Kentucky's Fall Festivals: From BBQ & Bourbon to Music & Apple Picking, the Bluegrass State Has Something for Everyone Events

From celebrity pitmasters to world-famous music acts and everything in between, Kentucky’s upcoming festival lineup brings the culture of the "Bluegrass State" to the main stage. All festivals promise good eating, great company and an even better time, making Kentucky the ultimate weekend destination this fall. 

Kentucky State Fair (Louisville, August 15-25, 2019): No state fair comes close to this 10-day extravaganza. The climax of the fair is the World’s Championship Horse Show, the most prestigious Saddlebred show in the world, taking place August 17-24. New this year, the fair has partnered with Texas Roadhouse to bring national acts like Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe and The Josephines to the grounds. Hundreds of stalls, exhibits and rides will also be available for the ultimate state fair experience.

Crave Lexington (Lexington, August 24-25, 2019): Over 50 local restaurants and food trucks, a classic car show, live music, craft cocktails and beer, live food presentations, kids’ activities and a whole lot more are planned for this two-day food and music festival in the heart of Lexington. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options will be available. 

Trimble County Apple Festival (Bedford, September 7-8, 2019): The annual Trimble County Apple Festival raises funds for local schools and civic groups with family-friendly activities including an apple pie contest, the Miss Golden Apple beauty pageant, as well as music and kid’s activities. Last year the event raised over $2,000 for local grants.

Hometown Rising (Louisville, September 14-15, 2019): The fall’s hottest country music and bourbon festival is featuring country music heavyweights like Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban and more. Bourbon authority and bestselling author Fred Minnick is the festival’s spirits curator and is organizing what is known as the ‘Big Bourbon Bar’ – the centerpiece of the festival featuring two dozen hand-selected bourbons from top Kentucky distilleries.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Bardstown, September 18-22, 2019): Inductions into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and the World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay is just a sampling of the exciting lineup of events at this beloved weekend. Last year the festival drew over 50,000 visitors from 36 states and 10 countries to Bardstown, the bourbon capital of the world, and this year promises to build on the spirit’s growing popularity. With upscale signature events, arts and crafts, educational opportunities, music and dancing, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival has something for everyone to enjoy while sipping on some of the world’s finest spirits.

Bourbon and Beyond (Louisville, September 20-22): Over 45 bands will take the stage throughout this three-day festival to celebrate the spirit and music culture of the Bluegrass State. Headliners include the Foo Fighters, Robert Plant, Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top and many more, but this festival goes beyond just music. A lineup of one of a kind experiences will take place throughout the weekend including the Unexpected Supper Club, featuring award-winning chef Edward Lee going out of his element to helm the pastry station, butcher babe Loreal Gavin trying out her pizzaiola skills and HiCotton Hospitality’s Andrew McCabe trading his pizza peel for a bamboo sushi rolling mat promise an entertaining, and delicious, weekend.

Louder Than Life (Louisville, September 27-29): Bringing rock and roll to the heart of Louisville with legends like Slipknot, Guns N’ Roses, Disturbed and Rob Zombie, Louder Than Life is turning up the volume on Louisville’s music scene. For budding musicians in the crowd, The Music Experience will be an interactive exhibit featuring guitars, basses, amps, drums, keyboards and electric gear to make everyone feel like a rock star – and maybe perform for one of their heroes!

Barbecue on the River (Paducah, Septemer 26-28, 2019): More than 35 barbecue teams from Western Kentucky and beyond will compete to take home the coveted Grand Champions trophy. The annual festival brings together competitive spirit, hunger for barbecue and desire to give back to the community. Over 40,000 people are fed and more than 80,000 pounds of pork and chicken are cooked with the proceeds benefiting various charities!

Kentucky's Edge (Covington and Newport, October 4-5, 2019): This new festival will feature a campus of venues throughout both Northern Kentucky cities and offer an immersive weekend of great music bourbon, food, shopping and conversation. Highly anticipated as the next big bourbon event, this festival invites Cincinnati residents to cross the river for some homegrown Kentucky hospitality.

Maiden Alley Oktoberfest (Paducah, October 18-19, 2019): Local Chef Sara Bradley, a recent alumnus of "Top Chef," will prepare a four-course German-inspired dinner at her restaurant, Freight House, to kick off the weekend. Saturday will be a full day of Bavarian cuisine prepared by Kirchhoff's Bakery and Deli, local and regional beer and great music! Beer, sausage, dance, repeat!

Bourbon & Brewfest (Bowling Green, October 26, 2019): The sixth annual Bourbon & Brewfest brings the best breweries, distilleries and restaurants together in the heart of historic Bowling Green. Featured brands include Larceny, Sierra Nevada and Woodford Reserve as well as a Four Roses VIP Experience.

Learn more by visiting KentuckyTourism.com.     

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