Kentucky Music Park to open this month | Arts & Culture

The new Kentucky Music Park in Hartford will open June 15.

Area residents Rickey and Susan Matthews are behind the effort, which is situated inside the former Royal Oakls Golf Course, a 72-acre setting that includes serene hillsides, mature trees, a lake and two miles of paved trails.  The park will kick off with a “Community Day” on June 15, 2012 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.  Residents and  invited to bring a lawn chair or blanked and hear a free concert performed by Loose Wheel, which will be playing Southern Rock, Country and Blues.     

Plans are currently underway for various groups to provide entertainment along the property throughout the year, ranging from Gospel, Bluegrass, and Jazz to Country and Rock.

The course will re-open for golfers in mid-July.

The next event is scheduled for July 4-6 with “Bluegrass on the Greens”, which will include performances by James Monroe, Kings Highway, Tommy Brown and County Line Grass, Kody Norris and Watauga Mountain, Mary Rachel Nalley, and Blue River Bluegrass.  There will also be special jam sessions during the event.   On July 4, after the music, you will be able to enjoy “Sparks in the Park” fireworks display by the Ohio County Chamber of Commerce.

Gospel Music Roundup is scheduled for July 21 and on August 11, the competition will begin with the Battle of the Bands.  Area musicians will be performing their best in attempts to win the title.

The venue for September will be country music followed by October’s “A Haunting at the Park” and “Thriller on the Greens”.

Renetta Romero, Executive Director for Ohio County Tourism, said “We are excited about the new venue and plans for the Kentucky Music Park and Golf Course. With the variety of events and music scheduled, everyone from all ages will be able to enjoy the park.  The music park will be a unique place to visit and be entertained.”