Culture Pikeville, Kentucky

crowded hambley boulevard during hillbilly days 2013

hillbilly days annual festival held in mid-april in pikeville, kentucky celebrating best of appalachian culture. event began local shriners fundraiser support shriners children s hospital. has grown since beginning in 1976 , second largest festival held in state of kentucky. artists , craftspeople showcase talents , sell works on display. nationally renowned musicians best of regional mountain musicians share 6 different stages located throughout downtown area of pikeville. want-to-be hillbillies across nation compete come wildest hillbilly outfit. fans of mountain music come around united states hear annual concentrated gathering of talent. festival embraces area s culture , past through company, music, , costume. proceeds festival go shriners hospitals children. festival serves honor , recognize heritage of appalachia, while poking fun @ stereotype associated region.

in fall of 2005 eastern kentucky expo center opened in downtown pikeville. center, seats 7,000, features numerous events including world-renowned concerts , shows. city home pikeville concert association secures renowned cultural events area. these events take place @ booth auditorium on campus of university of pikeville.

the expo center home east kentucky energy of american basketball association starting in fall 2010, , starting in spring 2011 became home kentucky drillers of continental indoor football league.

in summer of 2014, jenny wiley theatre opened 200-seat indoor professional theater in downtown pikeville.

the hatfield , mccoy river trails, located on levisa fork river, opened on april 26, 2014. construction of new zipline complex began in september 2014 in bob amos park. project cost $500,000 , opened in april 2015. alltech of lexington has announced construction of distillery, brewery , visitors center in downtown.