 27, 2008 will bring together some of this country’s finest old time musicians, along with students of all levels, to enjoy a week of learning and fun. The school will offer courses in ban …
Location: Whitesburg, KY (Letcher County)
Dates: 06/23/2008 - 06/27/2008
Info: Link  E-mail  Hometown 

July:

McRoberts Reunion Festival
McRoberts, KY (Letcher County) 07/31/2008 - 08/03/2008

McRoberts Reunion Festival offers fun for all ages. Entertainment on our stage July 31 through August 2nd with church service on Sunday the 3rd. Craft booths, food booths, games, and exhibits.

Committee For a Better McRoberts

Contacts:

Fred Back 606-832-2996
Jim Scott   606-832-4789

*********************

7/19/2008 - 7/19/2008 Festival of Nations, Greenup, KY
GREENUP - Kentucky Appalachians
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park
965 Lodge Road
Festival of Nations presented by the International Folklanders. Join us for an evening of dances from around the world with authentic music and costumes. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Greenbo Lake Amphitheatre. This is a great evening of family fun. Admission is $3.00 per person.
Contact Information
http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/go/events/
GreenboLake@ky.gov
(800) 325-0083

*********************

7/21/2008 - 7/27/2008 Pioneer Life Week, Olive Hill, KY
OLIVE HILL - Kentucky Appalachians
Carter Caves State Resort
344 Caveland Drive
A week dedicated to the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812 and the settlement of lands around the Ohio river, Reenactors, musical entertainment and many historical programs brings this rich heritage back to life. The pioneer camp is open from 10am-6pm Monday - Saturday and 10:30am - 3:30pm on Sunday. Other programs include lantern tours Saltpetre Cave, tomahawk throwing, black powder rifle demonstrations, spinning and weaving demonstrations, primitive fire making, and pioneer clothing interpretation. On Saturday is County Fair day which includes displays of flintknapping, arrowheads, old time machinery, woodcarving, appalachian toys and games. We will also have a pie auction, pioneer vittles tasting and a seed spittin contest.
Contact Information
parks.ky.gov/resortparks/cc/index.htm
coy.ainsley@ky.gov
(800) 325-0059

August:

The Van Lear Historical Society, Johnson Co KY
23rd Annual Van Lear Town Celebration
August 1st and 2nd, 2008

Danny K Blevins admin@vanlear.org
Posted 4 Feb, 2008 in our Guestbook: The Van Lear Historical Society, Inc. would like to invite everyone to the 23rd Annual Van Lear Town Celebration. The festival will be held on August 1st and 2nd, 2008.

Events will include: A long distance run, a car/truck/bike show, a parade, home cooked meals, self-guided tours of the Coal Miners' Museum, paid/guided tours of Loretta Lynn's childhood home, horseshoe tournament, volleyball tournament, special postal cancellation and much more! We are going to be hosting the Kentucky Historymobile. The Historymobile will be presenting an exhibit and program about Abraham Lincoln.

This year's grand marshals will be Mr. Van-Lear Black III and Mr. Van-Lear Black IV. These gentlemen are the grandson and great grandson of Mr. Van-Lear Black ,Sr. for whom our town was named.

For more info:
Visit our website at: www.vanlear.org
Phone: (606) 789-8540
email: admin@vanlear.org
 

*********************

McRoberts Reunion Festival
Description: McRoberts Reunion Festival offers fun for all ages. Entertainment on our stage August 1st through 2nd with church service on Sunday the 3rd. Craft booths, food booths, games, and exhibits.
Location: McRoberts, KY (Letcher County)
Dates: 08/01/2008 - 08/02/2008
Info: Link  E-mail  

*********************

Blackey Day
Description: A one-day festival featuring a Bluegrass band and a variety of music throughout the event. July 12, 2008 - One day only.
Location: Blackey, KY (Letcher County)
Date: 08/12/2008
Info: E-mail  

*********************

Riverside Days Festival
Description: Riverside Days Festival, formally Jenkins Days, is a three-day event held at Riverside Park in Whitesburg, next to the hospital. The festival includes country headliners, sponsored by Jenkins Festival Committee, Inc. and Coca-Cola; Mountain Outreach Idol; …
Location: Jenkins, KY (Letcher County)
Dates: 08/14/2008 - 08/16/2008
Info: Link  E-mail  Hometown  

