Festival City
February | April | May | June | July | August
September | October | November | December
February
February 15 & 16, 2008
Elevation 2008 L.Y.N.C.
This contemporary Christian music festival and conference is in its third year at the Executive Inn Rivermont. This year's entertainment includes Family Force 5 and Grits.
www.AtTheBigE.com - 270-926-8000 / 800-626-1936
April
April 12 - May 14, 2008
Dogwood Azalea Trail
Walk the picturesque and beautiful blooming tree-lined boulevards.
April 10-12, 2008
7th Annual Bluegrass Returns to its Roots
This popular bluegrass festival features such groups as Daily & Vincent, SteelDrivers, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Grascals, JD Crowe & The New South, Mike Cleveland & The Flamekeeper Band, New Found Road, and Bawn in the Mash. The festival opens on Thursday night with the popular "Battle of the Bands" and also features 24-hour live jamming in the Executive Inn Tower.
www.AtTheBigE.com - 270-926-8000 / 800-626-1936
May
May 9-10, 2008
International Bar-B-Q Festival
Best described as "two days of barbecue heaven", the International Bar-B-Q Festival fills the downtown riverfront with the aroma of hickory-smoked chicken, pork, beef and mutton. Live bands perform on three stages. The festival includes carnival rides, numerous vendor booths, pageants, a car show, backyard barbecue competitions, and so much more.
May 16-August 29, 2008
Sunset Series
The Executive Inn Rivermont's popular free music series returns to the McConnell Plaza offering live bands playing from 9 pm-1 am every Friday night. This series combines "theme nights" with the Friday After 5 series throughout the summer.
www.AtTheBigE.com - 270-926-8000 / 800-626-1936
May 23-August 29, 2008
Friday After 5
Every Friday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the BB&T Plaza at RiverPark Center offers free live concerts. Bands play from 6-10 pm on the Plaza, bluegrass bands play in the Woodward's Courtyard, and Gospel on the River performs in Cannon Hall.
June
June 6 - 8, 2008
Yellowbanks Dulcimer Festival
The mountain dulcimer has been designated as Kentucky's official state instrument. The Yellowbanks Dulcimer Festival celebrates this instrument, plus many more, offering workshops and performances free of charge. 2008 is the festival's 17th year and takes place on the Ohio River at English Park. For more information, contact yellowbanks@bellsouth.net or 270-684-1631. www.yellowbanksdulcimer.org
June 12 - 22, 2008
International Mystery Writers Festival
RiverPark Center's wildly successful International Mystery Writers Festival returns for its second year. This festival offers the debut performances of brand new mysteries submitted by playwrights from around the world. The premiere festival featured 48 plays performed for the first time. This year's festival will feature the world premiere of a lost Agatha Christie play, "Chimneys", and also the debut of a new Sherlock Holmes mystery written by Stuart Kaminsky. For more information, visit www.riverparkcenter.org.
June 26 - 28, 2008
River of Music Party (ROMP)
From the heartland of bluegrass music, the International Bluegrass Music Museum presents the 5th year of ROMP, a mega-celebration of all things bluegrass. "ROMP" includes 3 days and 3 nights of great bands in concert, the "Bluegrass Masters Film Festival", the "Bluegrass Legends Concert", exhibits at the Museum, and Bluegrass Hall of Honor unveiling. Venues include IBMM, Yellow Creek Park, and the RiverPark Center.
www.riverofmusic.org - 1-888-MY-BANJO.
July
July 5, 2008
Family Freedom Fireworks Festival
To celebrate America's anniversary, Panther Creek Park brings an evening of family fun for all ages. The fun includes food, music, inflatables all leading up to the fireworks that end the evening.
July 4, 2008
"Celebration of the American Spirit"
On the banks of the Ohio River at English Park, the City of Owensboro celebrates the Fourth of July with vendors, music & fireworks. The Owensboro Symphony performs as the fireworks bloom in the night sky.
July 11-29, 2008
Daviess Co. Lions Club Fair
This annual county fair features pageants for all ages, carnival rides, truck & tractor pulls, motocross races, food & craft vendors, and many exhibits.
July 18-26, 2008
Dust Bowl
This 9-day outdoor basketball tournament is one of Owensboro's oldest. Held at Kendall-Perkins Park, the tournament is open to all ages.
