Here are 10 things to know about Tri-Fest weekend in Henderson

HENDERSON, Ky. − Since we’ve now arrived at mid-April it means that the annual spring Tri-Fest street festival hosted by the Henderson Breakfast Lions Club is about to kick off with food, entertainment, rides, fireworks — and more — for the community to enjoy.

Here are 10 things to know about Tri-Fest 2023.

When and where is Tri-Fest?

The Tri-Fest will take place in downtown Henderson between Washington and Third streets from Friday, April 14, until late Sunday afternoon, April 16.

Food booths open at 11 a.m. on Friday. Hours are generally 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.

What’s there to eat?

Long-time Tri-Fest organizer Bill Floyd says all of the fan favorites will be there, including walking taco, pork chop sandwich, nachos, ribbon fries, funnel cake, hamburger, fish sandwich, Philly cheesesteak, bloomin’ onion, Italian sausage, pork burger, brisket, pulled pork, apple dumplings, homemade ice cream, ribeyes, brain sandwich, fried green tomatoes, corn dog, street tacos, sweet potato fries, strawberry shortcake, Greek salad, gyros, pizza, chicken and dumplings, extreme milk shakes and much more.

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A recent addition to the menu, the donut burger offered by the Fraternal Order of Police, raises money for the Cops Connecting to Kids program. And in addition to the popular lemon shakes-ups offered by the Henderson and Corydon Lions Clubs, other booths will sell both orange and strawberry shake-ups.

Where’s the entertainment?

The entertainment stage will be set up on the Henderson County Courthouse lawn adjacent to Central Park on the Main Street side. Free entertainment starts at 5 p.m. on Friday. Here’s the schedule: Friday, 5 p.m. Purse Dive Divas; 6:30 p.m., Carly Moffa Trio; 7:45 p.m., Soul N The Pocket. Saturday: Noon, International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 56; 3 p.m., GC Vincent; 5 p.m., Galactic Foghorn; 7 p.m., The Duke Boys. Sunday: 1 p.m., The David Lutz Group.

What about fireworks?

The Tri-Fest fireworks show is scheduled for approximately 9 p.m. on Friday. They will be fired from land on the Water Street vacant lot that was formerly the site of the Henderson Municipal Power & Light Station 1 power plant. Fireworks will be visible all along the riverfront; a particularly good view is in Red Banks Park and the Vista View Overlook at the foot of Seventh Street.

Floyd said the fireworks were formerly shot from a barge on the river, but that’s no longer practical.

“The barge on the river was great, but when liability insurance skyrocketed it became more and more difficult to afford that type of venue.”

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He said the Breakfast Lions work closely with Henderson Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works and Henderson County Emergency Management to set up a safe venue for the land-based fireworks.

“We can’t say enough good things about having their support,” he added. In case of inclement weather on Friday night, the fireworks will be postponed until Saturday night.

Are there carnival rides?

It wouldn’t be the Tri-Fest without carnival rides. Rides geared toward the younger set are located closer to Washington Street and the rest are placed closer to Third Street and in the Imperial Building parking lot that borders Main Street. Single carnival ride tickets are $1.50, a sheet of eight is $10 and a sheet of 20 is $20. There will also be a wristband option available for $30.

Is there anything new?

As a matter of fact, there’s a brand-new event for kids and families: Pedal Tractor Pull. It will take place at Second & Main streets on Saturday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Breakfast Lions members witnessed the popularity of this event at this year’s National Farm Machinery Show at Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville and decided it might a good addition to Tri-Fest.

“Kids were lined up forever to participate,” Floyd said about the Louisville show. “And this has the potential to develop into a nice program for us,” he added, noting that it could eventually grow into a sanctioned event with a national organization. “It’s something the family can participate in. Everybody cheers everybody else on.” It’s free with categories for several age groups.

Longest-running Tri-Fest event

Of course, food booths have been part of this community festival from the very beginning, but aside from that the Annual 5-K Classic Run and Walk takes the trophy for longevity. This is the 32nd year for the event which in recent years has been presented by Habitat for Humanity of Henderson.

The run/walk starts in Central Park at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 15. It’s a certified 5K time course. Awards will be presented to the top 3 in men’s and women’s age groups and the top 3 overall for men and women. The 8th-annual Habit-Tot Trot will also take place for ages 7 and younger. It’s a quick dash before the main event.

You can sign up for both events online or in person at Habitat ReStore located at 1030 Third St., or online at www.hendersonhabitat.org, race link runsignup.com/race/Ky/Henderson/trifest5k. Info: 270-826-0015 or shadley@hendersonhabitat.org.

What’s the forecast?

Tri-Fest has endured all sorts of weather conditions through the years — fair weather, wind, rain and even snow.

This year the early forecast is showing high temperatures in the mid-70s on Friday and Saturday and a high of 63 (with sunshine) on Sunday. There’s a 50 percent chance of rain on Saturday, so you might want to lock in your favorite Tri-Fest foods on Friday.

There’s also church

A Community Worship Service hosted by Niagara Methodist Church will take place on the main stage on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. It’s a nice opportunity for vendors who need to be close to their booths before the festival opens for lunch, but at-large community members also enjoy it as a different experience on Sunday.

What is Tri-Fest exactly?

The Breakfast Lions launched Tri-Fest in 1988 as a project to help local schools, churches and non-profit organizations fund-raise for their programs and projects. The Breakfast Lions raise money from booth rentals and other sales which they use to award community grants later in the year.

The grant cycle is now open and the application can be found at BreakfastLions.org. Over the years, the Breakfast Lions has awarded $707,000 in grant money. Adding funds raised by the individual booths, Floyd said, the monetary value to the community as a whole could easily double that.

“That’s not bad for a small club that didn’t know what we were doing when we started,” he added.

Floyd also noted that Tri-Fest was an early leader in Henderson’s seasonal downtown events schedule.

“We didn’t have a lot going on then except Bluegrass in the Park,” he said. “We’ve really grown, and we’re proud of that.” Now there’s also the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival, SummerFest, PorchFest, Juneteenth, Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Festival, Dia de los Muertos, Chili Cook-Off, Spring and Fall Market on Main, Dinner on the River and other events.

This article originally appeared on Henderson Gleaner: Henderson, Kentucky Tri-Fest is Friday through Sunday