*********************

8/14/2008 - 8/16/2008 Colonel Bill Williams Greenup Heritage Music Festival
GREENUP - Kentucky Appalachians
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park
965 Lodge Road
Weekend dedicated to Greenup's late great Blues Musican Bill Williams. Weekend of Blues, Bluegrass, and Hertiage music. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Greenbo Lake Amphitheatre.
Contact Information
http://www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/go/events/
caryq.lyle@ky.gov
(606) 473-7324

*********************

Jenkins Homecoming Days Festival 2008
Jenkins Homecoming Days Festival 2008
August 21-22-23, 2008
Jenkins City Park
 

*********************

Jenkins Homecoming Festival
Description: A celebration to encourage high school reunions, family reunions, etc. to schedule their events for the weekend of the festival.
Location: Jenkins, KY (Letcher County)
Dates: 08/23/2007 - 08/25/2007
Info: Hometown  

*********************

Isom Days Festival & Rodeo
Description: Isom Days Festival & Rodeo is a multi-day festival that includes a full rodeo, headline concerts, a carnival, parade, food and a lot of fun! Restless Heart will headline this year's festival and entertain the crowd with their music on Friday night.
Location: Isom, KY (Letcher County)
Dates: 08/31/2007 - 09/02/2007
Info: Link  E-mail  

September:

9/19/2008 9:00 A.M.- 9/21/2008 8:00 P.M. Civil War Re-enactment, Elkhorn City, KY
ELKHORN CITY - Kentucky Appalachians
Breaks Interstate Park
Come and relive the Civil War with the 37th VA Infantry Company A and Ladies of the Martha Washington. Join us for stories and demonstrations of daily life during this period of time in American history.
Contact Information
www.breakspark.com
bipmounet.com
800) 982-5122

*********************

Mountain Heritage Festival
Description: The Letcher County Mountain Heritage Festival was first celebrated in 1982 and was coordinated by the county judge, fiscal court, and county treasurer. In the beginning, the festival hosted a county pig roast accompanied by bluegrass music for entertainment …
Location: Whitesburg, KY (Letcher County)
Dates: 09/22/2008 - 09/27/2008
Info: Link  E-mail  Photos  Hometown 

10/25/2008 10:00 A.M.- 10/25/2008 3:00 P.M. Homemaking in the Mountains, Elkhorn City, KY
ELKHORN CITY - Kentucky Appalachians
Breaks Interstate Park
Join us at the Breaks Interstate Park for a Pike County Homemaker Tradition. The sights of the beautiful trees, the taste of apple cider, and samples of homemade treats will delight you. See displays of unique mountain crafts, quilting and other demonstrations, educational booths, and receive free recipes. The best part is you will have a chance to try out your craft skills on mini kits offered for a small fee. Have an unforgettable weekend and come see what Pike County has to offer. This event is sponsored by the KY Extension Homemakers in Pike County and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. For more info please call 606 432 2534 or 1 800 233 1390.
Contact Information
www.breakspark.com
bip@mounet.com
(606) 432 2534

November:

11/29/2008 5:30 A.M.- 11/29/2008 Noon Elk Viewing Tours, Prestonsburg, KY
PRESTONSBURG - Kentucky Appalachians
Jenny Wiley State Resort
75 Theatre Court
Elk were introduced to Kentucky beginning in 1997 as a restoration project from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Prior to the release, elk had been gone from Kentucky for nearly 150 years. Come witness this magnificent animal. This tour is designed for any age group as the tours occur on vans on reclaimed surface mined areas. Tour price is $20 per adult and $10 for children under the age of 12.
Contact Information
parks.ky.gov
jennywiley@ky.gov
(800) 325-0142

December:

12/13/2008 5:30 A.M.- 12/13/2008 Noon Elk Viewing Tours , Prestonsburg, KY
PRESTONSBURG - Kentucky Appalachians
Jenny Wiley State Resort
75 Theatre Court
Elk were introduced to Kentucky beginning in 1997 as a restoration project from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Prior to the release, elk had been gone from Kentucky for nearly 150 years. Come witness this magnificent animal. This tour is designed for any age group as the tours occur on vans on reclaimed surface mined areas. Tour price is $20 per adult and $10 for children under the age of 12.
Contact Information
parks.ky.gov
jennywiley@ky.gov
(800) 325-0142