W’burg announces 2017 schedule of events

If you are looking for something to do entertainment wise this spring, summer or fall, then you are going to have plenty of options in Williamsburg.

The Williamsburg Main Street Program and the city of Williamsburg recently released their list of upcoming events for 2017, which is packed with things ranging from free concerts and free movies in the park to community yard sales and the farmers market.

“There is something for everyone,” noted Williamsburg Main Street Manager Nannie Hays.

Block parties

The Williamsburg Main Street Program is once again hosting four “Old Fashioned Block Parties” this summer. It is the 12th consecutive year for the events.

Both block parties in June will feature bands performing in Williamsburg for the very first time.

The first block party will be on June 9 and will feature the “Frontier Band.”

“The Frontier Band is out of London, Ky. They have a big variety. They do some 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music. It is made up of five young men from London,” Hays noted.

In addition, the “Frontier Band” will also be playing during Old Fashioned Trading Days this year.

On June 23, “Off the Clock” will make its Williamsburg debut.

Hays said that Mayor Roddy Harrison heard this Lexington-based band for the first time during a Kentucky League of Cities meeting, and wanted to get them to perform in Williamsburg.

“Everybody is going to love them. They are a true 50’s, 60’s and 70’s band. Good music,” Hays added.

July’s two block parties will feature some familiar faces, including the “Familiar Faces” band, which will play on July 9.  The Nashville-based band with a Motown sound has been playing at the Williamsburg block parties for the last 11 years.

On July 28, Jimmy Buffett tribute band “Lunar Beach House,” will close out the block party season.

All the block parties are scheduled to be held from 8 – 11 p.m. at Bill Woods Park. The events are subject to being moved to the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center if there is inclement weather.

The block parties are free and open to the public, but are bring your own lawn chair events.

In addition, the band County Wide will be holding a concert at the Kentucky Splash Waterpark and Campground on May 6 starting at 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 per person. Those 10 and under get in free. All RV campsite rentals will include two free entries to the concert.

Those in attendance should bring their own lawn chairs.

Movies in the Park

The Whitley County Public Library will again be hosting its free “Movies in the Park” series with four dates this summer on June 16, June 30, July 21, and Aug. 4.

Movies are scheduled to start around 9 p.m. each evening in Bill Woods Park.

The movies are family friendly fare that often feature popular animated flicks.

Community yard sales

There are five community yard sale events planned this year between April and October.

One big change to the community yard sales is the location, which is now at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center rather than around the courthouse downtown.

Another change is that there is now a $5 rental fee for each table.

Proceeds from the table rentals will go to benefit the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club and the Williamsburg Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program.

The community yard sales are scheduled for April 1, June 3, July 1, Aug. 5 and Oct. 7.

The Fifth Annual Williamsburg Chili Cook Off will also take place on Oct. 7 during the community yard sale at the tourism center.

In addition, the Third Annual Williamsburg Christmas Bazaar will take place at the tourism center on Dec. 9.

All the yard sales and the Christmas bazaar will take place from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Farmers market

The Whitley County Farmers Market in Williamsburg will hold its grand opening on Thursday, April 27, at Bill Woods Park.

The farmers market will then be open every subsequent Thursday through the month of September from 3 – 6 p.m. at Bill Woods Park.

Other events

The Williamsburg Community Easter Egg Hunt will take place on April 15 at noon at Briar Creek Park.

Hays said that the Whitley County High School Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) club contacted her recently wanting to team up for the event this year.

“We had over 300 people last year. I said we will take all the help we can get,” Hays noted.

The event will naturally feature the Easter Bunny.

The annual Beat the Heat Color Run will take place on Aug. 4 with registration at Bill Woods Park.

Old Fashioned Trading Days will take place Sept. 7-9 in downtown Williamsburg.

The Turkey Trot will take place on Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day. Registration will be at Williamsburg City Hall starting at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. near Bill Woods Park.

Proceeds benefit the Williamsburg Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program.

The Williamsburg Feels Like Home Christmas Parade is slated for Dec. 9 starting at 6 p.m. The annual Christmas in the Park event will take place after the parade in Bill Woods Park.

It features free hot chocolate and Christmas caroling among other events.