The Henderson Breakfast Lions Tri-Fest—the traditional opening of Henderson’s festival season—will again include all the fixings that have made it the longest-lasting of Henderson’s celebrations.
The 37th annual festival will run Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27.
James Peden, this year’s festival co-chair, said that the vendor spaces are as popular as ever, maybe even more, this year. All 76 spaces used by 52 different organizations are filled, he said.
Ten organizations that had wanted to get a space were turned away, said Peden. He said that there’s really not an option to expand and offer more spaces without going up a side street.
“We’re kind of landlocked with what we can do with spaces,” Peden said.
The variety of food offerings will be like years past—pork chops, barbecue, burgers, ice cream, funnel cakes, sausages, corn dogs, tacos, blooming onions, gyros and more.
An interesting aspect of this year’s food lineup is that there are eight different stands selling lemon shake-ups which Peden chuckles could put Henderson into the running for the lemon shake-up capital of the world.
He also mentioned a pretzel booth—Ben’s Soft Pretzels—a food choice that hasn’t appeared at the Tri-Fest in some time.
Carnival rides start 11 a.m. Friday and on that day, ride admission is by ticket only. On both Saturday and Sunday, $30 bracelets for rides will be available. On Saturday, bracelets are available from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. On Sunday, bracelets go from 12 noon-5 p.m., Peden said.
All three days include music, which includes acts from Henderson and Owensboro. Hannah and Harper Todd, Maggie Hollis, Refugees and Alex and Paula Yevincy are from Henderson. Cam Thompson, Andy Brasher and Band, La’Tasha Shemwell and No Limits and Kelly Clark and Eric Heath hail from Owensboro, Peden said.
The Breakfast Lions, according to Peden, make their share of money from a percentage of the carnival ride sales. Last year, the group took in $45,000 with $30,000 of that going to local charities and the rest held back for this year’s fest, Peden said.
That’s a steep increase from the Tri-Fest’s early days. Peden said in the first ten years the Lions made about $6,000 each festival. Although many of the spots these days are taken up by commercial vendors, Peden said they are required to give a percentage to nonprofits. He estimates the total giveback to be about $100,000.
Peden offered a word of caution to those who work and live near the festival’s area, asking that those parked on Main Street from Washington to Third streets move their cars before 4 p.m. Thursday, April 24. Vendors and rides will begin to set up on the street at about 5:30 that evening.
In all the years Peden has worked the Tri-Fest, there’s only been two cars that have been towed. “We make every effort to contact the driver,” he said, but there’s always the chance—one of those tows occurred last year.
Friday night ends with the annual 9 p.m. fireworks show on the riverfront, and Saturday morning, the second annual Pickleball Tournament starts at the Henderson County High School tennis courts at 9 a.m.
Also Saturday morning, the 34th annual Habitat for Humanity 5K classic run/walk goes off at 8 a.m. at Central Park. Sign up here.
Nonprofits that want to apply for funds coming from the Tri-Fest can go to hendersontrifest.org, hover over “Tri-Fest” and click on grants.
Tri-Fest schedule
Friday, April 25
11 a.m.: Food booths and carnival rides open
Music on main stage in Central Park
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Hannah and Harper Todd
6-7 p.m.: Cam Thompson
7:30 p.m.: Andy Brasher & Band
Fireworks
9 p.m.: Fireworks on the Riverfront
Saturday, April 26
8 a.m.: Habitat for Humanity/Breakfast Lions Club 34th Annual 5K Classic Run and Walk
9 a.m.: Henderson Kentucky Pickleball Club Pickleball Tournament @ Henderson County High School Tennis Courts
11 a.m.: Food booths and carnival rides open
12 noon-1 p.m.: International Brotherhood of Magician Ring 56
Music on main stage in Central Park
3-4 p.m.: La’Tasha Shemwell-No Limits
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Maggie Hollis
7-9 p.m.: Refugees-Clay Whitmore
Sunday, April 27
9 a.m.: Henderson Kentucky Pickleball Club Pickleball Tournament continues @ Henderson County High School Tennis Courts
10 a.m.: Community Worship Service hosted by Niagara Methodist Church
12 noon: Food booths and carnival rides open
Music on main stage in Central Park
1-2:30 p.m.: Kelly Clark and Eric Heath
3-4 p.m.: Alex Yevincy and Paula Yevincy
5 p.m.: Food booths and carnival rides close
