Summer Festival Guide
•Greater Louisville
JUNE
5-6 — British Bash: St. Joe’s Children’s Home, 2823 Frankfort Ave., featuring live music, food and more than 200 British cars, 499-2253 or www.britishbash.com.
5-6 — Portland Family Reunion Festival: Northwestern Pkwy., 33rd-35th streets, Fri. 5-11 p.m., Sat. noon-11 p.m., features carnival rides, booths, a parade (Sat., noon), arts and crafts, casino, live music and more, 776-5505.
6 — Americana World Fest: Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr., Fri. 7-9p.m., Sat. 2-10 p.m., features international food, music and children’s activities, free, 366-7813.
6-7 — Highlands-Douglass Art Show: Douglass Park/Community Center, 2301 Douglass Blvd., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., features juried art, live music, kids activities and more, 454-5800.
10-21, 30-July 12 — Kentucky Shakespeare Festival: Central Park, featuring “Macbeth” and “Romeo & Juliet,” 637-4933 or www.kyshakes.org.
12-14 — Louisville’s Greek Festival: Belvedere, Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. noon-7 p.m., celebrates Greek culture with music, arts and crafts, food and more, 425-7775.
14 — St. Matthews Community Festival: Brown Park, noon-6 p.m., with food, music, magicians, rock-climbing wall, petting zoo and more, 899-2523.
19-20 — Lyndon Area Fair: Robsion Park (behind the Lyndon Post Office), features rides, fireworks, arts and crafts, live music and more, 339-9115.
19-20 — Kentuckiana Pride Festival: Belvedere, features parade, beer garden, music by Tiffany and the Indigo Girls and more, www.kentuckianapridefestival.com.
20-21 — Sun Circle Celebration: Clarksville, Falls of the Ohio State Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Native American arts and crafts festival, (812) 280-9970 or www.fallsoftheohio.org.
26-27 — Shively Independence Festival: Shively Park, 3920 Dixie Hwy., featuring balloon glow, fireworks, arts and crafts, games, food and live music, 449-5000.
28 — Taste of Frankfort Avenue: Clifton Center, 2117 Payne St., 4-7 p.m., features food and beverage samplings from more than 25 restaurants, 896-8480, www.cliftoncenter.org/taste.
JULY
3-4 — Waterfront Independence Festival: Waterfront Park, 5-11 p.m., city celebration with fireworks, food, beer garden and live music, 574-3768.
4-5 — Crescent Hill Old-Fashioned Fourth of July/Art Fair: Peterson-Dumesnil House, 301 S. Peterson Ave., all day, with 5K run, bike ride, antique car parade down Frankfort Ave., fireworks, watermelon-eating contest and more, 897-7819.
7-8 — SummerFest/Threshing Days: Otter Creek Park, with arts and crafts, music, food, antique steam engines, demonstrations and more, 574-4583.
10-12 — Blues ’n’ Barbecue Festival: Water Tower, Fri. 5-11:30 p.m., Sat. 4-11:30 p.m., with live music, barbecue and more, $6-$9, 583-0333 or www.bisig.com.
10-12 — Forecastle Fest: Belvedere, annual music, art, activist festival, featuring more than 65 bands, artists and organizations, 472-7555 or www.forecastlefest.com.
12 — Riverside Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social, 7410 Moorman Rd., 1-5 p.m., featuring ice-cream-eating contest, games, children’s activities and music, 935-6809.
18-19 — Brightside/Coca-Cola Volleyball Classic: Seneca Park and Baxter Jack’s, annual volleyball tournament, 574-2613.
AUGUST
6-9 — Street Rod Nationals: Kentucky Expo Center, hot rod show with demonstrations, games and more, (901) 452-4030.
8 — St. Joseph Orphans Picnic: 2823 Frankfort Ave., more than 60 booths with games, food, raffles and more, 893-0241 or www.sjkids.org.
20-30 — Kentucky State Fair: Kentucky Expo Center, featuring exhibits, concerts, agricultural and commercial displays and more, 367-5000.
27-29 — Sellersburg Celebrates: Sellersburg, Ind., Silver Creek Township Park, with food and specialty booths, balloon glow, car show and more, (812) 786-3098.
29 — Brew at the Zoo: Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way, live music and samplings from area microbreweries, 459-2181 or www.louisvillezoo.org.
SEPTEMBER
5-6 — Kentucky Bluegrass & Brews Music Festival: Water Tower, featuring live music, local beers, food, children’s activities and more, $6-$9, 583-0333 or www.bisig.com.
12 — Gettin’ Drunky in KY Pub Crawl: Baxter Avenue, annual pub crawl, 7 p.m. at Outlook Inn, shavens@leoweekly.com.
13-19 — National Quartet Convention: Expo Center, Southern gospel music festival with local, national and regional acts, 961-0988.
13-20 — Jeffersontown Gaslight Festival: Taylorsville Rd./Watterson Tr., with arts and crafts, parade, balloon glow (dusk Friday), music and more, 267-1674.
