Mt. Vernon - Rockcastle County Tourism

Yard Sale - Kentucky Boone's Way Yard Sale
2023-10-06 - 2023-10-07 | KY
100’s of yard sales along a 200 mile stretch of US 25, from Richwood to Williamsburg, KY. Contact Randy Coffey 859-779-3005 for details.

Southeast Kentucky Antique Tractor Association Annual Tractor Show
2023-10-06 - 2023-10-07 | Brodhead Fairgrounds, Castle Village Dr, Brodhead, Kentucky
Southeast Kentucky Antique Tractor Association will have their Annual Tractor Show on October 6-7, 2023 at Brodhead, Kentucky Fairgrounds, located on Castle Village Drive in Brodhead. Friday will start at Noon and Saturday will start at 10:00 AM. Event is free to attend.
Event will feature Ford Tractors, but any make/model of antique tractors, trucks, semis, tools, engines, garden tractors, and more are invited to show. Event is free to attend. There will be food trucks, tractor games, auction items, vendors, camper sites, demonstrations, and kid activities.
Event Contact: Aaron Roberts 606-875-2421

Bittersweet Festival
2023-10-05 - 2023-10-07 | City of Mt. Vernon, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Bittersweet Festival will be held in downtown Mount Vernon, Kentucky on October 5th – 7th, 2023
Thursday, October 5th
Car Show 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday, October 6th
Festival with vendors and live music 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Saturday, October 7th
Festival with vendors and live music 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Friday After Five Series
2023-09-15 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Kentucky/Louisville) | KY
Our Final Friday After Five for 2023 will be on September 15th featuring a Classic Car Cruise In & Bike Night on Main Street in Mt. Vernon. Donovan Howard Trio will kick things off on the porch of Los Cazadores with 21 Dust inside Down on Main. Rockcastle Arts Association will have an art gallery show as well. It is FREE to attend.

Renfro Valley - The Lacs
2023-09-09 20:00 - 22:00 | Old Barn Theater at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Renfro Valley – The Lacs
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Old Barn
Tickets available at www.renfrovalley.com

Renfro Valley - KC & The Sunshine Band
2023-09-09 20:00 - 22:00 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Renfro Valley – KC & the Sunshine Band
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
New Barn
Tickets available at www.renfrovalley.com

Kentucky Food Truck State Championship
2023-09-09 11:00 - 17:00 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Kentucky Food Truck State Championship. Over 20 food trucks compete for the Grand Prize of $5000, as well as category winners eligible for $500 each. The event features food trucks, arts & craft vendors, antique tractor show, kid’s activities, live entertainment, and much more!

Renfro Valley - Old Crow Medicine Show with Harper O'Neill
2023-09-08 20:00 - 22:00 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Renfro Valley – Old Crow Medicine Show with Harper O’Neill
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
New Barn
Tickets available at www.renfrovalley.com

Rocktember Blast Fireworks and Live Music
2023-09-03 16:00 - 22:00 | KY
Rock-tember Blast will happen on Sunday, September 3rd at the Rockcastle Industrial Park on Progress Drive just off US-150 in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. Things kick off at 4PM with live music, food trucks (Cameron’s BBQ, Rolling Stove, and Winks Ice Cream), and inflatables located towards the backside of the Industrial Park. Fireworks will be lit at dusk for your enjoyment.

Live Music Schedule
Tone Control 4:00 – 5:30
Spitten Image 5:45 – 7:15
Nic Cassetta & Company 7:30 – 9:00

Free to attend.

Events are done in partnership between City of Mount Vernon, Kentucky, Rockcastle County Fiscal Court and Mount Vernon – Mount Vernon Rockcastle Tourism.

Renfro Valley - Emmylou Harris
2023-09-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Emmylou Harris
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
New Barn
Tickets available at www.renfrovalley.com

