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Inspired by the Legacy of the Beattyville Bourbon & Moonshine Festival. This festival celebrates the people, stories, skills & traditions that shaped Appalachian Life. From Homesteading and self reliance skills to moonshine history. Stories, Traditions, Distilling & Homestead Heritage
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Festival Hours
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Hillbilly Bikefest 2026
The AMG and TopCoat Products is Proud to Present our 5th Annual Hillbilly BIKEFEST 2026 in Red River Gorge and it is all part of the Beattyvillle Appalachian Memories and Story Telling Festival 2026 with Beattyville/Lee County Tourism, The Beattyville Downtown Alliance, and the Lee County Shrine Club! Our first Rally in our Region of the Season!
HILLBILLY BIKEFEST 2026 SCHEDULE Saturday May 16th@10:00AM FRYDADDY'S OLD SCHOOL BIKE SHOW FOR CHARITY Sponsored by TopCoat Products - Open Classes Show! Registration from 10:00AM-12:00PM-$25.00 Per Bike! Awards Presentation at 2:30PM on the Main Stage! Come and register your Bike meet our friends the Moonshiners from Discovery Channel at one of the best motorcycle events in Appalachia! Period! Meet some of your favorite Moonshiners like Crazy Chuck, Big Chuck, The Beattyville Hillbillies, Momma Moonshine, Doug Taylor, Bruiser Martin, and many more to be announced! Come hang out with them as they judge FRYDADDY's OLD SCHOOL BIKE SHOW FOR CHARITY with all proceeds going to the Children of Shriner's Hospital! All Bikes Welcome and there is more than just Prize Money! There is also a special Prize Pack provided by our Sponsors at TopCoat Products and the Moonshiners themselves! 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and of course our BEST IN SHOW! This is the same Charity Bike Show we do at the BIG RALLIES like STURGIS and anyone can win as it is totally blind and celebrity judged! The way we do it we do not even know who's bike is who's and neither do our Judges. We brought Old School Back and the Best Bikes always win! All in one BIG OPEN CLASSES SHOW with all Bike Types and All Bike Brands Welcome! Big Wheel Baggers, Rat Bikes, Vintage, Garage Built and the List goes on! It is a TRUE MONSTER so get your Registration Number and put them in the Pit! It is the most fun you can have at a Bike Show and 100% of the proceeds go directly to Shriners Hospital for Children! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Saturday May 16th@3:00PM SHINERS FOR SHRINERS CHARITY RIDE Recommended Donation: $20.00 per Bike! Take a Ride with The AMG and our Moonshiner Friends on our Annual "Shiners for Shriners" Charity Ride on THE MOONSHINE TRAIL at 3:00PM! You heard that right, we do this every year and it never fails to bring us some of the best memories and moments with the "Shiners" we have had to date! Just ask ask our brother "Crazy Chuck" he can tell ya! Once again 100% of the Proceeds go to Shriners Hospital in conjunction with the Lee County Shrine Club! ABOUT OUR GPS-ENABLED ROUTES! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE MOONSHINE TRAIL is One of many great BOA TRAIL ROUTES we have created and you can find around Beattyville KY and the Red River Gorge Area by downloading our Free Backroads of Appalachia Mobile Application or Joining our communities on REVER! Routes like Eye of the Dragon, Coal Train 421, Ridge Runner Road 587, Ride the River Dragon, THE MOONSHINE TRAIL, and More! We have the "Best Riding in the U.S.! Period!" and it's all Free! No Rally anywhere has the Riding we do! Period!
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Get ready to step into the rhythm of the mountains at the Beattyville Appalachian Memories Festival.
