Forkland Heritage Festival coming up
Published 10:53 am Wednesday, October 11, 2023
People got to hear different country music bands at the Forkland festival. photo by Fiona Morgan
Families enjoyed taking horse drawn carriage rides through the Forkland countryside. photo by Fiona Morgan
The Old Farm Equipment Museum is a popular attraction in Forkland. Photo submitted
Historical exhibits in Forkland include a 1790s log cabin. Photo submitted
The Old Country Supper Theatre closes the festival both nights. Photo submitted
Handmade crafts and food will be available at the festival. Photo submitted
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NEWS RELEASE
The 52nd Forkland Heritage Festival & Revue is scheduled for Oct. 13-14. This year’s festival will feature all that has made the Forkland Festival so well loved for over 50 years. Comments from last year’s attendees include sentiments such as “Been coming for 50 years.” “Great weekend.” “A little slice of heaven.” “Lovely.” “Come every year.” and “Love it.”
Here are just some of the features that make this Festival special:
• Handmade crafts made by local and regional crafters: chair caning, various woodcrafts, jewelry, candles, handweaving, old-fashioned toys, brooms, soaps and sundries, paintings, decorative items, hand-painted pumpkins, fantastic bird houses, walking sticks and more. There are no flea-market-style booths with items imported from afar.
• Delicious food made by local and regional cooks: coffee with prize-winning cakes, kettle corn, ice cream, ham and biscuits, tenderloin, fried apple pies, ribeye sandwiches, pulled pork, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, Mexican specialties, nachos, pizza, slices of pie and more. Visitors can also purchase treats to take home: breads, candy, sorghum molasses, honey, and jams and jellies. On Saturday morning, there is an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast starting at 8 a.m.
• Live country music: Country and gospel music is performed both Friday and Saturday on the outside stage by local and regional musicians.
• Historical exhibits: 1790s log cabin hosted by relatives of Abraham Lincoln; School and Servicemen display with local school history and items from Forklanders who served in the armed forces; Family History room with old photos and genealogical charts; and more.
• Forkland Lincoln Museum: Abraham Lincoln’s grandmother lived in Forkland, so this museum features many Lincoln-related items and also includes all kinds of interesting artifacts from the local area, including kitchen items, clothing, quilts, arrowheads, old technology, tools, household items and much more. There are also lots of books, photos, and file cabinets full of regional genealogical information, including a new research room with several large file cabinets containing recently acquired genealogical information on relatives of Lincoln.
• Old Farm Equipment Museum: This large museum includes examples of just about everything that was used on local farms, from hand tools to large pieces of horse-drawn equipment. There’s even a very large steam tractor. Included: a replica tobacco stripping room, a hemp brake, fodder cutters, cider mills, fence tools, horse harness, a giant old chainsaw, and more. And kids can try pumping water and grinding flour.
• Horse and wagon rides: Everyone enjoys a ride around the grounds in an old-style wagon pulled by two beautiful horses.
• Art Room: Forkland is known for its artists, and art classes have been taught here for 52 years. Visitors can join the fun and make their own art in the Art Room; materials for drawing, coloring, and making a craft are available. They can also try weaving on a real loom and purchase handwoven items and other art.
• Forkland Gift Shop: The newly expanded gift shop is full of Forkland items: T-shirts, caps, wall hangings, pens, historical and genealogical books, art works and more.
• Fox and Hound 4K Race: At 8 a.m. on Saturday, runners take off over the hills and hollows on this unique race. Registration includes a delicious pancake breakfast and a race T-shirt. See https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/GravelSwitch/ForklandFestivalFoxandHound4K.
• Classic Car Show: All types of vehicles are on display on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants register on the day of the event. For more information, contact Nathan Stevens at 859-583-6193.
• Silent Auction: Crafters and others donate many one-of-a-kind items to be auctioned to the highest bidders. This auction features a beautiful hand-stitched quilt made by an Amish lady who used to live in the Forkland community. Unfortunately, this year’s quilt will be the last of its kind, because the Amish seamstress recently passed away. The auction ends at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
• Old Country Supper Theatre: This much-loved “Bean Supper & Drama” finishes off both evenings of the Forkland Festival. Both nights at 7 p.m. local talent entertains during the old-fashioned country meal of pinto beans and cornbread (with all the fixins) and dessert. Attendees are served by young Forklanders in overalls and green-checked dresses. The hilarious play, written, directed, and acted by local players, follows. Reservations ($20 per person) are available by calling Janie Drye at 270-402-2768 or online at www.forklandcomctr.org.
The 52nd Forkland Heritage Festival & Revue is on Friday, Oct. 13 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, Oct. 14 (8 a.m to 9 p.m.), at Forkland Community Center in southwestern Boyle County, 16479 Forkland Road, Gravel Switch, KY 40328. Admission: adults $4, children 12 and under $1, preschoolers free. For more information, visit www.forklandcomctr.org.
