2012 Schedule
March
Memories of Conway Show- A Tribute to Conway Twitty
March 31
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
April
Red Bud Health Walk
April 2
Come join in the fun and get in shape with free prizes and a box lunch to the first 500 walkers. All ages welcome with regular (approx. 2.5 miles) and handicapped/stroller routes (approx. 1.5 miles) available. Starts and ends at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame from 11 am to 1 pm. This year’s walk includes a tour of John Lair’s home.
Sponsored by The Mt. Vernon-Rockcastle County Tourist Commission, TOURSEKY.COM, Rockcastle Regional Hospital, The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Pappy & Mammy’s Place, The City of Mt. Vernon and Christian Appalachian Project.
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-252-6685
Justin Moore in Concert
April 13
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Red Bud Quilt Show
April 14
Location: Mt. Vernon
Contact: 606-256-2403
Gretchen Wilson in Concert
April 14
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Rockcastle River Trading Company Spring Open House
April 19 – 21
Organic Vegetable Gardening Workshop – April 19th (sorry full)
Container Gardening Workshop – April 20th (10:00am – 12:00pm)
Open House – April 21st (10:00am – 6:00)
Great new gifts, garden supplies, live music and great food all on
the beautiful banks of the Rockcastle River.
*All workshops are free but space is limited. Call 606.224.4673 for
reservation. Workshops will be led by Jon Carloftis
*Learn more about this organic vegetable garden
designed by Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens as featured in
Country Living’s April 2012 Issue.
Visit www.joncarloftis.com for more information
Location: Livingston
Contact: 606-843-0854
Mark Chesnutt with special guest Jeff Bates
April 21
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Dwight Yoakam in Concert
April 26
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Will Reynolds Salutes Elvis
April 27
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Vicki Lawrence – A Two Woman Show
April 28
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
May
Triumphant Quartet, Soul’d Out Quartet with special guest Driven
May 3
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Wildflower Walk
May 4
The wildflower walk will be led by Dr. Thomas Barnes, an extension specialist and forestry professor at UK and the author of several books. For those who enjoy wildflowers and the outdoors, this is a great opportunity to learn from one of the experts. Registration is at the extension office with a $5 donation to Rockcastle County 4-H Camp.
Location: Rockcastle County
Contact: 606-256-2403
The Inspirations and Primitive Quartet
May 4
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
The McKamey’s & The Crist Family
May 5
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Oak Ridge Boys
May 12
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame 10th Anniversary
May 20
Live music in lobby on Saturday from 11:00-5:00 (free with paid admission to the museum)
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 877-356-3263
Saltpetre Cave Open House
May 19 & 20
Great Saltpetre Cave was a significant source of saltpetre during the War of 1812. In this bicentennial year, help us celebrate Kentucky’s history.
Join us for:
An historical encampment along Crooked Creek
Demonstrations of butter churning or soap making
Processing dirt into saltpetre demonstrations
Demonstration of leaching lye out of ashes
Guided cave tours
Free soup beans and cornbread
Other food vendors
Live music
Admission is free, but donations are always appreciated.
Saturday 9am – 5pm Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm. I-75, exit 59. East on HWY 25, turn left onto 1004, continue on 1004 until it comes to a “T” (at tracks). Turn right and continue to Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve. 9 miles from I-75.
GSP is owned by Rockcastle Karst Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, local volunteer organization dedicated to dedicated to preserving the unique geological, hydrological, biological, archeological, historical and recreational resources associated with caves and karst lands. RKC’s goal is to permanently protect caves and karst lands in Rockcastle County, Kentucky and its surrounding region through land acquisition, ownership and resource management. The wise stewardship we take today will preserve these areas for future generations continued enjoyment. For more information about Rockcastle Karst Conservancy, please visit www.rkci.org.
Location: Livingston
Contact: 800-252-6685
Website: www.caves.org/conservancy/gsp
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band & Asleep at the Wheel
May 19
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Poker Run Motorcycle Ride
May 20
Registration begins at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame at 11:00. Ride begins at 1:00.
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 877-356-3263
Exile In Concert
May 20
Outdoor concert at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame at 3:00 rain or shine. Bring chair or blanket.
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 877-356-3263
Brodhead Homecoming
May 24 – 26
Come make new memories with old friends.
Contact: 606-308-3999
Mandy Barnett salutes Patsy Cline
May 25
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Red Hill Horse Camp
May 26 – 28
Horseback trail riding, wagon rides, camping and more.
