Looking Ahead To A Busy 2026

Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]

Some weather, huh? As cold as it might be right now, it’s good to remember that spring and summer are right around the corner. Here’s a look ahead at 2026. Keep in mind some of these listings are subject to change as dates and details are still being decided, especially when it comes to the local Independence Day fireworks shows. To keep up on all the latest events, check out the Weekender.

February
• Groundhog Day—Monday, Feb. 2.

• Super Bowl—Sunday, Feb. 8.

• Harrodsburg Rotary Club Pancake Day at the Mercer County Cooperative Extension Office (1007 Lexington Road). The Harrodsburg Rotary Club’s annual fund-raiser is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Delivery available. Benefits scholarships for local students and other club endeavors.

• Valentine’s Day—Saturday, Feb. 14.

• Gal-Pal-Valentines 70s Bash at the Lodge at Logan Vineyard (254 Hopewell Road). Celebrity Bingo, trivia, party games, best friend challenge, disco dance lessons and live music on Saturday, Feb. 14, starting at 2 p.m. Cost: $25 per person of $45 per couple, includes wine flight or cocktail and appetizer board.

• President’s Day—Monday, Feb. 16.

• Mardi Gras—Tuesday, Tuesday, Feb. 17.

• Ramadan—scheduled to start the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 17.

• “Winnie-The-Pooh” at Ragged Edge Community Theatre (111 South Main Street). Runs for two weeks, Friday through Sundays, starting Friday, Feb. 20.

• Black History Gala at the Stable at the Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue) on Saturday, Feb. 21, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets: $25. Hosted by the Harrodsburg-Mercer County African American Historical Society.

March
• Daylight Saving Time—spring forward one hour starting at midnight on Sunday, March 8.

• Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday, March 14, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with Shamrock Shuffle 5K starting at Olde Town Park (126 South Main Street) at 8 a.m. The Harrodsburg-Mercer County Tourist Commission invites everyone to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day responsibly and visit participating locations to be entered into a giveaway for a gift basket.

• New Event! Tall & Small Ball at the Stable at Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). The Kiwanis Club of Harrodsburg is hosting a fun-filled evening for elementary-age kids and their parents or guardians with dancing, music, snacks, and more on Saturday, March 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost: $10 per person.

• Patriot Grave Marking Service—Sunday, March 15, at Pioneer Cemetery at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street). The ceremony is at 11 a.m. with the muster at 10 a.m. The graves of Thomas Crane, Peter Jordan Jr., Peter Jordan Sr., Patrick Jordan and John Barney Stagner will be honored. Hosted by the Col. James Harrod Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

• 2026 March Madness tournament starts with Selection Sunday on March 16 as 68 teams will play in the 2026 NCAA tournament for men’s basketball. Check out the full schedule below:

• 2026 March Madness Selection Sunday on Sunday, March 15.

• St. Patrick’s Day— Tuesday, March 17.

• 2026 March Madness First Four games start Tuesday, March 17.

• 22nd Annual Mercer County Farm/City Dinner on Tuesday, March 17, at Mercer County Cooperative Extension Office (1007 Lexington Road). Dinner starts 6 p.m. Cost: $20.

• 2026 March Madness First Round starts Thursday, March 19.

• First Day of Spring— Friday, March 20.

• Mercer County Fair Gala at the Stable at Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue) on Saturday, March 21.

• 2026 March Madness Second Round—Saturday, March 21.

• Annual Harrodsburg Lions Club Baked Spaghetti Lunch and Dinner at the Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue). Meals include baked spaghetti, salad, dessert and drinks (dine-in only) on Thursday, March 26. Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner 4 to 7 p.m. $8 donation requested, proceeds fund purchase of eyeglasses for those in need as well as Lion’s Club scholarships and other local projects.

• 2025 March Madness Sweet 16 starts Thursday, March 26.

• 2025 March Madness Elite Eight starts Saturday, March 28.

• Spring Break at Mercer County and Burgin Independent Schools—Monday, March 20, through Friday, April 1.

April
• Good Friday—Friday, April 3.
• 2026 March Madness Final Four on Saturday, April 4, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

• Easter Sunday—Sunday, April 5.

• Cruz on Chiles at Auto Kustoms (123 South Chiles Street). Open to all makes and models vehicles. Family fun atmosphere. Music, food trucks and more on Saturday, April 5, from 5 to 8 p.m.

