Festivals

East Kentucky Fair
Thunder Ridge Racing and Entertianment Complex
Route 3, Prestonsburg, Ky
Website

Several years ago, Judge-Executive Paul Hunt Thompson dreamed of bringing to fruition the possibility of a fair in Eastern Kentucky. which would allow the children in the area to experience all the marvels of being at the State Fair in Louisville.

The counties of Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike have realized the enormous economic impact of bringing such an event to Eastern Kentucky. They have committed their time and effort toward making the East Kentucky Fair a success. “Students and adults alike, who may never have the opportunity to travel to the Kentucky State Fair, will have the chance to experience a state fair right here in Eastern Kentucky,” said Judge-Executive Paul Hunt Thompson. The judge-executives of the region requested the help of Big Sandy Area Development District with organizing this event. Thunder Ridge Racing and Entertainment Complex was selected to be the location. Corporate sponsors were solicited, vendors were interested, entertainment was found, a carnival agreed to come, and the rest is history.

The fair is held the first weekend in August each year. Local leaders hope you enjoy this year’s fair and plans are to make it an annual event for many years to come.

Jenny Wiley Pioneer Festival
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
2nd weekend of October

The Jenny Wiley Pioneer Festival is held the second weekend in October in Prestonsburg. The Jenny Wiley Festival is a week of food, fun, free entertainment, arts & crafts and more. The Jenny Wiley Festival celebrates the brave pioneer spirit of the Appalachians where Jenny Wiley and others endured a hard frontier life. Yet, they still moved forward and helped settle this land.

Kentucky Highland Folk Festival
Mountain Arts Center
50 Hal Rogers Drive
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
888-622-2787
Website

The Annual presentation of the Kentucky Highland Folk Festival, initiated in 1964 by Mrs. Edith James, is a unique celebration of the area's heritage and culture. “Miss Edith” studied music at the Peabody Conservatory and sang with the Baltimore Symphony. Her love of the hills was strong, so she returned to Eastern Kentucky. Her studies served to heighten her appreciation for the music and culture of the area. In order to preserve the music tradition and heritage of Eastern Kentucky and present it to the public, the Kentucky Highland Folk Festival began. After “Miss Edith’s” death, many wonderful friends, family and volunteers have worked tirelessly to continue the festival. Scheduled events include demonstrations in clogging, the Virginia reel, Appalachian folk tunes, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, fiddle, basket making, woodcarving, furniture making, painting of gourds, hand-blown glass jewelry, quilting, hand-crafted dulcimers and chair seat weaving. So, bring an instrument, come and sing, join the fun on the stage, eat good food, enjoy the arts and crafts or simply sit back and relax. The Annual Kentucky Highland Folk Festival is held at the Mountain Arts Center.

Red, White and Blue Festival
Martin, KY

The Red, White, and Blue Days Festival is held the third weekend in October in Martin, KY. The festival was founded in 1969, by Marcella Bailey to honor the area's veterans. The festival consists of arts and crafts, local entertainment, carnival rides, food and fun. The festival is also known for its Car Show that is held the Saturday of the festival. Red, White, and Blue Days pays tribute to the veterans with a Veterans' Memorial Dinner and Flag Raising Ceremony.