Camp Nelson’s biggest Civil War reenactment highlight weekend events around Lexington

Matt Wickstrom
·4 min read

Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do including live music concerts, theatre plays and musicals, kid-friendly and free events, comedy shows, concert series, small town festivals, 5Ks and Civil War reenactments.

Family Paint Night at the Dunbar Community Center

You’ve heard of family game night, but now you can partake in the first ever Family Paint Night at the Dunbar Community Center on Aug. 11 from 5-7:30 p.m. Free. 545 N Upper St. LexingtonKy.gov.

Norton Center 50th Anniversary Block Party in Danville

Celebrate 50 years of programming at the Norton Center for the Arts in Danville during a block party on Aug. 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Activities include live music from “American Idol” alum Alex Miller and previews of a new exhibition featuring prints by Andy Warhol, Adolph Gottlieb and other Modern Art pioneers. Free. 600 W Walnut St, Danville. NortonCenter.com.

Northside Nights Concert Series at Castlewood Park

Honeychild will perform during the next edition of the City of Lexington’s Northside Nights Concert Series at Castlewood Park on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. Free. 201 Castlewood Dr. LexingtonKy.gov.

There will be plenty of cannon fire this weekend at Camp Nelson in Nicholasville when they host its biggest Civil War reenactment event of the year, the 160th anniversary of the Knoxville Campaign from Aug. 11-13.
There will be plenty of cannon fire this weekend at Camp Nelson in Nicholasville when they host its biggest Civil War reenactment event of the year, the 160th anniversary of the Knoxville Campaign from Aug. 11-13.

Civil War reenactment at Camp Nelson

The Camp Nelson National Monument in Nicholasville will hold its biggest Civil War reenactment event of the year when it celebrates the 160th anniversary of the Knoxville Campaign from Aug. 11-13. Activities begin on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. with ““Between Freedom and Bondage: Remembering and Honoring Laborers at Camp Nelson” and conclude on Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Free. 6614 Old Danville Rd Loop 2, Nicholasville. NPS.gov/CaNe/Index.htm.

Comedian Katherine Blanford at Comedy Off Broadway

Atlanta-based comedian Katherine Blanford will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on Aug. 11 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Aug. 12 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $15-18. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.

‘Matilda the Musical’ at the Leeds Center For The Arts

Presentation of “Matilda the Musical” will take place at the Leeds Center for the Arts in Winchester on weekends through Aug. 27. This weekend’s show times are on Aug. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 13 at 2:30 p.m. $18-22. 37 N Main St, Winchester. Eventbrite.com.

Perseid Meteor Shower watch party at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

Observe the Perseid Meteor Shower during a watch party at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary on Aug 11 and 12 from 9-11 p.m. Free with pre-registration required. 3885 Raven Run Way. LexingtonKy.gov.

Small Town America Festival in Mt. Sterling

Browse local artists, run a 5k, view car and talent shows, play cornhole and more when the Small Town America Festival comes to downtown Mt. Sterling on Aug. 12 from 10- a.m.-4 p.m. 44 W Main St, Mt. Sterling. facebook.com/events/568970501759076.

IPA Fest at West Sixth Brewing

Sip on Hop Static Ch. 8, Burning Daylight, Strawberry Fields and other select India Pale Ales during West Sixth Brewing’s IPA Fest on Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. $18. 501 W Sixth St. Eventbrite.com.

Young runners will once again sprint to the finish line during The Fastest Kid in Town race this weekend.
Young runners will once again sprint to the finish line during The Fastest Kid in Town race this weekend.

A Midsummer Night’s Run 5K, Fastest Kid In Town

The 2023 installment of A Midsummer Night’s Run 5K and Fastest Kid In Town races will take place in downtown Lexington on Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. $15-30. 150 N Limestone. RunSignUp.com.

William Matheny concert at The Burl

West Virginian William Matheny will celebrate the release of his new album “That Grand, Old Feeling” with help from Irvine’s The Jenkins Twins on Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. $12. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

At 90, Willie Nelson is still on the road, bringing outlaw country back to the area

Picnic With The Pops at Keeneland

Enjoy an evening of symphonic disco with Boogie Wonder Band, table decorating and more when Picnic With The Pops returns to Keeneland Meadow on Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. $25. 4201 Versailles Rd. LexPops.com.

Sangria Sunday at Wildside Winery

Settle down with some sangria, live music from Trippin Roots and wine ring toss mini-games during the next installment of Sangria Sundays at Wildside Winery in Versailles on Aug. 13 from 1-4 p.m. 5500 Troy Pike, Versailles. facebook.com/events/1280506352597429.

Play: ‘Pillow Talk, Confessions Between the Sheets’ at the Lyric Theatre

The comedic stage play “Pillow Talk, Confessions Between the Sheets” will come to the Lyric Theatre with a performance on Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. $35. 300 E Third St. LexingtonLyric.com.

Blacktop Mojo concert at Manchester Music Hall

Texas grunge band Blacktop Mojo will perform at Manchester Music Hall with support from The Damn Shames on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. $20-60. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com.

Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .