Powell River Kayak & Canoe Regatta
Claiborne County, TN
April
Third Annual Powell River Kayak & Canoe Regatta, a 12 mile race (or pleasure paddle, your choice) will begin at Well Being Conference Center and end at Riverside (kayak) Rentals. $150 for first place in each of nine categories; $50 for second place. Mark the date now. Registration will open February 1, 2017. The event is a production of the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce. All net proceeds from the event will be used for the Powell River Blueway Trail project. The goal of this project is to improve public access onto the Powell River for fishing and paddling. Follow us on Facebook or visit our website: www.PowellRiverBlueway.org
Mountain Laurel Festival
Pineville, KY
May
The first Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival was presented in 1931 at the suggestion of Ms. Annie Walker Burns. Her original purpose was to honor Dr. Thomas Walker, the first European to enter Kentucky and who, along with a party of explorers, visited the present site of Pineville in 1750. Ms. Burns was captivated by the history and beauty surrounding Pineville and appealed to Governor Flem D. Sampson of Barbourville to initiate some type of event to honor Dr. Walker. She gained the support of other influential Bell Countians, and the 1931 Festival was staged at Clear Creek Springs on June fourth.
Raid on Martin's Station
May
Witness history come alive as hundreds of living historians re-enact life at Joseph Martin's frontier fort. Watch as two cultures clash and the flames of war are once again ignited on Virginia's frontier. Activities include tours of Cherokee Warrior and Colonial Militia camps, frontier fort life, and 18th century merchants and colonial traders selling their wares. Various seminars on 18th century topics will be conducted by world renowned historians and lecturers. Frontier battles between the natives and the settlers highlight the event at 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. War is imminent.
Polk Sallet Festival
Harlan, KY
June
The Poke Sallet Festival was conceived by Drew Smith and friends at a dinner featuring poke sallet in the spring of 1955. The first festival was held the following year at Cranks Creek Lake. Since its beginning, the festival has been held in several locations including Pine Mt. Settlement School, Harlan County Courthouse, and now in downtown Harlan at the Harlan Center. In earlier years, visits by prominent state politicians were main attractions of the festival. Recently, the festival has grown and now focuses more on entertainment and showcasing local artisans and crafters.
Sally Gap Blue Grass Festival
Williamsburg, KY
June
Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival is a fund raising event sponsored by the American Traditional Music Project, a non-profit organization. Located in Williamsburg KY on the banks of the Cumberland and Clear Fork rivers Sally Gap offers Bluegrass with a view! 2016 marks the 9th annual Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival. In eight years we have given away 40 instruments to children in the kids program and helped the kids make over 170 “canjos” Our Stage has entertained over 5,ooo music lovers and over 250 campers have plugged in for the weekend long music fest.
Grainger County Tomato Festival
Grainger County, TN
July
The Grainger County Tomato Festival was organized in 1992 to promote Grainger County Tomatoes. Our mission is to promote all Grainger County agricultural products, specifically the Grainger County Tomato, and to promote the many local artists and craftsmen we have in our area. Over the years we have added a number of special events making the festival one of the largest free festivals in East Tennessee. The festival is always the last full weekend in July.
Luttrell Music Festival
Luttrell, TN
September
We will once again have food venders, crafters and of course great bluegrass music. This is a free event. Luttrell Music Festival is a family oriented event so we prohibit alcohol
Louie Bluie Festival
Careyville, TN
September
The Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival is a project of the Campbell Culture Coalition, a nonprofit arts agency. It's named in honor of Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong (1909-2003), the internationally acclaimed string band musician who grew up in LaFollette in the 1920s and became one of the nation's finest string band musicians, as well as artist, storyteller, and writer.
Kentucky Black Bear Festival
Cumberland, KY
September
The Kentucky Black Bear Festival is a family friendly event that has a lot to do for people of all ages! We have art, crafts, retail vendors, great rides and games for the kids, as well as great entertainment, your choice from gospel, bluegrass, country, & southern rock concerts that are free to the public!
Cumberland Mountain Fall Festival
Middlesboro, KY
October
will fill downtown Middlesboro with artisan goods, live music and delicious fried foods. This year, event organizers are expecting a bigger event and larger turnout than ever in the past.
Daniel Boone Festival
Barbourville, KY
October
During Daniel Boone Festival week, people pause from the business of daily life to focus their attention on their Kentucky ancestors who settled along the Wilderness Road and on the long-hunt who preceded them. Best known of all the heroes of the first American western frontier, Daniel Boone became famous all over the world for the adventures he experienced in the region of southeastern Kentucky.
Big Creek Fall ATV Festival
LaFollette, TN
October
There will be plenty of ATV/UTV excitement with over 600 miles of trails, and with a little help from the weather, plenty of mud. Best of all you will be able to ride right out of Downtown LaFollette into the mountains and then back again to continue the festivities without ever leaving your ATV. Maps will be provided for anyone who wishes to take off on a ride themselves, or for the less adventurous, organized rides will be leaving from town. (See ride information below) These rides will range from an easy 2 - 2 1/2 hour 20 miles trip to a challenging 5 - 5 1/2 hour 40 mile trip. Wildlife lovers be sure to ask about the famous Elk Viewing Tower ride.