As the warmth of Spring replaces the cold of Winter, so too do the events happening in and around the Commonwealth’s Capital City and the surrounding area. We’ve done our best to compile a list of things to make note of for upcoming notable events for families, for schools, just for fun, for community volunteerism, for history buffs, and for businesses. If you do not see your organization’s event on here, and would like to, email us at CapitalLivingKY@gmail.com. For advertising rates to better market and promote your business, organization and/or to cover your event, email april@KYCapitalLiving.com.
This will be a regular posting every Monday morning and will be updated each week.
May 2015
Thursday, May 7, 5:00 -7:00 pm – Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Big Blue Spirits, 1239 US 127 South
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Thursday, May 7, 5:30 pm – Senator Brown’s Neighborhood Walking Tour, Liberty Hall, $10 per person
What was downtown Frankfort like when it was a bustling town of 600?
Join us as we stroll through downtown Frankfort, seeing buildings
and sites associated with Senator John Brown and his family. Maps, photographs,
and historic documents will enhance the evening tour, and light refreshments will include a cup of claret punch, a 19th-century favorite enjoyed by Mason Brown
and his friend John J. Crittenden, also mentioned on the tour.
Friday, May 8 – Frankfort Rotary Golf Scramble, Frankfort County Club, The Frankfort Rotary Golf Scramble to benefit the Frankfort Rotary Youth Fund will be held on Friday, May 8 at the Frankfort County Club. This fund provides assistance to students from Franklin County with higher education needs. Donations are tax deductible because the fund has a 501c3 charitable designation. Registration fee included golf/cart ,lunch , 2 drink tickets, prize and much more. There will be cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place teams. Hole in one prizes include the chance to win $25,000.00 cash prize. A 2015 Ford Fusion provided by Crossroads Ford Lincoln. For more information, contact Brenda Rice at brendavrice@hotmail.com or (502)695-6008.
Friday, May 8, 7:30 pm – Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, The Grand Theatre,
The high-energy, hard-charging blue-eyed soul of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels will rock the Grand’s stage. Expect to hear hits such as “Devil with the Blue Dress On” and “Sock it to me, Baby” in what promises to be a dynamic show.
Sponsors Anna Marie Pavlik and Richard Rosen
Tickets: $40 / $30 / $20
Saturday, May 9, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Plant Market, Old State Capitol Lawn, 300 West Broadway, The Capital Area Extension Master Gardeners presents a Plant Market, hosted by the Kentucky Historical Society,
Vegetables, Herbs, Perennials, Butterfly Plants, Garden Art, Silent Auction, Children’s Activities
11:30 AM: Container Gardening Through the Seasons
Demonstration by Simply Garden
Enjoy Saturday in Downtown Frankfort
Proceeds go towards community horticulture projects and the Capital Area Extension Master Gardeners Scholarship Fund for students majoring in horticulture or related subjects
Saturday, May 9, 10:30 am – 12:45 pm – The KHS: Second Saturday Genealogy: Kentucky Digital Repository Day with KHS Librarians, Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway
Session 2: 11:45-12:45 p.m.
State, regional and local areas of Kentucky have their own free digital resources, but use and navigation can be unique to each one.
Learn how to mine these resources like a boss!
Some of the topics we will cover:
- Advanced Searching Techniques
- New Collections/Databases
- Lexington Herald-Leader Collection
- University Collections
- Historical Societies
- Kentucky Digital Library
- Organizations/Cemeteries
Free admission. Walk-ins are welcome, but since seating is limited, we strongly encourage pre-registration.
For more information or to register:
Martin F. Schmidt Research Library Reference Desk
Saturday, May 9, 12:00 – 11:00 pm – 2nd annual American Heroes Celebration, Elk Creek Vineyards, Owenton, KY
MUSIC FESTIVAL Featured Artists Include The Fence Posts, The Downtown County Band and Velvet Soul Music will start at 5:00 with The Fence Posts. The Downtown County Band will play 6:00 – 8:00 and Velvet Soul 8:00 – 10:00 Craft and food vendors will also be present. Purchase Tickets today!
