YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections

Festival returning to Harrodsburg

March 13, 2007|ANN R. HARNEY

HARRODSBURG - Plans for events aimed, in part, at attracting tourists were outlined for members of the Harrodsburg Board of Commissioners on Monday.

Dr. LeMayne Ellis and Joan Huffman, co-chairman of the Beef Festival, told members of the City Commission that plans are under way to hold a second festival this coming summer. The festival replaces both Pioneer Days, which was canceled several years ago, and the Fort Harrod Festival.

"It was a tremendous success," Ellis said. "The concert was the biggest expense and the biggest drawing card." The festival was voted the most innovative and unique festival by a festival organization.

Last year's festival had 19 cook-off teams and Ellis and Huffman said they anticipate between 35 and 40 teams will participate this year.

The festival costs $40,000 and still needs financial support. Huffman and Ellis asked the city to consider contributing to the festival in the next budget cycle until it gets on its feet.

Ellis, president of the Mercer County Fairgrounds, also asked the city to consider contributing $10,000 in the upcoming fiscal year to assist the replacement of a horse barn that burned down just before Christmas. Insurance on the barn pays $30,000 toward rebuilding it.

He also plans to request the same amount from Mercer County Fiscal Court today. The barn has to be replaced by July 1 for an event already scheduled. Although the fiscal year starts in July, Ellis said that if he knew the money was coming, he could borrow against it.

A new cattle barn also is being built because the old one is being removed to make space for the new horse barn.

Sarah Jackson, executive director of Harrodsburg First, this city's Main Street program, reported events scheduled for this summer to the City Commission. The Classic Wheels Cruise In is set for 3-6 p.m. June 16, and the annual Motorcycle Meet will be 5-9 p.m. Aug. 25.

Concerts in Olde Town Park will be held on Saturdays throughout the summer, but the performers have not been announced.

|

|

|