Bluegrass in the Park returns to Henderson this weekend. Here's everything you need to know
HENDERSON, Ky. − For the 37th time, Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival is all set to go for two days of music in downtown Henderson.
This is the granddaddy of Henderson’s summer parade of music festivals that also includes SummerFest, PorchFest, the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival and Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Festival.
Whether you’ve attended every year or this will be your very first time, here are some things to know.
Where, and when, does this festival take place?
Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival takes place on the second weekend of August and this year’s dates are Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11-12. The setting is Audubon Mill Park (NOT the same as John James Audubon State Park) on the downtown Henderson riverfront. The park is located at the foot of Second Street adjacent to the Ohio River Boat Ramp.
There’s music on the main stage at the following times:
Friday, Aug. 11, starting at 4 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 12, starting at 8 a.m.
Music includes both traditional and sub-genres of Bluegrass.
What about parking?
On-street parking is available along any of the adjacent streets as well as in many surface parking lots during the evening hours. Special festival handicapped parking spaces are located at the foot of First Street across from the Henderson Post Office.
Water Street between First and Third streets and a half block of Second Street are closed for festival infrastructure through Sunday.
What bands can I hear?
The music lineup on Friday features Cecil Jackson & Dry Ridge (4 p.m. and 7 p.m.), Kings Highways (5 p.m.), Kentucky Shine (6 p.m. and 9 p.m.) and Love Sick Blues (8 p.m.)
The music line up on Saturday features Maggie Hollis (8 a.m.), Caney Creek Gang (10:30 a.m.), Ridgetop Ramblers (Noon and 5 p.m.), Kings Highway (1 p.m. and 6 p.m.), Green River Revue (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.), The Kody Norris Show ( 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and David Peterson & 1946 (4 p.m. and 9 p.m.)
Where do I get a ticket?
You don’t need one. The festival is free, just like it’s been since it started. This volunteer-run festival is funded through sponsorships from local businesses, bucket shake donations, merchandise sales, popcorn sales, vendor fees and Breakfast in the Park proceeds.
What is the Folklife event?
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday in Audubon Mill Park, demonstrations of traditional activities are available. This year’s schedule includes Pottery Making (Albert Bauman), Butter Making (Linda Coleman), Old-Fashioned Games (Henderson County Public Library), Quilting (Priscilla Rowland), Kentucky Wheelmen (Vintage Bicycles), Food Preservation (Henderson County Extension), Basketmaking (Jinger Wilson), Woodworking (Peter Chevalier), Frontiersmen and more.
Are there competitive events?
Yes, on Friday night the Father Bradley Shelter for Women & Children presents the Fox on the Run 5K, a run/walk through downtown Henderson that starts at 7 p.m. at the corner of Second & Water. To sign up: runsignup.com (Fox on the Run 5K).
On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the disc golf courses in Atkinson Park will be the site of the Flippin & Flyin’ Disc Golf Tournament. Registration at the Atkinson Clubhouse starts at 7:30 a.m. Entry fee is $45. There will be a lunch break between the tournament’s two rounds.
What can I get to eat?
Food vendors for the festival will be Tom’s Smokin’ BBQ (sandwiches and more), R&L Concessions (bloomin’ onion, lemon shake ups and other festival favorites), Paradise Pizza, Harbor House (ice cream and sweet treats) and the Bluegrass Festival (freshly popped popcorn and bottled water.)
A variety of downtown restaurants also will be open near the festival site.
What is the Saturday breakfast event?
The festival will host Breakfast in the Park on Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 10:30. Provided by Hometown Roots, Roast Coffee and Casey Todd and served by Henderson Rotary Club, the breakfast menu includes biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage patty, roasted potatoes, coffee, orange juice and milk.
Tickets are $12 ($6 for 12 and younger), and proceeds support continuing operations of the festival.
Can I shop at the festival?
A pop-up market of artisans and merchants will be on site selling handcrafted items such as lavender products, baskets, oils, soaps, jewelry, clothing, honey, woodcrafts, clothing, textile crafts, ceramics, upcycled items and much more.
Festival organizer Monica Hargis said this addition has been a bonus. “It adds another element and provides more possibilities for things people can do while they listen to the music.”
What’s noteworthy about the festival?
The festival started 37 years ago as a three-band afternoon of Bluegrass music in Central Park and has grown to what it is today. Platinum sponsors are Beaven Family Foundation, Henderson Tourist Commission and Owensboro Health.
The festival has been named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Council and a Top 10 Event by the Kentucky Tourism Industry Association. It’s been featured in Southern Living, Kentucky Monthly, Kentucky Living, Midwest Living and other publications.
“It’s just a fun family-filled weekend with great music, great food and great activities,” Hargis said, noting that the festival has had visitors from all 50 states and several foreign countries. “And they just keep coming back.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Bluegrass in the Park returns to Henderson at Audubon Mill Park