Saturday, May 9, 1:00 -4:00 pm – Spring Plant Sale, Orlando Brown House Patio, 202 Wilkinson Street
Friday, May 15, 5:00 – 8:00 pm – KECU Spring ArtWalk, Downtown Frankfort, More info, click HERE
Saturday, May 16, 8:00 am – 3:45 pm – Tech Savvy Conference, Kentucky State University, Bluegrass Central Branch of AAUW is hosting a Tech Savvy Conference for middle school girls and their parents on May 16, 2014 at Kentucky State University in Kentucky. See http://bluegrass-ky.aauw.net/ky-tech-savvy/ for additional information.
AAUW-Bluegrass Central Branch is partnering with Kentucky State University to present Tech Savvy Kentucky, powered by AAUW conference on May 16th. The conference is geared to inspire middle school girls to push up their sleeves and dig in to a day filled with fun and information about science, technology, engineering and mathematics led by women who excel in these fields. Tech Savvy Kentucky is a one-day science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career conference designed for girls in 6th through 9th grades. It’s designed to expose girls and their parents to the cool things involved in these fields and inform families about STEM education and careers and to widen the STEM pipeline by showing girls the value and satisfaction in these fast-growing fields. It’s a day of hands on fun to help girls learn about their interests, themselves and learn from leaders in STEM fields.
There is a program for parents and interested adults also. In the parent workshops, sessions will be on such things as cybersecurity, funding college, how to help your girls, etc.
Saturday, May 23, 6:00 – 9:00 pm – Cruise-In presented Capital City Classic Auto Club, Old Train Depot, Downtown Frankfort
Future Dates Include:
June 27, 2015
July 25, 2015
August 22, 2015
September 26, 2015
October 24, 2015 (2-5 pm)
Capital City Classic Auto Club Auto Cruises in Downtown Frankfort
Monday, May 25, 2:00 pm – Kentucky National Guard Memorial Dedication, Boone National Guard, 100 Minuteman Pkwy, Frankfort
You are invited to attend the dedication ceremony for the Kentucky National Guard Memorial on May 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the entrance to the Boone National Guard Center.
Friday, May 29, 2015 – Opening of Juniper Hills Water Park, Juniper Hills Park, 800 Louisville Road, Operated by Frankfort Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites
June 2015
Thursday – Saturday, June 4 – 6 – Capital Expo Festival, Capital Plaza, 3 days of fun, music, food, and festivities.
Ward Oates Amphitheater Lunchtime Concert Series, June 5, June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31, August 14, August 28, 2015, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Mark your calendars NOW for the Ward Oates Amphitheater lunchtime summer concert series! Talent includes Ben Lacy & Alan McKenzie, Dave Shelton, Sammy Coulter, the Jeff Barnes Band, Murphy’s Echo and Bonnie Reeves and Ronnie. New to the lineup is Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters. The popular lunchtime concert series is FREE for the public!
Friday, June 5, 7:00 – 11:00 pm – A Night in Margaritaville, Frankfort Country Club, 101 Duntreath Street, Frankfort, Please join us for drinks and dancing, food and fun for the Simon House 2015 Annual Fundraiser: A NIGHT IN MARGARITAVILLE
Saturday, June 6, 2015, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Salado Sampler, Salado Wildlife Education Center, 1 Sportsmans Lane, Frankfort
Come out to Salato Wildlife Education Center for the 12th annual Salato Sampler. At this all inclusive event, sample Kentucky’s finest drink with local distilleries, breweries and wineries. As for food, you’ll be more than pleased with our spread from Kentucky Proud vendors. The event will have live bluegrass music, a silent auction, and a Commission Bull Elk Tag drawing. While there, take a golf cart tour of the center and see animals up close and personal.
Tickets are $60 in advance and $75 at the door.
Thursday – Saturday, June 11 – 13, 7:00 pm – Shakespeare SummerStage, Josephine Sculpture Park
Pack your picnic and plan for an amazing evening under the stars at JSP! 2015 marks the fifth anniversary of Josephine SummerStage by returning to its all-female roots (Macbeth, 2011) and, for the third consecutive year, commissions an original sculpture for the production, directed by Kathi E.B. Ellis. This year Minneapolis sculptor Alison Hiltner will be in residence at JSP to create the sculpture that will inspire JSP’s interpretation of Henry V in the 600th anniversary year of the Battle of Agincourt which is prominently featured in the production. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this production will explore the costs of war to people and to the land; and how the imperative of conquest impacts men and women, countries and the environment, family and nation.
Event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 youth & $12 adult. Please email for group rates of 10 or more and discounts for community service organizations of any size.
