From wild reading adventures to ice skating cool-downs and $3 movies that hit all the right notes—this summer is jam-packed with family fun! Whether your kiddo is a bookworm, movie buff, ice skater, or outdoor explorer, we’ve got the local events that’ll make their summer sparkle. Let’s dive in!
Get WILD About Reading
May 28 – July 31
Daviess County Public Library
Let your kids’ imaginations run wild this summer at the library’s reading program for all ages (yes, grown-ups too!). Every hour spent reading or attending a library program earns entries into awesome prize drawings. Kids get a prize just for signing up—plus weekly giveaways to keep the momentum going! Download the Beanstack app to register and start logging those pages.
Summer Sk8 Camp
May 27 – August 8
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Edge Ice Center
Want to keep things cool this summer? Check out Sk8 Camp for kids ages 5–12. Open to hockey players, figure skaters, and beginners just looking to glide and chill. It’s a full-day camp that blends skating fun with activities and new friendships.
Strawberry Festival
June 7 & 8 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Cottage Farm Stand
The Cottage Farm Stand’s annual Strawberry Festival is back for a weekend full of fresh strawberries, family fun, and festive entertainment.
Enjoy over 150 vendors, delicious food trucks, and live entertainment throughout the day. This year’s event will also feature a car show with multiple categories and prizes—making it a sweet day for all ages!
Midweek at the Malco: $3 Family Fave Films
Wednesdays, June 4 – July 30
Malco Owensboro Cinema Grill
Need an air-conditioned break that won’t break the bank? Malco’s got you covered! Catch all your kids’ favorite flicks on the big screen for just $3 every Wednesday. Bonus: Sensory-friendly screenings available (lights up, sound down).
This year’s line-up includes:
June 4 – Shrek
June 11 – Shrek 2
June 18 – Despicable Me 4
June 25 – The Wild Robot
July 2 – The Land Before Time
July 9 – The Bad Guys
July 16 – Trolls: Band Together
July 23 – Kung Fu Panda 4
July 30 – Sing 2
Tickets drop one week ahead at malco.com—grab yours early and plan for popcorn.
Take a Kid Fishing Weekend
June 7, 2025
Panther Creek Park
Ready to cast a line? During this special weekend, Kentucky offers a free fishing license weekend, so you can fish without a permit—whether you’re a local or visiting from out of state! Just keep in mind the rules on size limits and fish quotas, and remember to get permission for private waters. For families, June 7, 2025, features the Take A Kid Fishing event at Panther Creek Park Lake, where kids can reel in memories alongside seasoned anglers. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce the little ones to the joy of fishing while enjoying a beautiful day outdoors. Don’t miss out on this family-friendly adventure!
ATK Summer Camps: Rising Stars Camp
June 9-13 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
RiverPark Center
Take flight into a world of creativity at Rising Stars Camp! Designed for young performers ages 6–9, this one-week adventure (June 9–13) introduces kids to movement, character exploration, theatre games, music, and arts & crafts—all inspired by the magic of “Always Neverland.” Each day is filled with fun and imagination, leading up to a special recital where campers will shine on stage for family and friends. Cost is $155 for the week.
Connect Camps: Faith, Fun & Friendships
June 16 – 20
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Ready for a week your kids won’t stop talking about? Connect Camps is a high-energy, faith-based day camp for rising K–5th graders. Think action-packed games, silly songs, team challenges, and meaningful lessons—served with a side of lifelong friendships. It’s the ultimate camp combo!
Firefly Festival Know & Glow
June 3 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
Join the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden for this free event featuring Dr. Jonathon Larson—an entomologist from the University of Kentucky, known as the “Bug Man”—as he shares fascinating facts about fireflies and how we can help protect their populations. Families will enjoy crafts, hands-on children’s activities, and engaging learning opportunities. Plan to join in the fun and stay awhile—Top Dog Concessions will be on site serving hot dogs, nachos, pulled pork sandwiches, and more!
Movies Under the Stars: “Mufasa”
June 7 @ 8:00 pm
English Park
Join the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance for a free community movie night under the stars at English Park! The featured movie will be “Mufasa.” Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks, and enjoy complimentary popcorn, hotdogs, cotton candy, and Crumbl cookies while supplies last. A fun, family-friendly evening awaits!
Little Explorers Café – Indoor Play Magic
Need a screen-free space where your littles can play, imagine, and explore—even when it’s too hot (or rainy) outside? Little Explorers Café is perfect for children 7 and under. With hands-on activity centers and a focus on creative, safe, and sensory-rich fun, this indoor play space is every caregiver’s dream. Don’t forget: Socks are required!
Whip It Up in the Kitchen with Joy’s Cooking Classes
Calling all future Food Network stars! The Little Chef’s Class is perfect for kids ages 6–12 who are ready to stir, chop, and sauté their way through fun, hands-on culinary adventures. From learning kitchen safety to whipping up entire meals, these monthly classes end with the best part—eating what they cooked! For older foodies, the Teen Chef’s Class and Club (ages 11–18) takes it up a notch with weekly Tuesday night sessions, diving into more advanced dishes and techniques. It’s a flavorful way to build confidence, learn nutrition, and make dinnertime way more exciting.
