Harvest Fest promises biggest entertainment lineup yet

The Harvest Festival parade rolls through downtown Inez with the Martin County Courthouse in the background. The parade will return as part of the festival’s 30th anniversary celebration Sept. 18-19. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Martin County Harvest Festival will celebrate 30 years Sept. 18-19 with what organizers are calling its biggest entertainment lineup yet, more food vendors and $15 unlimited-ride wristbands.

Tubs of Fun: Young festivalgoers spin around on the Tubs of Fun ride during last year’s Harvest Festival. The attraction will return as part of this year’s carnival lineup. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

Martin County Attorney Melissa Phelps, president of the Kiwanis Club, gave the Fiscal Court a preview Thursday of the annual festival, which will take place behind the courthouse in downtown Inez.

“It’s sponsored by the Kiwanis Club,” Phelps said. “It’s not just me; it’s our whole Kiwanis Club that puts this on every year.”

Phelps said this year’s festival has “the biggest lineup ever.”

Friday will feature a full slate of local performers, including Martin County Pick and Bow students.

“We have on Friday night a lot of great local artists performing, including the Martin County Pick and Bow students showcasing what they’ve learned,” Phelps said.

Devin Moore will also return after drawing a large online audience during last year’s festival.

Local favorite returns: Devin Moore performs during last year’s Harvest Festival in Inez. Moore, who drew a large online audience during the 2025 festival, will return to the stage Sept. 18. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

“He got the biggest following on the Mountain Citizen’s videos last year,” Phelps said. “A lot of people tuned in to watch him.”

Friday night’s headliner will be nationally recognized West Virginia bluegrass musician Johnny Staats and The Delivery Boys.

Saturday will bring another full day.

“Saturday is jam-packed with lots of local artists, the parade, and wrestling at 5 o’clock, which is always a fan favorite,” Phelps said. “Kids and adults all love that.”

Court and Shop streets come alive during last year’s Harvest Festival in downtown Inez, with the main stage glowing on the left and vendors lining the streets as festivalgoers gather for live music, food and community. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)
An FTC Wrestling competitor raises a championship belt during a previous Harvest Festival. The popular wrestling event returns to the Martin County Business Center at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. (Citizen photo by Phill Barnett)
GiGi – The Rock N Roll Princess wows the crowd during last year’s Harvest Fest. She returns at 4:30 Sept. 19. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

Saturday night’s headliner will be Jake Hoot, winner of Season 17 of NBC’s “The Voice.”

The Health Care Pavilion, sponsored by the Martin County Health Department, will also return during the festival.

Phelps said organizers have worked to keep the carnival affordable for families. While festivals in surrounding counties charge $25 to $30 for ride wristbands, Harvest Fest will offer one-day unlimited-ride wristbands for $15.

“Our goal is not really to make money but to put on a great event and keep doing it every year,” Phelps said.

A ride for all ages: A young boy and an adult enjoy the carousel during last year’s Harvest Festival in downtown Inez. The carnival returns Sept. 18-19 with one-day unlimited-ride wristbands priced at $15. For those who want to ride the carousel only, single tickets will be $3 for one ride. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

The festival will also feature more food vendors than in previous years.

“We keep expanding and growing,” Phelps said. “Hopefully one day we will be so big that we will run out of room, but we have a lot of work to do … We’re looking forward to it.”

Taking a swing: Young riders soar through the air on the swings during last year’s Harvest Festival. Carnival rides will again be among the attractions during the Sept. 18-19 festival. (Citizen photo by Roger Smith)

Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty offered his own assessment of the annual celebration.

“It’s the finest small festival in all of Kentucky,” Lafferty said.

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