Friday, June 12, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm – The Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament, Juniper Hills Golf Course, Always a fun event for Chamber members and their employees.
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Mark Your Calendars
A Great Networking Event
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Saturday, June 13, 8:00 am – The Capital City Stampede 10 Run/2Mile Walk, Kentucky State Capitol, 700 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, the last leg of the Frankfort Trifecta Series, Sign up HERE.
Farmers Bank Summer Concert Series & Downtown Frankfort Inc., announce the schedule for the Summer Concert Series 2015. For updates on talent for these dates, keep checking back with Capital Living or log on to the DFI website HERE.
Saturday, June 13, 2015, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Living in History Home & Garden Tour, The Garden Club of Frankfort presents a “Celebration of Neighborhoods”, Tour sites representing historic, downtown, suburbs, and country. Only $15. Enjoy lunch at the Frankfort Country Club from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm for an additional $15, 101 Duntreath, For more information, please contact: Karen Nance, knance401@aol.com, 502-229-4611
Thursday, June 18, 5:30 – 8:30 pm – 9th Annual The Longest Day of Play, Lakeview Park,
Saturday, June 20, 2015 – Preservation Petal 2015, to register or for more information, click HERE or THERE
Frankfort is the setting for this year’s popular annual Preservation Pedal. This regional ride through Franklin, Henry and Shelby Counties provides the backdrop for the scenic, classic beauty of Kentucky’s famous Bluegrass Region. Historic architecture, thoroughbred horse farms and wooded hills are featured on winding rides through the charming Main Streets of Frankfort, New Castle and Shelbyville, and the beautiful rural settings that take cyclists on a challenging jaunt through hills and dales!
Registration includes lunch, ample rest stops and a bounty of nutritious energy-filled treats. SAG support and other safety amenities are also included.
All proceeds help Preservation Kentucky promote and preserve the historic resources that attract travelers and tourists from around the world.
Friday & Saturday, June 26 – 27, 2015 – The Frankfort River Blast, Kentucky River at Riverview Park, 404 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort
Join us as we celebrate the Capital City’s natural resource, the Kentucky River, and the opening of Locks 1 – 4 to gain access to northern Kentucky. Food! Fun!
July 2015
Monday – Saturday, July 13 – 18 – The Franklin County Fair and Horse Show, Lakeview Park,
The Franklin County Fair & Horse Show is produced each July at Lake…view Park in Frankfort to provide an outlet for area residents to showcase their prized animals, flowers and crops, their artistic and craft talents, to participate in all types of competitions (from motorsports to pageants and much, much more!), and to provide entertainment for the community.
Friday & Saturday, July 24 & 25 – Kentucky River Music and BBQ Fest, Kentucky River Campground, 1489 Steele Branch Road, Frankfort, Info: 502-227-2465
September 2015
Sunday, September 13, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm – 2015 Fall Arts Festival, Josephine Sculpture Park, FREE Event for kids of all ages
Fall Arts Festival
2015 Fall Arts Festival at Josephine Sculpture Park
Sunday, September 13th from 11am-6pm.
This event is free. Parking is $5 per car, truck, van, or even a bus!!
Want to VOLUNTEER?? It is super fun, contact us for more information, and Thanks!!
This is an experiential arts festival – our focus is providing you and your friends or family with opportunities to make art or experience & watch demonstrations of a exciting new processes or techniques. All workshops are led by experienced artists. All ages and abilities are encouraged, absolutely no experience is needed to participate, just be ready to have FUN!
ART Activities scheduled for the Fall Arts Festival include:
– Hot Metal Pour (create your own cast aluminum relief sculpture – $30)
– glass blowing (create your own glass ornament – $35)
– blacksmithing (hammer your own decorative hook on the blacksmith’s anvil – $25)
– pottery wheel (experience the feel of the clay on the wheel – FREE)
– print making (create your own relief printing block and print to take home – FREE)
– tie dye (create your own tie dye item – FREE if you bring your own cotton item, or T shirts are available for $10)
– sticker making fun (create and wear your own stickers – FREE)
– art scavenger hunt (explore JSP in search of sculptures using a full color guide – FREE & WIN art prizes!)
– additional art and craft activities for all ages will be added as the event details develop…STAY TUNED!
