The 37th Annual Jenny Wiley Festival is set to kick-off on Wednesday in Downtown Prestonsburg. This year, there will be free carnival rides from 6 PM until 10 PM, but only on Wednesday. Most folks gather at this festival to taste the great food, listen to live music and buy locally-crafted items, but most don’t know the story behind the festival. Executive Director of Prestonsburg Tourism Samantha Johnson says that the Jenny Wiley Festival is the only state park in Kentucky that is named after a female. Johnson mentions that Jenny Wiley was a strong pioneer who was held captive and lost most of her family, but eventually escaped captivity and return home to the mountains. There will be mini-version performances of the Jenny Wiley story held at the amphitheater including activities for the kids so they can have fun in an educational and cultural fashion.

For more information and a full event lineup, visit jwfestival.com