51st Livingston Homecoming Weekend
2023-09-01 19:00 - 2023-09-02 23:00 | City of Livingston, KY, 9317 Main Street, Livingston, KY, United States
City of Livingston is celebrating their 51st Homecoming this upcoming weekend!
Friday, September 1st at 7:00 PM
Stage at the Jerry Mink Building (Old Firehouse) at 9317 Main Street in Livingston, KY
Gospel Singing featuring Brother Jason Medley leading along with Ralph Allen & Friends, The Blackburns, The Jones Family, and The Petreys
Saturday, September 2nd
8:00 Breakfast at the Livingston School Cafeteria
10:00 Parade Lineup
11:00 Parade with Grand Marshals Senator Brandon Storm and Representative Josh Bray
12:00 Award Ceremony, Livingston Homecoming Queen, & Pretty Baby Contest
2:00 Live Music
4:00 Auction, Paul Yonder Pink Pig Cake Auction
5:00 Live Music + More Events
9:00 Travis Wayne & Contraband
Live Music features Donovan Howard, D.Boone Pittman, John Kelly, Travis Wayne and Contraband, John Mountjoy and the Street Cats, and Aubree Isaccs.
Vendors on Hand include Bert’s Speakcheezy, Twisted Stache Coffee & Creamery, Mt. Vernon Inflatables, and Hair by Shelby French

Friday After Five Concert Series
2023-08-25 17:00 - 20:00 | City of Mt. Vernon, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Mount Vernon Rockcastle Tourism in partnership with the City of Mount Vernon, Kentucky will host FRIDAY AFTER FIVE summer series. Each month there will be live music and events on Main Street. Here are the details:

Friday, August 25th
5:00-8:00 Car Show Cruise In (free non-judged show) on Main St
5:30 – 7:00 Donovan Howard Music Trio performing on Main Street
7:00 – 10:00 Whiskey Train performing inside Down on Main Bar & Grill

It is FREE to attend and all ages are invited. Main Street will be blocked off during this time except for those showing in the Car Show Cruise In (June/August) or Bike Night (July).

Parker Hastings Album Release Party at KY Music Hall of Fame
2023-07-29 14:00 - 17:00 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, 40456, United States
Mark your calendars as we will be welcoming the wonderfully talented Parker Hastings Music back to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 29th from 2PM to 4PM! Parker will be having his Album Release Party so come and help us celebrate!
Parker is our 2023 KMHOF Artist in Residence and has excited us with his talent of guitar playing, story telling, and music knowledge. Museum admission is just $5 that day and tickets will be in person. Join us as we welcome Parker Hastings back onto the KY Songbird Stage at the Hall of Fame!

Friday After Five in Downtown Mt. Vernon, KY
2023-07-28 17:00 - 20:00 | City of Mt. Vernon, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Mount Vernon Rockcastle Tourism in partnership with the City of Mount Vernon, Kentucky will host FRIDAY AFTER FIVE summer series. Each month there will be live music and events on Main Street. Here are the details:

Friday, July 28th
5:00-8:00 Bike Night (free non-judged show) on Main St
5:30 – 7:00 The Lost Patience Band performing on Main Street
8:00 – 10:00 Cadillac Tractor performing inside Down on Main Bar & Grill

It is FREE to attend and all ages are invited. Main Street will be blocked off during this time except for those showing in the Car Show Cruise In (June/August) or Bike Night (July).

A MidSummer Night Talent Contest
2023-07-21 18:00 - 21:00 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Amphitheater, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
The Midsummer Night event this year will not be a vendor market on Main Street. It will be a talent show at the amphitheater at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in Renfro on 7/21/23.

SAVE THE DATE! CASH PRIZES will be awarded! The Rockcastle Arts Association is donating the prize money. The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum has now offered to double the best overall performance prize by donating $500! Who will win the top prize of $1000??

Please see flyer for more information.

Registration is now open until June 30th via Google Form at https://forms.gle/xiQZ2pHK5Vv5LpYR7

Kentucky Singer-Songwriter Series
2023-07-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, 40456, United States
Join us as we welcome Kentucky singer songwriters for our Singer-Songwriter In the Round Series at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. It is free to attend the event, which will take place inside the Hall of Fame lobby area. Come in anytime between 2PM to 4PM to hear the songs and stories from:
Stoner Creek Shakedown of Bourbon County, KY
Cody Powers of Springfield, KY
Willy James of Richmond, KY

Donovan Howard is our host for each event, which takes place monthly on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Stay tune for future dates.