19-20 — Falls of the Ohio Fossil Festival, Clarksville, Falls of the Ohio State Park, Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., includes workshops, hikes and tours, (812) 283-9970.
26-27 — Louisville Irish Fest: Bellarmine University, Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., celebrates Irish heritage with music, cultural exhibits, vendors, food and more, www.louisvilleirishfest.org.
•Beyond Louisville
MAY
28-31 — Glasgow Highland Games: Lucas, Ky., Barren River Lake State Resort Park, celebrates Scottish heritage w/ parade, volleyball tournament, pipe and drum competition, golf, medieval battles and more, (270) 651-3141 or www.glasgowhighlandgames.com.
30-July 19 — Highland Renaissance Faire — Eminence, Ky., with jousting, mud show, jugglers, musicians, crafts, period food and more, $12, (502) 845-0806 or www.kyrenfaire.com.
JUNE
1-30 — Art Fest Month: Seymour, Ind., S. Indiana Center for the Arts, 2001 N. Ewing St., juried art show w/ vendors and more, (812) 522-2278.
4-7 — Poke Sallet Festival and Homecoming: Harlan, Ky., features children’s rides, arts and crafts, beauty pageant, dinner, trail rides and more, (606) 573-4717.
5-6 — Yellowbanks Dulcimer Festival: Owensboro, Ky., English Park, with free concerts and workshops, handmade crafts, vendors and live music by Joe Collins, Russell Cook and more, (270) 684-1631.
5-6 — Bardstown Bluegrass Festival: Bardstown, Ky., live music by Dan Paisley & the Southern Grass, Bluegrass 101, Timberline Drive and more, (502) 252-9004 or www.bluegrass101.com.
6 — Outdoor Women Festival: Madison, Ind., Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, encourages fun and success in outdoors for women, (812) 273-0783, www.fws.gov/midwest/bigoaks.
5-7 — Old Fort Harrod Beef Festival: Harrodsburg, Ky., Old Fort Harrod State Park, with arts and crafts, festival food, crafts, 5K race and music, (859) 734-3314.
5-7 — Pennington Folk Music Festival: Princeton, Ky., Butler Lawn, with traditional folk and bluegrass music by the Rain Dogs, the Alonzo Pennington Band, Thom Bresh and more, (270) 365-7080.
6-7 — Troy Strawberry Festival: Troy, Ohio, Miami County Fairgrounds, celebrates all things strawberry with food, art, contests, live music and more, (800) 348-8993.
6-9 — 400 Mile Sale: From Maysville to Paducah, KY follow US Hwy 68 for 4 days of antiques, collectibles and stuff (859) 491-0458.
10-13 — Ichthus Music Festival: Wilmore, Ky., Ichthus Farm, Christian music festival, (859) 858-3001 or www.ichthusfestival.org.
11-13 — Seedtime on the Cumberland: Whitesburg, Ky., Appalshop Center, featuring screenings of Appalshop films, traditional mountain arts and crafts, food and more, with music by Charlie Louvin, Lee Sexton and more, (606) 633-0108.
11-14 — Newport Italianfest: Newport, Ky., riverfront, celebrates Italian heritage with food, art, games, music and more, (859) 292-3666 or www.newportky.gov.
12-14 — Great American Brass Band Festival: Danville, Ky., Centre College, featuring world-renowned brass bands, parade, balloon race, picnic, food and more, (800) 755-0076.
13-20 — W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival: Henderson, Ky., Audubon Mill Park, festival honors father of blues, W.C. Handy, with music, food, arts and more, (800) 648-3128 or www.handyblues.org.
13-20 — Bill Monroe’s Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival: Bean Blossom, Ind., Bill Monroe Memorial Park, with live music and more, (800) 414-4677 or www.beanblossom.com.
15-20 — Bullitt County Fair: Shepherdsville, Ky., Bullitt County Fairgrounds, 245 at I-65, with rides, fair food and more, (502) 543-4855.
29-20 — Renfro Valley Bluegrass Festival: Renfro Valley, Ky., annual event featuring bluegrass music and other festivities, camping available, (800) 765-7464.
20 — Taste of Bloomington: Bloomington, Ind., Showers Commons, featuring samples from local restaurants, art, music and more, (812) 336-3681.
24-27 — ROMP: River of Music Party: Owensboro, Ky., Yellow Creek Park, live music by Dale Ann Bradley, Mike Snider, Cherryholmes and more, (888) 692-2656 or www.riverofmusic.org.
39-July 4 — Henry County Fair: New Castle, Ky., country fair with locally grown foods, hayrides, crafts, music and more, (502) 845-5707
JULY
3-5 — Indiana Territorial Festival: Corydon, Ind., Capital State Historic Site, a celebration of Corydon and Indiana’s early history, (888) 738-2137.
3-5 — Freedom Fest: Murray, Ky., features barbecue, drinks, paintball, music and more, (800) 715-5004.
