Harrodsburg History

09/15/2026

September 15, 1972 …

Dignitaries from Washington, Frankfort, and elsewhere participated in a ceremony at the restored “Shakertown At Pleasant Hill” (Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill) to officially declare Shakertown and four other Kentucky attractions a National Historic Landmark. These included “Old Frankfort State House,” “Liberty Hall,” Louisville’s “Old Water Company pumping Station, and the “Old Bank of Louisville. Photo from the Library of Congress.

09/15/2026

⭐️ Introducing our CAST for Eastern Kentucky University’s production of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Harrodsburg’s Carter Wilson will star as Frederick Frankenstein, the iconic role originally portrayed by Gene Wilder.

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

Exciting news from McRay Feed and Boone Brothers USA!

09/15/2026

Don’t forget …

The Jane McAfee Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, would like to invite all citizens of Mercer County to join in a special patriotic event, Bells Across America, on Thursday, September 17 at 4pm in front of the Mercer County Judicial Center on Main Street Harrodsburg.
🛑Please be a few minutes early because the bells will ring at exactly 4pm.🛑
It was at this time that the signers of the Constitution used a quill pen and ink to sign this famous document on September 17, 1787.

In colonial times, church and public bells were a vital part of daily life and the heartbeat of the community. They called people to worship, announced important events, and connected colonists to one another and kept communities informed, alert, and well-prepared. Their ringing signaled freedom, responsibility, and self-governance. When the Constitution was signed, bells rang out across the colonies to announce the beginning of a new era of freedom.

If your church has a bell, please consider arranging for your church bell to ring for one full minute at 4pm in chorus with bells ringing downtown in front of the judicial center and across the country. Or just come down and join us in front of the judicial center! Bring your own bell and join us!

Thank you, and we look forward to hearing your beautiful bells!

Susan Burns McGinnis
Regent, Jane McAfee Chapter DAR

09/14/2026

Harrodsburg/Mercer County Tourist Commission is excited to announce that Oktoberfest - Downtown Harrodsburg 2026 will take place September 18–19 in downtown Harrodsburg!

They know what the community is thinking … “But it’s in September!” They hear it every year, and this time they’ve moved it earlier into September! There are a lot of reasons behind the date (like avoiding overlap with other local festivals, fall break, and more).

They can’t wait to raise a glass, dance in the street, and celebrate with all of you once again for another epic Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest Music:
🎶John Thomas Moore on Friday at 6pm
🎶The Deadly Medley on Friday at 7pm
🎶Conch Republic on Friday at 8pm
🎶YEARLOVE on Friday at 9pm
🎶The Mad Taxpayers on Friday at 10pm
🎶Jarrod Stratton on Saturday at 1pm
🎶Ridgeline Bluegrass Band on Saturday at 2pm
🎶Much Obliged on Saturday at 2:55pm
🎶The Pour Decisions on Saturday at 3:50pm
🎶Paint Creek on Saturday at 4:45pm
🎶Country Wide Band on Saturday at 5:40pm
🎶Grouper Soup on Saturday, at 6:35pm
🎶Sheerflow on Saturday at 7:30pm
🎶Trailer Trash on Saturday at 8:25pm
🎶Conch Republic encore on Saturday at 8:25pm
🎶Zack Attack on Saturday at 9:30 pm

Oktoberfest Food Trucks:
🌭Captain Franks Hotdog Emporium
🧇Zuckerwaffles by the Knights of Columbus of Harrodsburg.
🍖Biscuit's BBQ and Catering
🌮Casa Mobile
🥩Miss Steaks blessings food services
🌯Grillin' Good Eats
🍖HogTown Barbecue Social Eatery
🍋Life's Lemons
🍦The Scoop
🍩Bee'z Street Eats
🥪The Sandwich Shop and Deli
🍔Bishop's Smash Burger
🍖Triple J&C BBQ Team
🐖Johnson's Country Hams Mobile
🍞Inman Artisan Delights

🍻The Oktoberfest Drink Lineup🍻
This year's Oktoberfest in Downtown Harrodsburg will feature ice-cold domestics to local craft favorites and festive sips, while everyone enjoys the music and atmosphere. Drinks will be served by our friends at the Rotary Club of Harrodsburg - they are proud partners making Oktoberfest possible.

09/14/2026

🎈🎈Don’t forget …🎈🎈

The Grand Opening of Mama's Homestead Market (122 S. Main Street) in Harrodsburg is Wednesday, September 16, with the Ribbon Cutting at 3pm. Balloon

Come celebrate with the Lovingood and DeMoss families and take a look around the new store, meet some of the local vendors and products, and help them kick off this new chapter!

09/14/2026

📸Monday Memories📸

This old historic Kirkwood Covered Bridge, formerly in the Kirkwood area of Mercer County (near Salvisa), was replaced by a modern concrete structure in 1935. The new bridge is an open-air concrete/steel bridge carrying Kirkwood Road over the Salt River. All that remains of the covered bridge is the stone foundations. Photo credits under each photo.

09/13/2026

🍅Persimmon Seed Weather🍅

Folklore says persimmon seeds can predict winter weather. In the fall, cut the seeds open and check the shape inside. If the kernel is:
🍅Spoon-shaped, expect plenty of snow to shovel.
🍅Fork-shaped, plan on a mild winter with powdery, light snow.
🍅Knife-shaped, expect frigid winds that will “cut” like a blade.

So far this year, spoons have been the consistent answer when Kentuckians have checked seeds during the past week. This means the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts the 2026-27 winter in Kentucky will be have colder than normal temperatures and above average snowfall in parts of the region, meaning plenty of heavy snow to shovel.

Please, keep in mind this method is strictly a fun, unscientific tradition!