Sweet Land of Liberty Music Festival
2023-07-07 12:00 - 2023-07-08 23:30 | Rockcastle Riverside, 4211 Lower River Road, Livingston, KY, 40456, United States
Come celebrate your independence with your favorite regional musicians, artisans, craftsmen, and food vendors. Nestled on the banks of the Rockcastle River in Livingston KY, you’ll find one of the best campground music venues you have ever experienced, Rockcastle Riverside, the home of Trash Bash, Moonshiners Ball and returning for the third year, the Sweet Land of Liberty music festival.
2023 Lineup includes Jason Leech, Hot Brown Smackdown, Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle, The Local Honeys, Wayne Graham, Blind Corn Liquor Pickers, The Settlement, Brother Smith, Charlie Woods & Deep Hollow, Don Rogers & THe Apostlebillies, Them Lasses, Jenn Marie & Blackwater Station, Sarah Kate Morgan, and Ethan Wayne & the Mountain Revue.
Purchase Tickets at: https://sweetlandfest.com/

Community Yard Sale
2023-07-07 - 2023-07-08 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, 40456, United States
We will be hosting a Community Yard Sale on July 7th and 8th from 8am-5pm in front of the Lair House in Renfro Valley. If you would like to set up, call 606-256-1000 or stop in at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Gift Shop to purchase your spot. Deadline to purchase a spot is 7/6/2023.

Kentucky Blues Music Festival
2023-06-17 17:00 - 23:00 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Amphitheater, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Join the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame 2022 Inductee Tee Dee Young as he performs at the first Kentucky Blues Music Festival on June 17th, 2023. Opening up for Tee Dee is his son, Treyvon King Band. The show will take place in the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Amphitheater, behind the HOF, at 2590 Richmond Street in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. It is free admission and open to all ages. Gates open at 5:00 with music starting at 5:30. Limited VIP Sponsorship packages will be available. Bring your own chair. Food Trucks and Concessions will be available to purchase.

Josh Turner and Mo Pitney at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
2023-06-10 19:30 - 22:00 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner, while a multi-platinum-selling star himself, is a country music fan first and foremost. He’s even concocted his own version of Mount Rushmore conceived solely of country music legends. Turner’s “Mount Rushmore of Country Music” boasts five faces rather than four (it’s his mountain, after all) — Randy Travis, John Anderson, Johnny Cash, Vern Gosdin, and Hank Williams.
The giants carved into the granite of Turner’s musical soul form the core of his aptly titled new album, Country State of Mind. “I’ve always said that any song you hear coming from my voice, you’re going to hear bits and pieces of those five guys,” he says. “They taught me how to be Josh Turner.”
“When I was growing up, before I moved to Nashville, I was crazy about sad songs,” he says. “There has always been a part of my heart that has loved those sad, lonesome, and slow songs.”
Turner chose his guests as carefully as he did his material, selecting artists who shared his love and respect for the material. “I wanted artists I knew have an appreciation for traditional country music,” he says. Besides heroes Travis and Anderson, Turner invited Country Music Hall of Famer Kris Kristofferson to record a new version of his 1973 chart-topper “Why Me” with him. The title track, originally a 1986 hit for Hank Williams Jr., becomes a duet with fellow Grand Ole Opry member Chris Janson. The members of Runaway June take George Jones’ part on “You Don’t Seem to Miss Me,” and Maddie & Tae sing with Turner on “Desperately,” a 2004 single for George Strait and the album’s newest song. Country State of Mind also includes songs originally made famous by Keith Whitley (“I’m No Stranger to the Rain”), Waylon Jennings (“Good Ol’ Boys” Theme from The Dukes of Hazzard), and Alan Jackson (“Midnight in Montgomery”).
From the very start of his career through chart-topping hits like “Your Man,” “Would You Go With Me,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” and “All Over Me,” Turner has immersed himself in country music’s history and its iconic figures. After all, this is someone who, as a student at Nashville’s Belmont University, took an open gate on Johnny Cash’s property as a sign he should knock on the legendary singer’s door and introduce himself.
“The doorknob wiggles, the door swings open, and there stands Johnny Cash,” Turner recalls. “He and I both jump back, because he didn’t expect to see me, and I sure didn’t expect him to answer the door.”
Later, as the hits came, along with multiple GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM nominations, Turner joined the Grand Ole Opry. One of country music’s oldest and most hallowed traditions, the Opry once counted Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, and George Jones among its ranks; now, Turner shares membership with heroes like Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and Patty Loveless, as well as guest Chris Janson.
For nearly two decades, Turner has been one of country music’s most recognizable voices, selling more than 8.5 million units and amassing more than 2.5 billion global streams. He has never kept his reverence for traditional country music a secret, but, with this latest album, Josh Turner is definitely in a Country State of Mind.
Really, though, he always has been.

