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| Visit Owensboro for Barbecue, Bluegrass and Festivals in 2016 | Thousands of festival comers and vacationers visit Owensboro for its scenic location on the Ohio River. Along eight blocks on the river is Smothers Park, where music and entertainment unfold from spring through fall. The Owensboro Convention Center and the RiverPark Center are on opposite ends of the park, and they are surrounded by a revitalized and growing downtown. Those venues and more are set to host these popular events beginning this spring. International Bar-B-Q
Festival (May 13-14): The main event is the Governor’s Cup, a competition
between cooking teams from area Catholic churches. Up to 40 cooks on each
team cook 600 pounds of mutton, 400 pounds of pork, 300 whole chickens
and 60 gallons of burgoo. There’s plenty of food all day, along with music
and entertainment for all ages. Admission is free, and the fun fills the
downtown streets. bbqfest.com
International Bar-B-Q Festival Friday After 5 (May 20-Sept. 2): Smothers Park, the Owensboro Convention Center and RiverPark Center are locations for six venues of entertainment occurring each Friday for 16 weeks. Music spans all genres, while food and activities for children and grownups kick off the weekend in a festival setting. Friday After 5 attracts a loyal following of thousands of fans from throughout the region. The fun begins at 5 p.m., and admission is free. Fridayafter5.com ROMP Fest (June 22-25): The 13th annual bluegrass festival celebrates the genre’s roots (traditional) and branches (progressive) at the 150-acre Yellow Creek Park. The International Bluegrass Music Museum will open new exhibits, host daytime performances and present a documentary film festival during the day. Dozens of acts, led by bluegrass great Del McCoury, take the main stage during evenings. Before the concerts, you can join informal open jams and learn about bluegrass at workshops, seminars and more. Rompfest.com Parish Picnics (May-September): Catholic churches celebrate tradition at 22 parish barbecue picnics serving tasty chicken, pork, mutton and burgoo. Eat local and enjoy delicious farm-to-table food at picnics within 45 minutes of Owensboro. Cooking teams start before sunrise to prepare hundreds of pounds of chicken, pork and mutton. And of course, there’s the burgoo, the meaty stew that is one of the area’s traditional foods. Visitowensboro.com Dazzling Daylily Festival and Balloons Over The Garden (June): The daylilies are in bloom as hot air balloons illuminate the gardens and float over the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden. Festivities include talks and tours, live entertainment and lots of hot air balloons. Tethered and full balloon rides are available. WKBG.org In between events, bluegrass music plays all over town. Bring your instrument or a folding chair to listen at monthly open jam sessions and mini-concerts. Come to the Owensboro Music Center (first Saturday) and the International Bluegrass Music Museum (first Thursday) to listen or play. During summer at Smothers Park, the music plays at Bluegrass on the Banks and Picking in the Park. Information about Owensboro and Daviess County is available at VisitOwensboro.com or by calling 800-489-1131. Stay informed of Owensboro events and happenings through Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VisitOwensboro. Contact:
Connect with Visit Owensboro via Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. |
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