Rail City Fest Brings Entertainment to Downtown Russell

Rail City Fest Brings Entertainment

to Downtown Russell

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

Nestled along the Ohio River and situated on the eastern boundary of Greenup County is a city preparing to kick off summer with some excitement. Just after Rail City Days and Family Fun Day, taking place June 24–25, comes a two-day festival of music, demonstrations, and an entire downtown area to explore while taking in the sights and sounds. As an extension of Rail City Days, Rail City Fest is intended to carry on the traditional celebration through the weekend, giving everyone ample time to attend the downtown festivities. If you’re looking for a fun-filled weekend for the family, this may be the perfect opportunity to create some great summer memories.

Every summer, we fill our calendars with penciled-in dates for travel, some sun at the beach, a hike in the mountains, or a few professional sports games as we cruise through the warm days of June through September. Hoping to make the most of our time during the season, we search for events that will become part of our summer tales. This summer, mark your calendars and get ready for a weekend of stages and smiling faces. Rail City is ready to rock from June 27–28, hosting some of the area's well-known artists alongside the riverfront downtown area of Russell, Kentucky.

For two days, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to see performers such as Lanco, Emmy Davis, The Sugarbeats, Kyle Tipton, Holly Forbes, and Liz Langston. Why stop there? The second day will kick off with From the Hills, followed by Velvet Nights, Sasha Colette & The Magnolias, Whats Up Betsy, Johnathon Cox, and an 8 p.m. performance from Jeremy Short. Each day, gates will open at noon and performances will begin around 12:30 p.m., allowing plenty of time for everyone to make their way through the city, which will be the site of fun and interactive activities.

There’s even a designated section just for kids. The Kid Zone will feature face painting, arts and crafts, inflatables, animal balloons, and a DJ spinning kids' jams throughout the event.

Not only can festivalgoers enjoy great music and entertainment, but the entire city will also serve as a destination for foot traffic to some of the area's popular storefronts and shops. As the days go on, refueling and taking a break is guaranteed to be an enjoyable experience with restaurants like Ghostly Gourmet Dairy Bar and Eridanus Brewing. Vendors will be set up along Bellefonte and Ferry Streets, including Street Shawarma, Kona Ice, and Xtra Terrestrial Tacos, helping to satisfy any festival cravings.

Getting to lodging, dining, and nearby shopping will be a breeze this year, as a shuttle will transport participants to nearby locations including Best Western at 31 Russell Plaza Dr., King’s Daughters Pavilion at 2000 Ashland Dr., and the Farmers Market of Ironton, Ohio, at 218 S. 2nd St. With many locations to choose from in the surrounding area, finding time to enjoy a break from the festivities and take in some of the local sights is sure to be an enjoyable occasion.

Whether you’re looking to get away for a few days and wander through downtown Russell or see some of the area's rising-star performers, Rail City Fest is a two-day event that will add a memorable weekend to your summer stories. The festival is free, and all other information pertaining to parking, event schedules, including the Model Train Exhibit and horse carriage rides, is available on the Wander Russell: Tourism Page of Russell KY Facebook page and at https://wanderrussell.org/.

A free two-day festival awaits to kick off your summer in style with Rail City Fest in Russell, Kentucky!