Weekender May 4—11: Farmers Market, CAFCA Cares, Hungry Harrodsburg And More

Robert Moore
Herald Staff
rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com

May in Kentucky means Derby. The 2023 Kentucky Derby and Oaks happens Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, at Churchill Downs, with the Run for the Roses on Saturday. On the same day, Children and Family Counseling Associates will host their annual CAFCA Cares Spring Festival starting at noon at 122 West Lexington Street. CAFCA has a full day of events happening, including food trucks, a silent auction and raffles with a corn hole tournament starting at 1 p.m., Kids Derby races starting at 3 p.m., live music from 3 to 6 p.m., a car show from 5 to 8 p.m. and a showing of the Run for the Roses starting at 6:30 p.m.

All proceeds for the event go towards providing children and families with access to mental health care. For more information, visit CAFCA’s Facebook page.

With the weather warming up, there are a lot of returning favorites this week in Mercer County. The Mercer County Farmers Market returns Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). Saturday is Derby Day. You’ll be called to the gates with a trumpet fanfare and the ringing of the bell at 9 a.m. Just by attending the market, you will be entered into the drawing for door prizes. In addition to shopping, there will be live music by Ashley Dixon and morning beverage from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of the Bluegrass. Biscuit’s BBQ and Catering will also be there cooking up some lunch. The Art Council of Mercer County will set up crafts for kids including stick horses. Market members will be decked out in their best Derby Hats, which will be judged by State Rep. Kim King. The Saturday market will continue every week into the fall. Wednesday farmers markets starts in June. For more information, call 859-734-4378 or visit their Facebook page @Mercer County Farmers Market.

Music On The Lawn returns to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill starting 6:30 on Friday, May 5. Every Friday and Saturday through October will feature live music on the lawn between the historic 1839 Trustees’ Office and the Shaker Village garden. In addition to music, there will also be outdoor dining, drinks and specialty cocktails around the fire pit. The event is free, but keep in mind everything is weather dependent. Seating is also limited. Please bring your own lawn chair.
Admission will be required if attending tours or indoor exhibits. Outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Matt Green will kick things off Friday night, followed by Lylak on Saturday night.

Also returning to Shakertown on Friday: Horse Drawn Wagon Rides. Wagon rides happen every Friday and Saturday through October with rides scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Take a ride around the village on a horse drawn wagon. The price is $10 for everyone aged six and up and free for children aged five and under. Adult supervision is required for all children under the age of 16. Chartered rides are available. Please contact eventsales@shakervillageky.org to learn more. Tickets are available for purchase the day of visit at the Welcome Center. Call 859-734-5411 or email info@shakervillageky.org for more details.

Hungry Hungry Harrodsburg Spring Shop Local event continues until Friday, May 5. Stop by participating local restaurants throughout the week for a chance to win a prize. Each participating location will have a special dish of $10 or less. Get your card filled and drop off at the chamber office by Friday, May 5, at 11 p.m. with a live drawing on Saturday, May 6, at the opening of the Mercer County Farmers Market.

Check out the dinosaurs and fossils of other mega fauna on display at the Mercer County Public Library, which is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 859-734-3680 or visit mcplib.info.

(All events are free unless otherwise listed.)

Thursday, May 4
• Live music by Nick and Tony at Lemons Mill Brewery (166 Marimon Avenue). Food by T-Wayne and Smokey’s BBQ. Starts 7 p.m. (doors open 4 p.m.) 859-325-6960 or Facebook @Lemons Mill.

Friday, May 5
Cinco de Mayo

• Toddler Tales Story Time at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). For children 18 months to 2 years old. Call to sign up. Starts 9:30 a.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.

• PIPS—Pretty Important PreSchoolers Story Time at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). For children ages 3-5. Call the library to reserve your spot. Starts 1 p.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.

• Spring Fling at Alexander and Royalty Funeral Home (304 East Lexington Street). Free hotdogs, chips and drink. Brad Selby and Four States BBQ. Bring a chair and sit a spell. 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 859-734-3361 or Facebook @Alexander and Royalty.

• Birds of the Palisades at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Learn how to identify grassland songbirds by sight, sound, behavior and habitat. Program takes place during peak migration in converted native prairie and forest edges. Participants will gain training for Global Big Day and other citizen science birding programs. Dress for a day of warm-weather hiking with sturdy shoes. You’re encouraged to bring sun protection, water, light snacks and binoculars. Adult supervision required for anyone under 18. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.

