2024 Season Farmers Market Opening Day
April 13 from 8 a.m. – noon
Enjoy the great outdoors on the opening day for the 2024 Farmers Market season! This is your chance to shop amazing local vendors enjoy breakfast AND lunch, hear live music from Owensboro’s very own Cam Thompson and register for ORMF Kids and Adult POP club. The Power of Produce (POP) Club allows participants who visit the Market once per week to receive $5 in Market bucks to use on fresh fruits and vegetables.
Eclipse Viewing at the Botanical Garden
April 8 | Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
The garden offers a unique setting for viewing and lot of photo opportunities. The shadows created during the duration of the eclipse cycle are pretty amazing. Admission will be $4 for adults over 21, and Garden members and kids are free. The Garden will offer 300 pairs of solar glasses thanks to sponsor Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline. The glasses will be issued on a first come first serve basis.
The Stand Against Child Abuse
April 12 from 3:30 – 6 p.m.
Kentucky Wesleyan College
The STAND is a unique event, pulling together dozens of community partners who have an interest in the wellbeing of children and families. This event is FREE family and is open to the public. Activities provided include balloon animals, face painting, free giveaways, educational materials on abuse, coloring stations, a petting zoo and much more! Stand with us as we bring awareness.
Pigtails & Cowlicks Spring Consignment Sale
April 19 – 20 | Owensboro Convention Center
Stretch your budget! Over 600 families will be selling new or gently used children’s items at amazing prices at the Pigtails & Cowlicks Children’s Consignment Sale! Clothing, toys, furniture, books, baby gear, shoes, boutique, and more. ALL for kids – from babies to teens! No admission fee to shop; open to the public. Cash and debit/credit cards accepted.
Touch-A-Truck
April 20 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panther Creek Park
The Daviess County Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a fun new event this year for kids of all ages to explore big machines of all shapes and sizes. County trucks, construction equipment, and emergency vehicles will all be there to touch, sit in, pretend with, and learn about how they work. A couple of Blackhawk Helicopters will be there too! The first hour of Touch- A-Truck will be sensory friendly to be inclusive to anyone who wants to join the fun, but doesn’t like loud noise and bright flashing lights. If you like the lights and sirens, those can be demonstrated for the remainder of the time.
Along with the truck experience, there will be inflatables and activities, food truck vendors, and a petting zoo. The best part? It’s free!
BBQ & Barrels
May 10 – 11 | Downtown Owensboro
BBQ and Barrels – a celebration of two of Owensboro’s rich traditions! We’re bringing the focus back to its roots- true Kentucky barbecue- while adding in elements of Kentucky bourbon. Guests will love the familiarity of the traditional festival, including the Backyard BBQ Cookoff, church cooking teams, live music, carnival rides, and more barbecue vendors than you have ever seen in downtown Owensboro- all open to the general public!
YMCA BBQ 5K
May 11 @ 8:00 am
This race is in conjunction with the 2024 BBQ & Barrels event and the community is invited to run or walk with us; competitive racers will stage in the front of the start line at 8 a.m. and non-competitive racers will be at the back of the start line. Registration pricing is $35 for adults and $20 for children 1-18.