September 4-6 – 35th Annual Labor Day Festival at Carson Park

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The 35th Annual Labor Day Celebration will take place in Carson Park in Paducah, September 4-6. Festivities will be on-going all three days from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. There will be lots of food prepared on site, free entertainment, Flea Market and Swap Meet, arts & crafts booths, Magic Valley, B & C Concession, and Dream Factory booth at Carson Park all three days.

Special Event Times

September 4th

Confederate Railroad - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Craig Russell Band and Tony Logue Band performing before and after Confederate Railroad)

September 5th

For Heaven's Sake - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Mitchell Jon - 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

September 6th

Labor Day Parade - 9:30 am (Beginning at 2nd & Broadway)
Awards Ceremony - 12:00 Noon (Recognition of Grand Marshall)
Political Speaking - 12:30 pm
Craig Russell Band and Tony Logue Band Follows Speaking & Awards until 5:00 pm

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Celebrating The 4th Of July In Western KY

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The 4th of July is upon us, and to celebrate, there is no shortage of events going on!

There are so many different celebrations, and fireworks events, that it would be impossible to attend them all. So we've compiled a list of some of the best fireworks and 4th of July celebrations in Western KY to help you decide which ones you can attend, and which ones you might be able to live without seeing.

AURORA

Saturday, July 3
Fireworks at Dusk at Kenlake State Park

CADIZ

Sunday, July 4
Fireworks at Lake Barkley State Resort Park Little River Area at 9:00 pm

CALVERT CITY

Sunday, July 4th
Ameribration Celebration in Calvert City (For more info, call 270-395-7130)

DRAFFENVILLE

Saturday, July 3
Patriotic live music show at the Kentucky Opry in Draffenville at 7:30 pm

EDDYVILLE

Saturday, July 3
Thunder Over Eddy Bay events will begin at 5:00 pm with a live band, food vendors, inflatables, and kids' games. Come by Boat (Eddy Creek Marina) or Bus (Leaves from Western KY Outlet Mall starting at 5:00 pm). Fireworks begin at 9:00 pm.

GILBERTSVILLE

July 1-4
Good Ole USA Days at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Moors Resort and Marina - Fireworks at dusk.
For more information, call 1-800-325-0146

Sunday, July 4
Independence Day 1 pm-4 pm at the Home Place

HICKORY

Sunday, July 4
The 2nd Annual Light Up the Sky for Christ will take place at Community Fellowship Baptist Church in Hickory (located across from
Fristoe's) on Sunday, July 4th. CFBC praise band will perform at 8:00 pm. Fireworks will begin at 9:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Everyone is welcome to come early and visit. For more information call 270-705-0001 or 270-705-9902 or visit www.cfbc4god.com.

MAYFIELD

Saturday, July 3rd
Glory Days (Downtown Mayfield/Mayfield High School Track)

Car/Truck/Bike Show and Swap Meet
Pony Rides & Petting Zoo, Inflatables & Water Rides - All Free
Watermelon Bust & Fish Fry
Terrific Fireworks Display

For more information, call 270-247-1981

MURRAY

July 2-4
23rd Annual Freedom Fest Celebration
For more information on event times, details, and dates, read our latest article in the Local Events section of HelloKY.com

Murray Freedom Fest Event Details

PADUCAH

Sunday, July 4
The Independence Day activities for the City of Paducah begin at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 on the Wilson Stage on Paducah’s riverfront.

7:15 pm Dixieland Band
8:00 pm Paducah Jazz Band
8:45 pm Paducah Concert Band
9:15-9:30 pm Fireworks Show Starts

There will be several food and non-food vendors including those selling toys, lemonade, corndogs, hotdogs, popcorn, and nachos. If a thunderstorm is in the area at the scheduled time for the fireworks, the fireworks show will be delayed until the weather clears. For more information, call Paducah Parks Services at 270-444-8508.

SMITHLAND

Sunday, July 4
The Smithland Area Chamber of Commerce and Smithland Fire Department are presenting Freedom On The Rivers at the Smithland riverfront on Sunday, July 4. The fun starts with a children's patriotic parade at 6:00 pm, with pedal, push or pull vehicles, like bicycles or wagons (no motorized vehicles). Children should meet at Buzzard's Roost at 5:45 pm, and anyone under 10-years-old should be accompanied by an adult. Parents are welcome to walk along. The Hamptons Gospel Singers will perform at 7:00 pm, and Brother Andrew Sexton will lead a service at 8:00 pm. At dusk, the fireworks show will begin. For more information, call 270-928-2919.

SALEM

Saturday, July 3
Salem Faith & Freedom Fellowship at Faith Church, 1849 US 60 East - 7:30 pm. Patriotic program and recognition of veterans. Fireworks at dusk.

SYMSONIA

Friday, July 2
Paducah International Raceway, 4445 Shemwell Ln., has fireworks following their Summer National Late Model Special Race.

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July 1-4 – KY Dam Village Good Ol USA Days & 4th of July Celebration

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KY Dam Village's Good Ol' USA Days is a four day celebration of our nation's birthday with traditional activities, entertainment, music, fireworks, and fun.

It all ends with a huge 4th of July celebration and fireworks show, which promises to be one this area's best fireworks shows ever seen.

