Spice Up Your Summer With These Local Festivals
You’ve promised yourself for years that you would visit local festivals and this is the summer to do it. Why not fulfill that promise and treat yourself to a day or two of festival shopping, fun attractions, unique events and delicious food? Here are 9 festivals you don’t want to miss.
Lexington 4th of July Festival
July 2-4 / Downtown Lexington
Lexington will celebrate the Fourth with sweet treats, live music, fireworks and fun. Festivities begin on Thursday, July 2 at noon in the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion with the annual Great American Pie and Ice Cream Social. On Friday, July 3, a Patriotic Concert featuring the Lexington Philharmonic begins at 8 p.m. at Transylvania University.
The Bluegrass 10,000 Race kicks off at 7:25 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. A festival with music, entertainment, arts and crafts, food and drinks will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
The parade starts at 2 p.m., beginning at Midland Avenue and continuing down Main Street. The celebration will close with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. downtown. Info: 355-8640.
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Berea Craft Festival
July 10-12 / Indian Fort Theater, Highway 21 (Big Hill Road)
The Berea Craft Festival has been at the heart of Kentucky art for 34 years. Named as one of the top 100 Best Shows in America by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the Berea Craft Festival attracts 8,000 people each year. Attractions include high-quality crafted art, music, a variety of food, pottery and other demonstrations. Info: (800) 598-5263.
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26th Annual BreyerFest
July 17-19 / Kentucky Horse Park
At BreyerFest, families can spend the day meeting horses, taking pony rides, painting Stablemates models, petting exotic animals in the petting zoo or watching dogs fly through the air at Splash Dogs.
Horse lovers of all ages will enjoy the real horse world intersecting with the model horse hobby through equine entertainment, model horse shows, shopping, workshops, free seminars and hands-on-hobby demos. Info: (800) 413-3348
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Sweet Corn Festival at Evans Orchard
Saturday, July 18 / Georgetown
Families will enjoy craft booths, music, food, pony rides, petting zoo, play area, hayrides and corn on the cob. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Info: (502) 863-2255.
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River Blast
August 1 / Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond
River Blast is a day of family fun including a boat race, a car show featuring antiques and hot rods, festival foods and concessions, river and water exhibits, arts and crafts vendors, kids activities, a bonfire and fireworks. Info: (859) 527-3454.
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Pioneer Days Festival
August 14-16 / Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg
This is one of Central Kentucky’s fastest growing, family-oriented festivals offering live music, demonstrations, car shows, a variety of food, inflatables, animal corral and much more. With nearly 100 vendors expected this year, there will be plenty for everyone to see, do and shop for. Info:
(859) 734-3314
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Woodland Arts Fair
August 15-16 / Woodland Park, Lexington
The Lexington Art League and Parks & Recreation are gearing up for the 40th annual Woodland Art Fair. Shop 200 artists, enjoy live music and food, and create your own family art – all with free admission.
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Kentucky State Fair
August 20-30 / 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville
The Kentucky State Fair is a unique, family-friendly 11-day festival that celebrates local and statewide heritage and features blue ribbon competition, concerts, special exhibits and carnival rides. It is a showcase for Kentucky’s finest products, companies, entertainment, and people. Info: (502) 367-5180 or www.kystatefair.org.
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Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival
September 4-6 / Winchester
The 37th annual Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival kicks off with a street dance Friday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. A 5K run will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and will be followed by a day of entertainment, arts, crafts, a talent contest and other activities. The festival will conclude with the Kitty Strode Concert Series at Lykins Park on Sunday night at 5:30 p.m. Info: (800) 298-9105.