Summer is finally here!
I am sure plenty of you are already booked this summer with festivals, outdoor adventures, local events – why not share that info with us so we can help spread the word?
Make sure to email us at roundup@soar-ky.org and we can add them to our Roundup!
So let’s see what is going on this first week of summer.
Country Music Highway Tribute Show Announcement
On Thursday, we officially announced the launch of our Country Music Highway Tribute Show, presented by Double Kwik at the Mountain Arts Center.
The shows will make three stops in Paintsville, Whitesburg, and Prestonsburg this summer.
Here are the dates and locations:
- July 29 | Paintsville on Main and College Streets
- August 12 | Whitesburg at the Mountain Heritage Park
- August 19 | Prestonsburg at the Mountain Arts Center
Two of the shows (Paintsville and Whitesburg) will be free outdoor events. They will run all day and incorporate handmade arts and crafts, food vendors, and activities for children. There will also be a free shuttle service provided to and from each downtown at each location. Details on shuttle information will be released soon.
The August 19 show at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg will be a ticketed event. Tickets are just $15.
All money raised from the Country Music Highway Tribute Show will be reinvested back into organizations supporting the performing arts along the Country Music Highway and help sustain the shows as an annual event.
In 2024, the Country Music Highway Tribute Show will be in Russell, Ashland, and Louisa, and – which all three are located in the northern section of the Highway.
We are still looking for performers and vendors
So if you want to perform at the Country Music Highway Tribute Show? Fill out a brief application to be considered.
Applications are also open for food and arts and crafts vendors. If you would like to provide activities for children and families, please contact Joshua Ball, Chief Operating Officer at SOAR, at joshua@soar-ky.org.
Northeast Kentucky Small Business Awards Breakfast is back
The Kentucky Small Business Development Center is inviting all to join them for the Northeast Kentucky small Business Award Breakfast happening Thursday, Sept. 28th at the Boyd Convention & Arts Center.
There is still time to nominate a favorite small businesses from the Boyd, Carter, Elliot, Greenup, and Lawrence counties, the nominations range from Healthcare Professional of the Year to Financial Advocate of the Year.
You can make your nomination HERE.
You can register for the breakfast award ceremony HERE.
2024 Appy Nomination Link is Open
The 2024 Appy Awards Nominations are now open!
The Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards seeks to celebrate art in all its forms and recognize the artists from or living in communities all along the Appalachian Mountains who are making the world a more beautiful place to live in through art.
The Mountain Arts Center recognizes artists from as many art mediums as possible as well as people who are actively teaching an art form to kids or adults.
You can visit www.theappyawards.com or click HERE to nominate for your favorite Appalachian talent!
Nominations are live until October 17, 2023
HCTC Summer Reading (for adults!)
Looking to boost your book count for the year? Let the Hazard Community & Technical College Summer Reading program rally you to read more!
Log all the books you read (even the ones you started before June, as long as you haven’t finished them!) from June 1st until July 31st in their summer reading log that you can download and print or pick up at the Stephens or Lees College Campus Library Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
You can also use their digital submission form to log your reads individually.
HCTC believes that reading grows your mind and takes you places you might never see otherwise. Reading grows empathy and curiosity and keeps your mind sharp.
Best of all, they have prizes for those who read the most!
Want to Submit to our Roundup?
Well, that is going to do it for this week’s Weekly Roundup.
Know of a program that needs applicants from our region?
Do you know of a grant opportunity that one of our Eastern Kentucky non-profits could benefit from?
or just have good news from your town?
Email us at: roundup@soar-ky.org
Future events to add to your calendar:
June
- Kiss the Goat Trail Race, June 24
If you enjoy trail running or want to train for something challenging, Kiss the Goat is unlike most races. You will be tested to your limits on a roughly 3.77-mile-long uphill course. Besides, what better way to treat yourself at the top of the hill than to blow a kiss to the goat? Yes, a real-life goat.
Don’t think this race is for you? Consider volunteering and spectating; you can even walk this course!
You can sign up for the event HERE.
- Bluegrass Mountain Cup, Perry County Park, June 25
A new and fast-growing trail system just down the road from downtown Hazard, KY, Perry County Park packs a lot of punch in a small area.
A bit of a climb to the top, but well worth the reward that you get coming down.
Creator of the Perry County hiking trails, Ben, and crew dedicated year around countless hours to making these trails some of the best in the state.
If you’ve not been there yet, you have to check this place out.
More details coming soon!
Registration is live HERE.
July
- Paint the Park 5k, July 1
Join the park for some “Fun on the Run” at Kentucky’s highest-in-elevation state park!
Participants will make laps equivalent to a 5k through the park’s shelter loop.
Make sure you come prepared to be doused with colored powder as you run/walk through the park!
9 a.m. registration at the park gift shop.
The run will begin at 10 a.m.
Pre-register before June 23 to guarantee a free event t-shirt!
The cost is $25 to register.
You can register for the event HERE.
September
- 2nd Annual Gitt Recovery Celebration, London, Sept. 7
Live music, food, games, vendors, resource tables, and a lantern lighting ceremony to celebrate all who are in recovery. You are not going to want to miss supporting this heartfelt event!
- Appalachian Regional Commission Annual Conference, Ashland, Sept. 11-12
Save the date for the annual ARC Conference, “Appalachia Rises©: Resilience, Strength & Transformation“!