For Mark Hargis, it only took one trip to a bluegrass festival to fall in love with the music, people, and culture surrounding it. Nearly a decade ago, he decided to bring that spirit to Owensboro — and Kentucky Fried Pickin’ was born.
What began as a small gathering of musicians in hotel rooms has grown into a full-blown bluegrass weekend, attracting pickers and fans from across the country. The 2025 edition kicks off Thursday at the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront and runs through Saturday.
“Bluegrass music is like a family reunion,” Hargis said. “You can be around someone, and within five minutes, you’ve got a great group. You stay in contact with them. It’s just a huge bluegrass family reunion.”
The free event invites musicians of all skill levels to bring their instruments, open up their hotel room doors, and start picking. Impromptu jam sessions fill the hotel lobby and hallways and even spill outside if the weather allows.
This year’s event will include a stage with a full sound system for those who want to sign up and showcase their skills. Hargis said two bands are scheduled to perform — King’s Highway on Friday and Dry Ridge on Saturday — but the bulk of the weekend is centered around spontaneous collaboration and musical fellowship.
“You never know who’s going to show up,” Hargis said. “Last night at our regular Tuesday night jam session, we had people from Florida and Nashville. Some folks only get 2-3 hours of sleep on this weekend because they’re up all night playing.”
Kentucky Fried Pickin’ started as a Friday-Saturday event, but over the years, more guests began arriving early, so the festivities now unofficially begin Thursday around 4 p.m.
“People just roam around, listen, and jump in when they want. You don’t have to be a musician to enjoy it,” Hargis said.
Burger Theory will offer specials and cocktails for the event, and there’s no cost to attend or participate.
Hargis credited the Holiday Inn staff and management for helping the event thrive.
“None of this would be possible without them,” he said. “They’ve given us enough room to let it grow, and it just keeps getting bigger.”
As a bonus to the weekend’s offerings, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum will also host the Kentucky State Fiddle Championship. More details can be found at kyfiddler.com.
“This is the third year we’ve hosted it at the Hall of Fame, and we’ve learned a lot,” said Randy Lanham, who serves as emcee for the competition. “We’re very comfortable running a state competition now. Ed Carnes helps us — he runs competitions all over the country — and it’s so much fun to see and hear musicians from about a dozen different states come to compete.”
Lanham said he’s continually impressed by the skill level of the young musicians who take part, and he’s proud to see some locals place or even win.
“I won the Governor’s Cup in 1991, so it’s fun to come full circle and now be the emcee,” Lanham said. “This is a big-time bragging rights competition, and that’s why people come from all over the country. The Kentucky State is held in high regard.”
The contest includes categories for all ages, including junior, adult, and senior fiddle, as well as flatpicking guitar, mandolin, and old-time banjo. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to top finishers, and winners in certain categories will qualify for the Grand Masters Fiddler Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. For a complete list of rules, divisions, and registration info, visit kyfiddler.com.
In addition, the nearby Bill Monroe Homeplace will offer tours throughout the weekend as part of the celebrations.
Hargis said Kentucky Fried Pickin’ epitomizes the genre as a grassroots event driven by passion, hospitality, and a shared love for music.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a pro,” Hargis said. “If you love bluegrass, you’ll fit right in.”
