Festival City
2010 EVENTS
February
February 12-13
Elevation 2010
For 2010, Elevation moves to Good Shepherd Church for this Christian conference for teenagers. The headline act on Friday night is popular gospel duo Shane and Shane. For more information about schedules, contact Danny May at (270) 684-5369.
February 26-27
Gospel Festival 2010
Frank Arnold Ministries brings his Celebrate Jesus 2010 Tour to RiverPark Center for two nights of great gospel performances. Entertainers to be announced later. For more infirmation, contact RiverPark Center at (270) 687-2770
April
April 17
Diamond Lake Gospel Jubilee
Held in Diamond Lake Resort's beautiful theatre, the gospel concert will feature Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Crossmen, Paul Gatewood, Gloryroad Travelers, Molly Troutman, Glorybound Singers, and WE Three. 2 pm-9 pm 4901 Hobbs Road (270)229-4900
April 23-24
9th Annual Bluegrass Returns to its Roots featuring JD Crowe and The New South
For their 9th year, Bluegrass Returns to its Roots moves to beautiful Diamond Lake Resort. Entertainment will include J.D. Crowe & New South, County Line Bluegrass and more. Friday evening is Open Mic night for any Bluegrass artist or group that wishes to showcase their talent. Saturday, Bluegrass showcases and workshops fill the day, while the night belongs to Bluegrass bands and dancers, and featuring JD Crowe and The New South. For camping information, contact Diamond Lake Resort, 7301 Hobbs Road, 270-229-4900. Entertainment/lodging packages are available on our "Packages" page. For ticketing information call 270-926-1100/800-489-1131.
mid-April through mid-May
Dogwood Azalea Trail
Walk or drive the picturesque and beautiful blooming tree-lined boulevards.
May
May 7-8
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, vendor booths, pageants, a car show, backyard barbecue competitions, and so much more.
www.bbqfest.com
May 21-September 3
Friday After 5
Owensboro's popular FREE concert series returns to the Ohio Riverfront for its 14th year for the perfect way to start your weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Headline bands play on the RiverPark Center's BB&T Plaza, while Gospel on the River performs inside in Cannon Hall. Try out Karaoke in the Courtyard or stroll through the weekly Street Fairs. For more information, contact RiverPark Center at (270) 687-2770
June
June 12
Lions Club Soap Box Derby
This annual race returns to Chautauqua Park, allowing boys & girls to compete in their self-made cars. Winners here go on to compete in the Akron, Ohio National Championships.
June 19-26
The Dazzling Daylily
This festival of dancing, dining & music is a national display garden of hybridized daylilies in the Western KY Botanical Garden that includes tours, food and fun for the entire family.
www.wkbg.org
June 23-26
River of Music Party (ROMP)
From the heartland of bluegrass music, the International Bluegrass Music Museum presents the 6th year of ROMP, a mega-celebration of all things bluegrass. "ROMP" includes 4 days and 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. Wednesday features all-day, all-night jamming with the Bluegrass Boys, musicians who played with Bill Monroe, at the Museum. Thursday will bring more jamming and storytelling at both the Museum and RiverPark Center. Thursday night will feature a Legends Concert in RiverPark Center's Cannon Hall. On Friday and Saturday, the music moves to Yellow Creek Park. Entertainment on Friday includes Michael Cleveland & The Flamekeeper Band, Claire Lynch, Dailey & Vincent, and G2. Saturday will feature Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, The Isaacs, Packway Handle Band and more. For a complete lineup and more information about the festival, visit the Museum's website, or by phone at 888-692-2656.
www.bluegrassmuseum.org
June 25-26
Owensboro Area Quilters Guild Quilt Show
Held in the Owensboro Museum of Science & History, the 2010 Quilt Show will feature new and antique quilts on display, plus quilting demos, novelty and children's quilts in the SpeedZeum, quiltings tools and items from past and present, and a demonstration of utilitarian quilt use down in the Coal Mine Exhibit. Attendees will also get to try their hand in quilting.
