09/10/2026
FALL FESTIVALS, TURKEY SOCIALS...AND ONE MORE IMPORTANT DATE
By Sen. Jimmy Higdon
Kentucky is rich in history, heritage and tradition, and there may be no better time to experience all three than fall.
From music and art to food, sports and the outdoors, there always seems to be a festival somewhere celebrating a Kentucky community, tradition or product. These events give neighbors a chance to catch up, welcome visitors and support the churches, civic groups, businesses and volunteers that keep our communities strong.
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival may be our best-known event in central Kentucky, but it is far more than a local festival. Visitors come to Bardstown from around the world to celebrate Kentucky's bourbon industry, history and tradition. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival often sells out, while Cheers to Bardstown, held the same weekend, offers another way to enjoy Bardstown.
Bourbon is just the beginning. Spencer County Oktoberfest in Taylorsville, the Springfield Sorghum Festival in Springfield and Lincoln Days in Hodgenville are among the many fall traditions that bring our communities together. Marion County Country Ham Days brings hot-air balloons, races, parades and, of course, the famous country ham breakfast served in downtown Lebanon.
I was happy to promote several events that have already taken place in our district, including the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and Cheers to Bardstown, and the Rolling Fork Iron Horse Festival in New Haven.
Here are several future events worth putting on your fall calendar:
September 18–19: Cow Days, Greensburg
September 25–27: Marion County Country Ham Days, Lebanon
October 2–4: St. James Court Art Show, Louisville
October 2-4: Springfield Sorghum Festival, Springfield
October 3: Spencer County Octoberfest, Taylorsville
October 3–4: Lincoln Days, Hodgenville
October 9-10: 55th Annual Forkland Heritage Festival and R***e
October 10–11: Bardstown Arts and Crafts Festival, Bardstown
Then there is the turkey social circuit, which is a fall tradition in its own right. St. Dominic kicked off the season in September, and several more socials continue through St. Rose in late October. Consider it good practice for Thanksgiving.
September 12: St. Dominic Fall Social and Turkey Supper
October 3: Holy Cross
October 10: Holy Trinity
October 17: St. Augustine
October 24: St. Rose
So loosen your belt, load up the car and enjoy the festivals and turkey social dinners that make fall in Kentucky special.
As you fill the calendar with festivals, football, community events and family activities, remember one more important date. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. The deadline to register to vote is by 4 p.m. local time October 5.
Kentucky voters have several options for casting their ballots:
September 19: Online portal opens to request a mail-in absentee ballot.
October 20 at 11:59 p.m. ET: Deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot.
October 21–23 and October 26–28: In-person excused absentee voting.
October 29–31: Early in-person voting. No excuse required.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day to be counted. For voter registration information, absentee ballot requests and voting locations, visit GoVoteKY. Whether you vote early, absentee or on Election Day, make a plan and make your voice heard.
I hope you enjoy the fall season!
