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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky is the leading beef state east of the Mississippi River. For the first time, the Commonwealth’s beef industry will be celebrated in a festival scheduled for June.
The first Fort Harrod Beef Festival will be June 2-4 at Old Fort Harrod State Park, the Mercer County Fairgrounds and other sites in and around Harrodsburg.
“Cattle accounted for more than $620 million in farmgate receipts in Kentucky in 2004,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “The state has invested millions of dollars in recent years to make the industry even stronger by improving genetics and forages. Kentucky is well-suited for beef cattle, and the industry’s future here is bright. It’s only fitting that we have an event to honor beef’s important place in Kentucky agriculture.”
A beef grill-off will pit grillmasters into competition to see who can cook the best brisket, steak and ground beef. The festival’s signature event will take place Saturday, June 3, at the Mercer County Fairgrounds. A youth ground beef competition for ages 9-17 also will be offered. Judges will determine the winners, and for $5 per person, visitors to the festival can vote for a “People’s Choice” award. Beef for the competition will be purchased from the Green River Cattle Co. of Greensburg.
The Kentucky Headhunters top the list of musical acts that will perform at the festival. The popular band from Edmonton will perform Friday, June 2, at about 9 p.m. at the Mercer County Fairgrounds. Opening acts will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Local musicians will perform throughout the festival.
Historic Beaumont Inn will host a beef and bourbon tasting June 1 from 6-7 p.m. EDT. Seating is limited to 50, and reservations are required. The event is sponsored by Woodford Reserve.
Other festival activities include a juried arts and crafts fair, a steak and eggs breakfast June 3, displays of cattle breeds and antique farm machinery, a 4-H/FFA skillathon, an Ag Olympics, a ranch horse competition, pony rides, a twilight tour of Old Fort Harrod State Park, a five-kilometer race/walk, a wildlife live animal show, an exhibit of cattle art and an antique and classic car cruise-in.
For more information, go to www.fortharrodbeeffestival.org.
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