Location: Livingston
Contact: 606-308-5900
Website: www.redhillhorsecamp.com
The Roots & Boots Tour featuring Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw & Joe Diffie
May 26
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Celebrity Golf Tournament
May 31
John Michael Montgomery will host this year’s event at the Cedar Rapids Golf Course in Mt. Vernon. Tee times start at 1:00pm.
Location: Mt. Vernon
Contact: 877-365-3263
Website: www.kymusichalloffame.com
Discovery Day
June 2
Step back in Appalachian times with working artisans such as a blacksmith, farrier, broom maker, wood wright and quilter. Back again this year is event favorite The Gentlemen’s Duel. Held at the Bittersweet Cabin Village on US 25 N.
FREE ADMISSION
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-252-6685
Lorrie Morgan & Pam Tillis in Concert
June 2
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Neal McCoy in Concert
June 8
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Sawyer Brown in Concert
June 9
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Mickey Gilley
June 16
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Renfro Valley Bluegrass Festival
June 21- 23
This year’s performers include Dr. Ralph Stanley, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top Express, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, Ronnie Reno, Dale Ann Bradley, Kari Shiflett and many more.
Location: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Billy Ray Cyrus in Concert
June 30
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
July
Blast in the Valley
July 1
Fun begins at 2:00 with inflatables, entertainment starting at 4:00 including the Renfro Valley entertainers with a spectacular fireworks grand finale.
Location: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Contact: 800-765-7464
Red Hill Horse Camp
July 6 – 8
Horseback trail riding, wagon rides, camping and more.
Location: Livingston
Contact: 606-308-5900
Website: www.redhillhorsecamp.com
Tanya Tucker in Concert
July 7
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Kentucky Headhunters with special guest Confederate Railroad
July 13
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Randy Travis in Concert
July 14
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Steve Wariner in Concert
July 21
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Keith Anderson with special guest Halfway 2 Hazard
July 27
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Darryl Worley & David Lee Murphy in Concert
July 28
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
August
All Night Gospel Sing
August 4
Location: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Little World’s Fair
August 6 – 11
Enjoy the fun of this old-fashioned carnival now in its 131th year.
Location: Brodhead Fairgrounds US 150
Contact: Larry Taylor 859-661-7159 or John Dyehouse 606-308-3479
Merle Haggard in Concert
August 9
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Jamey Johnson in Concert
August 10
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
TG Sheppard, John Conlee & Jeannie Seely in Concert
August 11
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Clay Walker in Concert
August 17
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Music In The Mountain
August 18
It was on July 27th, 1941, that John Lair did his first live radio broadcast of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance on station WHAS from inside the cave. Mr. Lair, originally from Rockcastle County, was a musician, DJ, musical promoter, and entrepreneur. Lair worked at radio stations WLS in Chicago and WLW in Cincinnati before moving back to Kentucky in 1939 to develop the Renfro Valley Entertainment complex. The Renfro Valley complex thrives today, giving people a taste of the traditional culture that was rooted in the hills of Appalachia.
In 1939 Lair became part owner in Great Saltpetre Cave. Later, after acquiring the cave from his partners, he set out to develop a tourist attraction to share the history of the region with visitors. Lair transformed Great Saltpetre Cave from an abandoned saltpeter mine into a tourist cave complete with trails, stairs, bridges, electric lights, a museum area, and even a stage for entertainment. Over the years, Echo Auditorium, the largest room in the cave, has been the setting for music shows, church services, weddings and a movie, among other things.
For the past six years, the 300 acres that make up The Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve has been owned by The Rockcastle Karst Conservancy (RKC), nonprofit organization. This is the only community based non-profit organization in Kentucky dedicated to protecting cave and karst environments and is made up of the same group of volunteers who have managed Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve for over 25 years. RKC’s mission is to protect caves through wise stewardship and ownership. The group recently acquired another cave property in the area to protect its significant bat population. For more information about RKC, please visit http://rkci.org/.
Rockcastle residents have a unique and rich heritage of enjoying this cave resource. RKC continues this tradition by opening The Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve to the public a few times a year, annually in May for Open House and by special arrangement for educational school field trips and scout groups. This year an additional day is added with Music In The Mountain.
Take a tour of this historic cave Saturday & Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm. I-75, exit 59. East on HWY 25, turn left onto 1004, continue on 1004 until it comes to a “T” (at tracks). Turn right and continue to Great Saltpetre Cave Preserve. 9 miles from I-75.
