By TIM PRESTON — The Independent
LOUISA — With forecasters calling for a beautiful weekend, organizers of Louisa’s annual Septemberfest celebration are expecting plenty of visitors to enjoy good food, spontaneous and planned reunions, and great live music.
“There will be lots food and festivities — all free to the public and it’s going to be a beautiful weekend,” said festival chairman Lawrence Binson. “We will also have new arts and crafts vendors and the world’s tallest pinball machine.”
Reunions are a major part of the Septemberfest weekend, Binson said.
“We typically have eight or so class reunions, three or four big family reunions and several church homecomings,” he said.
While Septemberfest has often been associated with “up and coming” musical acts and artists, Binson said organizers honored the requests of many who wanted to again see the Kentucky Headhunters as the main act on the big stage.
“The Kentucky Headhunters brought the second largest crowd we ever had and many people asked for their return,” Binson said.
While parking can be difficult for “The Best Little Festival in Kentucky,” Binson advises visitors to “just take a deep breath and be patient” while looking for a place to leave their vehicle and join the festivities.
Septemberfest 2009 officially begins at 9 a.m. today with the opening of an information booth, an art show at Painted Cow Gallery and arts and crafts along Main Street. Gary Booth will create balloon sculptures starting at 10 a.m. in the main festival area and concessions and games get underway at 11 a.m. Carnival rides will crank up at 3 p.m. followed by a vegetable and produce exhibit at 4 p.m. in Louisa City Park and the official opening ceremony at 5 p.m.
Today’s music will begin shortly after 5 p.m. with a performance by the winners of the Coal Miner’s Bluegrass Festival competition, Blackberry Jam, followed by performances from The Chase at 6 p.m., Kim Fitch at 7:30 and Bobby Cyrus at 9 p.m.
Septemberfest continues on Saturday with 7 a.m. registration for the 5K/10K Walk-Run at Lawrence County High School and a Pancake Breakfast at the Masonic Lodge starting at 7:30 a.m.
The festival kicks into gear at 9 a.m. with a car show at Louisa West Elementary, an art show at Painted Cow Gallery, arts and crafts along Main Street and other activities including a health screening by staff from Three Rivers Medical Center. Lineup for the Septemberfest Parade, which starts at 11 a.m., will begin at Louisa Plaza at 9:30 a.m. The first Septemberfest Trail Ride at Lawrence County Horse Park is set to start at 1 p.m.
Saturday’s entertainment on the main stage will begin at 5 p.m. with a performance by Marilyn Huff, followed by singer/songwriter Luna at 6 p.m. and Rorey Wesney at 7:30, prior to the appearance of Kentucky Headhunters at 9:30 p.m.
The annual festival draws to a conclusion on Sunday with a Bass Club Fishing Tournament starting at 7 a.m. at Yatesville Lake & Marina, and a Kid’s Fishing Tournament at 1 p.m.
For more information about Septemberfest in Louisa visit www.septemberfest.net.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at (606) 326-2651.
