The Ancient Craft of Barrel Making
Spalding Hall Lawn
114 North Fifth St.
10 am - 4 pm
Coopers from Independent Stave Co. demonstrate the unique and historical craft of making special oak barrels to age Bourbon. Free admission to the Lawn.
Backstreets of Bardstown Historical Tour
East side of Court Square
11 am - 12 pm, 1 pm - 2 pm & 3 pm - 4 pm
Take a ride in the Around the Town Carriage’s horse-drawn trolley and enjoy a tour from local historians who will tell the rich and fascinating history of Bardstown. $20 per person. Reservations recommended or
purchase tickets at the Bardstown Welcome Center.
(800) 638-4877 #4.
Bootleggers & Bushwhackers Train Robbery
Kentucky Railway Museum
136 South Main St.
New Haven, KY
11 am & 2 pm
Take a ride on a steam locomotive. Robbers are after its liquid gold cargo. $20 adults, $15 children 2-12 years old. Reservations requested. (800) 272-0152.
Bourbon Cocktail Mixology™
6 pm - 8 pm
Sample an array of Kentucky Bourbon-based cocktails. Learn why certain ingredients bring out the best of Bourbon’s complex and satisfying flavors. The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book will be given as a favor $50 per person (Must Be 21). Reservation required (800) 638-4877 #4.
Bourbon Window Displays
Downtown Bardstown
North Third St. and Flaget Ave.
Stroll the main streets of Bardstown and view window displays created by the Kentucky Bourbon distilleries and Brands. Free.
Brushed Barrels
Bardstown Welcome Center
One Court Square
View a display of painted and altered Bourbon barrels on the front lawn. Free admission. [photos]
Chautauqua
Civil War Museum
310 E. Broadway
10 am - 5 pm
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. Chat with Mary Todd Lincoln, Gov and Mrs. John Larue Helm, father of Ben Hardin Helm; visit with General CSA as well as other characters while touring the Civil War Museum. Period actors as well as Civil war re-enactors will be on site. (502) 349-0291.
Family Fun Area
City Hall Lawn
220 North Fifth St.
10 am - 10 pm
Families will enjoy a variety of interactive games, inflatables, train rides and much more. Fees vary. [photos]
Food Booths
City Hall Parking Lot
220 North Third St.
10 am - 10 pm
An assortment of food vendors to satisfy your hunger. Free admission to the Lawn.
Ghostly Spirits of Bardstown
The Old Stable
116 W. Stephen Foster Avenue
8 pm-10 pm & 10 pm-12 am
Join Certified Ghost Hunter Patti Starr for a historic walking tour and ghost hunt on the shadowy streets of Bardstown! Hear true stories of ghostly activity at the locations on the trek. Bring your cameras, audio recorders and camcorder if you wish. $20 per person. Reservations recommended or purchase tickets at the Bardstown Welcome Center. (800) 638-4877 #4
The Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting & Gala™
Guthrie Opportunity Center
Home of Nelson County Industries (NCI)
900 Nutter Drive
6:30 pm - 1 am
A Bourbon lover’s dream. Begin your evening by sampling the finest Kentucky Bourbons from eight distilleries and two brands, with a chance to meet Master Distillers and Ambassadors while gathering a collection of glassware in a Woodford Reserve tasting bag. Following the tasting, enjoy an official toast with 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Small Batch Bourbon. The salad will be enhanced by Michter’s Bourbon followed by a gourmet Kentucky meal, and a special dessert prepared with Blanton’s Bourbon. Dancing to follow. The Tasting & Gala is the signature event of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and it is a night you will never forget. $140 per person (Must be 21). Reservations required. (800) 638-4877 #4. Dress – Black Tie Only. [photos]
Hands-On Activities
Spalding Hall Lawn
114 North Fifth St.
10 am - 10 pm
Enjoy a variety of hands-on activities for all ages. All activities revolve around the world of Bourbon, from poster puzzles to filling a bottle with various ingredients in Bourbon. Free admission to the Lawn. [photos]
Kentucky Arts & Crafts, Foods, Distillery Booths, Kentucky Displays and Retail Booths
Spalding Hall and City Hall Lawns
114 North Fifth St.
4 pm - 10 pm (Fri)
10 am - 10 pm (Sat)
10 am - 5 pm (Sun)
Kentucky Distilleries display and sell their branded and interesting wares. Experience Kentucky through displays and unique retail. Kentucky artisans and craftsmen offer juried handmade items for sale. Free admission to the Lawn. [photos]
Kentucky Bourbon Breakfast
Lower Floor Spalding Hall
114 North Fifth St.
7:30 am - 12 pm (Sat)
8 am - 11 am (Sun)
St. Catharine College starts your morning off Bardstown-style. Taste a selection of pancakes, Bourbon butter and syrup, Bourbon coffee (we think you get the idea) and more. $5 per person in advance, $6 at door. Coffee by the cup $1. for advance reservation call St. Catherine College at (859) 336-5082 ext.1101. [photos]
Kentucky Bourbon Festival Art Exhibit
Court Square, Bardstown
Exhibit opened Sept.12-18
11 am - 7 pm daily
Local artists present a variety of art work on display for viewing and purchase. Special Event to be held on Thursday 5 pm - 7 pm. Guests will be able to meet the artists while viewing their work.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival Golf Tournament