Muscadine Bloodline with Taylor Hunnicutt at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
2023-06-03 19:30 - 22:00 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
There’s a new force making major waves in country music, Muscadine Bloodline. Proud natives of Mobile Alabama, Gary Stanton and Charlie Muncaster started Muscadine Bloodline in early 2016. From the first time they took stage, Nashville started talking… so now, with two Billboard charting critically acclaimed EP’s under their belt, it’s no surprise the rest of the music world is quickly catching on. The duo’s reputation for high-energy live experiences has resulted in a schedule full of shows spanning from coast to coast. Charlie’s contemporary vocals complimented by Gary’s harmonies and masterful guitar licks make MB a powerfully refreshing mic of talent, passion, and unfiltered authenticity. Infamously undaunted by the big stage, their sound intertwines the brash irreverence of early southern rockers with the seductive quality of 90s country love songs. Captivating hooks heard in songs like “Movin’ On” and the aggressively anthemic “WD-40” stand as a testament to MB’s wide ranging music-making capability. Every song and every show is a moving experience but at the same time, unmistakably Muscadine.

Volks Valley Rally Car Show
2023-06-03 09:00 - 17:00 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, 40456, United States
Central Kentucky Volkswagen Volks Valley Rally Car Show
Central Kentucky VW Club invites all Volkswagen to join us on June 3rd, 2023 for their great Volkswagen Show! We welcome all air cooled, water cooled, new, old, custom, originals, restored, patina, whatever your style (Audi and Porsche are welcome too). The show will start at 9:00 and trophies will given out at 3:00. Show will be located at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame grass lot in front of the John Lair House (follow signs). Renfro Valley is located .03 miles off I-75 at exit 62, approximately 40 minutes south of Lexington, 2 hours north of Knoxville, 2 hours south of Cincinnati. There is camping available onsite at the Renfro Valley’s campground and also a Baymont Inn located within walking distance of the show. This location is ideal for a great event and we hope you can be apart of that!
Preregistration now by clicking here. With your registration you will receive a Show T-Shirt and goodie bag.

John Conlee at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
2023-06-02 19:30 - 22:00 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
John Conlee’s hits have rarely been songs that see life through the hard-fact-hiding “Rose Colored Glasses” described in his first smash record of 1978. Through all the years since, his emphasis has been on songs of the lives of everyday people — middle class, hardworking people, and those who’ve been unable to attain even that level of economic ease. He made a fresh hit again of “Busted,” when country fans might have thought Ray Charles and Johnny Cash had enjoyed the last word on that one. He had us nodding in agreement to the tough realities of “Nothing Behind You, Nothing in Sight.”
“There are more of us ordinary folks than anybody else,” says the big-voiced baritone whose hits also include “Common Man,” “Working Man,” and “Friday Night Blues.”
When John Conlee looks at love, the view includes Harlan Howard and Bobby Braddock’s searing “I Don’t Remember Loving You” — and he has no trouble singing about being on the “Backside of Thirty.”
No-nonsense John grew up on a 250-acre Kentucky farm where he raised hogs, cultivated tobacco with mules, and mowed pastures. He also worked as a funeral home attendant and mortician, and as a pop music disc jockey in Nashville before settling into a career in country music during the mid-1970s. It’s typical of John that he used the returns from that long string of No. 1 hits (four in 1983 and 1984 alone) to get back to farm life himself.
“I spend all of my off-time, what I have of it, with my family on our farm,” John explains. “I enjoy it. There’s no glamour to it. Woodworking, gunsmithing or driving a tractor requires getting grease or varnish all over you. It’s dirty work, but I like it.”
John joined the Grand Ole Opry cast in 1981. “Back when I joined the Opry, there was not a great big hoopla about a new member coming on board,” he says. “But now, we make a big deal out of it for the people that join. It really doesn’t matter to me. I mean officially becoming a member made it a great night.”
Two decades later, John still stirs the hall to the rafters with his biggest hits, as well as his more recent salute to the families of American fighting troops on “They Also Serve.”
At one time, John raised more than $140,000 — one dollar at a time — for Feed the Children from the dollar bills tossed on the stage when he sang that 1983 hit version of “Busted.” He still collects donations from fans during that song’s performance, currently channeling the money to the benefit of Wounded Warriors. John was instrumental in the formation of the Family Farm Defense Fund. He helped Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organize and entertain at Farm Aid concerts that raised more than $13 million in grants.
John maintains an active touring schedule and still records albums. He is also a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

