2019 Hot August Blues FAQ

Do you have some questions about this year's festival? We bet others have the same question!  E-mail your question by filling out the form HERE on the CONTACT PAGE, and we'll answer your question, PLUS post the question and answer here so others can see!

How much are tickets and where can I get them?
Tickets are ON SALE NOW online!  CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!   Online ticket sales will END at Noon, Thursday, August 22nd.  We will be at the free show Thursday night at Kenlake State Park Lodge to scan tickets and exchange them for wristbands. At the gate, ticket prices will be, Friday $20, and Saturday $30 and $45 for BOTH DAYS.  Children 12 and under, accompanied by an adult will be admitted at no charge.
Tickets are on sale locally at Kenlake State Park Lodge and The Hitching Post in Aurora, KY, The Wine Cellar  and Spirits locations in Draffenville, Benton and Murray, KY, Music One and Murray Transit in Murray, KY and Bristol Broadcasting in Paducah, KY at 6000 WKYQ/WKYX Road (off Old Mayfield Road)

Will there be a beer garden?  Can I bring a cooler?
There will NOT be a beer garden at the festival as state law dictates no outside drinks may be brought in, if there is a beer garden. Instead, patrons will be allowed to bring their own coolers into the amphitheater area.  There will be a $15 fee, per cooler, which is good for both days, Friday and Saturday, August 24 and 25. Small 6-pack coolers are only $5. The fee helps offset the increased insurance cost for allowing coolers to be brought in, the decreased revenue from food vendors, and to help fund the Marshall County Rescue Squad, which acts as first aid responders for the event. There is no set size limit on the coolers, however the festival reserves the right to charge extra in the case of an excessively large cooler. The festival just asks everyone to use common sense and their better judgement.

What is allowed and what is not allowed in the amphitheater?
No glass bottles, no beach balls and no pets are allowed.  By law, service animals are allowed.

Will there be a food boat on the lake selling food and merchandise again this year?
No.  Unfortunately, there is not a food boat operating in that part of the lake this year!  Food will be available for boaters at Kenlake Marina.  Boaters can also purchase and ticket, get a wristband, and come onshore for food from our vendors.  We do have plans to sell festival merchandise on the lake via a pontoon boat!


The last several years, my friends and I have purchased a table with an umbrella at the top of the amphitheater.  Will we be able to do that again this year and if so, how much?
There are 10 tables with umbrellas at the top of the amphitheater.  Five are for our corporate sponsors, and the other 5 can be purchased by those who want preferred seating. They'll each have 6 chairs and come with 6 wristbands for both Friday and Saturday, PLUS the cooler fee is WAIVED for those with the VIP Party Pass!  THEY ARE SOLD OUT FOR 2019!  


My band would like to play at the Kenlake Hot August Blues.  How do we apply?
The bands for this year have already been chosen, but in the late fall, our committee will begin looking at bands for next year!  Please feel free to submit at the time by clicking HERE and including a link to your band's EPK.


I would like to be a vendor at the Kenlake Hot August Blues.  How do I apply?
The vendors for this year have already been chosen, but we will be closely examining how our vendors do, and how they go over with the crowd, asking questions such as, "Do we have enough vendors?, Do we need different varieties of food?"  Just like the bands, feel free to contact us in the late fall and inquire about being a vendor for next year, by clicking HERE!

Will there be a shuttle service from the lodge, campground and Aurora to the Amphitheater? 
YES! The Shriners will provide shuttle service, with ALL TIPS going to the Shriners Children's Hospital! They'll also be helped by Murray Calloway Transit to help with the overflow.  There will be designated shuttle stops to get on and off.  The shuttle will begin running at 3PM Friday, and 10AM Saturday and continue running until everyone is returned to the campground, cabins, lodge or other motels in Aurora.  If you're coming to the festival, be sure to have a designated driver or take advantage of the shuttle service as it is there for the safety and convenience of everybody! If you are coming from Murray, KY, you can reserve a ride with Murray Calloway County Transit at (270) 753-9725.  The transit will provide you and your friends with a ride to the festival from anywhere in Murray and Calloway County, and then back!

What happens if it rains?
In case of rain, the show WILL GO ON. The show will move inside the indoor tennis center near the top of the amphitheater.