Wayne County offers many opportunities for its citizens and tourists. Along with a wide variety of restaurants and shopping, there are many sites of interest and special events in Wayne County.
Go to: http://theheartoflakecumberland.com/ for latest tourism news, accommodations, events and more!
Special Events
There are a wide variety of events taking place in Wayne County at any time. A sampling of those events is listed below:
The ASPIRE Center
One project that was a direct result of the Empowerment Zone designation is the ASPIRE Center located in Wayne County. ASPIRE is an acronym for Activities, Sports, Programs, Information, Recreation and Education. It is a unique facility in that it has multiple components including recreational programs including a swimming pool, athletic activities in the gymnasium and a multi-purpose room where community comes together. The ASPIRE Center is located at 90 Airport Rd., Monticello. For more information call 606.340.9362
Contented Heart Quilt Guild Shop
The Contented Heart Quilt Guild was organized in 1989. They recognized the need to teach others their skills and also saw the opportunity to help those in need by using their rare talent. The Guild manages a Quilt Shop. There are members at the Shop Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. working away and always ready to share their knowledge with visitors. Classes are available for adults and children. The Contented Heart Quilt Guild Shop is located at 24 N. Main St., Monticello, KY. For more information call (606) 340-0015.
Lake Cumberland
The lake has more than 1,200 miles of shoreline and 63,000 acres of water Lake Cumberland provides many recreational opportunities such as houseboating, fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, boating, skiing, tubing, canoeing, hiking and just generally enjoying the outdoors. There are two marinas on Lake Cumberland. They offer many of the above mentioned activities.
The Corp of Engineers offers camping, a boat ramp and picnicking at Fall Creek Recreational Area, which is located on KY 2393, Monticello, KY. For more information call (877) 444-6777.
The county offers many boat ramps that may be accessed free of charge.
Mill Springs Park / Brown-Lanier House / West-Metcalfe House
Mill Springs Park
The Monticello Woman’s Club and other organizations reactivated the 1817’s mill with aid from the Kentucky Department of Highways. The overshot waterwheel is the world’s largest still in operation. Mill Springs Mill is on the National Register of Battlefields and is one of 25 included on a special Endangered Battlefield list. The Monticello Woman’s Club operates the gift shop. Located in Mill Springs, 9135 Highway 1275 N, this is a must see destination stop!
Brown-Lanier House
The Brown-Lanier House was the home of the miller operating the grist mill just below the house at Mill Springs Park. The house served as a home, headquarters and hospital before and after the Battle of Mill Springs, the first Union victory of the Civil War. Three Generals occupied the house, General Felix K. Zollicoffer C.S.A., General Manson Malone U.S.A. and General George H. Thomas, U.S.A. Guided tours are offered Friday & Saturday, 10am to 4pm and on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Located at 9183 Highway 1275 N, just above Mill Springs Park. For more information call 606-636-4045.
West-Metcalfe House
Isaac West built the first brick house in Wayne County in 1800. General Felix Kirk Zollicoffer used it as his headquarters before the Battle of Mill Springs on January 19th 1863. After the battle, it was used as a hospital for many of the wounded. . Allen R. West buried over a dozen soldiers in the family cemetery on the West farm. The house is now known as the "West-Metcalfe House." A few days before the battle, Gen. Zollicoffer moved his headquarters to what is now the Brown-Lanier House. The general died in the battle. This site is on the Historical Register and is being restored. It is located at 720 Old Mill Springs Road, Monticello, KY
Monticello Country Club
Monticello County Club has a challenging 9-hole golf course with all the beauties expected in the Foothills of Ky. The course has an Olympic size pool with a children’s wading pool, plus a clubhouse ready to rent for your next reception, reunion, or banquet meeting. The Club is located off of the Hwy 90 By-Pass at 384 Country Club Dr., in Monticello, just minutes off the lake! For more information call (606) 348-7321.
Monticello/Wayne County Park
The 86-acre Monticello-Wayne County Memorial Park has walking trails, six shelters, a gazebo, two playgrounds, three basketball courts, three lighted tennis courts, volleyball, badminton, horseshoe, croquet, four softball fields, one baseball field, a show arena and putt-putt golf. The park houses the Wayne County Fair and Horse Show during the 4th of July week along with numerous other community events. The park is located at 256 Clint Collins Dr., just off of Michigan Ave., Monticello, KY. For more information call (606) 348-9551. 
