Vertigo promises to shake up NIBROC

Vertigo is one of the main attractions of this year’s NIBROC carnival.

Making its first appearance at this year’s NIBROC Festival is the fear-inducing ride aptly called “Vertigo” — a lighted tower that takes twirling riders high above the main festivities.

NIBROC kicks off in downtown Corbin today and Vertigo is sure to be a big hit.

“It’s something new the carnival has this year and it looks like a lot of fun,” said Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Carpenter. The chamber is the main sponsor and organizer of the event.

“I think people are really going to like it. We had some extra room for a ride like that when the old bank drive-thru building was demolished this year, so we took advantage of the space,” Carpenter added. “It should be a big hit.”

“Vertigo” is one of several new rides that will be part of the carnival at this year’s festival.

Carpenter said NIBROC 2016 will have something for everyone, including three nights of musical entertainment, numerous contests and sporting events, a quilt show, photography exhibit, kids games, and close to 40 vendors selling crafts, food and other items.

The carnival will open Wednesday night, with the main festival starting Thursday. Wednesday will be $10 armband night where you can ride all night for just $10.

NIBROC is located along Depot Street in downtown Corbin. It is the 64th year for the festival.

A full event schedule is included as a special section in this week’s News Journal.

Musical entertainment on the main stage will kick off Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. with Blind Ricky returning to NIBROC for a third time to perform. The Elvie Shane Band and County Wide will bring country and rock music to the main stage Friday night starting at 7:30 p.m. County Wide will play at 9:00 p.m.

Nashville singer/songwriter Lisa Oliver-Gray will take the main stage for the first time at NIBROC on the last night of the festival; Saturday at 8:00 p.m.

Gray, who has harmonized with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Lee Roy Parnell, Marshall Chapman, and others in the past 15 years will play the festival in support of her debut record “Dedicated to Love” described as a “triumphant celebration of life well-lived, a showcase for a very special voice only now getting it’s due, and a studio collaboration of some of the finest names in underground Americana Nashville.”

Gray was born and raised in Elizabethtown and got her start singing at home and in church. After years of cover gigs in Kentucky bars, she moved to Chicago to sing jazz, then to Nashville in 1989 to pursue her music career.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the main entertainment, talented local singers will take the stage as part of the NIBROC Idol competition being sponsored by KD Country 99.5 FM. NIBROC Idol begins each evening at 6:00 p.m.

Parade

The annual NIBROC Parade is scheduled for Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on Main Street. Lineup for those participating in the parade will start at 6:00 p.m. at 19th Street and South Main.

Jeannie Hensley, the main organizer of the parade, said there are floats, the tiny Shriner’s vehicles and perhaps even the Ghostbuster’s “Ecto 1” that will be part of the parade.

“It should be a lot of fun as always this year,” Hensley said.

The parade will be moved to Saturday evening in case of rain.

Miss NIBROC 2016 MaKenna Thibodeaux will serve as Grand Marshall of the parade.

Parking will not be allowed on Main Street after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the parade. Owners of vehicles on Main Street will be forced to move them prior to parade start.

Athletic competitions

The annual NIBROC volleyball tournament will start at 6:00 p.m. Thursday directly across from Sander’s Park on Main Street. Entries are still being accepted.

The 8th Annual NIBROC Cornhole Tournament will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday in the parking lot behind the News Journal along Depot Street. Entries will be accepted up until tournament start time. On site registration will begin about 4:00 p.m. In case of rain, the tournament will be played at the Princess Vermillion McBurney Recreation Center.

The Fastest Kid in Town races will be held on Laurel Ave. near First Baptist Church at 7:00 p.m. Saturday. The Baptist Health Moonlight Run/Walk will start at the same location at 8:00 p.m. Registration for both events will be available on site.

The 2nd Annual NIBROC Ping Pong Tournament will begin at 6:00 p.m. Thursday and runs through Friday. It will be played at the Elks Lodge on Main Street.

The Fourth Annual NIBROC 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will start at noon Saturday and will be played at the Princess Vermillion McBurney Recreation Center. On site registration will begin about 9:00 a.m. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Entry forms can be turned into the News Journal office on Main Street during regular business hours.

Exhibits

The Appalachian Photography Society will display entries in the APS Photography Contest at the L&N Depot building beginning at 6:00 p.m. Thursday night. Entries will be accepted at the L&N Depot between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.

The Corbin Public Library will host a quilt show the duration of the festival.

Kids games

Beginning at noon and lasting through 6:00 p.m. Saturday, the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission will be hosting kids games in NIBROC Park. New games will start every half hour and will include things like a magic show, obstacle course, a spelling bee, cupcake walk and scavenger hunt.