Morehead is a beautiful little place in Eastern Kentucky at the heart of the mountains. Not only is it home to Morehead State University and many other adorable little sites and shops, but it also is a town that hosts many festivals showcasing the culture and talent of the area. There are seven that I have found particularly noteworthy. I have listed them below and I definitely encourage you to attend if you are in the Morehead area!
1. Morehead Arts & Eats Festival
The Annual Arts and Eats Festival will be held on September 17, 2016 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in downtown Morehead. There will be fun arts and crafts for the kids, entertainment for the parents, and food for everyone! All proceeds go to Rowan County Arts Center and Downtown Morehead, as well as a chosen charity. For more information or to become a vendor, call (606) 783-9857.
2. Cave Run Storytelling Festival
Join America’s most beloved storytellers in a beautiful mountain lakeside setting for the 18th Annual Cave Run Storytelling Festival on September 24-25, 2016. Let these talented artists take you to other times and places through the art of storytelling. Stories from a variety of regions and cultures are told in large tents on the shore of Cave Run Lake at the Twin Knobs Recreation Area in the Daniel Boone National Forest, eight miles west of Morehead, Kentucky. Hours are 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, ticket prices, and lodging, visit them on the web at
www.caverunstoryfest.org.
3. Fazoli's Freedom Fest
Although this festival has already occurred for the year, it is one of the best and had to be mentioned, for next year's enjoyment. The Fazoli's Freedom Fest has many fun events, including Thunder Over Triplett, the Al Baldwin Memorial 5K, sponsored by GSP, the Fourth on the First Parade, sponsored by GSP, Branden Martin, John Casie and the Faith, and Midlife Crisis at the Moonlight Stage on First Street, along with festival food, children’s games, and more. And, the big finale is, of course, fireworks! For more information, call (606) 780-4342 or visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/moreheadfreedomfest.
4. First Friday Outdoor Market
The First Friday Outdoor Market happens every month on the First Friday on the Rowan County Arts Center lawn. Vendors from all over the region set up to display their products. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor can call (606) 783-9857 or email at rcartscenter@gmail.com. There is a $10 booth fee to support the RCAC.
5. Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival
The Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival is the largest bluegrass festival in the world. Over 100 bands come and perform throughout the week. There are jam sessions, contests, and vendors all on Poppy Mountain. There are more than 1,000 campsites to choose from. Ticket prices and all events are posted on their web site
www.poppymountainbluegrass.com. For more information, email poppymtn@yahoo.com or call (606) 784-2277. The festival dates are as follows: September 9th and 10th, closed the 11th and 12th, and open on the 13th through the 17th.
6. Morehead Old Time Music Festival
This year marks the 11th year of the Morehead Old Time Music Festival, which will be held July 29-30, 2016. Located on the Jaycee's Farm about one mile east of downtown, the Morehead Old Time Festival is a unique display of the diverse culture in the region of the Appalachian Mountains. Come celebrate Old Time music in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Don't forget your instruments, because there will be a lot of jamming! There will be $2,000 in cash prizes for contests in youth fiddle, youth banjo, adult fiddle, adult banjo, dulcimer, singing, dancing, and string band. There also are Nightly Square Dances and workshops. For more information visit them on the web at
www.moreheadoldtime.com and on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/moreheadoldtime/. Weekend passes, which include primitive
camping and contest(s) entries are $30. Friday passes are $15, Saturday passes are $20, ages 11 – 17 passes are $10 a day, and ages 10 and under get in for free.
7. Morehead Pride Festival
The Morehead Pride Festival will be on August 27, 2016 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Evening events will follow at CoffeeTree
Books from 5-8 p.m. The event is hosted by the Rowan County Rights Coalition. Morehead Pride is a festival celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and questioning community and its allies in Eastern Kentucky. The festival will host live music, vendors, food, and activities downtown at the Moonlight Stage on First Street. Guest speakers include Aaron Jackson (Planting Peace, Equality House), Chris Hartman, Tom Morgan, and marriage equality plaintiffs Tim Love and Larry Ysunza-Love. There also will be live music by The Woodsheep, Debora Greathouse, and TransKentucky Orchestra. For more information visit them on the web at
www.moreheadpride.org.
Although this festival has already occurred for the year, it is one of the best and had to be mentioned, for next year's enjoyment. The Fazoli's Freedom Fest has many fun events, including Thunder Over Triplett, the Al Baldwin Memorial 5K, sponsored by GSP, the Fourth on the First Parade, sponsored by GSP, Branden Martin, John Casie and the Faith, and Midlife Crisis at the Moonlight Stage on First Street, along with festival food, children’s games, and more. And, the big finale is, of course, fireworks! For more information, call (606) 780-4342 or visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/moreheadfreedomfest.
The First Friday Outdoor Market happens every month on the First Friday on the Rowan County Arts Center lawn. Vendors from all over the region set up to display their products. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor can call (606) 783-9857 or email at rcartscenter@gmail.com. There is a $10 booth fee to support the RCAC.