3-5 — Madison Regatta: Madison, Ind., riverfront, hydroplane races, parade, fireworks and more, (812) 265-2956.
1-4 — Green River Fest: Morgantown, Ky., environmental clean-up day at Green River, canoes will be provided, (270) 526-6827.
4 — Light Up Salt River: Taylorsville Lake Dam and Overlook, with arts and crafts, music, games, fireworks (dusk), food and music, (502) 477-8882.
4 — Celebration of the American Spirit: Owensboro, Ky., English Park, with fireworks at dusk, rides, games and more, (270) 687-8700.
7-13 — Harrison County Fair: Corydon, Ind., Harrison County Fairgrounds, Indiana’s oldest continuous running fair, (888) 738-2137.
9-19 — Summer Celebration: Indianapolis, Ind., Convention Center, heritage festival with national and regional performers, juried art competitions, minority health fair and more, (317) 925-2702.
10-12 — Berea Craft Festival: Berea, Ky., Indian Fort Theater, with arts and crafts, demonstrations and more, (800) 598-5263.
16 — Oldham County Day: La Grange, Ky., downtown, with 5K run/walk, parade, arts/crafts, games and more, (502) 222-1731.
17-18 — Master Musicians Festival: Somerset, Ky., Somerset Community College, live music by Old Crow Medicine Show and more, (800) 386-5859 or www.mastermusiciansfestival.com.
18-19 — Dayton Air Show: Dayton, Ohio, Dayton International Airport, featuring live air shows, demonstrations, parade and more, (937) 898-5901 or www.daytonairshow.com.
19 — Kentucky Shaker Music Day: Harrodsburg, Ky., Shaker Village, with music by South Union Quartet and Pleasant Hill Singers, (800) 734-5611.
23-25 — Paducah Summer Festival: Paducah, Ky., riverfront and various locations, national and regional music acts, hot-air balloons, Big-Wheel races and more, (800) 723-8224 or www.paducahtourism.org.
24-26 — Newport Arts and Music Festival: Newport, Ky., riverfront, featuring local and regional entertainment, (859) 292-3666 or www.newportky.gov.
29-Aug. 9 — Ohio State Fair: Columbus, Ohio, Expo Center, featuring midway, live music, games, food, demonstrations and more, (888) OHO-EXPO or www.ohiostatefair.com.
31-Aug. 2 — Jasper Strassenfest: Jasper, Ind., German heritage fest with food, music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, fireworks and more, (812) 482-6866.
AUGUST
7-23 — Indiana State Fair: Indianapolis, Ind., Indiana State Fairgrounds, agricultural and commercial displays, livestock exhibits, performances and more, (317) 927-7500.
7-8 — Henderson Bluegrass in the Park and Folklife Festival: Henderson, Ky., Audubon Mill Park, with demonstrations, children’s activities, folk-type crafts, music and more, (270) 826-3128 or www.hendersonky.org/bluegrass.
8-9 — Pleasant Hill Art & Craft Fair: Harrodsburg, Ky., Shaker Village, juried arts and crafts and demonstrations, (800) 734-5611.
13-16 — Great Inland Seafood Festival: Newport and Cincinnati, riverfront, celebrates seafood from local restaurants, (859) 292-3666 or www.newportky.gov.
14 — Duncan Hines Festival: Bowling Green, Ky., downtown, honors Kentuckian who made cake mixes famous with recipe contests, games, music and more, (800) 326-7465.
15-16 — Woodland Arts Fair: Lexington, Ky., Woodland Park, arts and crafts, demonstrations, music and food, (859) 254-7024.
27-29 — Hot August Blues Festival: Aurora, Ky., Kenlake State Resort, with national, regional and local blues bands, (800) 325-0143.
28-29 — Kentucky Heartland Festival: Elizabethtown, Ky., Freeman Lake Park, features arts and crafts, balloon race, fireworks, parade and more, (270) 765-4334.
SEPTEMBER
4-7 — 13th Annual Rib America Festival: Indianapolis, Ind., Military Park, featuring award-winning barbeque, live music and more, www.ribamerica.com.
5-6 — Fourth Street Festival of Arts and Crafts: Bloomington, Ind., arts and crafts, music and more, (812) 335-3814.
Sept 11-13 — Lanesville Heritage Festival: Lanesville, Ind., featuring tractor pulls and displays, food, entertainment and more, (888) 738-2137.
15-20 — Kentucky Bourbon Festival: Bardstown, Ky., with bourbon tastings, gala, distillery tours, balloon glow, barbecue and more, (800) 638-4877.
25-26 — Kentucky Lake Bluegrass Festival: Aurora, Ky., Kenlake State Resort Park, featuring live music and more, (270) 527-3128.
21-27 — Indy Jazz Fest: Indianapolis, Ind., Military Park, featuring national, regional and local jazz and blues musicians, (317) 239-5151 or www.indyjazzfest.net.
This article appears in May 27, 2009.