Kentuck Day Festival held July 30 in Crandon

For the Antigo Times

It’s time to “get your Kentuck on” in Crandon! The Forest County Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to downtown Crandon, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 30, for the Annual Kentuck Day Festival. This popular summer festival celebrates the heritage of many of the area’s early settlers from Kentucky. The rich history of families from Kentucky will be featured in the historical booth on the grounds of the courthouse square. With artist and crafter booths, great sidewalk sales, specialty food booths, kid’s venue, and live entertainment on the grounds, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Add the biggest little car show in the Northwoods to the list and you won’t want to be anywhere but in downtown Crandon.

The day kicks off with the 5^th Annual 5K Moonshine Run/Walk. The Moonshine Run starts at 9:00 a.m. (registration begins at 8:00 a.m.) and will wind its way through downtown Crandon and end near the Kentuck Day festival grounds on the courthouse square. Registration is available on kentuckdayfestival.com or contacting the chamber office. All proceeds will benefit local youth sports.

The 14^th Annual Kentuck Klassic Car Show will take place on the beautiful grounds of the Weber-Hill Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.  An entry fee of $10.00 can be paid upon registration, taking place from 8:00 till 11:00 a.m., at the show grounds. Everyone is encouraged to register early as the first 100 participants receive a ‘goody bag’ with an official car show t-shirt. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded in each class. Food and refreshments will be available on the grounds and DJ Rusty will be playing tunes throughout the day. Whether your vehicle is show ready or a work-in-progress, plan to attend and show pride in your ride at the Kentuck Klassic Car Show.

Over 140 vendor spaces are already reserved for the huge art and craft show set up on the courthouse lawn, offering a wonderful variety of items for purchase. Handcrafted items include wooden toys, furniture, carvings, wildlife art, oil acrylics, and water paintings, silk floral designs, scented candles, etched mugs, clocks, baskets, ethnic needlepoint, photography, quilting, honey products (from area owned bee hives), local maple syrup, handmade jewelry, lawn ornaments, and much more. Many of these talented artisans are from this area as well as from throughout Wisconsin, upper Michigan, and Minnesota.

At the south end of the courthouse square the flea market section along Polk Street will be set up, with over 25 vendors reserving booth space.

Many local restaurants plan to have a ‘Kentuck’ special on their menu.  Some will be set up in the courthouse square, along with area groups, to serve their scrumptious specialty food items. Plan to grab a ‘bluegrass burger’ or one of the many other mouthwatering homemade treats!

Live music on the grounds by “Hand-picked Bluegrass” will take place from 11:00 till 3:00 p.m. Kids will have a great time with games and more toward the south end of the square. Brandt’s Horse & Wagon Rides will be back for leisurely rides around the Courthouse Square.

The Forest County Historical Society display will be front and center on the courthouse square, which will highlight the migration of area families from Kentucky who settled the here in Northern Wisconsin.  Census rolls from the early part of the past century will be on display. Several information booths will also be on hand including two area lake associations.

As this popular festival is a celebration of the heritage of the area’s early settlers from Kentucky, dressing the part (Kentucky pioneer, prohibition or moonshine era, or even the humorous version) could win you a prize.  $50.00 in Chamber bucks will be awarded to the best-dressed vendor or attendee to the festival, with judging on stage at noon.

Last but not least, area retailers put their sale items out on the sidewalks – from one end of Crandon’s main street to the other.  While you are checking out the ‘best bargains of the year’ at the sidewalk sales, don’t forget to stop in all the unique specialty shops.

Chairman Bruce Walentowski invites everyone to enjoy the Kentuck Day Festival in downtown Crandon, Saturday July 30.  Check out all the details on kentuckdayfestival.com.  For further information, contact the Forest County Chamber of Commerce at 715-478-3450 or email info@visitforestcounty.com