Paducah Renaissance Alliance

Old Market Days

Old Market Days is a fund-raiser which fulfills approximately 20 percent of the organization’s annual fund-raising goal. It is held annually in conjunction with Barbecue on the River. Over 100 vendors set up booths on the streets, selling hand-made crafts, jewelry, and clothing. This year’s event will be September 23-25 in Paducah’s historic downtown.

Barbecue on the River

BBQ on the River is one of Paducah’s biggest annual events, with more than 75 BBQ teams from Western Kentucky and beyond, cooking up over 60 tons of meat in hopes of taking home the coveted Grand Champions trophy. Along with delicious barbecue, visitors can get a variety of festival foods, fun, and live music, all while helping out local charitable organizations.

1st Annual Sir William Chili Cook-Off

Live Music. Chili Contest. Nearly 70 vendors. Proceeds benefit Martha's Vineyard. The Paducah Renaissance Alliance will host the Beer Garden with proceeds going to benefit downtown and LowerTown development and marketing. Sponsored by The Star Bar & Grill and Sir William Hot Sauce.

Farmers' Market Fall Festival

River's Edge International Film Festival

Celebrating our 6th year, the Rivers' Edge International Film Festival is a four day event, featuring juried-in, high quality independent films from around the world. The Festival offers multiple venues in which to experience the best the world of cinema has to offer, as well as opportunities for emerging film makers to exhibit their work, discuss their work with viewers, and network with contemporaries. 

Veteran's Day Parade

This annual parade runs up Broadway through historic downtown, in honor of the armed forces past and present.

Affordable Art Show

The annual Affordable Art Show introduces and displays the latest art work available in the downtown and LowerTown Arts District.  This fun event encourages residents that may be unfamiliar with the arts to explore art and engage with local artists. It is held annually on the first Thursday in December.

Sponsored by iListPaducah.com, Paducah Renaissance Alliance, and Paducah Life Magazine.

The National Quilt Museum's Benefit Live Auction

Quilts, quilts, and more quilts! The museum's live auction provides quilt enthusiasts an opportunity to bid on beautiful quilts and a wide range of other sewing and quilting items. This is the premier evnt to find the perfect quilt for any location and any occassion. A special preview will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Free admittance.

The National Quilt Museum's Annual Silent Auctions

The museum's Annual Silent Auctions showcase hallways of items including fabrics, books, quilts and more! Stop in and make a bid!

LowerTown Arts & Music Festival

The LowerTown Arts and Music Festival delivers three days of outstanding arts, entertainment and food.  This free festival features more than 50 visiting artists with a wide array of artwork, along with open studios and galleries, and live classical, jazz, bluegrass and rock ‘n’ roll shows on three stages throughout the festival.  This annual May event is the highlight of the year for the LowerTown Arts District and draws thousands of visitors to the district.

Riverfront Rod Run

The River Tin Street Rods host the Riverfront Rod Run downtown and along the riverfront every June.  The show features over 400 pre-'49 street rods along food, activities, prizes and entertainment.   

Independence Day Celebration

Historic downtown Paducah’s annual July 4th celebration, the Independence Day Celebration serves up everything you want in a festival: hundreds of specialty booths offering memorabilia, arts and crafts, charms, food and live entertainment, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over the Ohio River.

Paducah Summer Festival

Held annually since 1967, Paducah’s Summer Festival is a giant community celebration now hosted on the Carson Center lawn.  With free concerts, family events, a kickball tournament, a hot air balloon launch, recliner races, food, a beer garden and a fabulous fireworks finale at the Port of Paducah, this is one of the longest running festivals in the region.

Second Saturday Gallery Walk

The Second Saturday Gallery Walk is held on the second Saturday of each month from January to December. Over 20 LowerTown art studios and galleries host extended hours during Second Saturdays, featuring new exhibits and entertainment. Second Saturdays is hosted from noon to 8 p.m.

Paducah's Downtown Farmer’s Market

Paducah’s Downtown Farmers’ Market is the best source for fresh, locally grown produce.  Twenty vendors line the marekt with fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, wine and other seasonal items for sale in the open-air pavilion by the riverfront.   The Farmers' Market is open from mid-April through mid-November. The market provides residents and visitors with fresh produce grown within a 100-mile radius of Paducah. Farmers' Market Seasonal Hours of Operation: Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Live On Broadway: Arts, Rhythm, & Dinner

Paducah residents and visitors have gathered in historic downtown on Saturday nights for an evening of dinner, dancing in the streets, and shopping in local boutiques and shops for the past 15 years. Live On Broadway invites everyone to celebrate Paducah’s local art and music scene, and to indulge in delicious cuisine from Paducah's best local restaurants. Enjoy outdoor entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, artist demonstrations, and the unique flavor of Paducah. Live On Broadway is held every Saturday night from 7 to 10 p.m. from Memorial Day through September 18.

Entertainment includes live music from Adam and the H-Bombs, Lew Jetton & 61 South, Sixxkiller, Cates-Jackson Duet, Ed & Elaine Jones, Captain Freddy and the RiverCats, Bawn in the Mash, Lydia Walker, Ms. Dahn and the Misters, and The Murr-Vegas All-Stars.

Artists in Residence Program

The Artists in Residence program attracts artists from around the world to Paducah's LowerTown Arts District. The Artists in Residence Program encourages creativity and growth in Paducah's arts community. Artists are invited to live and create art at A.I.R. Studio.