ATK Summer Camps: Summer Theatre Academy
June 16-27 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
RiverPark Center
This two-week immersive experience for ages 10-18 is perfect for young actors ready to take their skills to the next level. Campers will train in music, dance, acting, stage combat, and production design—all while rehearsing for this year’s production, Peter Pan Junior—an hour-long adaptation of the beloved musical. From auditions on day one to a final performance for family and friends, this camp offers a thrilling journey into the world of theatre. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping into the spotlight for the first time, adventure awaits in Neverland! Cost is $320 for the week.
PorchFest
June 14 from 3 – 9 p.m.
Griffith Avenue Neighborhood
PorchFest is a free, community-wide music festival that brings 10,000 people together to celebrate local talent. Musicians perform live on the porches of homes throughout the Griffith Avenue neighborhood, offering a unique blend of rock, jazz, folk, and more. Bring your lawn chairs and stroll from porch to porch, enjoying the sounds and meeting neighbors. With food trucks and vendors lining the streets, it’s the perfect summer evening of music, food, and fun for all ages!
Annual Juneteenth on the Ohio River
June 21 @ 4 p.m.
English Park
The Annual Juneteenth on the Ohio River is a celebration of community, history, and culture! This free event at English Park features a variety of vendors, food trucks, and exhibitors, including a special showcase by the Daviess County Public Library Kentucky Room. Enjoy entertainment from the Western Academy Drum Line, inspiring poetry, and live music by Bennie J. & Friends from Louisville. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of freedom and unity!
Dazzling Daylilies Festival
June 21 from 4 – 7 p.m.
Western Botanical Garden
Join the Western Botanical Garden for an evening among the beauty of an astonishing display of over 800 varieties of daylilies! The Owensboro Art Guild will be presenting plein air paintings throughout the day, with numerous artists set up around the garden, painting live. All artists will participate in a judging contest, with winners announced at 4:00 pm at the beginning of the festival evening. Enjoy live music by Lucy Jagoe Chaney and Emmie Kate Williams on the Gazebo Stage, along with a variety of activities including a photo booth, food trucks, a cash bar, petting zoo, face painters, and a bubble wonderland. It’s an evening full of fun, beauty, and creativity for all ages!
Daviess County Fireworks Show
July 3
Yellow Creek Park
Daviess County’s annual fireworks show is back at Yellow Creek Park! This year, the launch point has been moved to the parking lot near the lake, making it easier for spectators to enjoy the full, dazzling display. Come out for an evening of celebration and breathtaking fireworks!
All-American 4th of July
July 4 @ 5 p.m.
Downtown Riverfront
Celebrate Independence Day in Owensboro with the annual All-American Fourth of July event! The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with live music in McConnell Plaza. The event will feature a dazzling fireworks display at approximately 9:15 p.m., with additional fireworks locations across the city for an unforgettable celebration of freedom.
Daviess County Lions Club Fair
July 16-19
Daviess County Fairgrounds
The Daviess County Lions Club Fair returns to the Daviess County Fairgrounds for four days of family-friendly fun! Enjoy thrilling carnival rides, delicious fair food, live entertainment, and a variety of exhibits. From tractor pulls to monster trucks, there’s something for everyone. Come out and support the Lions Club while making lasting memories with friends and family at this beloved community event!
Owensboro Dust Bowl
July 18 – 26 @ 6 – 11 p.m.
Kendall Perkins Park
Join in the excitement at the Owensboro Dust Bowl, featuring thrilling basketball games, music, exhibitors, vendors, and delicious concessions. Every night offers a chance to connect with family, friends, and fans in a lively, community-focused atmosphere. This free event is open to all and runs nightly from 6 to 11 p.m.
ROMP Festival
June 25 – June 28
Yellow Creek Park
Celebrating its 21st year, the ROMP Festival returns to Owensboro’s Yellow Creek Park from June 25-28, 2024. This beautiful 150-acre park, known for its nature trails, winding creek, and fishing lake, serves as the perfect backdrop for this iconic festival. ROMP offers a full lineup of artist-led instrument workshops throughout the day, where fans and players of all ages and skill levels can interact with ROMP artists. Additional workshops and forums include songwriting, clogging, flat-foot dancing, yoga (all levels), and bluegrass jamming 101. The festival also features organic and farm-to-table food vendors, Kentucky Proud craft vendors, art installations, and professionally-led children’s activities. Bring your instrument and join the jam sessions or dance the night away at the late-night stage, featuring nationally acclaimed acts in the rustic Pioneer Village. ROMP is a celebration of music, culture, and community that you won’t want to miss!
5th Annual Downtown Fine Art Show
July 12 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Downtown Owensboro
Celebrate Owensboro’s vibrant local art scene at the 5th Annual Downtown Fine Art Show! This one-day event, exclusively featuring exhibitors from the Owensboro Art Guild, will showcase up to 40 talented artists in a variety of mediums. Enjoy live music by Beyond Blu, a creative children’s area, and tasty food and drinks from Fetta Pizza & Spirits. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to immerse yourself in the community’s artistic spirit!