Pickin' on the Lake
A bluegrass triple-header featuring local Wayne County pickers and headliners from across the Kentucky/Tennessee line.
All agesEvents & Concerts
Big nights, small towns, long memories.
From the annual Easter egg hunt to summer concerts on the water, here's what's happening at the park.
Featured event
Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs
Saturday, June 7, 2025 · Cave Lake Event Park on the Nick Cooley Farm
A free fishing event for Wayne County kids ages 3 through high school (16 and under accompanied by an adult). Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and biggest fish in each age group. Adults are welcome to fish the non-boat tournament from 12–1 with a $10 entry — prizes for 1st, 2nd, and biggest fish. Every kid gets a free t-shirt from Cobb. Lunch is provided for all youth and parents.
Schedule
- 9:00 – 10:00 · Ages 3–6
- 10:30 – 11:30 · Ages 7–12
- 12:00 – 1:00 · High School & Adults
Bring your own tackle, bait, drinking water, and a chair. Loaner poles available. Hosted in partnership with Wayne Co. Defensive Action Against Drugs, Operation UNITE, WCHS Casting Cardinals, and the Wayne Co. Summer Food Program.
Contact: Leroy & Patricia Lay (606) 348-7168 · Georgia Burton (606) 348-7330
A Cave Lake tradition
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt
A spring rite at the park since the gates first opened.
Every spring, the meadow at Cave Lake fills up with thousands of brightly colored eggs — and just as many wide-eyed kids ready to scoop them up. The hunt is free and open to the community, with separate hunting areas for toddlers, school-aged kids, and tweens so everyone gets a fair shot at the prize eggs.
You can count on:
- The Easter Bunny posing for photos down by the dock
- A covered-dish potluck after the hunt — bring your grandma's deviled eggs
- Prize baskets for every age group
- A short Easter message and live hymns under the pavilion
- Crafts and face painting for the little ones
Watch the events page each March for the date and time. Bring a basket. Wear shoes you don't mind getting grass-stained.
Caramel apples and grins by the lake.
Pickin' on the Lake
The Concert Series
A summer of music with the water for a backdrop.
Our open meadow turns into a natural amphitheater when the sun starts dipping. We host bluegrass, country, gospel, and Americana acts on a wooden stage built right into the slope, with the lake reflecting the stage lights long after dark. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, the kids, and a cooler. Food trucks line the gravel lane, and the dock stays open for folks who want to step away from the crowd for a quiet song.
Cave Lake Country Nights
A full-band country show under the stars with food trucks, line dancing in the grass, and a fireworks finale over the water.
TicketedSunday Sing on the Lake
An afternoon of gospel, hymns, and old-time singing with churches from across Wayne County. Free, with a love offering for community food programs.
Free · FaithWant to play the park? Send us your booking info.
Year-round
More gatherings at Cave Lake
Mar
22
Spring Cleanup & Trail Day
Volunteers welcome. Help us prep the trails and dock for the season — lunch is on us.
Volunteer
May
10
Mother's Day Brunch on the Lake
A buffet brunch with live acoustic music, photos on the dock, and a flower bar for moms.
Ticketed
Jul
19
Wings & Wheels Cruise-In
Vintage prop planes dropping in on the old runway, classic cars lined up nose-to-tail along the centerline. Cobbler at the pavilion, live country picking, and a sunset taxi parade you'll be photographing till the sun's gone.
Festival
Aug
02
Drive-In Under the Pines
A 40-foot screen rolled out at the end of the old runway. Pack the family in the truck bed, tune to FM 88.5, and catch a double feature with popcorn from the concession trailer.
Family · Free
Aug
11–13
Perseids on the Runway — Three-Night Star Party
The Perseid meteor shower hits its peak August 11 through 13, 2026, and Monticello's dark country sky is one of the best seats in Kentucky to watch it. We'll be opening the old grass airstrip three nights in a row for stargazing — expect 60 to 100 meteors per hour at the peak. Bring a blanket, a thermos, a reclining lawn chair, and a flashlight with a red filter (we'll have spares). Telescopes welcome. Bonfire and hot cocoa at the pavilion. Quiet hours after 11 PM so the Milky Way gets the floor.
Free · All ages
Oct
04
Southwestern Cross Country Invitational
The Warriors host runners from across Kentucky on the rolling course around the lake. Concessions, raffles, and the loudest cheering section in the state.
Sports
Oct
18
Glow Run on the Runway
A 5K and 1-mile fun run under blacklight on the old airstrip. Neon paint stations, glow stick necklaces, a DJ on the centerline, and a bonfire waiting at the finish.
Sports · All ages
Oct
25
Harvest Festival & Trunk-or-Treat
Hay rides, costume contests, caramel apples, and a bonfire by the water as the leaves turn.
Family
Dec
06
Christmas at the Lake
Holiday lights along the shoreline, photos with Santa on the dock, hot cocoa and a community tree lighting.
Free