Signups are ongoing for some of the activities that will are included as part of the annual Small Town America Festival.
The 2026 Rumpke Small Town America Talent Show will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 8 at the courthouse for a $500 cash prize and performance opportunities at the October Court Day Festival and other events.
Contestants will email a short video of their vocal performance by July 24 and will be contacted by Aug. 3 if they qualify for the finals. The top five will perform live at the event and the winner will be announced at the event.
You can find an entry form on the Small Town America social media page. The form and video entry should be emailed to mtourism@mis.net by July 24.
If you need more info, call 859-498-8732.
Small Town America 5K signups are also ongoing. You can call the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Office for questions or info at 859-498-8728 or sign up at the link below. the location is Old Silo, Silver Creek.
Runners are welcome to bring family and friends.
Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age group and presented immediately following the end of the race. Runners also receive a free T-shirt.
Registration is at 7 a.m.
The race starts at 8 a.m. There is a $20 registration cost. Registration is open through Aug. 6 for youths and adults.
Paint the Small Town is a day-long celebration of art and community held in Downtown Mt. Sterling during the Small Town America Festival. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., artists of all ages and skill levels set up throughout downtown to create works of art inspired by the sights, sounds, and energy of the day. While the event welcomes traditional en plein air painters, all mediums are encouraged—whether using brushes, pencils, markers or mixed media.
In the evening, the Gateway Regional Arts Center hosts a reception and awards ceremony from 6–7 p.m., where every piece created is displayed and available for purchase. The evening concludes with the announcement of cash prize winners, making it a vibrant celebration of creativity and local talent.
Registration and Rules available at grackentucky.org/artists.
The 19th annual Gateway Children's Cornhole Tournament and silent auction will be held Aug. 8.
The tournament is held in the upper parking lot behind Whitaker Bank.
Check-in is at 11 a.m. with the tourney beginning at noon.
There is an early bird registration fee of $25 per team if you sign up by July 10. The regular registration fee is $35.
Bring your own partner and bags. Limited sets are available if needed.
There is a maximum of 64 teams-double elimination (ACO rules).
The rain location is Gateway Christian Church. There are prizes for the top three teams ($400 for first, $300 for second and $100 for third) and free T-shirts for all participants. If you need more information, call 859-498-9892 or email info@gatewaychildren.org.
Register at:
https://gatewaychildrensservices.org/Cornhole/
The Mt. Sterling Lion's Club Car Show is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 8 in the city parking lot behind the Downtown Athletic Club.
There is a 50/50 pot and dash plaques for the first 50 entries. Classes are 1989 and down with recognition for the top 15 and best of show. There is also a special choice class with recognition for kids choice and ladies choice.
Professional Touch Entertainment will serve as DJ.
There is a $15 entry fee.
For more information, call Stephen Willoughby at 859-404-8385 after 4:30 p.m.
Other activities included as part of the festival are the Farmers' Market; food and arts and crafts vendors; shopping at downtown merchants; a Sterling Health Fair and kids zone.
Tourism Director Tracy Pearce said as of today all food vendor spots have been filled, but five arts and crafts vendor spots remain. Vendors set up in the courthouse square.
Applications can be found on the Small Town social media page. Vendors should be set up by 9 a.m. Aug. 8 and shoud not tear down until 4 p.m. Applications can be mailed to Mt. Sterling Tourism, 124 N. Maysville, Mt. Sterling, Ky., 40353, or emailed to mtourism@mis.net.
For additional questions call 859-498-8732. A $20 donation will be accepted at check-in.
The tourism office organizes/oversees the event.
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