The Kentuck Festival, nationally recognized for its quality and diversity, celebrates a variety of artistic styles ranging from folk to contemporary arts as well as traditional crafts. Each of the 250 plus artists participating in the Festival is either invited as a guest artist or is juried based on the quality and originality of their work.
The guest artists are nationally recognized folk and visionary artists whose powerful visual images continue to capture national and international acclaim. Mose Tolliver, Annie Tolliver Turner, Lonnie Holley, Jimmy Lee Sudduth and Charlie Lucas are among the self-taught artists Kentuck has been honored to showcase.
The Kentuck Festival of the Arts takes place the third weekend in October every year.
The Festival also features educational craft demonstrations where masters of artistic tradition share their skills with Kentuck visitors at locations throughout the park. Some of the talents showcased at Kentuck are the work and practice of southern basketmakers, blacksmiths, furniture makers, quilters and traditional potters.
Kentuck also specializes in pleasing the ear and palate. Two stages offer continuous performances of legendary blues, bluegrass, folk, country, gospel, classical and alternative rock, while food vendors serve a variety of delectable fare including ribs, gyros, Cajun and vegetarian.
Selected for two years as one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast Tourism Society and presented with an Alabama Governor’s Award, Kentuck annually hosts more than 30,000 visitors.
Two-Day Pass is $15. No admission charge for children under 12. Festival hours are Saturday, October 15: 9a.m. – 5p.m. and Sunday, October 16: 9a.m. – 5p.m. Limited parking is available at Kentuck Park and free continuous shuttles run to the park from downtown Northport and the Northport Civic Center. To order tickets by mail call (205)758-1257.
© 2005, Glynn Wilson. All rights reserved.
