Corbin downtown events schedule released

The community event season in downtown Corbin is scheduled to begin on March 21.

Corbin Downtown Director Andy Salmons said the first event, Art Hub Tuesdays, is one of two additions to the downtown events calendar.

The event, organized by the Arts and Literary League, is an effort expand the arts community in the area and to serve as planning sessions for the Downtown Gallery Hops to be held in conjunction with the Moonbow Nights events in May and September

“We want it to be an art movement, not just an art group,” said Debra Kersey, one of the group organizers.

Kersey said there are currently about 80 area artists and craftspeople involved in the group. At each meeting, an artist is scheduled to demonstrate a technique or aspect of their area.

The meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Corbin Cellars on Main Street.

“It is continuing to grow,” Kersey said.

Kersey said the group was organized with the goal of turning Corbin into an arts community similar to Berea.

“We have so much more going for us than Berea with Cumberland Falls and Laurel Lake,” Kersey said. “Why can’t we do like Berea and make art a focus in the community?”

Kersey said like other community events such as the yard sale, farmers market, cruise in, and Moonbow Nights, it will take time for the gallery hop to grow, but it can be done.

“I participate in one in Whitesburg that is done quarterly,” Kersey said noting one of the keys to growing the event is to do it on a regular schedule so people come to anticipate the event.

“It may takes us a couple of years, but we will get there,” Kersey said.

The Arts and Literary League meetings are open to the public. More information about the organization is available on its Facebook page.

Corbin Downtown Managers Andy Salmons said the 2017 calendar features recurring events including: The city yard sales on the first Saturday of each month beginning in April; the farmer’s market every Tuesday beginning on April 25; Moonbow Nights beginning in May; and the Cumberland Valley Cruise-in in June and July. In addition, annual events: NIBROC, Moonbow Eggfest, October Fest, Downtown Tric-or-Treat, Christmas Open House and the Christmas Parade will round out of the event schedule.

“I really feel like we have distilled the calendar down to the things that work and are popular,” Salmons said. “We are focusing on trying to grow them as staples of downtown Corbin.”

Salmons said it does not mean there is not still room for additional events in downtown, nor that Corbin Downtown would not support additional events.

“These are the ones that Corbin Downtown is focusing on,” Salmons said. “We still play support to community events.”

Salmons said any group or organization planning an event downtown is welcome and encouraged to contact him.

“We will help them find space and a date, and to promote the event,” Salmons said of Corbin Downtown’s role.

“We can also point them in the right direction if they need a sound system, seating or other items,” Salmons added.

Salmons said while not every event will lead directly to sales for downtown merchants, each event creates a new marketing opportunity for the downtown merchants.

“It may not be that same day, but want to encourage people to shop downtown and these events are the ideal opportunity,” Salmons said.