The Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is set to bloom with life on June 21, as it hosts its 16th annual Daylily Festival — a celebration of peak flower season paired with live music, food, and family-friendly fun.
Running from 4-7 p.m. at 2731 West 2nd Street, the festival invites locals to enjoy the Garden’s colorful collection of over 800 varieties of daylilies, plus a wide lineup of attractions that highlight both natural beauty and community spirit.
“This is truly a celebration of summer,” said Botanical Garden Executive Director Laurna Strehl. “The flowers are at their best this time of year, and we want people to experience that in a relaxed, joyful setting.”
Admission is free for Garden members and children under 18, while non-member adults will pay a $5 fee starting at 4 p.m. The event is sponsored by Align Wealth Management and Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline.
One of the highlights of the evening will be live music from Lucy Jagoe Chaney and Emmie Kate Williams at the Garden’s gazebo stage.
“They bring that bluegrass vibe and beyond,” Strehl said. “I think they’re going to appeal to everybody — all ages.”
Other attractions include a photo booth, food trucks, a cash bar, a petting zoo featuring an alpaca, and a Bubble Wonderland station with a craft area for kids.
For those looking to take a piece of the Garden home, visitors can participate in a unique seasonal offer: pick out a blooming daylily from designated dig beds, dig it yourself, and take it home for $15 per clump.
“It’s a fun way for people to grow a part of the festival in their own yard,” Strehl said.
Though the festival has evolved over the years — it once included hot air balloons — Strehl says the current format is more sustainable and family-focused.
“We loved the balloons, but they were expensive and often couldn’t fly due to weather,” she said. “Now we focus on what we know will bring joy — music, flowers, food, and fun.”
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and bug spray, mark their spot on the lawn, and enjoy a summer evening surrounded by natural beauty and community charm.
“It’s an event for everybody,” Strehl said. “Come take a photo, enjoy the flowers, and just relax with us in the Garden.”
