Out & About

13 Local Things to do this Summer

Porchfest

Saturday, June 1 @ 5:00-8:00pm 

Downtown Henderson – South Main Street

Porchfest is a vibrant community event where South Main Street’s front porches come alive with local music, food trucks, and dancing. This free, family-friendly evening offers an al fresco experience, inviting everyone to enjoy the music and atmosphere of this unique outdoor concert series. For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 270-826-7505.

“Take a Hike 2024”

Saturday, June 1 @ 9:00am 

Canoe Creek Nature Trail at Newman Park 

Support a worthy cause benefiting Elevate at the Sandefur Center on this 3 mile hike (easy to moderate). Registration is $35 and includes a t-shirt. This event is presented by Field & Main Bank. To register, please visit www.elevatewky.org. 

Exploring the Arts- 3-day art camp ages 6-8

Tuesday, June 4 – Thursday, June 6 @ 10 – 11:45am

Gallery 101 

Students ages 6-8 will be creating art by using different mediums such as colored pencils, pastels, tempera and more. If your student loves art, they will love this 3-day art camp. Cost is $42 (supplies are included). The class is limited, so pre-register today at [email protected]

W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival 

Wednesday, June 12 – Saturday, June 15 @ All-Day 

Audubon Mill Park  

Head down to Audubon Mill Park for the annual W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival, named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s 2023 Top 20 Events! Enjoy four days of free blues music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.

Operation WILD Summer Nature Camps

Tuesdays – Thursdays in June

Little Chickadees (ages 3-5/$18)

June 4-6 @ 10:30-11:45am 

Wrens (ages 6-8/$30)

 June 11-13 @ 10:00am – Noon 

Raptors (ages 9-12/$45)

June 25-27 @ 9am -Noon 

John James Audubon State Park

The naturalists at John James Audubon State Park have planned activities to help your child explore the wonders of WILDlife during these three-day kid’s nature adventures. Each day’s lesson revolves around a nature-oriented theme full of fun games, hikes, crafts, animals, science experiments, and other activities. Reserve a spot in the appropriate age level today. Pre-registration is required. For more information, please contact Lisa Hoffman at 502-782-9727. 

Children’s Make-N-Take Crafts

Saturday, June 15 @ All-Day

Henderson County Public Library 

Head on over to the library to enjoy an afternoon of fun crafts children can make in the messy room and take home to enjoy. For more information, please call 270-826-3712.

Little Rembrandt’s Art ages 3-6

Fridays, June 7 & July 12 @ 10:30 – 11:30am

Gallery 101 

Bring those little artists to a fun-filled morning of art! Dress for a mess and have some fun with lines, shapes, and colors. Pre-registration is required, and students must come with an adult. Cost is $8. For pre-registration, please email [email protected].

Advanced ART- 3-day Art Camp ages 9-13

Tuesday, June 18 – Thursday, June 20 @ 10:00am – 12:15pm

Gallery 101 

ART, ART, ART, and more ART! This class is designed for serious artists, ages 9-12, who LOVE art. Kids will be working in acrylic on canvas, pastels, and mixed mediums. Wear old clothes to experience as many mediums as you can fit it. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $45 (supplies are included). Class is limited. Pre-register today at [email protected].

Art from the Heart ages 6-8

Friday, June 21 @ 10 – 11:45am 

Gallery 101 

This class is for the young at HEART, who love being creative and exploring art. They will be using the principles of art: lines, shapes, value, texture, and color. Cost is $15 (supplies are included). Pre-register today at [email protected].

Studio ARTS ages 9-13

Wednesday, July 17 & Thursday, July 18 @ 10:00am – 12:00pm

Gallery 101

Dipping into Watercolor wonders and mixed medium will be the topic of both days. Learning and exploring new techniques are so much fun when you love doing ART. Wear old clothes. Cost is $30 (supplies are included). Pre-registration is required. The class is limited so sign up today at [email protected].

Fireworks Celebration 

Wednesday, July 3 @ 5:00-9:30pm 

Audubon Mill Park 

Celebrate Independence Day at the downtown riverfront with dazzling fireworks plus live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun. For more information, please call 270-836-7505.

Princess Camp-ages 6-8

Tuesday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 10 @ 10-11:45am 

Thursday, july 11 @ 10am -12:15pm

Gallery 101 

Girls ages 6-8 will have a blast at princess camp. Three days of nonstop fun creating ART, learning to be a princess, storytelling and more. Thursday is the princess tea, so dress that little princess in her favorite princess dress. Cost is $45 (supplies are included). Class is limited so don’t wait. Pre-registration is required at [email protected].

Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Festival 

Wednesday, July 24 – Saturday, July 27

Downtown Henderson 

The Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Festival transforms downtown into a haven for music enthusiasts. Experience the intimate charm of Nashville-style listening rooms as downtown restaurants and bars play host to legendary songwriters from Music City. Get up close and personal as these talented storytellers share the inspirations behind the songs that have become beloved classics. It’s a unique opportunity to dive deep into the heart of songwriting amidst the vibrant atmosphere of our city. Cost is $20. For more information, please visit sandyleesongfest.com