• Live music by Matt Green at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Kicking off the Music on the Lawn live entertainment series. Starts 6:30 p.m. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.

• 2023 Derby Classic Horse Show at Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). Two nights of world champion horses and riders in competition. Admission: $5 a night with children 6 and under free. Starts 6 p.m. Donnie May at 859-582-3418 or kwrhta@gmail.com.

• Karaoke at Downtown Pizza Pub (112 South Main Street). 7–10 p.m. 859-605-6488 or Facebook @Downtown Pizza Pub.

• Trivia at the Vault Ciders, Suds & Spirits (235 South Main Street). Starts 7 p.m. 859-605-2118 or Facebook @the Vault.

• Sing-O at Rock Haven Bourbon Bar (419 East Office Street). Come and win a bag o’ crap! Starts 7:30 p.m. 859-605-2007 or Facebook @Rock Haven.

• Night Hike: Flower Moon at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Take in the wonders of the prairie and forest at night on this gentle hike while observing constellations and learning fun facts about the moon. Meet at the Welcome Center by 8 p.m. Bring a flashlight. Cost: $15 for annual passholders, $25 for everyone else. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.

Saturday, May 6
Derby Day

• Mercer County Farmers Market at the Stable at Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). Celebrating is Derby Day with a trumpet fanfare and the ringing of the bell at 9 a.m. Door prizes, live music by Ashley Dixon and morning beverages from Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of the Bluegrass. and food by Biscuit’s BBQ and Catering. Kids’ crafts by the Art Council of Mercer County. Derby Hat contest for market members. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 859-734-4378 or visit their Facebook page @Mercer County Farmers Market.

• Broomologie Demonstration at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Artisan Lawson Whitt will be hand-making brooms on his antique equipment. Brooms will be available for purchase at the Welcome Center. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participation is included with price of admission. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.

• CAFCA Cares Spring Festival May at Children and Family Counseling Associates (122 West Lexington Street). Food trucks, silent auction, raffles, corn hole tournament starts at 1 p.m., Kids Derby races start at 3 p.m., live music from 3 to 6 p.m., car show 5 to 8 p.m. and showing of the Run for the Roses starting at 6:30 p.m. Everything starts at noon. Facebook @CAFCA.

• Chess at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). Afternoon of chess and snacks open to all ages and skill levels. Starts 2 p.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.

• 2023 Derby Classic Horse Show at the Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). Two nights of world champion horses and riders in competition. Admission: $5 a night with children 6 and under free. Starts 6 p.m. Donnie May at 859-582-3418 or kwrhta@gmail.com.

• Live music by Lylak at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Kicking off the Music on the Lawn live entertainment series. Starts 6:30 p.m. 859-734-5411 or shakervillageky.org.

• Live music by LBP Country at Cummins Ferry RV Park and Campground (2558 Cummins Ferry Road, Salvisa). Food by the Curry Kitchen. CumminsFerry.com or 859-865-2003.

• Live music by Cotter Hill at the Vault Ciders, Suds & Spirits (235 South Main Street). Starts 8 p.m. 859-605-2118 or Facebook @the Vault.

Sunday, May 7
• Trivia at Lemons Mill Brewery (166 Marimon Avenue). Starts 5 p.m. (doors open 4 p.m.) 859-325-6960 or Facebook @Lemons Mill.

Tuesday, May 9
• Trivia Night at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street). Test your knowledge against other trivia lovers on a variety of categories! Play as an individual or a team – max team size of four participants. Snacks provided. For adults, ages 18 and up. Starts 5:30 p.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.

• Hot Dog Bar at Rock Haven Bourbon Bar (419 East Office Street). Starts 8 p.m. 859-605-2007 or Facebook @Rock Haven.

Thursday, May 11
• Teen Advisory Council at Mercer County Public Library (109 West Lexington Street).Calling all Mercer County teens. Earn volunteer hours and enjoy pizza while brainstorming fun events. Starts 5:30 p.m. 859-734-3680 or mcplib.info.

• Live music by Carrie Ann McDonald at Lemons Mill Brewery (166 Marimon Avenue). Food by the Swinery. Starts 7 p.m. (doors open 4 p.m.) 859-325-6960 or Facebook @Lemons Mill.

Have any events planned? Let everyone know by posting it on the Weekender. Email events to rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com.