Department of Parks
Homegrown Bluegrass Festival Set For May 11-12 At John James Audubon State Park

HENDERSON, Ky. – When it comes to Bluegrass music, the hometown stuff is just fine.

That’s why John James Audubon State Park in Henderson is hosting the first Homegrown Bluegrass Festival the weekend of May 11-12.

The concert will start Friday afternoon and run until about 9 p.m. The music will pick up again on Saturday at 11 a.m. and go until about 9 p.m. The stage will be at the park’s Lakeview Shelter. There will also be break-out areas and open-mike opportunities for anyone else who wants to play.

The cost is $2 per person.

Among the groups from the tri-state area scheduled to play are Highway 41, Sassafras, Kings Highway, Fields of Home, Sandy Creek, Southwest Indiana Bluegrass Association, and Bold Witness. Brushfire from Anderson County will be joining them.

Audubon’s campground will be open and reservations can be made by visiting www.parks.ky.gov or by calling 1-888-459-7274. Tent camping will also be available at the Sycamore Shelter (no hookups or reservations at this location.)

On May 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the park will also be hosting the Creative Arts Festival, which will feature booths where artists will sell their works and demonstrate their craft. There will also be a “paint out” in which artists will paint a scene from the park. Food and children’s activities will also be available.

There will also be bird hikes Saturday morning and afternoon.

Besides the campground, John James Audubon State Park also has a museum honoring the work of the famous nature artist who lived in Henderson from 1810-1819. There is also a nature center.

For more information, call the park at 270-826-2247 or visit http://parks.ky.gov/stateparks/au/details.htm

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov