Annual Events

Classic cars will be on display. Watch our Facebook page for details as they become available!

Since 1946 American Legion Post #17 has sponsored the Blackberry Festival on Courthouse Square in Nicholas County, making it the longest continuous festival in the state of Kentucky. Over 100 food, craft and clothing vendors line the streets of downtown, along with rides and signature foods from the various civic organizations, drawing crowds to downtown Courthouse Square. Local and regional musicians perform throughout the afternoon and evenings and floats, tractors, horses, and the queen contestants take part in the annual parade. Typically the last week in June or the first week of July, it’s family reunion time for many county residents who come back home to connect with family and friends.

Nicholas County's annual Fall Festival, sponsored by the Carlisle Rotary Club, takes place around the Courthouse square in Carlisle, the last Saturday of September. It's a day of food, shopping, music and fun for the whole family!

In 2019, Nicholas County Tourism started a new tradition in which families can sponsor a Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn and decorate it however they wish in honor of a loved one who is no longer with us. The display started with 90 trees, but has grown each year so that in 2023 we had over 100,000 lights shining on 340 trees. So many people contribute their time to make this tradition possible, helping with posts, trees, electric, lights, and signs. We're so grateful to our community for showing their support with our project and for helping to bring the light of the season to our “little town with the big heart."

Be sure to follow us on Facebook so you are notified when it's time to reserve a tree for 2024, and come out to see the beautiful result when we light them all up on December 7!