Bigger rides and new events coming to Lewisport’s annual Heritage Festival
The 34th Annual Lewisport Heritage Festival is Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 1st- 3rd. Many of the fun, favorite events will be there this year, as well as some new ones you won’t want to miss!
Meet & Greet with Farmer Grayce
A Meet & Greet with Farmer Grayce is happening at the Antique Tractor Pull on Saturday morning, starting at 10 a.m. at the Community Center. Shelbie Grayce Emmick, 22, is a local, eighth generation Kentucky farmer, who has a large following on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok, where she showcases the daily life of farming and farm shows, such as the National Farm Machinery Show.
Farmer Grayce is also working on a new TV show with boyfriend, Gavin Spoor, that will begin streaming this June on Acres TV, and she is an encourager to girls and women who love to farm. “We wanted to have a way to bring someone local that has had great success in their social media following,” Lewisport City Administrator Jason Roberts said.
Kids Bird House Building Contest
The Kids Bird House Building Contest is also a new event for 2023. It’s a way to encourage more people to visit the Farm Museum while at the festival, and also a good way to get children involved, Roberts said. There are 3 categories: 8 and younger, ages 9-15, and Open. There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners for each category. J & J Home Designs is sponsoring, and have donated $150 in cash prizes.
The houses can be picked up at Lewisport City Hall, and children are free to decorate them however they choose. For the Open category, participants will be assembling their bird house from a kit that is provided, and can also be picked up at City Hall. All entries must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 2nd, and judging is at 4 p.m.
5K Run/Walk
Saturday is an all day event, and will include a breakfast lovingly made by Sunshine Circle Homemakers at the Community Center/Downtown from 8-10 a.m. There will be a 5K Run/Walk on Market Street, Farmers Market, a Tractor Show, Pet Show & Talent Contest at Chapman Park, and much more. Shrimp-N-Grits Bluegrass String Band will be filling the air with sweet tunes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Dan Hall Acoustic will be entertaining from 2-4 p.m., as well as 60s, 70s & 80s rock n’ roll by Caribou on Saturday evening from 8-10 p.m.
Expect to enjoy hearing classic rock & contemporary country by Tailgate on Thursday night, and 80s rock by Ballistic on Friday night. Also, on Thursday & Friday, beginning at 6 p.m. both nights, is the Heritage Festival Pageant at Chapman Park. The Baby Contest is Saturday, and starts at 9 a.m.
There are over 20 craft vendors currently signed-up to offer their wares such as: jewelry, paintings, crochet items, wreaths, soaps, wax melts, macramé items, freeze-dried candy, wood turned pens, wooden signs, t-shirts, metal art, boutique items and other various handmade items.
Applications for a booth space are available until Monday, May 29th.
Seventeen food vendors have signed-up so far, Roberts said. They will be providing many delicious choices on all 3 days, including all day and night on Saturday. The intention was to create a truly all-day event for people on Saturday, with breakfast, lunch and supper options and plenty of entertainment.
The ride company they’ve chosen this year, Bluegrass Rides, is a different company than the one they’ve had in previous years. Arm bands are $20 a night. Rides are open starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Please see the full list of events and times on the Heritage Festival flyer in the Hancock Clarion.
By Jennifer Wimmer
