Where Can I Find the Best Events in the Bluegrass Region in July and August?

July

July 4 – Happy Birthday, America

This year, America celebrates its semiquincentennial. Yes, it's a mouthful, but accurate to describe a country turning 250 years old.

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There will be celebrations galore across the Bluegrass this Fourth of July holiday, with the largest one in Lexington.

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The party starts off with a patriotic concert by the Lexington Philharmonic (July 3) as well as a Baseball and Boom Bash at the Lexington Legends' stadium complete with fireworks.

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July 4th is a day filled with activity, whether it be participating in the 50th annual Bluegrass 10,000 5K run; taking in the Festival & Art Market; checking out the full schedule of activities at Gatton Park; cheering on the annual parade or oohhing and aahhing at the fireworks display.

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But Lexington isn't the only game in the Bluegrass this Fourth of July holiday. In Jessamine County, just south of Lexington, the town of Wilmore will be in full-on celebratory mode.

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The day begins with a parade at 10:00 a.m., followed by a festival complete with food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, inflatables for the kids and family games.

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A patriotic salute by the Jessamine Community Band will wrap up the slate of free activities at 1:00 p.m. in Asbury College's Hughes Auditorium.

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If you're looking for a celebration with a real small-town feel, then head to Crab Orchard in Lincoln County, which holds the oldest continuously operating Fourth of July Celebration in Kentucky.

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Among the activities over the two-day event are vendor booths and a Miss Crab Orchard pageant (July 3), and the big day itself will begin with the town's famous Country Ham Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.

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Activities from a petting zoo for the kids to a parade will be highlights of the day. As a bonus, a special reading of the Declaration of Independence will be held on the steps of the Lincoln County Courthouse at 9:00 a.m.

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More info: VisitLex.com | visitjessamine.com | visitlincolnky.com

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July 10–12 – BreyerFest – Lexington, Fayette County

This wildly popular festival is all about horses – the real ones and the collectible kind modeled on them.

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Over three days, visitors flock to the Kentucky Horse Park to see the real-life equines that inspired the collectible models of their breed.

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Lexington may be the Thoroughbred horse capital of the world, but Breyerfest is based on the horse culture of Scandinavia, whose Midsummer celebrations inspired this event.

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This is one of the more unusual Bluegrass Region festivals, as those who cannot attend in person can do so digitally and bid on their favorite model horse.

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More info: VisitLex.com

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July 10–12 – Berea Craft Festival – Berea, Madison County

Lovers of folk art know that Berea is the Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky, and since 1982 this festival has shown them why.

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Dubbed "Magic in the Mountains," it lives up to the name. The mountains are the Cumberlands, with the location being the Indian Fort in the Berea College Forest.

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The magic lies in the work of more than 100 artists and artisans from all over the U.S. who come to display their work for sale.

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With wandering minstrels playing Appalachian music and local vendors providing food and drink, this festival is a modern-day version of the medieval Renaissance Fair.

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More info: visitberea.com/berea-craft-festival

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July 10–19 – Festival of Learnshops – Berea, Madison County

If you've ever wanted to learn how to weave a basket, throw a ceramic pot, tackle woodworking or watercolor painting, or learn how to make intricate jewelry, this is the festival for you.

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With more than 40 subjects to choose from, these hands-on workshops held throughout Berea give visitors an opportunity to learn from accomplished artists and craftspeople.

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It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner looking to learn a new skill or an experienced crafter looking to bone up on an old one — Berea's Learnshops offer an opportunity to immerse yourself in the community's nationally recognized arts tradition.

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More info: visitberea.com/learnshops

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July 25 – Cynthiana Bike Fest – Cynthiana, Harrison County

Hearing "riders, mount your horses" is pretty common in the Bluegrass Region, but if you happen to be in Cynthiana on July 25th, you'll hear a riff on that familiar command.

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"Riders, mount your bikes."

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The 8th Annual Cynthiana Bike Fest will be a free all-day event open to bikers and non-bikers.

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For bikers, registration begins at 10:00 a.m., and some 3,000 entrants are expected to rev up their engines. Trophies and prizes will be awarded in 10 categories.

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However, if your primary mode of transportation has drastically less horsepower, don't fret. There will also be live music, food and a kids' zone. Not to mention the chance to oohh and aahh over those cool choppers.

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More info: cynthianatourism.com

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August

August 13–15 – Pioneer Days – Harrodsburg, Mercer County

For those who think Daniel Boone settled Kentucky, let us introduce you to Harrodsburg. A full year before Boone established Boonesboro in Madison County, James Harrod founded his namesake town in 1774, making it Kentucky's oldest.

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Every year the community honors its heritage and those settlers during Pioneer Days, a free festival at Old Fort Harrod State Park. Costumed interpreters keep the past alive by demonstrating skills utilized 252 years ago. Yes, Harrodsburg is older than America.

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But if you don't want to spend the days grinding corn or working over a hot forge, there are plenty of 21st century activities to keep you occupied, including a car show, a 5K race, live music and plenty of food and shopping.

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More info: visitharrodsburgky.com

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August 20–23 – Berea Celtic Fest and Gathering – Berea, Madison County

You may be surprised to discover that Central Kentucky and the Appalachian Mountains to the East have a strong connection to the Celtic tribes of ancient Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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Nowhere is this more on display than during Berea's Celtic Festival and Gathering, an authentic celebration of Celtic music, dance, storytelling and community which links the past to the present.

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For the 17th year, this intimate gathering invites all visitors, regardless of experience and skill level, to connect through workshops, presentations, concerts and traditional dance.

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With locations as varied as the Berea College campus, Boone Tavern, the Kentucky Artisan Center and local churches, this is a celebration of Celtic culture that gets the entire community involved.

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More info: berea-celtic.org

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August 22 – Cynthiana Rod Run – Cynthiana, Harrison County

Cynthiana has a festival all about motorcycles in July; this month the town shows some love to classic cars (along with hot rods, muscle cars and trucks) during its one-day Rod Run.

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Held in downtown Cynthiana, the event draws hundreds of cars and thousands of spectators who come to admire these classic, custom, antique and modern performance vehicles.

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Even if you're not a "car person," there's plenty to keep you occupied with live music and entertainment, food vendors and specials at local restaurants, shopping opportunities and a family-friendly atmosphere.

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And while you're there, don't forget to check out their nationally famous murals.

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More info: cynthianatourism.com

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August 29–30 – Battle of Richmond Re-Enactment – Richmond, Madison County

The saying "win the battle, but lose the war" certainly applies to the Battle of Richmond, fought over two blisteringly hot days in August 1862.

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It was an overwhelming victory for the Confederacy (often referred to as the most complete victory achieved by either side during the entire Civil War).

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The Union and Confederate armies may have preferred to be somewhere else in 1862, but today's visitors won't, as they can re-live history and have a good time doing it.

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There will be re-enactments of the battle at 2:00 p.m. on both days, but the rest of the time peace will prevail. Sutlers and food vendors will hawk their wares, and musicians will play music appropriate to the period.

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There will be guided battlefield tours, living history stations and a special ladies' tea.

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An entrance fee of $15 per car is required to enter the Battlefield Park.

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More info: VisitRichmondKy.com

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As you can see, not all July and August days in the Bluegrass are lazy and hazy, but we think we can promise you crazy… crazy fun, that is.

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