Additional FUN at the festival:
– LIVE MUSIC on the KECU music stage all day long! – FREE
– explore JSP on a YOGA tour (provided by Frankfort Yoga Stdio) or on your own – FREE
– Bubble Bug from 2-4pm – FREE
– Hot Air Balloon rides from 4-6pm ($10 per person)
– professional face-painting (prices vary)
– food vendors will be on site – STAY TUNED for details, or tell us who you would like to have at the festival!
KECU Music Stage
To be announced soon.
If you are interested in participating, either as a performing artist or group, or as a visual artist who would like to conduct a workshop or demonstration, please click here: contact us for an application.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not an art fair that hosts “vendors” who are interested in strictly selling their goods, please do not send email inquiries about renting space for booths or selling merchandise.
More information will be posted as specific events are scheduled for the day.
This event is sponsored by the Frankfort Plant Board, Frankfort Parks, Recreation & Historic Sites & KY Employees Credit Union. Please thank these sponsors!
October 2015
Saturday, October 3 – Kentucky History Half Marathon, Frankfort
For more information or to register, click HERE, check out their Facebook Page, or join their Event.
The KY History Half is the Commonwealth’s first half marathon that celebrates Kentucky’s history. This charitable event also offers a fun way to support the educational programming and services of the Kentucky Historical Society in its mission to educate and engage the public through Kentucky history in order to confront the challenges of the future. Learn more about how you can become a part of this great organization at www.history.ky.gov.
Places to Go & Things to Do in Franklin County
The ground of Livery hall Historic Site are open to the public daily, dawn to dusk. Leashed dogs are allowed on the grounds. The visitor center and museum store at the Orlando Brown House is open Monday-Saturday, noon-4:00p.m. Guided tours of Liberty Hall are given Monday-Saturday and depart from Liberty Hall located at 218 Wilkinson Street at 1:30p.m Guided tours last approximately 75 minutes. Tour Prices $6/Adult $3/Youth Free/Children under age 5.
Capital City Museum
The Capital City Museum is at 325 Ann Street in downtown Frankfort, Kentucky. Housed in a 150 year old building that represents all that is left of the Capital Hotel, which burned in 1917, the museum is a large room filled with history and character. There are plenty of details to explore, with exhibits painting a vivid picture of both political and personal life in Kentucky over the past 200 years. It is open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. Call 502-696-0607. Admission is free. Operated by the City of Frankfort, Department of Parks, Recreation & Historic Sites.
Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History (aka The Kentucky History Center)
The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History has been the headquarters for the Kentucky Historical Society since April 10, 1999. Covering much of a city block in downtown Frankfort, it provides space for permanent exhibits, museum and archival storage, educational activities, offices and special events (space rental is available). Its namesake, the late Thomas D. Clark, was former state historian and an instrumental partner in the building’s planning and development. 100 W. Broadway, Frankfort, KY 502-564-1792
Admission
Adults: $4
Youth (6-18): $2
Children (5 and under): FREE
KHS and KJHS members: FREE
Veterans: $3
Admission includes the entire KHS History Campus (KY History Center, KY Military History Museum, Old State Capitol)
Kentucky Military History Museum
This Greek Revival style building was the State Arsenal from the 1850s until the early 1970s when the Boone National Guard Center opened in Frankfort. During the Civil War, it served as a munitions factory where Frankfort women made ammunition for troops from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. The Kentucky Historical Society and the Department of Military Affairs created the Kentucky Military History Museum here in 1973.
KHS operates the Kentucky Military History Museum with the Kentucky Department for Military Affairs. Artifacts and documents help provide a full picture of Kentuckians military service.
125 E. Main St. | Frankfort, KY 40601
Old State Capitol
The Old State Capitol is the third building to have served as Kentucky’s seat of government. Gideon Shryock, the state’s first native-born professionally trained architect, designed this Greek Revival building as a young man. Between 1830 and 1910, it saw many lively political debates as lawmakers grappled with issues of the day, including slavery and war.
After its use as State Capitol, the building served as headquarters of the Kentucky Historical Society (1920-ca. 1968). Today, restored to the way it looked in the early 1850s, it houses the exhibit “Great Revivals: Kentucky Decorative Arts Treasures” and is open for tours through KHS.
300 W. Broadway | Frankfort, KY 40601
Do YOU have an event you’d like to share with the Frankfort area community? Email your event to CapitalLivingKY@gmail.com.
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