Bardstown Country Club at Maywood
130 Maywood Ave.
8 am - 1 pm
Four person scramble. Distillery and open divisions. Lunch provided. Tee gift, golf shirt and door prizes. Sponsored by Buffalo Trace Distillery. $125 per person (Must be 21). Reservations required. Limited to first 144 players. (800) 638-4877 #4. [photos]
Kentucky Bourbon Festival Horseshoe Pitch
Nelson County Fairgrounds
US 31 E
10 am
Nelson County Horseshoe Pitchers Association will conduct the pitch. $15 plus tax per person entry fee. T-shirts for all entrants. Distillery and Open Division. Additional T-Shirts will be for sale $10 each. On-line Registration Form. Reservations requested. This will be an "Adult" event only. Barrelhead & Trophies will be awarded to winners. Distillery qualifying pitch Sept. 10-11. Registration begins at 9:30 am. Free Admission. Participants to bring own horseshoes. (800) 638-4877 #4. [photos]
Kentucky Bourbon Festival Poker Run
Nelson County Judicial Center
200 Nelson County Plaza
11 am - 3 pm
Enjoy a ride through the countryside while collecting your poker hand. Free t-shirt, lots of door prizes and cash prizes plus coupons for food court provided. Proof of insurance required at registration. Sign-in begins at 10 am. $30 plus tax per person. Reservations recommended or sign up day of event (Must be 21). Rain Cancels (800) 638-4877 #4.
Kentucky Bourbon Shots™
Bardstown Welcome Center
One Court Square
Enjoy the photography skills of participants depicting the theme Kentucky Bourbon through color, black-and-white and modified. Entry forms are available on-line and at the KBF office. Limit one entry in each category per person. Awards given for each category. Free admission. (Must be 21)
Master Distiller's Auction
Spalding Hall – Chapel
114 North Fifth St.
2 pm - 4 pm
This prestigious auction, courtesy of Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, gives you the opportunity to bid on vintage items and unusual bottles of your favorite Kentucky Bourbon, some autographed by the Master Distillers. Proceeds benefit Spalding Hall. Free admission. Donations appreciated. [photos]
Music on the Lawn
City Hall Lawn
220 North Fifth St.
5 pm - 12 am
Nelson County Youth Livestock Investment Sale
Samuels Hall -Nelson County Fairgrounds
5 pm
Enjoy a catered meal while watching local youth exhibit their livestock projects for the year. Bid on animals and other novelties to help sponsor youth livestock projects for future years. Come be a part of the Nelson County Youth Livestock Investment Sale.
Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
Spalding Hall
114 North Fifth St.
10 am - 6 pm
An 1826 building housing stills, photos, artifacts and displays of distilling from pre-colonial days to the present. Gift shop includes historical Bourbon memorabilia. Free admission. Donations appreciated.
Sip & Savor in the Spirit of Old Kentucky™
1 pm- 3 pm
A Bourbon and food pairing experience. Learn the Bourbon characteristics and how/why, they pair with each offering. $40 per person (Must be 21). Reservations required. (800) 638-4877 #4
Spirit 5K Run and Walk
Nelson County Civic Center
321 South Third St.
8:30 am
United Way's campaign kickoff. All levels invited and prizes galore. $15 per person, $10 per person for teams of three or more. (502) 348-1891 [photos]
Spirit Garden™
Behind City Hall
220 North Fifth St.
12 pm - 12:30 am
The Spirit Garden, sponsored by Maker's Mark and presented by the Bardstown Rotary Club, is a cash bar featuring participating Kentucky Bourbons. Beer is also available. Entry with purchase of KBF 2011 lapel pin. (Must be 21 and show ID to enter).
U.S. Army Extreme Adventure
City Hall Lawn
220 North Fifth St.
10 am - 9 pm
Experience the excitement, adventure and opportunities that are currently available by joining the Army. Free admission to the Lawn.
Whiskey City Cruisers Vehicle Show
City Hall
220 North Fifth St.
10 am - 10 pm
View a variety of vehicles on display from the area's largest club. Free admission to the Lawn.
World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay™
Behind City Hall
300 West Broadway
11 am - 2 pm
Watch adept, strong, experienced competitors roll 500-lb. Bourbon barrels in a race against both time and accuracy. Individual, team, men's and women's divisions. Barrel dancing during intermission at approximately 12 pm. Sponsored by the Independent Stave Company. Free admission to the Lawn. [photos]
2012 KBF Lapel Pins will be available online, coming soon, and also at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival information booth on the Lawn and at the Spirit Garden.
Safe Ride Home available during the festival sponsored by Bulleit Distilling Company.
General info on the Festival:
One Court Square
Bardstown, KY 40004
(800) 638-4877 #4
(502) 348-3623 #4
FAX (502) 348-3403
 RESTRICTIONS:
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THE LAWN
Downtown Map
Download our 2011 Brochure and Event Schedule
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