Summer Kick Off
2023-06-01 14:30 - 18:30 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, 40456, United States
Rockcastle County Community Collaborative is hosting a Summer Kickoff at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame on June 1st from 2:30 to 6:30 PM. The event is free and kids from newborn to 5th grade are invited. The event will have Educational Booths, Interactive Activities for kids, Free Silcox Shaved Ice, Face Painting, Music Circle, ID Kits for Kids, and much more.

The Great Saltpetre Cave Open House
2023-05-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-05-20 10:00 - 16:00 | Great Saltpetre Cave, 237 Saltpetre Cave Road, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
Open House weekend is the one time each year that the preserve is open to anyone to stop by for a tour of The Great Saltpetre Cave.
We’ll be open both Saturday and Sunday (May 20-21st) from 10am with the last tour starting at 4pm – no reservations – drop in anytime between then.
Join us for:
Free guided tours of the cave
Free soup beans and cornbread
A food concession stand operated by the Livingston Vol. Fire & Rescue
A souvenir concession stand
Friendly conversation under the shelter

The cave has electric lights and is walkable featuring a generally flat floor and wide open spaces (outside of the optional ‘Pinch Em Tight Alley’). Dress for the cave environment is comfortable shoes and a light jacket (the cave is 57°F year round), and the tour last one hour.

Admission is free but donations to assist with the preservation and upkeep of the cave and preserve are always appreciated!

Accessibility: Handicap parking is provided with a gravel path to the cave entrance, with an accessible toilet facility off the path. While slightly bumpy, the majority of the cave can be maneuvered through in a wheelchair, walker, or stroller including the often pictured Echo Auditorium.

Those wearing baby carriers are able to navigate 95% of the cave (all but Pinch Em Tight Alley). In all cases a volunteer is happy break off from the group and navigate you back to the entrance.

The Great Saltpetre Cave is on the National Register of Historic Places and just like other caves, smoking, vaping, spitting, littering, writing on the cave walls, disturbing wildlife, and taking anything out of the cave (with the exception of trash – we like that!) are not only frowned upon, but illegal as well. Animals, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted in the cave.

Open House occurs rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather in which case we’ll post an update here.

If you’re traveling a fair distance to visit there are a handful of campgrounds in the area.

Please do not wear flip flops.

2023 Woodsongs Songfarmers Gathering
2023-05-12 14:00 - 2023-05-13 19:00 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, 40456, United States
The next National Gathering of SongFarmers will be Friday and Saturday, May 12 & 13, 2023 in the historic Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum (KMHF) estate in Renfro Valley, KY. ADDRESS: This is north of Knoxville TN and south of Lexington, KY on Interstate 75, 2590 Richmond Street Mt. Vernon, KY 40456 (Exit 62 off Interstate 75 in Renfro Valley, KY).
More Information and Schedule: http://www.songfarmers.org/2023gathering/

Renfro Valley Dual Sport Ride
2023-05-05 17:00 - 2023-05-07 12:00 | Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, 2590 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, 40456, United States
2023 Renfro Valley Dual Sport Ride on May 6-7th. Registration at KY Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Contact is Paula Gray 513-371-6140.
Ride on challenging trails and scenic winding roads that wind through the Daniel Boone Forest. Much of this course is used only once a year during this dual sport ride. 90-100 riding miles each day. Pre-register at www.usdualsports.com and search for Renfro Valley Dual Sport. You can also register day of the event.

RENFRO VALLEY CONCERT: Maddie & Tae
2023-04-01 20:00 - 23:30 | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
April 1
Maddie & Tae with Patrick Murphy
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center New Barn
Tickets: 800-514-3849
www.renfrovalley.com
Or Purchase at Valley Liquor at 440 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY
Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

RENFRO VALLEY CONCERT: Colt Ford
2023-03-31 20:00 - 23:30 | Old Barn Theater at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, 2380 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY, 40456, United States
March 31
Colt Ford
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center Old Barn
Tickets: 800-514-3849
www.renfrovalley.com
Or Purchase at Valley Liquor at 440 Richmond Street, Mt. Vernon, KY
Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
