The last full weekend in September celebrates the Marion County Country Ham Days, a "Kentucky Top-Ten Event", hosted by the Marion County Chamber of Commerce along with its business partners and volunteers. The festival welcomes over 50,000 visitors and acts as an agent for community empowerment.
The event began nearly 40 years ago, and started with a mere six hams. Today, Ham Days serves over 6,000 pounds of country ham with over 1,000 of Marion County volunteers. At Ham Days, volunteers cook a country ham breakfast that is served to visitors under the Coldwell Banker, V.I.P. outdoor Breakfast Tent. For lunch or dinner, you can grab some beans and cornbread, a pork sandwich or a brat from the Knights of Columbus or steak from The Cattlemen’s Association. An ice cream, fried twinkie, gyro, funnel cake or the best hot dog in town are also served from our many food vendors.
Musical groups are often hammin’ it up in every corner of the Ham Days festival. You’ll find dancing in the street at the Ham Jamwhile Josh London from Nashville, TN entertains in front of the Bluegrass Cellular Main Street Stage or with the Marion County Cloggers. The Piggin’ & Grinnin’ is conducted by the Kentucky Fellowship of Musicians and groups from all around join in the Hog Heaven Christian Music Fest. On Friday night, Mike 100.9 sponsors a fierce competition of the Battle of the Bands. Our Sunday morning stage is blessed with the Joymakers followed by Van Waylon out of Taylorsville for the duration of the festival. Also on Sunday come take a look at cars, trucks & motorcycles at the Stuart Powell Ford Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show! Some of the finest line up for a competition… pure pleasure on the eyes!
Our Saturday night entertainment will be extra special this year… Jason Michael Carroll will be performing (www.jasonmichaelcarroll.com) at 8:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage at the Centre Square Convention Complex, 239 N Spalding Ave, Lebanon, KY.
Tickets available starting 8/1/11, online or by phone at 270-692-9594. Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the gate. Festival seating, no coolers!
**Effective 09/18/11, advance ticket sales are closed. You can purchase tickets via telephone at 270-692-9594 or at the Chamber of Commerce office; tickets will be available for pickup at the gate or at the Chamber office.
There’s so much to do, we start Ham Days pre-week with daily events featuring a Treasure Hunt, Community Worship Service, Slop-the-Hog Ham & Biscuit eating contest, Swine & Dinepub crawl and a Pig Pen relay race and poster contest for local elementary students. Visit the Downtown Pavilion on MLK Blvd. - lots of family fun and exhibits! We invite you to join us!
On September 24,2011, the Farmers National Bank Pokey Pig 5K Run/Walk will feature a mixed medium course through the streets of downtown Lebanon and Graham Memorial Park.
-Men's and Women's overall Pigasus Awards
-Best First Year Award
-Best Marion County Resident Award
-1st, 2nd, 3rd place awards given in each age group
Race highlights:
-Race Shirts free to the first 300 registrants
-Times Given at 1 Mile
-Water Station and Times at 2 Miles
-Ambulance to follow race provided by the Marion County Ambulance Service
-6” Digital Time Clock Display at race finish line
-NEW FOR 2011: Race time will be monitored and recorded using chip timing
-Massage therapists will be on site after the race to give sport massages
Race day registration will begin at 7 a.m. with the race beginning at 8 a.m. at Farmers National Bank:
-Single pre-registration: $20.00
-Group pre-registration: $16.00
(applies to groups of 20 or more)
-Family discount: $45.00 (pre-registered parents and their children)
-Race day: $25.00
We are continually trying to improve and enhance the Farmers National Bank Pokey Pig 5K. The 2011 race course is certified by USA Track and Field making it one of the few in area.
Little Miss Ham Days will receive a crown, sash and a 1st place champion ribbon. Jr. Farmer will receive a trophy and a 1st place champion ribbon. Winners will ride in the PIGasus Parade at 1:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please call the Chamber office at 270-692-9594.
To exhibit at the 2011 Ham Days, you can register online and submit your payment using Paypal.Click here to register online!
You can also print and complete the registration form, and mail it to the Marion County Chamber of Commerce along with your registration fee. Print the Civic Row Booth Application.
Corporate Vendor Application
To exhibit at the 2011 Ham Days, you can register online and submit your payment using Paypal.Click here to register online!SOLD OUT!
As a business, there are several ways you can sponsor this event. Choose platinum, gold, silver or bronze level, or support Ham Days with a custom donation.
County volunteers. At Ham Days, volunteers cook a country ham breakfast that is served to visitors under the Coldwell Banker, V.I.P. outdoor Breakfast Tent. For lunch or dinner, you can grab some beans and cornbread, a pork sandwich or a brat from the Knights of Columbus or steak from The Cattlemen’s Association. An ice cream, fried twinkie, gyro, funnel cake or the best hot dog in town are also served from our many food vendors. 
Musical groups are often hammin’ it up in every corner of the Ham Days festival. You’ll find dancing in the street at the Ham Jam while Josh London from Nashville, TN entertains in front of the Bluegrass Cellular Main Street Stage or with the Marion County Cloggers. The Piggin’ & Grinnin’ is conducted by the Kentucky Fellowship of Musicians and groups from all around join in the Hog Heaven Christian Music Fest. On Friday night, 
Ham Days contributes its success for having something to please everyone - be it the food, music or Arts and Crafts booths, Market Place booths, 