Kentucky Leadership Center
The Kentucky Leadership Center is facility for all kinds of different meetings and get-away's. The Leadership Center is located in Jabez, the northern area of Wayne County. Located at 17500 Highway 196. For more information call (859) 257-5961
Wayne County Historical Museum / 3 R’s School House / “Raccoon” John Smith Cabin
Wayne County Museum
The Wayne County Museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or by appointment. The museum is located at 75 N. Main St., Monticello, KY. 606 340-2300
3 R’s School House
The Wayne County Retired Teachers Association has fully restored the old Oak Grove one room schoolhouse. The schoolhouse is now located behind the Museum. Tours of the Three R's Schoolhouse can be arranged. For more information call (606) 340-2300
“Raccoon” John Smith Cabin
Within close walking to the museum and the schoolhouse, is the "Raccoon" John Smith Cabin. The cabin was built prior to 1820, originally located in Horse Hollow (Parmleysville), Kentucky. The cabin is now located adjacent to the First Christian Church, Michigan Avenue.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Daniel Boone National Forest
The BSFNRRA offers scenic areas, trails, horseback riding, canoeing, and whitewater rafting in its 105,000 wilderness acres. For more information call (606) 376-5073
The Daniel Boone National Forest offers hiking trails, camping, horseback riding and fishing. For more information call (859) 745-3100
Special Events
Seasonal Events
Wayne County Farmers Market
Activity: Offering a wide selection of fresh, locally grown produce
Location: Downtown Monticello at the Market Place
Date/Time: Saturdays 7 am – 11 pm
Contact: Wayne County Extension 606.348.8453
May Events
Monticello Women’s Club Cornbread Festival
Activity: You’ll love the soup-beans, cornbread, and arts and crafts.
Location: Mill Springs Park
Date/Time: Memorial Day Weekend
Contact: Melinda Jensen 606.348.0499
June Events
Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs
Activity: Offers fishing classes for kids age 1-5, 6-10 and 11-15.
Location: Cave Lake Event Park
Date/Time: 1st Saturday in June
Contact: Defensive Action Against Drugs 606.340.8127
The Wayne County Fair
Activity: Carnival, Demo Derby, Truck/Tractor Pulls, and more!
Location: Monticello/Wayne County Park
Date/Time: The week of July 4th
August Events
Lake Cumberland Raft-Up
Activity: Lake Cumberland's largest event
Location: Lake Cumberland at Shinbone
Date/Time: TBA
Labor Day Weekend and September Events
Contented Heart Guild Quilt Show
Activity: Quilt Show with prizes, demonstrations and more!
Location: The ASPIRE Center
Date/Time: Labor Day Weekend (Friday and Saturday)
Contact: 606.340.0015
Lake Cumberland 5 Miler
Activity: 5K, 5 mile run and 1 mile fun run for youth
Location: Monticello/Wayne County Park
Date/Time: Saturday before Labor Day
Contact: Greg West 606.307.0436 waycoky@yahoo.com
Lake Cumberland Poker Run
Activity: Ranked as one of the Top 10 Poker Runs in the nation
Location: Starts at State Dock with a stop at Conley Bottom Resort
Date/Time: 2nd weekend in September
Contact: State Dock 888.782.8336
Lake Cumberland Clean Up
Activity: Volunteers compete for prizes while cleaning the shorelines of Lake Cumberland.
Location: Lake Cumberland – Conley Bottom Resort
Date/Time: 3rd Saturday in September
Contact: US Army Corp of Engineers 606.679.6337
November Events
Veteran's Day Parade
Activity: Parade to honor all Veterans
Location: Downtown Monticello - from 9-1-1 Center to the Doughboy
Date/Time: November 11th, Veteran's Day
Wayne County Homemakers Christmas Village
Activity: Arts and crafts on sale for Christmas. Includes a Children's Christmas Village for children 5-12 to purchase handmade gifts for family members at $2.00 each.
Location: KY National Guard Armory
Date/Time: Held the third Saturday of November 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Contact: Georgia Burton 606.348.8453
December Events
Monticello/Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade
Activity: One of the few remaining night time parades in the state.
Location: Downtown Monticello
Date/Time: Held the first Friday of December at 6 p.m.
Contact: info@monticellokychamber.com 606.348.3064