The Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival is Logan County, Kentucky’s largest community event, attended and participated in by an estimated 25,000 people. The festival had its beginning in 1941 and was a one-day event, coinciding with the opening of the Christmas shopping season. Full of fun events for everyone, this annual festival has attracted Logan Countians for decades. Whether you’re new to the area or a longtime native, we cordially invite you to join us in our favorite homecoming event, the 2022 Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival!
Conceived as an annual event, the second festival was held in 1942. However, it ceased during World War II because of shortages of time, labor and materials dedicated to the war effort. In 1957, the festival was revived, and continued uninterrupted for more than 60 years, then in 2020 the festival was shut down due to COVID-19.
The purpose of the festival, at its conception, was to focus attention on Logan County’s chief crop and to pay tribute to Russellville, the largest one-sucker tobacco market in the world. Organized by the Logan County Chamber of Commerce, the festival celebrates our past by continuing some of the same activities – and at the same location on the square where the first years of the festival took place!
Today, you will find many events taking place around the Carrico Park Square including a Tobacco Judging Contest and a reenactment of the 1868 Jesse James Robbery at the Southern Bank of Kentucky by the Jesse James Gang. The Tobacco & Heritage Festival Grand Finale, also known as “Festival Day” or “Parade Day,” is held on the second Saturday in October, centrally located on the Carrico Park Square in Russellville. It is packed full of people from Logan County, folks from all over the state of Kentucky and beyond. One of the largest parades in the area kicks off the daily festivities, while food vendors circle the square with both unique and traditional foods. Arts and crafts vendors from all over the state sell their items on the Historic Courthouse lawn.
Non-profit and local business vendors surround the square down each block. Horse and carriage rides are a must and the Kids’ Zone is ready for your family with games, blow-ups and more. Karaoke, line dancing and a few bands rock us through the night with “Entertainment on the Square” to end the festivities at 8pm. This is a homecoming event for people who have moved away from the community, a time to return and celebrate with family and friends, as well as an exciting community event that Logan Countians look forward to attending annually. The Logan County Chamber of Commerce board and staff would like to invite you and your family to join us in the many festivities this event brings for all to enjoy. For information and applications for our events, check out our website at www.tobaccofest.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
•Queen’s Pageant – September 22nd
•Bike Ride – September 24th
•Little Mr. & Miss Pageant – September 24th
•Historic Homes Tour – September 25th
•Health Fest – September 26th
•Hangin’ with Heroes – September 27th
•Jesse James 5k – October 1st
•Golf Scramble – October 1st
•Road Rally – October 1st
•Historic Walking Tour – October 2nd
•Cemetery Tours – October 4th & 6th
•Pet Show – October 6th
•Tobacco Judging – October 7th
•Senior Stroll – October 7th
•Special Needs Walk – October 7th
•Parade Float Judging – October 7th
•Craft Show & Flea Market – October 8th
•Jesse James Bank Robbery Reenactment – October 8th
•Parade – October 8th
•Kids’ Zone – October 8th
•Carriage Rides – October 8th
•Karaoke Contest – October 8th
•Live Music on the Square – October 8th
•Grand Finale Concert – October 8th
-submitted by Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival
