Marion County Country Ham Days

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Food & DrinkLebanon
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
CrowdSmallAbout 30,000 people
Best forRegional food & drinkThe festival's growth from a modest 1969
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Marion County Country Ham Days in Lebanon

Marion County Country Ham Days is a weekend festival held the last full weekend of September in downtown Lebanon, Kentucky, running since 1969 when it began with just six hams and a handful of volunteers. Now drawing over 30,000 visitors, it features a massive Country Ham Breakfast, the Pigasus Parade, and a hot air balloon glow.

In 1969, a small group of volunteers in Lebanon, Kentucky, set out to celebrate the region's country ham curing tradition with a modest event built around just six hams.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's growth from a modest 1969 gathering of six hams and a few volunteers into a Kentucky Top-Ten Event with more than 30,000 visitors captures a genuine grassroots success story spanning over five decades

02

The mystery stays covered

Its signature Country Ham Breakfast now serves more than 4,000 pounds of country ham in a single morning, a scale that has become a point of local pride and a fundraising engine for the community

03

The city starts moving

The Pigasus Parade, featuring dignitaries, floats, and marching bands, gives the event a distinctly Kentucky sense of humor around its pork theme, while a Saturday night hot air balloon glow and Sunday morning balloon flyover add a visual spectacle uncommon among county ham festivals

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's defining tradition is the Country Ham Breakfast

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a communal meal serving thousands of pounds of country ham that has anchored the event since its earliest years and grown from six hams in 1969 to a mass-scale morning tradition

The sacred route

Living ritual

The Pigasus Parade

The local code

Living ritual

with its pun-based name playing on the Latin root of Pegasus

Tradition 5

Living ritual

carries forward a distinctly local sense of humor tied to the festival's pork heritage

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

Getting to Marion County Country Ham Days works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.

What to wear

Casual outdoor fall clothing. Late September in central Kentucky is generally mild, though mornings can be cool, so light layers are practical for the early breakfast and 5K events.

Safety

Marion County Country Ham Days is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Lebanon.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map36.21 N, 86.29 WOpen in Google Maps

Lebanon, KY

Nearest airportBNA — Nashville
TransportGetting to Marion County Country Ham Days works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Lebanon.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Lebanon via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Lebanon, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor fall clothing. Late September in central Kentucky is generally mild, though mornings can be cool, so light layers are practical for the early breakfast and 5K events.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Marion County Country Ham Days?

Marion County Country Ham Days is listed for Past edition: 26–28 September 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Marion County Country Ham Days take place?

The festival is listed in Lebanon, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Lebanon, KY

How big is it?

Small: 30000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmarioncountykychamber.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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