In addition to the fireworks, and other entertainment and activities, this year the Air National Guard Band of the Great Lakes Concert Band is presenting a concert to celebrate our national heritage on Sunday, July 4th at 7:30 pm at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in Gilbertsville, Kentucky.

The Concert Band is the largest ensemble of the Air National Guard Band of the Great Lakes. Under the leadership of First Lieutenant Haley Armstrong, the band performs a diverse repertoire which includes original military band compositions, orchestral transcriptions, popular Broadway and show tunes, marches, and patriotic selections. The group supports the morale, welfare, and recreational aspects of military life; performs for military and civilian dignitaries; and appears at civic events in support of the Air Combat Command’s community relations programs.

Air National Guard Bands are the active duty band’s counterparts in the Air National Guard. There are 11 Guard bands located throughout the Continental United States. They support the global Air Force and Air National Guard missions by providing musical products and services to the Air National Guard, the United States Air Force, and the community.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park is located at 166 Upper Village Drive located in Gilbertsville, Kentucky.

For more information please call Anthony Lawrence at 1-800-325-0146, ext. 412 or email anthony.lawrence@ky.gov

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April 5 – Tater Day in Benton KY

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On the first Monday of April, the streets of Benton fill with thousands of people, all who have come to the annual celebration of the sweet potato.

And this year is no different!

While Tater Day is technically only one day, the festivities have grown to include the prior week and weekend leading up to the actual day of the parade. The parade itself starts at 12:00 (noon) on Monday, April 5, and many of the roads will be closed to traffic, so make sure you're where you need to be going at least 2-3 hours prior to the parade starting.

Tradition claims that Tater Day was established in 1842, the year Marshall County was founded. Local people took this day to come to Benton from way out in the county and transact their business. Many traded for their needs. One of the main items traded was sweet potatoes, hence 'Tater Day.' This is the only celebration in the US that is named after the sweet potato.

Tater Day seems to grow larger each year. Starting the weekend before is the Annual Tater Day Beauty Pageant. The lucky winner is usually a Marshall Co High School student that gets to open the festivities. "She even gets to ride in the parade on Monday."

From Friday on there is something as cool as a stock car race to barrel racing going on in the grandstands that are in the park Horse races, pony pulling contests, and a Four-Wheel Drive Drag Race have been added to the popular horse show. There is also junior ms. tater that is allowed for little girls ages 5 to 12. There is also a little Mr. Tater Day.

Carnival rides and games is also a big tradition for Tater Day. The loop d loop to the haunted house you see kids and adults smiling.

The 3 mile stretch along the route is dominated by food venders and flea marketers. One mans junk may be another mans treasure. There is a baking and a food canning competitions. There is also a BBQ cook off. A band concert on the court square that features blue grass.

Oh how could you miss all the high school students whipping around the old court square in their trucks and cars with their red blue and white rebel flags waving in the air. They circle the 3 mile stretch and do it again.

On Monday the biggest part of the festival there is a Parade featuring lots of antique cars, buggies, vintage farm equipment and people wearing old style clothing, Political floats, MCHS marching band, Ms. Tater Day, and horses. And more horses, there has been over 100 horses in this parade.

In the `80s when the NAACP was rumored to march in the Benton Parade, many residents of the all white southern county (Marshall) arrived bearing arms. In the last few years the Army has refused to march in it because of the large number of confederate flags displayed in the town.

Tater day is still a trade day, as dogs, knives, farm tools, horses, junk, and even some potatoes can be found but it is also a time to come back home and visit with friends while you have fun. Tater Day continues to grow and all of Marshall County welcomes it. Each year new activities are added until just a day isn't enough time but a weekend is needed. The local County schools passed a resolution to dismiss the school for the occasion. The local clerks office as well as the Judicial building closes its doors for the first Monday of each April.

For more information please call 270-527-7665 or email info@marshallcounty.net

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October 2-4 – Aurora Country Festival

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The Aurora Country Festival will be held October 2nd - 4th. The festival begins at 9:00 am on Friday and runs through 5:00 pm on Sunday.

The festival is a free event and touts "Country Style Fun For All". The Aurora Country Festival was started back in 1977 as a way for the community to help promote itself and attract tourism to the area. There are lots of things to do for young and old alike. The festival activities will include:

Cornhole Tournament
Sorghum Cookoff
Toilet Paper Toss (celebrity tossers are being recruited!)
Parade
Petting Zoo
Duck Pond
Marshmallow Roast
Story Telling
Entertainment
Flea Market and Crafters
Food Vendors
Auction (donations still being accepted)
Raffles
Car Show
Marshall County Fire Department's Demonstration Fire House

A complete schedule is forthcoming. Parking is free. Activities will be centrally located around the Aurora Visitor's Center on US Highway 68 East and in a lot across from the Brass Lantern Restaurant.

For more information contact the Jonathan-Aurora Action Committee at 270-703-6060 or visit www.j-aac.com

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October 10 – Grand Rivers Hunters Moon Festival

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Grand Rivers' famous fall festival featuring food, craft and flea market vendors, childrens activities, the big parade, and street dance will be at Little Lake Park in Grand Rivers on Commerce Street.

The Festival runs from 9 am - 10 pm and is FREE to all interested in attending.

For more information please call 270-362-0152, send an email to grandrivers@bellsouth.net, or visit www.grandrivers.com.

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