The 64th annual Poke Sallet Festival officially kicks off Thursday, and continues through Saturday, presented by Harlan County Fiscal Court.

Downtown Harlan will transform into a fun-filled festival packed with events such as a carnival, numerous food vendors, bungee jumping, inflatables, games, The Torres Family Circus, live music, The Voice of Poke, arts, crafts, a car show, pet show, motorcycle show and much more.

The annual 4-H Poke Sallet Kids’ Fun Day, a favorite event for Harlan Countians, will take place Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Huff Park. Kids will enjoy many activities including free inflatables, games including egg tosses and sack races, along with exhibits and presentation from the Department of Fish & Wildlife, Kentucky State Police, Tractor Supply Company and more.

The Harlan Fire Department will have a special unit set up for kids this year. If the weather is favorable, the Air Evac helicopter will be available for children to examine.

The first 1,100 in attendance will receive a free T-shirt, a trademark of the event. You must be present to get a T-shirt and only one T-shirt per person will be given. In addition to T-shirts, there will be free toothbrushes for the children. Harlan County Community Action Agency will provide a free lunch for children only.

The carnival will again provide many diverse rides for a variety of ages. Open Wednesday through Saturday, the carnival will offer daily ride wristbands for purchase all evening Wednesday and Thursday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

As always, live music will fill the streets of Harlan. Country music legend Pam Tillis will headline the main stage on Saturday at 9 p.m. Walker Montgomery, the son of John Michael Montgomery, will open for Tillis at 7:30 p.m.

Friday will be packed with local talent beginning at 4 p.m. Dakota Saylor and The Bloody Harlan Band, Laci Deaton, Big Thunder Kissin Radio Band, Kudzu Killers, Highway 119 and Bad Obsession, Harlan’s own Guns N’ Roses Tribute Band, will rock the main stage.

Contemporary Christian band Building 429 will headline the entertainment Thursday at 9 p.m. They have had numerous hits over the last decade on the contemporary Christian music scene.

Stop by the gospel stage on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Bowling Family will headline the entertainment on that stage at 4:15 p.m.

All concerts are free of charge. Bring your own lawn chair or rent one from the Harlan County High School Football Boosters.

The Poke Sallet Festival Steering Committee announced that the Kidbuck$ Game Show is coming to the festival. The show will be located at Huff Park. The show will take place on Thursday at 6 and 8 p.m.; Friday at 4, 6 and 8 p.m.; and Saturday at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. The show will be located on the baseball field at Huff Park next to the inflatables.

The annual Sue Ford Memorial Car Show will take place on Saturday morning on First and Central Streets to benefit Harlan County Christian School. Boy Scout Troop 149 will host a motorcycle show on Saturday at 10 a.m. behind the Justice Center in the gated lot. The annual Run for the Hills 5K will also take place this year at the courthouse Saturday morning, as well as the Pet Show.

Harlan County Judge-Executive and Festival Co-Coordinator Dan Mosley said, “I am proud and honored to welcome you to the 64th annual Poke Sallet Festival in downtown Harlan. Whether you are a Harlan Countian who attends the festival annually or a visitor from another city, county or state, we hope you find an enjoyable and entertaining family experience at our event again this year.”

For more information on the Poke Sallet Festival, you may visit www.pokesalletfestival.com and visit the Facebook page.