Festivals
The Lexington Gathering is a three-day festival that brings Kentucky's rich musical and dance traditions to Downtown Lexington. Because these Kentuckians migrated to nearby urban centers for work, trade and education, Lexington is an epicenter for exploring the boundaries of these arts and enjoying the melting pot revival and longevity of Kentucky’s living traditions.
The Elliott County Fiddler’s Convention is an event for old time music enthusiasts held the second weekend of July every year at the Little Sandy Lodge in Sandy Hook, Kentucky. Based on the other fiddler’s conventions that have been held in the Appalachian Mountains and abroad for over 100 years, the Elliott County Fiddler’s Convention is focused on contests in old time fiddle, old time banjo, mandolin, singing, dancing, youth fiddle, youth banjo and string band contests. Winners receive a cash prize.
The Morehead Old-Time Music Festival was KTA’s flagship event from 2006-2016. The event featured contests in both youth and adult categories of traditional music and dance; local vendors; workshops; and performances. This was a campout event that attracted visitors from all across the U.S. and from around the globe to experience the best of regional Kentucky tradition arts.