Senior News Writer
RICHMOND —
A nearly non-stop string of festivals and other fall events starts on Friday.
The Richmond Area Arts Council will get things going on Friday with its 20th annual Arts Gala at the home of Marilyn and Ralph Hacker, beginning at 5 p.m. It will be highlighted by a 6:30 p.m. dinner show with the Cool Waters cowboy band. For tickets, visit www.artsinrichmond.org or call 624-4242.
On Saturday and Sunday, the sixth annual Great American Pottery Festival with eight potters demonstrating their craft will take place in Richmond’s Irvine McDowell Park. More than 40 arts and crafts vendors will have their wares for purchase. Although getting a chance to turn mud into a pot or vase is great fun for children of all ages, the annual Kids Fest on Saturday in the park will have loads of other entertainment for youngsters. Both events are free.
From 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, the Madison County Quarter Horse Club will host a show at the Madison County Fairgrounds off Irvine Road.
Spoon Bread Festival
The following weekend will be Berea’s turn to shine as the 14th annual Spoon Bread Festival takes place in Memorial Park, Sept. 17-19. In addition to tasting the spoon bread that made Berea a mecca for southern dining, the festival again will feature a parade, nearly non-stop entertainment, an old-fashioned carnival, a car and tractor show, tethered hot-air balloon rides and many other activities. For more details, visit www.spoonbreadfestival.com.
Tournament of bands
The Madison Central Tournament of Bands will take place at the MCHS football field on Sept. 18 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eleven high school bands will compete, and the Madison Central and Eastern Kentucky University Marching bands will perform in exhibition.
Richmond Pow Wow
The action moves to Battlefield Park between Richmond and Berea as the Richmond Pow Wow Association celebrates the nation’s American Indian heritage Sept. 24-26. The pow wow will host school children on that Friday, but Saturday and Sunday will be open to the public. Members of tribes from near and far will share their cultures through dance, crafts and storytelling. For details, visit www.richmondpowwow.org.
Sorghum Festival, Swap Meet
Also Sept. 24-26, the annual Sorghum Festival at Swap Meet will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Madison County Fairgrounds, off Irvine Road.
Siege of Boonesborough
On Sept. 25-26, Fort Boonesborough State Park will re-enact events of 1778 when American Indians and British soldiers laid siege to the fort that Daniel Boone and other settlers erected on the frontier during the American Revolution. Battles will be staged at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with another battle staged at dusk on Saturday. Authentically dressed re-enactors will portray settlers, traders, soldiers and Shawnee braves.
Kirksville Day
The 20th annual Kirksville Day celebration will take place in the crossroads community on Sept. 25. A parade, barbecue pork loin and a pie auction are among the highlights.
Fiesta Latina
On Sept. 25, the Kentucky River Foothills Community Action Partnership will host a celebration of Latino/Hispanic culture in the EKU Perkins from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The event will feature tropical food, live entertainment and other activities. Admission is $25. For details, or to reserve a seat, call 624-2046, Ext. 222, or visit www.foothillscap.org.
Pattie A. Clay Starlight Mile
On Friday, Oct. 1, the Pattie A. Clay Starlight Mile, co-sponsored by Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center and the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department will be run at Caudill Middle School on the Martin Bypass. For details, call 625-3446 or e-mail HYPERLINK "mailto:jerianshaw@pattieaclay.org" jerianshaw@pattieaclay.org.
Hammer-in at Boonesborough
Contemporary blacksmiths will demonstrate that their ancient craft is alive and well as numerous practitioners gather at Fort Boonesborough State Park on Oct. 2-3 to make sparks fly as they hammer hot iron into horseshoes and useful tools.
EKU football
The Eastern Kentucky University Colonels will play Kentucky State in Roy Kidd Stadium at 7 p.m. on Oct. 2.
Kentucky Guild Craft Fair
The juried works of nearly 100 members of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen will be on display Oct. 9-10 at Indian Fort Theatre on KY 21 east of Berea. Live entertainment and craft demonstrations also will be performed. For details, call 986-3192 or visit www.kyguild.org.
EKU football
The Eastern Kentucky University Colonels will play Eastern Illinois in Roy Kidd Stadium at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9.
Quarter Horse Show
From 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, the Madison County Quarter Horse Club will host a show at the Madison County Fairgrounds off Irvine Road.
Celebration of Traditional Music
Berea College will host the 35th edition of its Celebration of Traditional Music on Oct. 14-17. The event features workshops, concerts, jam sessions and more at venues across the college’s historic campus. For details, call 985-3140 or visit www.berea.edu.
White Hall ghost walks
From Oct. 28 through Halloween, EKU theater students will act as “spirit guides,” leading guests by candlelight from room to room in White Hall, once the home of Cassius M. Clay. “Spirits” will come out of the dimness to tell “tender and incredible stories” of Clay’s illustrious family. Tours, $10 per person, are by reservation only. To reserve, call 623-9178.
EKU Football
The Eastern Kentucky University Colonels will play its homecoming game against Murray State in Roy Kidd Stadium at 3 p.m. on Oct. 30.
Halloween at the Park
The Berea Parks and Recreation Department will host its eighth annual Halloween at the Park from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 30, when the city also has sanctioned door-to-door trick or treating. For details, call 986-9402.
Richmond Halloween Hoe-down
The Halloween Hoe-down sponsored by the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department was canceled last year for financial reasons. Organizers are seeking sponsors to revive the event this year. Private sponsors underwrote the city’s Easter Eggstravaganza, July 4 celebration and Kids Fest.
(This list may not include all local events. Events also are subject to change. Please contact sponsors before making plans.)
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.
