The Greenville Tourism Commission is pleased to present the 2nd annual “Squash & Gobble,” their signature arts and fine crafts event and family fall festival.  The event is set for Saturday September 25th from 9:00am to 5:00 pm.  The Squash & Gobble event spotlights both the performing and the visual arts while offering families a fun-filled free fall festival.

The visual arts and crafts portion of the event will feature Kentucky artisans from across the region. Artisans’ booths will host creations in primitive furniture, stained glass, custom framing, photography, pottery, jewelry, weavings, painting, sewing and much more. There will be approximately fifty booths scattered around Greenville’s downtown courthouse square. There are two unique additions to this year’s event. Tinsmith Randy Hulsey and Bear Hollow Wood Carvers will have interactive demonstrations of craftsmanship. Mr. Hulsey specializes in 18th and 19th century reproduction tinware and, in full costume of the era, performs living history demonstrations. The Bear Hollow Wood Carvers are leaders in the chainsaw wood carving industry and will be performing 4 live chainsaw wood carving demonstrations at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, & 3:30 pm. The tourism commission has pre-purchased the completed carvings and all 4 will be auctioned off at at the Veteran’s Plaza Stage at 3:30, prior to the Mudd River Union concert.  All proceeds from the sales of the carvings will go to designated “arts related” non-profits in the community (Muhlenberg County High School Band, Duncan Center, MCTI and The Muhlenberg Arts Council).

Once again, as part of the celebration of the arts, Muhlenberg County students (ages 6 – 18 years old) will be competing in an art competition on the downtown square. Wing Alley located between Main Street Costumes and Hello Gorgeous Salon will be transformed into “Imagination Alley” for the day and host the young artists’ pieces from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. The Muhlenberg Arts Advisory Council is facilitating this portion of the Squash & Gobble event exhibit. Judging will be from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm and the announcement of winners will be at 3:30 pm on the Veterans Plaza stage.

The performing arts will be celebrated via three live music performances that will take stage on Veterans Plaza.  At noon, local group “Me & the Boys” will be first to perform.  This local group specializes in beautiful four part harmonies. Many of their crowd favorites are gospel tunes that showcase their vocal abilities. At 2:00 pm “Heath Eric” and full band will hit the stage. Heath’s latest album Finally Getting’ It reflects on his life, pain, happiness, love for his two boys, search for truth and dream chasing. Heath uses his soulful voice and earthly acoustic grooves to create his own unique blend of Authentic Americana and Acoustic Soul Music. As the finale performers, local favorites “Mudd River Union” will perform at 4:00 pm. “Mudd River Union” was featured at Squash & Gobble last year, as well as this year’s Saturdays on the Square concert series’ local night. This bluegrass picking, country loving, rock star drumming, blues bending, funky bass playing music loving band always draws a crowd. Their original music is a unique blend of multiple genres and gives distinct character to their music.  “Mudd River Union” is a true Muhlenberg County treasure that won’t disappoint festival goers.  Attendees of the concerts should bring their lawn chairs.

Fall Festival events include a free pumpkin painting booth for the kids, free hayrides and a full food court. The food court is going to feature seasonal goodies like fried pies and fresh homemade kettle corn. Once again the Greenville merchants will be offering a plethora of special offers and some businesses will be hosting their fall open houses.

Squash & Gobble Arts Bazaar and Fall Festival has been marketed in a 5-county area and is sure to be a delightful event to mark the end of the summer and welcome in the fall.  Visit www.tourgreenville.com for more information or contact Beth Newman at 270-338-1895, M-F 9am-4pm.  In the event of rain, the event will be held in the gymnasium of the Muhlenberg County High School, East Campus.