Written by Patti Nickel
Lawrenceburg Summer Festivals
It’s official – summer is upon us! That means days at the pool or the lake, baseball under the lights, backyard barbecues and drives down country lanes with the top down. It also means the start of the festival season, and Lawrenceburg is gearing up with three of its own. Come join us for the summer fun.
Food Truck Friday Summer Concert Series
When: June 9, July 14, August 4
Where: Century Bank Park
Admission: Free
Music lovers, unite. Your hot Friday nights will get a little hotter once a month with these free concerts.
The fun kicks off June 9th with Cincinnati-based band Zack Attack. The mood – throw back and party – is created by the music – R&B, hip hop, rock and alternative.
Switching musical gears, Taylorsville native JD Shelburne headlines July’s concert in a homecoming of sorts as Lawrenceburg folks consider him one of their own. Shelburne’s music is firmly rooted in country, so if you get your groove on with the Nashville or Austin sound, you won’t want to miss this southern troubadour.
In August, it’s a new tribute band, JUMP which calls itself “America’s Van Halen Experience.” Channel your inner Eddie Van Halen, Sammy Hagar or David Lee Roth, and plan to make a hot August night even hotter.
The music, however, is just part of the equation, says Cassaundra Cooper, event organizer. “In addition to the line-up of performers, we have a line-up of food trucks each month,” she says, “offering something for everyone.”
Among the star-studded lineup: Tacqueria Garcia, one of the longest-running food trucks in the state; Seafood Lady, featured on the Food Channel; and Community Que, bringing their pulled pork brisket with all the fixins.’
Those with a sweet tooth need not despair as Taylor Belle’s Ice Cream, J & T’s Italian Ice and Lawrenceburg Candy Cottage will be there to satisfy it.
If you would like an adult beverage to go with the music, you can select craft beer from West Sixth Brewery in Lexington and Lemon’s Mill Brewery in Harrodsburg.
Lawrenceburg’s own Rising Sons Winery will keep the wine lovers happy, while Kentucky Mountain Moonshine out of Irvine will provide something a bit stronger.
The hours for the concert series are from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
A Day at the Park Festival
When: June 17
Where: Century Bank Park
Admission: Free, but donations accepted
Circle your calendars now for this fun event which also has a philanthropic side. Making its debut this year, A Day in the Park is the brainchild of artist and musician Jeremy Zeller who, two years ago, was diagnosed with adult autism. The diagnosis ignited a new passion in Zeller.
“I really want to make people aware of just what autism is and at the same time offer the community something a little different,” he says.
Zeller originally wanted to organize a bike festival but when that fell through he shifted gears (pun definitely intended),and is bringing a line-up of performers for an evening of music that he hopes will become an annual event.
The concert runs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with a four-band lineup.
First up will be alt rocker Cherry Chubb, followed by country band D. Boone Pittman and the Fugitives, who segue from classic country to alt country to country western.
Organizer Zeller brings his band The Other Side to perform next. Their signature musical style is Roots Rock, which Zeller describes as a “combination of rock/southern rock/southern country/singer-songwriter and Americana. So, if you like Bon Jovi, ZZ Top, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson and Arlo Guthrie, you’ll like Jeremy Zeller and the Other Side.
Finishing up the evening will be Rachel Crowe (not to be confused with Rachel Crow, the X Factor participant).
This Rachel Crowe is a commonwealth native who, with her love of mountain music, channels bluegrass legend Rhonda Vincent. With her band, she will be doing not only bluegrass, but rock, blues and soul.
The bands provide music for the soul; four food trucks will provide sustenance for the body. Taqueria Garcia will have traditional Mexican street food, while The Swinery counters with traditional American pork barbecue.
Potatoes will be the attraction at Crazy Spuds Food Truck and our favorite summer sweet treat will be offered by Kona Ice Cream Truck.
Some lucky attendees will win the giveaway stakes in the form of gift baskets and bikes.
Finally, even though the event is free, festival-goers can donate to either of two Kentucky autism organizations. Both A Different World and Erin Hope for Friends will have representatives available to help raise funds.
Lawrenceburg Fair & Horse Show
When: June 20-24
Where: Lawrenceburg Legion Fairgrounds
Admission: Fairgrounds entry, $5; entry and attractions, $15; Demolition Derby, $15.
This might not be the biggest show on earth, but it is one of the oldest horse shows and fairs in the country, now in its 149th year.
It takes a village to put on a show of this magnitude. Owned and operated by American Legion Post 34, Josh Turner serves as fair manager and Wayne Hanks is horse show manager. Both are ably assisted by Post 34 Service Officer Sally Higgins.
This year’s fair will debut all new carnival rides (see what Lawrenceburg looks like from the top of a Ferris wheel) and two new events, pig races and a petting zoo.
Beauty pageants for babies and teens return as do the arts, crafts and floral displays. A magic show featuring Lexington-based magician and illusionist Mark Comely promises to be a crowd-pleaser, particularly as he will be accompanied by a live action dinosaur.
The Horse Show will run each night with the championship slated for the 23rd. The Demolition Derby will be the 24th, while a date for the Corn Hole Tournament is yet to be announced.
We promise you won’t go hungry as in addition to three carnival food trailers with the usual cotton candy, popcorn and funnel cakes, there will be two local food trucks, Outdoor Kitchen and Taqueria Garcia.
With everything happening in Lawrenceburg this summer, you’ll have no excuse for sitting home and watching re-runs on TV.
