W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival
5:30 p.m. June 18; noon June 19-20, Audubon Mill Park, 123 N. Water St., Henderson, Kentucky
Performing at this year’s four-night summer staple are Evansville natives The Cold Stares, Grammy-nominated blues performer Shemekia Copeland, and more. Don’t miss the New Orleans-style Street Strut parade at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Wine Down to the Weekend
5-7 p.m. June 18, Reitz Home Museum, 112 Chestnut St.
The al fresco concert series closes its spring shows with tunes by acoustic duo The Honey Vines. Free admission.
Sommerfest
5 p.m.-midnight June 18-19; 1 p.m.-midnight June 20, Haubstadt Park, 500 W. Gibson St., Haubstadt, Indiana
Self-billed as “Southern Indiana’s Finest Bierstube,” this free Gibson County bash offers a beer garden, carnival rides, food booths, a 5K “Laufenfest” run/walk starting at 6 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. parade Saturday, and nightly entertainment by Lindsey Williams, Happy New Month, and That’s What She Said.
Juneteenth Celebration
3-9 p.m. June 19, Bayard Park, corner of Bayard Park Drive and South Kentucky Avenue
This seventh annual free Evansville Cultural Experience event includes food, crafts, art, and merchandise sales.
Salute to the Negro Leagues
6:35 p.m. June 19, Bosse Field, 23 Don Mattingly Way
Otters baseball players don Negro League jerseys for its annual tribute game vs. the Mississippi Mud Monsters. General admission tickets start at $8.
Midnight Basketball
9 p.m. June 19-midnight June 20, C.K. Newsome Community Center, 100 E. Walnut St.
Children in grades 8-12 can register as a team or a free agent for this 3-on-3 double-elimination tournament. Spectators are welcome but must submit a waiver to enter.
SWAT Fest Community Car Show
4-8 p.m. June 20, Old National Bank parking garage, 1 Main St.
Check out cool cars, trucks, and law enforcement vehicles at this free community event.
Pride Bar Crawl
4 p.m. June 20-2 a.m. June 21, Mo’s House, 1114 Parrett St.
Register 4-6 p.m. at Mo’s House, then set off on a self-guided, multi-stop, Pride-themed walk at this 21-plus event that ends with an 11:30 p.m. drag show at Someplace Else. Tickets start at $20.
Time Travel Ball
6-10 p.m. June 20, Friedman Park Event Center, 2700 Park Blvd., Newburgh
You don’t need a Delorean to go back in time at this 21-and-over fundraiser for three Warrick County museums. Dress as your favorite American era or icon and enjoy dinner, dancing, and drinks. Tickets start at $50; costumes are required for entry.
Summer Concert 2
4-5 p.m. June 21, Central High School Auditorium, 5400 N. First Ave.
Under Conductor Pat Stuckemeyer and Guest Conductor John Miller, Evansville Symphonic Band musicians perform works by American composers. Plus, the Wesley Shepard and Dr. Edwin Lacy Awards are presented at this show. Free admission, with donations accepted.
Regional Events
Threadworxs Fair
9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 19-20, The Granary, 413 Granary St., New Harmony, Indiana
This inaugural needlework festival includes a juried exhibition of counted cross-stitch pieces, curated market of artisans’ works, classes, and workshops. Admission is a donation at the door.
Dazzling Daylily Festival
4-8 p.m. June 20, Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, 2731 W. Second St., Owensboro, Kentucky
See more than 800 varieties of the summer blooms, plus enjoy a petting zoo, miniature golf, live entertainment, food truck fare, and more. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for WKBG members and children under age 18.
Rubber Duck Days
Through June 21, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, Indiana
Can you find all the giant duck friends stationed across the theme park’s 125-acre campus? With the tallest being more than 60 feet, you can’t miss it. Visit Holiday World’s website for admission prices.
Green River Distillery Select Community Celebration
10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. June 20, Green River Distilling Co., 10 Distillery Road, Owensboro, Kentucky
Tour the historic distillery and taste four whiskies produced there, including its newest release, Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak Bourbon. The open house is free; tickets are required for the tours and tastings.
