Expanded Colonel Fest event set for next week, more events planned

Another season of quality events are lined up for Corbin this year, with one of the biggest on the calendar coming next week.

The fourth annual Colonel Fest returns to downtown Corbin with an expanded two-day schedule this year. The event will be twice as big this year, according to Corbin Tourism Director and Downtown Manager Maggy Monhollen, taking place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 19 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 20.

“We were looking for ways to keep events new and fun and changing,” said Monhollen.

During the Friday portion of the festival, dozens of craft vendors will be on hand as well as a variety of activities for kids and families to partake in, including a Colonel Look Alike Contest, fried chicken eating contest a petting zoo and more. 

Additions to this year’s festival include stage entertainment, which will be available both days, and a 10K race that will be held Saturday. 

Monhollen noted that pretty much all of the activities and attractions at the festival will be free.

The few things that attendees can expect to have to pay for include feeding the petting zoo animals and parakeets or rides on the ponies and steer. Feed for the petting zoo will be $2. Feed for the parakeets will be $3. Pony rides will cost $7 and steer rides will cost $10.

“Colonel Fest is all about kids and families,” said Monhollen. “People of all walks of like are able to come enjoy this event.”

In addition to Colonel Fest, a number of events are slated throughout the rest of the year. 

Monhollen, who announced last week that she has accepted a position as the newest manager of the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, will no longer be in her current role beyond April 15, though she wanted to reassure the public that the scheduled events will continue as planned.

“These are things we have been doing for years,” said Monhollen. “There won’t be any hiccups.”

This year’s schedule includes many of the longtime staples residents have come to love, such as NIBROC, the Cumberland Valley Cruise-Ins, Trick or Treat on Main and the annual Christmas parade. 

Some of the events scheduled and their dates are as follows:

Cumberland Valley Cruise-In – May 4, June 8 and July 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Corbin

Burger Week – June 10-15 at participating Corbin restaurants

Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular – July 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Corbin Arena

72nd Annual NIBROC Festival – Aug. 7-10 in downtown Corbin

Dessert Week – Sept. 30 through Oct. 5 at participating Corbin restaurants 

Octoberfest – Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Corbin

Trick or Treat on Main – Oct. 31 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Main Street

Corbin Christmas Parade – Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. on Main Street.

To best keep tabs on when and where those may take place, visit www.corbinkytourism.com and click on the “Calendar” tab.

More information is also available by contacting the Corbin Tourism Office at (606) 528-8860