Kentucky Historical Society
Kentucky Folklife Festival Named One of Top Ten Fall Events

Frankfort, KY - The Kentucky Tourism Council has selected the Kentucky Folklife Festival as one of the Commonwealth's fall "Top Ten" events.

The festival is held in Frankfort, Kentucky, on September 20-22. It is a three-day celebration of Kentucky's living cultural heritage. Modeled on the Smithsonian Institution's American Folklife Festival, this event introduces audiences of all ages to Kentucky's diverse folk groups as defined by family, occupation, ethnicity, religion, recreational activity, and geographic region. Through entertaining and educational programming, the festival encourages visitors to explore the way history and tradition shapes our everyday lives.

The festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, September 20; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, September 21 with evening concerts from 6 to 10 p.m.; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, September 22 with evening concerts from 6 to 10 p.m.

New features at this year's festival will include exploring immigration stories throughout the festival site and at the Kentucky Historical Society's Our New Kentucky Home: Immigrant Experiences exhibition at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History and opportunities to learn more about Kentucky luthiers (stringed-instrument makers) and enjoy a musical tribute to the late Homer Ledford. Visitors are invited to experience Kentucky State University's homecoming traditions and watch the region's top fraternities and sororities' "Greek Step Show," get a taste of KSU's tailgate food delights, see the all-famous "Marching Thorobreds" on-site, learn to play bid-whist, and see a parade float under construction.

The 2007 Kentucky Folklife Festival's featured free concerts will include such performers as Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, Cabin Creek, Michael Johnathon, Eddie and Alonzo Pennington, Midnight Star and more. Other activities throughout the three days of the festival include music and dance stages, foodways stage, talk stages, family folklore tent and showcases of river life and Kentucky agriculture. Activities take place on the grounds of the Old State Capitol, the streets of historic downtown Frankfort, and the banks of the Kentucky River. Ample free parking is available.

A panel of impartial judges selects the Kentucky Tourism Council "Top Ten" events for each season. Criteria for selection include popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy as well as cultural and historical significance. The Kentucky Tourism Council is a 575-member statewide organization representing all sectors of the state's travel industry through governmental interaction, communication, and education.

The Kentucky Folklife Festival is held in Frankfort, located 26 miles west of Lexington, 52 miles east of Louisville, and 80 miles south of Cincinnati. For information about visiting Frankfort, call 1-800-960-7200 or visit the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourism Web site. Visit the 2007 Kentucky Folklife Festival Web site for up-to-date information, including a complete schedule of events.

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An agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future. KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Since 1999, the thirty-million- dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit our Web site.