August
August 3 - October 26, 2008
Big Bugs
The Western Kentucky Botanical Garden presents David Roger's Big Bugs exhibit. Through the use of all natural materials such as whole standing or fallen trees, dry branches and other fallen forest materials, a remarkable group of giant bugs is created. The WKBG is the only botanical garden in a 150 mile radius where this event will be staged.
August 15-16, 2008
2nd Annual Street Legends
This event promises to become one of the premiere automotive events in the Tri-State area. Classic cars of every kind will be displayed. Live entertainment is offered both Friday and Saturday night.
August 16, 2008
Multi-cultural Festival
Every year on the third Saturday of August, First Presbyterian Church holds a city-wide multicultural festival to "celebrate diversity and reach beyond ourselves". Thousands of visitors come to enjoy a day of cultural activities at different booths, watch a variety of shows and enjoy ethnic foods of different origins.
September
September 14, 2008
Scarecrow Festival
Western Kentucky Botanical Garden starts the fall season with a special festival for the young and old alike. www.wkbg.org - 270-852-8925
September 26-27, 2008
Grillin & Chillin BBQ Cookoff
This Kentucky State Championship BBQ Cookoff takes place at beautiful Diamond Lake Resort. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this cookoff offers over $10,000 in prize money.
September 26-28, 2008
Pumpkinfest
The Glenmary Sisters offer a family festival with rides, games, food, contests, pumpkins and live music: something for everyone at Moreland Park.
October
October 4-5, 2008
22nd Annual Farm Festival
Located on the Show Grounds on Karns Grove Road in Daviess County, features John Deere Tractors & Equipment from the 1800's to the present. Family fun including kiddie rides, tractor pulls, antique cars & trucks, and a flea & craft market.
http://www.psci.net/hutch/kafma.html - 812-649-9642
October 18-19, 2008
Reid's Orchard Apple Festival
This unique festival celebrates the fall season and everything apple! Sample all kinds of tasty treats from food vendors, go shopping among the many arts & crafts vendors, and let the kids enjoy the petting zoo, or get a thrill on the many carnival rides or a hay ride.
November
November 8, 2008
Veterans Parade
Bands, Floats, Scout troops, organizations all come together to honor our Veterans and show appreciation
November 14-15, 2008
"Home for the Holidays" Arts & Crafts Show 2008
One of the biggest arts and crafts show in the tri-state area is held at the Executive Inn Rivermont just in time for the Christmas season.
www.executiveinnrivermont.com - 270-926-8000 / 800-626-1936
November 22, 2008
Christmas Parade
This special parade is the largest Christmas parade in Kentucky and the tri-state area. 2008 will be the 72nd year for the parade! Bands, lighted floats, an historic calliope, and St. Nick himself will entertain all ages.
November 21 - December 31, 2008
"Holiday Forest"
The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art brings this annual celebration of the holiday season, featuring trees and holiday decorations designed by regional artists, civic groups and schools.
270-685-3181
November 22, 2008 - January 4, 2009
"Christmas at Panther Creek"
Daviess County Parks brings an outdoor holiday display with more than 250,000 lights. Drive the winding trail through Panther Creek to enjoy the sights of the season.
www.daviesscountyparks.com - 270-685-6142
November 22, 2008 - January 4, 2009
"Holiday in the Park"
Giant elves, trees, toys and figures, not to mention Santa in his sleigh, illuminated by thousands of lights line the half-mile paved walking path in the park.
www.owensboroparks.org - 270-687-8700
November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland brings snowy activities to the banks of the Ohio River at RiverPark Center. This festival includes an enormous Christmas tree at the entrance of an outdoor skating rink, a massive 20 x 40 foot cinema air screen playing favorite holiday movies, refreshments, caroling, children's rides, sleigh rides and visits from Santa.
December
December 6, 2008
The Nutcracker
Owensboro Dance Theatre presents a Christmas classic with elaborate sets, beautiful costumes and the talents of over 100 community members as well as the theatre company and guest artists from Kentucky Ballet Theatre. This event is held at RiverPark Center.
www.riverparkcenter.org - 270-687-2787
December 14, 2008
Holiday Pops
The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and the Owensboro Civic Chorus continue the tradition of putting the community in the holiday spirit with this family concert.