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Peter’s Travel Log
America The Beautiful.com
When it comes to special events, fairs and festivals, Kentucky has something for everyone. Whether it's honoring food, history, heritage, or one of the four seasons, Kentucky celebrations are known for their authentic charm. The following is just a sample of the events taking place year round.
AQS QuiltWeek™ – Paducah
April 23-26, 2014 in Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is a mecca for quilters and quilt enthusiasts during the AQS QuiltWeek™ – Paducah happens each April. In addition to the juried exhibit of the finest workmanship and most creative quilts in the world, the festival features a merchant mall, workshops and special events throughout the community.With extended hours during the AQS QuiltWeek™, internationally recognized National Quilt Museum of the United States of America highlights the vigorous international rebirth of quilt making that began in the 1970s. Visit: www.aqsquit.com
The Kentucky Derby and Derby Festival
April 12 2013 (Festival) to May 2, 2014 (The Race)
Louisville, Kentucky
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on the first Saturday in May. The Kentucky Derby Festival is Kentucky's largest annual event and one of the nation’s finest celebrations. Each year, more than 1.5 million people enjoy the 70 special events of this annual civic celebration including concerts, races and just plain fun. Beginning with Derby Festival Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville, and continuing through the two weeks before the Kentucky Derby, the Derby Festival brings Metro Louisville to life. All of the Festival’s 70 events are held within the Metro Louisville area, most of them downtown.
The Kentucky Derby Festival has also been a winner of the “International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) World Festival & Event City” award five times, a popular and distinguished award, in existence for over 56 years, that has been awarded to cities and their events that have made a significant contribution to the Festivals and Events Industry and a profound difference in the communities they serve. Visit: www.kdf.org
International Bar-B-Q Festival
May 9 & 10, 2014 in Owensboro, Kentucky
Every second weekend in May, Owensboro springs to life with the wonderful smells and sounds of the International Bar-B-Q Festival. Smoke from hickory-stoked fires blends with the aromas of sizzling chicken, bubbling burgoo, the mouthwatering smells of barbecued chicken and lamb compete to please the senses and roasting mutton to complete the festival atmosphere. Events include a golf scramble, beer plaza, live entertainment, pie eating contest, cooking team balloon toss, and even a sock hop. Visit: www.bbqfest.com/
Great American Brass Band Festival
June 5-8, 2014 in Danville, Kentucky
The Great American Brass Band Festiva is a one-of-a-kind event committed to preserving brass band music through performance and education.Hosted by Danville's hometown band - the Advocate Brass Band - Kentucky's free, nonprofit brass band extravaganza is held every year in June. Festival highlights include continuous music beginning Friday evening with more than a dozen brass bands, parade, decorator picnic, a fireworks extravaganza and concludes with the annual Great American Balloon Race at the Danville-Boyle County Airport. Visit: www.gabbf.org/
MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest
September 2014 in Covington, Kentucky
Getting ready for Oktober - MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest, has been awarded the "2011 Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Festival for September 2011" award and the "Kentucky Tourism's Top Ten 2010 Fall Festivals" award, attracts 125,000 attendees including families and travelers from throughout the Midwest to join with local crowds in enjoying this festival. A great mix of German and international foods, music and arts and crafts this popular festival takes place in historic MainStrasse Village, Covington, Kentucky. MainStrasse Village is a designated national historic district that is the home of Old World charm and New World fun with a unique variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and entertainment. Visit: www.mainstrasse.org/
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
September 16-21, 2014 in Bardstown, Kentucky
Since 1776, the people of Bardstown, Kentucky have been making Bourbon. Their dedication to the fine art of distilling eventually gave Bardstown the title of Bourbon Capital of the World. Come celebrate this passion and history at The Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of September 2008, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival celebrates one of the world's finest spirits in the Bourbon Capital of the World. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is a Six day festival of smooth Bourbon, delicious food, and great entertainment. Events include live entertainment, black tie galas, flower festival, historical tours of the streets of historical Bardstown, demonstrations, golf tournament, horseshoe pitch and more. Visit: www.kybourbonfestival.com/
World Chicken Festival
September 25-28, 2014 in London, Kentucky
Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, is one of the most highly recognized figures in the world. Kentucky is home to the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, established by Colonel Sanders in the 1940s. His nephew, Lee Cummings, also began his career, in 1952, in Kentucky. The World Chicken Festival pays tribute to this heritage. Voted as one of the Kentucky Tourism Council's "Top Ten" Events and the Southeast Tourism Society "Top 20" Events, the annual World Chicken Festival has also been voted "Best Festival In State" by Kentucky Monthly Magazine.More than 250,000 people attend the four-day event each year. Attractions include cooking contests, live entertainment, sports competitions, parades and a car show. Visit: www.chickenfestival.com
Jerusalem Ridge Festival
October in Rosine, Kentucky
An annual festival where fans and musicians gather to play and listen to traditional bluegrass music, and to honor and remember Bill Monroe who made it all possible. The festival, running for four full days, is held on Jerusalem Ridge, just outside Rosine, Kentucky, where Bill, Charlie and Birch Monroe grew up and learned the roots of what was to eventually evolve into what we know as "bluegrass" music. Visit: www.jerusalemridgefestival.org
St James Court Art Show
October 3-5, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky
The St. James Court Art Show® is a juried fine arts and fine crafts show that hosts an impressive 750 artists from North America. Held in the heart of historic Old Louisville among the country’s largest collection of Victorian homes, the St. James Court Art Show® has for over five decades provided our neighborhood, city and state with a rich cultural and artistic legacy. It hosts an impressive 750 artists from North America, and takes place in the heart of historic Old Louisville among the country's largest collection of Victorian homes. The fair has for over five decades provided the neighborhood, city and state with a rich cultural and artistic legacy. It has also been ranked as #1 in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, and is consistently voted as one of the top festival destinations in the US. Visit: www.stjamescourtartshow.com/
The Race! - The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter miles at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds and fillies 121 pounds. The race is known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate duration, and is also called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses draped over the winner.