Everyone will head for Old Fort Harrod State Park to enjoy Pioneer Days starting Thursday, Aug. 15 (Composite image).
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com
Pioneer Days returns to Old Fort Harrod State Park on Thursday, Aug. 15. The festival starts at 5 p.m. with the baby show at 6 p.m. There will be a costumed kids show at 7:30 p.m. and Meet the Titans at 8 p.m. In addition, there will be yard games, puzzle time, the unveiling of the giant mural and music. On Friday, Aug. 16, Pioneer Days opens at 5 p.m. with the jam/jelly taste off at 6 p.m. and Live music by Skinny Mulligan at 7 p.m. and Rags and Riches at 9 p.m.
Charlotte Cox and her friends had a great time at last year’s Pioneer Days (File image).
The biggest day is Saturday, Aug. 17, with the Lions Club 5K at the Campbellsville University Harrodsburg Athletic Complex starting at 8 a.m. There will be a live broadcast with James the Gardener on Hometown Radio at 8:30 a.m. and the Colonial Breakfast at 9 a.m. The Big Jack Pearson Car Show starts at 10 a.m. and runs all day. Ben and Debbie Franklin will stop and visit the Mercer County Public Library at 2 p.m. and Old Fort Harrod at 3:30 p.m.
The all-important pie eating contest happens at 2:30 p.m. and “the Trial of James Bridges” happens at the James Harrod Ampitheatre starting at 3 p.m. In addition, there will be live music by Blue Groove Jazz at 5 p.m., Calamity Jane at 7 p.m. and headliner Chris Linton takes the stage starting at 9 p.m.
Also, on Thursday, Aug. 22, the Farm to Table Dinner happens at the Mercer County Fairgrounds starting at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a meal prepared by Jason Walls, executive chef of the Kentucky Castle. Meal includes choice of appetizers, salad, entree and dessert.
Have a great weekend, Mercer County!
All events are free unless listings say otherwise. Events may be canceled because of inclement weather.
Thursday, Aug. 15
• Pioneer Days at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street) Festival starts at 5 p.m. Baby Show 6 p.m. Costumed Kids 7:30 p.m. Meet the Titans 8 p.m. Plus yard games, puzzle time, the unveiling of the giant mural and music. Event is free, but ride bracelets are $5. pioneerdaysky.com or Facebook @Pioneer Days of Mercer County Kentucky.
Ariana Love, stilt walker Beth Godshall and Amyah Love enjoy the 2023 Pioneer Days (File image).
• Trivia and Raffle at Casa Grande (145 Collin Drive). Teams of four compete for a $25 gift card. Competition starts 6:30 p.m., with Queen of Hearts Raffle—sponsored by Harrodsburg Rotary Club—at 7 p.m. 859-613-5669 or casagrandeky.com or Facebook @casaGky.
• Karaoke with J.T. at the Vault Ciders, Suds & Spirits (235 South Main Street). Starts 7 p.m. 859-605-2118 or Facebook @the Vault.
• Live music by the Carey Band at Lemons Mill Brewery (166 Marimon Avenue). Food by Biscuits BBQ. Starts 7 p.m. (doors open 4 p.m.) 859-734-7791 or Facebook @Lemons Mill.
Friday, Aug. 16
• Special Movement Storytime for Toddlers at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). Precision Dance leads a fun filled dance/movement themed storytime. Starts 9:30 a.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.
• Special Movement Storytime for PreSchoolers at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). Precision Dance leads a fun filled dance/movement themed storytime. Starts 11 a.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.
• Pioneer Days at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street) Festival opens with shoot off at 5 p.m. Jam/Jelly Taste Off 6 p.m. Live music by Skinny Mulligan 7 p.m. Family Dances 8 p.m. Live music by Rags and Riches 9 p.m. Plus Mercer County Art Council will have rock painting and corn hole, vendors and the Pioneer Village. Event is free, but ride bracelets are $5. pioneerdaysky.com or Facebook @Pioneer Days of Mercer County Kentucky.
• Music on the Lawn featuring Greg Scharber at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Starts 6:30 p.m. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.
• Karaoke at Lemons Mill Brewery (166 Marimon Avenue). Food by Biscuits BBQ. Starts 7 p.m. (doors open 4 p.m.) 859-734-7791 or Facebook @Lemons Mill.