• NCAA Championship Game on Monday, April 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

• Friday Night On Main at Olde Town Park (126 South Main Street) on Friday, April 17. Harrodsburg-Mercer County Tourist Commission hosts Friday Nights On Main every month from May to September. The event features live music as well as food and shopping from 5 to 10 p.m.

• Mercer County Field to Fork Swap (670 Beaumont Plaza). First swap meet of the year starts Saturday, April 11. Set up for the swap 7:30 to 8 a.m. No set up fee. Bring your own table and chair. Swap runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weather pending. Swap meets continue through October.

• Easter Egg Hunts at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road) on Saturday, April 18, starting at 10 a.m. Celebrate this egg-citing family event for kids age 12 and under. Cost: Free for children aged two and under, $10 for ages 3 to 12, $15 for ages 13 to 61 and $15 for ages 62 and up.

• Harrodsburg Kiwanis Club Easter Egg Hunt at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street). next week on Saturday, April 18. The free event is open to children up to the age of 12 and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

May
• Opening Day of Mercer County Farmers Market at the Stable at Mercer County Fairgrounds (560 Linden Avenue) on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local vendors providing locally raised produce and homemade and handcrafted items.

• Cruz on Chiles at Auto Kustoms (123 South Chiles Street). Open to all makes and models vehicles. Music, food trucks and more on Saturday, May 2, from 5 to 8 p.m.
• 151st Kentucky Derby—Saturday, May 2.

• Cinco de Mayo— Tuesday, May 5.

• Friday Night On Main at Olde Town Park (126 South Main Street) on Friday, May 8. Harrodsburg-Mercer County Tourist Commission hosts Friday Nights On Main every month from May to September.

• Mother’s Day—Sunday, May 10.

• ATOM (A Thing On Main) Fest 2026 (Main Street Harrodsburg). Live music, local vendors on Saturday, May 16, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

• 18th annual Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Three day celebration of classical musics runs Friday, May, 22, to Sunday, May 24.

• Memorial Day—Monday, May 25.

• Spring MYPATH—Mindful-Yoga-Practice— Festival at Terrapin-Hill Farm (7695 Mackville Road). A weekend of yoga-related activities ​plus music, nature, camping, good food and fellowship runs Thursday, May 28, through Sunday, May 31.

• Native Dawn Flute Gathering at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street). Three day festival celebrating Native American music as well as traditional arts and crafts runs from Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31.

• Ol’ Iron Rundown at Auto Kustoms (123 South Chiles Street). Annual car show featuring hot rods, custom cars, trucks and motorcycles happens Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June
• The 400 Mile Yard Sale runs Thursday, June 4, through Sunday, June 7. The four day yard sale happens along at locations along U.S. 68 and across Mercer County.

• Picnic in the Park at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street). Mercer County’s oldest live entertainment series returns Friday, June 5, and happens every Friday at noon through July.

• Cruz on Chiles at Auto Kustoms (123 South Chiles Street). Open to all makes and models vehicles. Music, food trucks and more on Saturday, June 6, from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Friday Night On Main at Olde Town Park (126 South Main Street) on Friday, June 12. Live music as well as food and shopping from 5 to 10 p.m.

• Flag Day—Sunday, June 14.

• Father’s Day— Sunday, June 21.

• Juneteenth Federal Holiday—Friday, June 19.

• Heart of Kentucky Juneteenth at West Lane Park (345 West Lane). Food trucks, live music and more starting with the beauty pageant on Friday, June 19, and live music and other fun on Saturday, June 20.

• “Annie” at Ragged Edge Community Theatre (111 South Main Street). Runs for two weeks, Friday through Sundays, starting Friday, June 19.
• Summer starts—Sunday, June 21.

• Settlement and Raid at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street) on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21. Full scale re-enactment, with settlers, natives, traders and living history both days.

• The Great American Brass Band Festival is based in Danville, but events have been known to happen here in Mercer County too. This year’s festival runs Thursday, June 25, through Saturday, June 27.

• New event! Summer Shuffle on Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in downtown Harrodsburg. Hosted by the Harrodsburg-Mercer County Tourist Commission.

(Editor’s Note: For the rest of the 2026 preview pick up the Feb. 5, edition next week.)

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