This week in Downtown Owensboro...

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Voted Owensboro favorite event, Owensboro Lip Sync Battle is one night of epic performances from local businesses and organizations all in support of Puzzle Pieces, a nonprofit that serves 400+ clients with disabilities.

Owensboro is known for BBQ, but can those BBQ restaurants do burgers? What about burgers from some of our Mexican restaurants? This week is an epic showdown of burger awesomeness.  A distinguished panel of self-proclaimed burger experts will blind taste test to determine one champion.

BBQ & Barrels represents the culmination of 45 years of a cultural tradition in Owensboro and Daviess County. It is the celebration of our past, our present, and our future, bringing together two of Owensboro’s greatest traditions – authentic, unparalleled Owensboro barbecue and historic Kentucky bourbon.

Free, award-winning summer-long music festival and street fair on the stunningly beautiful Downtown Owensboro Riverfront.  Friday After 5 began in 1997 with 4 concerts and grew into a summer-long signature riverfront festival for the entire tri-state area hosting more than 70,000 visitors each season. Friday After 5 has won the Messenger-Inquirer Reader’s Choice Platinum Award for “Best Community Event” for 10 consecutive years.

Live on the Banks is a free, outdoor concert series on Saturday nights from May through September at the Overlook Stage on the Downtown Owensboro Riverfront. 

Presented by the City of Owensboro.

Jeeps and Jamz Expo is Owensboro’s premier Jeep event and more than just a gathering; it’s the ultimate celebration for Jeep enthusiasts. Every year, the heart of Owensboro resonates with the revving of Jeep engines and the buzz of a vibrant community coming together.

Owensboro's All-American Fourth of July celebrations begin in the afternoon at the Convention Center's 4th Fest with activities for kids, live music and food trucks on the Downtown Owensboro Riverfront.  For a nightcap, fireworks will light up the sky in a coordinated display with the bridge & music!

The Owensboro Air Show began in 2012 to celebrate the grand opening of the newly revitalized Smothers Park Riverfront in downtown Owensboro, Kentucky. Twelve years later, the Owensboro Air Show has become a signature community event in the region annually showcasing the best military jet teams and civilian performers in the world.

Owensboro Comic & Toy Convention will take place October 5-6th, 2024 in Owensboro, KY at the Owensboro Convention Center. OCTC is Owensboro's largest gathering of all things geeky! The convention features celebrities of film and TV, comics, art, music, and more.

This family-friendly event runs from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. and will feature over 60 booths sponsored by local businesses and organizations. Kids and families can trick-or-treat downtown while enjoying music and meeting some of their favorite characters! The fun will span West 2nd Street and Veterans Blvd. from Daviess Street to Frederica Street.

Let’s get crafty for the 11th Annual Kraftucky! Guests can shop from over 200 booths from talented artisans and crafters featuring items in woodcrafts, decor, quilts, candles, holiday decorations, custom foods, painting, floral arrangements, pottery, embroidery, and more! Find something unique for yourself or get a jump start on that holiday shopping!
Show hours are Friday, November 8 from 2pm to 7pm, Saturday, November 9 from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday, November 10 from 11am to 4pm.

“Hometown Christmas,” a series of holiday activities, kick off in mid-November with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. From festive photo ops and interactive light displays to Christmas-themed programs and theatre performances, more than a dozen activities will take place through December 31.