• Trivia at the Vault Ciders, Suds & Spirits (235 South Main Street). Starts 7 p.m. 859-605-2118 or Facebook @the Vault.
Aunt Ramona Reardon and Rhett Russell at last year’s Pioneer Days (File image).
Saturday, Aug. 17
• Pioneer Days Lions Club 5K at Campbellsville University Harrodsburg Athletic Complex (772 University Drive). Kids Quarter Mile Fun Run start at 8 a.m. 5K starts at 8:15 a.m. Proceeds will fund the purchase of eyeglasses for those in need, Lions Club Scholarships, and other local projects supported by the Harrodsburg Lions Club. Medals for the 5K event will be awarded to the overall top three male and female finishers. Medals will also be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in 10 age categories. pioneerdaysky.com or Facebook @Pioneer Days of Mercer County Kentucky.
• Pioneer Days at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street) Live broadcast with James Gardner on Hometown Radio 8:30 a.m. Colonial Breakfast 9 a.m. Critters Without Litters Pet Show 10 a.m. Jessamine County Heel Tappers Cloggers 11 a.m. Shiji Karate Demonstration 1 p.m. Little Settlers from 4 Kids Academy 2 p.m. Pie Eating Contest 2:30 p.m. Live entertainment by the Mountain Laurels, 2:30 p.m. Visit by Ben and Debbie Franklin 3:30 p.m. Dancing 4 p.m. Live music by Blue Groove Jazz, 5 p.m. Live music: Calamity Jane, 7 p.m. Ghost Walk at Cemetery, 8 p.m. Live music by Chris Linton Band 9 p.m. In addition, there will be a petting zoo, a stilt walker, robot and fairy characters, kid games by the Harrodsburg Kiwanis Club and Chloe’s Petals for Hope and cast iron cooking. Event is free, but ride bracelets are $5. pioneerdaysky.com or Facebook @Pioneer Days of Mercer County Kentucky.
• Farmers Market at Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). Local vendors providing locally raised produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, canned goods, honey and homemade and handcrafted items. 30 vendors registered. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Farmersmarketmercer@gmail.com or Facebook@Mercer County Farmers Market.
• Big Jack Pearson Car Show at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street). Annual car show starts 10 a.m. and runs all day. Event is free, but ride bracelets are $5. pioneerdaysky.com or Facebook @Pioneer Days of Mercer County Kentucky.
• Stewardship Saturday at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Help maintain nearly 40 miles of recreational trails, battle erosion, clear invasive species. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and willing to use hand tools including shovels and loppers, and should wear leather work gloves and sturdy, closed-toe shoes or work boots. All volunteers are eligible to receive 20 percent off an overnight stay (available the Thursday—Sunday nights of stewardship weekend) and voucher for 20 percent off one meal at the Trustees’ Table. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.
• Artistic Pod’s Forge Blacksmith Demonstration at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). David Shadwick of Pod’s Forge will bring his forge to the Village and make nails in this fun, informative demonstration. Participation is included with admission. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.
• Visit by Ben and Debbie Franklin at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). Historical presentation starts 2 p.m. Part of Pioneer Days. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.
Austin and Reed Chastain enjoy Pioneer Days in 2023 (File image).
• Live drama: “The Trial of James Bridges” at the James Harrod Ampitheatre (100 South College Street). Speculative drama about the disappearance of the founder of Harrodsburg. Play starts 3 p.m. Event is free, but ride bracelets are $5. pioneerdaysky.com or Facebook @Pioneer Days of Mercer County Kentucky.
• Ice cream Social and Car Cruise-In at Alexander and Royalty Funeral Home (304 East Lexington Street). Features live music by Larry Sanders and Borderline. Starts 4 p.m.) 859-734-3361 or alexanderandroyalty.com.
• Music on the Lawn featuring Carrie Johnson at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Starts 6:30 p.m. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.
• Live music by James Foster at Kamp Kennedy Marina (4646 Kennedy Bridge Road, Lancaster). Starts 7 p.m. (859) 548-2002 or Info@kampkennedymarina.com or kampkennedymarina.com or Facebook @kampkennedymarina.
• Live music by Jagwagon at Sunset Marina and Resort (325 Sunset Lodge Road, Lancaster). Starts 8 p.m. 859-548-3591 or sunsetmarinaandresort.com or Facebook @Sunsetmarinaandresort.
