HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – During a press conference Tuesday, city officials introduced a new community event – the Summer Salute Festival on August 26 and 27 – as the “rebranded” version of the community’s former Little River Days celebration.
According to a release, part of the rebranding effort includes moving from the previous May festival to August, a change that aligns the 2016 Summer Salute as a “pre-clipse” event and test drive for the Solar Eclipse on August 21 of 2017.
The inaugural Summer Salute is a two-day event that includes the annual Chili Cookoff, presented by the Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee. Plans call for expanding Summer Salute to a three-day event for the 2017 Solar Eclipse weekend, running August 18-20 prior to the actual August 21 Eclipse Day.
“I am excited to be announcing this new festival that combines the best of the heritage of Little River Days with the unique opportunity presented by the 2017 Solar Eclipse. Through generous sponsorships and strategic partnerships, the Summer Salute Festival promises to be a signature regional event for years to come! Hooah for Hoptown,” said Mayor Carter Hendricks.
The title sponsorship from Jennie Stuart Medical helps set a financial cornerstone for Summer Salute. A number of other opportunities exist for businesses to participate with Friday night entertainment, fireworks, classic car shows both days and kid’s zone plans underway. The signature event for this year’s Summer Salute will be a major Saturday night concert.
Music will play a big role in Summer Salute, officials revealed. Friday night’s activities will feature a well-known music review.
During the day Saturday, Fort Campbell’s 101st Band will perform at the Chili Cookoff area in Founder’s Square. Saturday night’s headliner act is expected be a national artist that music fans will recognize, performing on a “big stage” in front of the Justice Center. The announcement of all entertainers and additional sponsors will be coming regularly over the coming weeks.
In addition to music, kids will have a wide arrange of free activities at Kid’s Zone locations at Summer Salute. And, of course, the usual bevy of craft and food vendors will be on hand Friday and Saturday to add to the festival atmosphere. Parks and Recreation officials are striving to double the number of vendors this year.
Additional announcements about 2016 Summer Salute sponsors, performers, and festival additions will be made in the coming weeks. For more information, follow Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Twitter, or visit www.hoptownrec.com.