Kentucky Dam Village Arts & Crafts Festival

The Kentucky Dam Village Arts and Crafts Festival takes over Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park each Memorial Day weekend, right on the shoreline of Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville. You shop outdoors across the park grounds, with local makers and regional artists offering pottery, woodwork, fine art, textiles, and custom jewelry. Plan to pair browsing with time at the marina or a lakeside picnic, since the water is steps away.

You can expect a relaxed, informal pace with the focus on craftsmanship, and the mix of vendors changes year to year so the selection stays current. Start with an early walk through the booths before the midday heat, then break for lunch at the picnic tables overlooking the lake. If you want a quieter holiday weekend, this is the kind of event where you can take your time, and we find it works just as well for couples as it does for friends traveling together.

Arrive by 9:00 AM on Saturday for the strongest selection, and aim to finish your final loop by mid afternoon since many vendors begin packing up around 4:00 PM. Entry is free, parking is plentiful throughout the resort park, and you will want comfortable shoes for grass underfoot plus high SPF sunscreen for the open shoreline. Bring a reusable tote for purchases and a small cooler if you plan to picnic; if the main areas feel busy later in the day, use the marina as a secondary base.

The festival runs rain or shine, and in wet weather some booths shift under covered pavilions, though the shoreline walk is best in clear conditions. Most outdoor park areas are pet friendly, so you can bring your dog on a short leash through the booths. For the closest stay, book a room or cottage at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park; Calvert City and Gilbertsville add straightforward hotel options, and you can also reserve a waterfront rental through Lake.com. Food vendors typically set up near the fair with simple festival snacks and drinks.