On Friday, May 15th, Jane Ellen Bolin will be joining the festival to lead a fun and welcoming line and square dancing class from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Whether you’ve danced your whole life or have two left feet, this is your chance to jump in and be part of a true Appalachian tradition. Jane is no stranger to the dance floor. She regularly calls dances at Hoe Down Island at Natural Bridge State Resort Park, bringing energy, laughter, and easy-to-follow instruction that gets everyone moving. She’s also brought her talents to Beattyville before, leading square dancing during a Cruise-In event a few years ago. Here is your chance to connect, learn, and experience the kind of simple, joyful traditions that make Appalachia special. Grab your friends, bring your family, and come dance with us in downtown Beattyville |
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The Beattyville Appalachian Memories Festival is excited to launch a Quilt Show for this year’s festival
Participation is free. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/260984147710056 When signing up, be sure to tell us who made the quilt, how old it is, and any story, history, or special meaning behind the design. The Quilt Show will be part of the Beattyville Appalachian Memories Festival on May 15–16 on Main Street in Beattyville. Drop-off location and times will be across from The Beattyville Town Square in the WIOA Building Thursday May 14th all day! This is going to be a beautiful display of tradition, talent, and stories stitched by hand |
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As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we wanted to honor this historic milestone in a meaningful way. Throughout the Beattyville Appalachian Memories Festival, we will be incorporating a few special tributes to recognize our nation’s rich history and heritage.
We are honored to welcome Larry Elliott, portraying Larry “Like Lincoln” as one of our many special guests! During the festival Larry will be available for photos and meet & greets, along with Mary Todd Lincoln (Elliott). There will be storytelling: Sharing the inspiring story of Abraham Lincoln, from living in a small Kentucky cabin to serving in the White House. This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our Appalachian roots while honoring America’s 250th birthday in a heartfelt and educational way. |
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Step back in time with us at the Beattyville Appalachian Memories Festival, May 15–16, as we welcome living historian Justin R. Mays.
Originally from Ohio with deep family roots in Lee, Owsley, Estill, and Wolfe Counties, Justin has spent over 30 years educating others on the American Civil War. His passion brings history to life, with a special focus on how the war impacted Kentucky and divided families right here at home. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Justin’s work is a powerful reminder of the moments that shaped our nation. His presentations offer a powerful look at a time when loyalty, family, and identity were tested like never before. Justin R. Mays Civil War Historian at the VMMF Proud Member of The Old Crow Mess |
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Storytellers, local leaders, and community members are invited to take part in the Living History Tent during the Beattyville Appalachian Memories & Storytelling Festival.
If you’ve served in an elected office, on a board, committee, civic group, organization, or played a role in helping shape Beattyville and Lee County through the years, we’d love for you to share your memories, photographs, newspaper clippings, and stories. Join us May 15th & 16th, 2026 in Beattyville, Kentucky as we celebrate the people, leadership, and stories of Appalachia. Special thanks to the Republican Women of Lee County and the Republican Party of Lee County for partnering with the festival to host the Storytelling Station and Living History Tent. |
Still ShowIf you’ve built a still and want to show off your craftsmanship, creativity, and skill, this is the stage for you.
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Show Us Your JugsIts all ‘bout showin’ off yer creativity, humor, an’ good ol’ mountain tradition. Paint it, carve it, bedazzle it, or turn it into somethin’ downright wild—we wanna see YOUR jug shine brighter than a mason jar in the moonlight!.
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StorytellingBe sure to check the entertainment schedule for storytelling sessions. History, tall tales, old time how to's, and more! Also storytelling of moonshine history and exciting tales.
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Hotter than Liquor LegsThink yer gams are hotter than a shot o’ white lightning? Roll up them britches an’ show off them legs! The crowd’ll be the judge of who’s got the sassiest, flashiest, liquor-hot legs in the holler. Strut proud an’ see if ya can take home the glory!
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Better Than Bourbon BeardThink yer whiskers are finer than frog hair split four ways? If you got the longest or purtiest beard this side o’ the holler—one that’s more handsome than a jug of shine—then strut on up an’ show it off! Let the crowd do the judgin’ and see if yer chin curtain takes home the braggin’ rights.
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Shiners for Shriners Poker Run5 stops along the Official Moonshine Trail to get your Cards. After our Poker Run we will rejoin The Beattyville Bourbon and Moonshine Festival on Main Street Beattyville for awards!
Join us a we Ride for the Children of Shriners Hospital and hang out with the Moonshiners from Discovery Channel. Link to details! |
Backwoods Moonshine MuseumOwned by The Beattyville Hillbillies, Donnie & Teresa. Season 8 Cast members of the Discovery Channel's Moonshiner's Show.
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Kentucky Mountain MoonshineStop in and let Howard Arven give you a tour of the distillery! Make it only one taste now,,, you have a festival to get to!
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The Hungry Hiker Bar & GrillLocated in Slade along HWY 11, the Hungry Hiker is a place to stop for tastings and food!
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