• Live music by Daryl Boone Pittman at Cummins Ferry RV Park and Campground (2558 Cummins Ferry Road, Salvisa). Food by Glorias Mexican. 859-865-2003 or cumminsferry.com or Facebook @Cummins Ferry RV Campground.
Austin Sparrow enjoyed the dunking booth at the 2023 Pioneed Days (File image).
Sunday, Aug. 18
• Pioneer Days at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street) Church Service with Bethel Baptist at 10 a.m. Pioneer Rag Doll Making Class 2 p.m. Cost for doll making class is $10 per person, which covers materials and the doll you take home. Event is free, but ride bracelets are $5. pioneerdaysky.com or Facebook @Pioneer Days of Mercer County Kentucky.
• Trivia at Lemons Mill Brewery (166 Marimon Avenue). Starts 5 p.m. (doors open 4 p.m.) Food by Kirks Blue Farm BBQ. 859-325-6960 or Facebook @Lemons Mill.
Tuesday, Aug. 13
• Farmers Market at Olde Town Park (126 South Main Street). Weekly market with local vendors providing locally raised produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, canned goods, honey and homemade and handcrafted items. 4 to 7 p.m. In case of inclement weather, market will move to the Stables at Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). Farmersmarketmercer@gmail.com or Facebook @Mercer County Farmers Market.
• Harrodsburg Kiwanis Club Membership Dinner (1007 Lexington Road). Learn more about the Kiwanis Club, their mission and the community they serve. Dinner starts 5:30 p.m. 859-691-0544.
Thursday, Aug. 22
• Travel Party at Toni’s Studio (126 South Main Street). Learn ho to get travel deals and go on exotic vacations. Reception at 5:15 p.m., main event at 5:30 p.m. Text 859-489-7704.
• Farm to Table Dinner at Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). Enjoy a meal prepared by Jason Walls, executive chef of the Kentucky Castle. Meal includes choice of appetizers, salad, entree and dessert. Tickets: $20 per person, $160 for table of eight. Starts 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by Community Trust Bank and Kentucky Farm Bureau. Farmersmarketmercer@gmail.com or Facebook @Mercer County Farmers Market.
• Trivia and Raffle at Casa Grande (145 Collin Drive). Teams of four compete for a $25 gift card. Competition starts 6:30 p.m., with Queen of Hearts Raffle—sponsored by Harrodsburg Rotary Club—at 7 p.m. 859-613-5669 or casagrandeky.com or Facebook @casaGky.
• Karaoke with J.T. at the Vault Ciders, Suds & Spirits (235 South Main Street). Starts 7 p.m. 859-605-2118 or Facebook @the Vault.
• Live music by Chris Linton at Lemons Mill Brewery (166 Marimon Avenue). Food by Gloria’s Mexican. Starts 7 p.m. (doors open 4 p.m.) 859-734-7791 or Facebook @Lemons Mill.
Friday, Aug. 23
• Storytime for Toddlers at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). Starts 9:30 a.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.
• Storytime for PreSchoolers Story Time at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). Starts 11 a.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.
• Live music by the Carey Band at Sunset Marina and Resort (325 Sunset Lodge Road, Lancaster). Starts 6 p.m. 859-548-3591 or sunsetmarinaandresort.com or Facebook @Sunsetmarinaandresort.
• Music on the Lawn featuring Scott Collins at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Starts 6:30 p.m. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.
Anna Kendrick and Camila Cabello in “Trolls Band Together” (Photo: DreamWorks Animation).
• Friday Family Flicks featuring “Trolls: Band Together” at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). Animated family movie. When Floyd is kidnapped, Branch and Poppy embark on a journey to reunite his two other brothers and rescue Floyd. Starts 7 p.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.
• Karaoke at Lemons Mill Brewery (166 Marimon Avenue). Food by Biscuits BBQ. Starts 7 p.m. (doors open 4 p.m.) 859-734-7791 or Facebook @Lemons Mill.
• Trivia at the Vault Ciders, Suds & Spirits (235 South Main Street). Starts 7 p.m. 859-605-2118 or Facebook @the Vault.
Have any events planned? Let everyone know by posting it on the Weekender. Email events to rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com.