July
July 3, 2010
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.
www.daviesscountyparks.com 270-685-6142
July 4, 2010
"Celebration of the American Spirit"
View the fireworks from beautiful Mitch McConnell Plaza on the Ohio River as the City of Owensboro celebrates the Fourth of July with vendors, music & fireworks.
www.owensboroparks.org 270-687-8700
July 8-17, 2010 
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.
www.daviesscountyfair.com
July 18, 2010
Diamond Lake Gran Prix
This professional go-cart racing weekend at Diamond Lake Resort is becoming an Owensboro tradition. Over 100 drivers race at speeds reaching 95 mph on the tracks.
www.diamondlakeresort.net 270-229-4900
July 16-24, 2010
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 13-14, 2010
Big O Music Fest
The Big O Music Fest will feature popular Nashville-based country performers. On Friday, Randy Houser, Mark Wills, Josh Gracin and Mountain Heart are scheduled to appear. Saturday features Gary Allan, Erick Church, Jamey Johnson, Colt Ford, Brian Davis, and Jaclyn Graves. Camping is available onsite. Held at Reid's Orchard, 4812 Highway 144. Gates open at noon, with performances beginning at 1 p.m.
www.bigomusicfest.com
August 21, 2010
Multi-Cultural Festival
Every year on the third Saturday of August, First Presbyterian Church holds a city-widemulticultural 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 differentorigins.
www.firstpresbyterianowensboro.com 270-684-1467
August 20-21, 2010
4th 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.
www.diamondlakeresort.net 270-229-4900
September
September 18, 2010
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 24-25, 2010
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.
www.diamondlakeresort.net 270-229-4900
September 24-26, 2010
Pumpkinfest
Owensboro's Family Festival offers a great time with rides, games, food, contests, pumpkins and live music: something for everyone at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
www.owensboropumpkinfest.org
October
October 1-3, 2010
U.S. 60 Yard Sale
From Union County to Mead County, U.S. Highway 60 will become one big yard sale, involving both private and business displays.
www.highway60yardsale.com
October, 2010
Fall Family Fun Weekends
Every weekend in October, head to Trunnell's Farm Market for Fall Family Fun. Activities include hay rides and pumpkin & face painting. Free daily events in October include a straw maze, straw pyramid, corn pit, pumpkin maze, corn hole, pumpkin toss, Amazing Find, Tomato Stake and Rope Maze. Visit the market for Absolutely Fresh Produce and Kentucky Proud products all year round.
www.trunnellfarmsmarket.com
October 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2010
Voices of Elmwood
Join the Daviess County Public Library, the Owensboro Museum of Science and
History, and Theatre Workshop of Owensboro, as they invite you on the third annual "Voices of Elmwood" tour. Starting at 6:00 PM, take a hayride through the historic sections of Elmwood Cemetary and learn about some of the history of Owensboro, and the people who shaped it. Local actors will be portraying figures from Daviess County's past, relating tales that are both thrilling and poignant, hair-raising and funny, enlightening and entertaining. The tour will last approximately an hour. The program will move to Diamond Lake Resort on the 14th and 15th. Tickets for the tour are $10, and all profits will go toward the establishment of a fund to aid in the restoration of those monuments damaged in the Tornado of 2001. Come join us for a ride you won't soon forget.
www.owensboromuseum.com
October 2-3, 2010
24th 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 16-17, 2010
Reid's Orchard Apple Festival
This unique festival on the third weekend in October 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.
www.reidorchard.com 270-685-2444
October 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 2010
6th Annual Boo Fest
Calling all Ghouls, Goblins, Witches and Warlocks! You'll have a "spooktacular" good time at Diamond Lake on Fridays and Saturdays this October. Haunted campsites decorated for Halloween; kids' activities such as pumpkin-painting contests every Saturday morning; non-scary, kid-friendly hayrides during the day on Saturdays; and each Friday and Saturday night beginning at 7 p.m., take a tour through the haunted woods by the old swimming lake.
www.diamondlakeresort.net 270-229-4900
November
November 6, 2010
Veterans Parade
Bands, Floats, Scout troops, organizations all come together to honor our Veterans and show appreciation for their service.
November 12-14, 2010
"Talents of Gold " Arts & Crafts Show 2010
One of the holiday biggest arts and crafts show in the tri-state area is held at Towne Square Mall just in time for the Christmas season.
Talents of Gold
November 20, 2009
Christmas Parade
This special parade is the largest Christmas parade in Kentucky and the tri-state area. 2010 will be the 74th year for the parade! The theme for this year's parade has yet to be announced. Bands, lighted floats, an historic calliope, and St. Nick himself will entertain all ages.
www.ChristmasParade.net
November 11-December 31
"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 and civic groups.
www.omfa.us 270-685-3181
November 26-January 2, 2011
"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 26-January 2, 2011
"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 27-January 1, 2010
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.
www.riverparkcenter.org 270-687-2770
December
December 4, 2010
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 4, 2010
Holiday Stroll
Stroll the downtown streets to get in the holiday spirit. Strolling carolers, storefront decorations, and indoor performers will make this evening a reminder of the good old days of being downtown at Christmas. Singers, instrumentalists, dancers, storytellers and actors will perform in storefronts and outside along Second and Third streets from Daviess to St. Ann.
December 12, 2010
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.
www.owensborosymphony.org 270-684-0661