Major Events Dates Set in Henderson, KY

Henderson Tri-Fest
Downtown Henderson
April 15-17, 2011
Street fest in beautiful downtown Henderson. Food, games and rides.
www.hendersontrifest.org

Homegrown Bluegrass and Creative Arts Festival
Audubon State Park
May 14, 2011
Local and regional music performances, children's activities, art vendors.

W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival
Various Locations
June 11-18, 2011
Weeklong blues festival. Enjoy barbecue, live music, street strut parade and much more.
www.handyblues.org

Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival
Audubon Mill Park
August 12-13, 2011
Weekend of live bluegrass music, children's activities, food. Pole vaulting and bicycle tour.
www.bluegrassinthepark.org

GRADD Arts & Crafts Festival
Audubon State Park
October 1-2, 2011
Large arts and crafts festival in the scenic Audubon Park

The following dates are listed because they are a few of the events the Henderson County Tourist Commission receives the most calls about. There are tons of other great events going on this year. The whole list is available online at www.hendersonky.org/event or you can call 1-800-648-3128. We'd be happy to help you!

Nature Art Exhibit Kicks Off This Feburary!

"Drawn From Nature"
February 4-March 11, 2011 • Henderson, KY

This February a new art exhibit will open at the Rotunda Gallery (101 South Main St., Henderson, KY). Artist Lowry Igleheart-Keach displays nature photography. Lowry has chosen to capture nature's hidden nuances and fleeting moments with the lens of her camera.




A special meet and greet with the artist will take place Sunday February 20th from 1:30-3:00pm at the Rotunda Gallery.

For additional information, visit www.ohiovalleyart.org.

New Year Brings New Events, Postcards & Tourism Guide to The Depot

With the new year comes tons of new events to Henderson. The Henderson County Tourist Commission has been hard at work compiling a full list of events in the area. This listing, available online at www.hendersonky.org/event includes music performances, festivals, children’s activities and more.

Selection of the postcards available at The Depot.

The Tourist Commission is also selling a selection of 10 postcards. The postcards, featuring the work of local photographers, are available for 50¢ each. The cards highlight several well-known Henderson spots, such as the riverfront, Audubon State Park, Ellis Park and Central Park, among others. To purchase the cards come to The Depot, located at 101 N. Water St., Monday – Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Western section of the guide. Features Henderson, as well as surrounding locations.

For travelers who are planning trips in Kentucky this year, the new 2011 Kentucky Official Visitor’s Guide is also available free of cost at The Depot. You can also order one online here.

Out With the Old, In With the New...Events!

Happy 2011 to all of our readers and followers! This year started off with a bang. We've put up our new Calendar of Events on our website, and there are tons of new events to celebrate this year! Here's just a few we are excited about:

• Downtown Walking Tours will resume on April 2. The tours feature historic buildings in downtown and are free to the public. Info: (270) 830-9707

• Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins and T-Birds at the Henderson Fine Art Center's production of the Broadway musical Greece! Info: (270) 830-9800

• The Ohio Valley Birding Festival has grown over the past few years, and Henderson's location as a birding area has been highlighted in several of this year's events. On May 1, come to John James Audubon State Park for a day full of events. There will be several staff-led hikes, a hummingbird seminar and other workshops. Info: (270) 826-2247

• This year is the Steamboat Bicentennial. Henderson's location along the Ohio River makes it a perfect spot to celebrate! On May 21st, The Depot Community Room staff with team up with Ohio Valley Marine and others to mark this day. Children can enjoy a day full of activities on the Ohio Riverfront on Water Street. Info: (270) 830-9707

• Fish for free in Audubon State Park on June 4-5. Residents and non-residents can fish without a license in Kentucky. The lake at the park is the perfect place to spend a relaxing day. Info: (270) 826-2247

• The W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival will light up downtown with a community barbecue, street strut parade and live, blues music on June 11-18. Get all the details on the website www.handyblues.org.

• 2011 is the 100th birthday of Kentucky-native and "Father of Bluegrass" Bill Monroe. Several events will take place to commemorate this event. The annual Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival promises another year of great bluegrass music on the riverfront August 12-13.

• And who can forget the great Halloween activities offered each year in Henderson? There's trick or treating downtown, sponsored by the DHP and a parade following. The Audubon Spooktacular will take place again at Audubon State Park with hayrides, crafts, food and more! And the ever-popular Henderson Spooks and Legends Walking Tour promises to bring excitement to downtown.

• On November 19 and 20, prepare to laugh with another installment from the hilarious Taffy gang. The play, Taffy Christmas, written by Bob Park, will take place at the Henderson Fine Arts Center. Info: (270) 827-9240

Find out about all the other activities by clicking here. You can also subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter. This newsletter goes out every Thursday and includes a list of the events for the upcoming week. Subscribe here. (You can unsubscribe at any time).