Location: Livingston
Contact: 800-252-6685
Website: www.MusicInTheMountain.com
Joe Nichols in Concert
August 25
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Hotel California – The Original Eagles Tribute
August 31
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Livingston Homecoming
August 31 – September 2
A weekend of fun and memories. Inflatables for kids, craft booths, auction, fireworks and music.
Location: I-75, Exit 49 Downtown Livingston
Contact: 606-256-8601 or 606-453-2061
September
Livingston Homecoming
August 31 – September 2
A weekend of fun and memories. Inflatables for kids, craft booths, auction, fireworks and music.
Location: I-75, Exit 49 Downtown Livingston
Contact: 606-256-8601 or 606-453-2061
Red Hill Horse Camp
September 1 – 3
Horseback trail riding, wagon rides, camping and more.
Location: Livingston
Contact: 606-308-5900
Website: www.redhillhorsecamp.com
50’s Night: The Contours, The Chiffons, The Reflections and Shirley Austin Reeves
September 1
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
The Medley Boys in Concert
September 7
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
History Channel Presents The American Pickers
September 8
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Don Williams in Concert
September 14
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Dailey & Vincent in Concert
September 21
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Moe Bandy, Janie Frickie & Johnny Lee in Concert
September 22
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Gene Watson in Concert
September 28
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Ray Stevens in Concert
September 29
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
October
Appalachian Harvest Festival
October 4 – 6
Celebration of the fall harvest including molasses made by a mule-drawn press, antique tractor display, music, and crafts.
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: TBA
Bittersweet Festival
October 4 – 6
This year’s event starts off with a car show on Thursday and then two fun filled days of live music, craft booths, inflatables for the kids and of course food!
Location: Downtown Mt. Vernon
Contact: 606-256-3437
Beatlemania Magis: A Tribute to the Beatles
October 5
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Marty Stuart & Connie Smith
October 6
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Ronnie McDowell with guest T. Graham Brown
October 12
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
George Jones in Concert
October 13
Location: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Fall Gospel Music Celebration
October 18 – 20
The Isaacs with Driven October 18, Jason Crabb with guests the Roarks October 19, Jimmy Fortune & the Florida Boys October 20
Location: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Rick Springfield in Concert
October 27
Location: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Halloween on Main
October 31
Location: Downtown Mt. Vernon
Time: 6:00 to 8:00
Contact: 606-256-3437
November
Travis Tritt in Concert
November 3
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Cruise in the Valley Car Show
November 3
Make plans to participate or just join in the fun of this premiere car show event presented by the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 877-356-3263
Website: kentuckycarshows.com
Renfro Valley Alumni Show
November 3
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
73rd Renfro Valley Anniversary Show
November 3
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Country Christmas with the Roarks
November 9 – 22
Friday & Saturdays
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Christmas Show
November 9 – 10
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: 800-765-7464
Website: www.renfrovalley.com
Christmas In the Valley and Cookies with Santa
November 16 – December 22

Enjoy the beautiful display of lights and an original stage production of
your favorite holiday songs and comedy performed by the entire Renfro Valley cast of entertainers. Friday and Saturdays, with some Thursday and matinee performances. Call for a show schedule.
While you are here, plan to have “cookies with Santa”. Groups of 40 or more can enjoy cookies, coffee and hot cider with Santa along with individual photos of each group member with Santa.
Location: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Contact: 800-765-7464
December
Christmas In the Valley and Cookies with Santa
November 16 – December 22
Enjoy the beautiful display of lights and an original stage production of
your favorite holiday songs and comedy performed by the entire Renfro Valley cast of entertainers. Friday and Saturdays, with some Thursday and matinee performances. Call for a show schedule.
While you are here, plan to have “cookies with Santa”. Groups of 40 or more can enjoy cookies, coffee and hot cider with Santa along with individual photos of each group member with Santa.
Location: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Contact: 800-765-7464
Mt. Vernon Annual Tree Lighting
TBA
Come join in the fun sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. The tree lighting will be at 6:00 pm at Triangle Park on Main Street. Come early and enjoy refreshments and holiday music.
Contact: Mt. Vernon City Hall 606-256-3437
Jingle Bell 6K Run-Walk
December 1
Lace up your sneakers and grab your Santa hats for the 7th annual Jingle Bell 6K Run/Walk. Join us for good exercise and great fun in historic Renfro Valley. All proceeds from the event benefit the Miracle Fund which provides assistance to improve the quality of life of long-term care residents. The 6K walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 6K run will begin at 9:00 a.m. with registration at 7:45 a.m.
Location: Renfro Valley
Contact: Arielle Reese 606-256-7880 or a.reese@rhrcc.org

