Richmond
Around Richmond
Photo: PEO ACWA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Kentucky · 129k people
Richmond
Locals say Richmond-Berea
Richmond · Berea
Where the mountains meet the bluegrass
EKU MaroonForest GreenGolden Amber
Welcome to Richmond-Berea! Whether you're here for the crafts, the hiking, or the college life, you'll find a friendly community rooted in Kentucky tradition. Take a walk through Berea's artisan shops or catch a game at EKU—there's always something to do.
Clubs for Richmond
No clubs for Richmond yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Richmond. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Richmond. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Berea College Historic campus known for its crafts program and student-made goods.
- Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea State-run showcase of Kentucky crafts, foods, and music.
- Daniel Boone National Forest Vast wilderness with hiking, camping, and scenic overlooks.
- Fort Boonesborough State Park Reconstructed frontier fort on the Kentucky River with living history.
- White Hall State Historic Site Antebellum mansion and grounds near Richmond.
- Lake Reba Popular spot for boating, fishing, and walking trails in Richmond.
- Outdoors Hiking the Pinnacles
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Reba
- With kids Visit the Kentucky Artisan Center
- With kids Tour Berea College campus
- Evenings Bluegrass jam sessions
- Evenings College bars near EKU
- Locals love Craft studios and galleries
- Locals love Hiking trails
Through the year
- Berea Craft Festival July Juried arts and crafts show with live music.
- Spoonbread Festival October Celebrates the region's spoonbread with food, music, and crafts.
- Madison County Fair June County fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Battle of Richmond Reenactment August Historical reenactment of the Civil War battle.
- EKU Homecoming Fall College football game, parade, and alumni events.
The climate is humid subtropical with four distinct seasons, mild winters, and warm summers. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with mild temperatures and colorful foliage.
Talk like a local
- “The Boone”
- A term for the Daniel Boone National Forest area, often used by locals.
- “Craft capital”
- Refers to the craft district in Berea, known for handmade goods.
- “EKU”
- Short for Eastern Kentucky University.
- “Spoonbread”
- A local term for the Spoonbread Festival, a fall tradition.
Getaways
- Lexington Horse country, bourbon distilleries, and urban amenities.
- Danville Historic downtown and Centre College.
- Mount Sterling Small-town charm and antique shops.
- Corbin Cumberland Falls and the original KFC.
Local flavour
Teams
- Eastern Kentucky Colonels NCAA Division I (FCS)
Also rooting for Kentucky Wildcats (University of Kentucky) – many locals follow UK sports from nearby Lexington
Eat and drink
- Country Ham A salty, cured ham often served with biscuits and red-eye gravy.
- Biscuits and Gravy A breakfast staple across the region, often with sausage gravy.
- Burgoo A thick stew traditionally made with game, chicken, or pork, common at gatherings.
- Bourbon Balls Chocolate and bourbon confections, a Kentucky treat.
Where people go
- Craft studios and galleries Berea is known as the 'Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky' with many working artists.
- Hiking trails in the Daniel Boone National Forest Nearby trails and the Red River Gorge offer rugged natural beauty.
- Horse farms Though more common in the Bluegrass region, the area has equestrian traditions.
- Historic downtown squares Richmond and Berea have charming, walkable downtowns with local shops and eateries.
Heritage and traditions
Richmond-Berea is proud of its Appalachian arts and crafts heritage, the pioneering spirit of Berea College, and its deep roots in Kentucky history, from the frontier era to the Civil War.
This time of year in Richmond
- Apple festivals Fall Irvine Apple Festival and other fall harvest events.
- Irvine Apple Festival October Celebrates the apple harvest with crafts, food, and a parade.
- Woolly Worm Festival October Predicts the winter weather based on the woolly worm's stripes.
Say it like a local: “crick” — creek
Festivals
- Irvine Apple Festival October Celebrates the apple harvest with crafts, food, and a parade.
- Mountain Mushroom Festival May Celebrates morel mushroom hunting with food and guided forays.
- Woolly Worm Festival October Predicts the winter weather based on the woolly worm's stripes.
Landmarks with a story
- Battle of Richmond battlefield Site of the 1862 Civil War battle, now a park with interpretive trails.
- Valley View Ferry One of the oldest continuously operating ferries in Kentucky, crossing the Kentucky River.
- Madison County Courthouse A Greek Revival courthouse in Richmond, built in the 19th century.
- Berea College Appalachian Center Showcases Appalachian culture and history.
Food traditions
- Spoonbread A cornmeal pudding served at the annual Spoonbread Festival, a local favorite.
- Apple butter Slow-cooked apple butter made in copper kettles during fall festivals.
- Sorghum molasses Sorghum cane is boiled into molasses, a sweetener used in baking.
- Fried apple pies Hand pies filled with dried apples, a common treat at markets.
- Burgoo cook-offs Community stews of meats and vegetables, often cooked for large gatherings.
Music and arts
- Berea College Crafts A program teaching traditional Appalachian crafts like weaving, woodworking, and pottery.
- Old-time and bluegrass music Local jams and festivals keep the mountain music tradition alive.
- Quilting A long-standing craft with many local quilters.
- Kentucky Artisan Center A showcase for Kentucky-made crafts and art.
A little history
- 1862 Battle of Richmond
- 1855 Founding of Berea College
- 1775 Fort Boonesborough settlement
- late 18th century Wilderness Road
- late 19th–early 20th century Coal mining era in eastern counties
Rivalries
- EKU vs. Morehead State Ohio Valley Conference matchup.
- EKU vs. Western Kentucky In-state rivalry in various sports.
- Richmond vs. Berea Friendly competition over local pride and high school sports.
- Game day EKU Colonels football and basketball games
- Game day High school football (Friday night lights)
- Outdoors Canoeing on the Kentucky River
- Outdoors Fishing in the Kentucky River
- With kids Woolly Worm Festival
- With kids Irvine Apple Festival
Locals speak with an Appalachian accent, blending Southern and mountain speech. Common features include dropped 'g's and the use of 'y'all'.
Only here
- The Woolly Worm Festival in Beattyville.
- Berea is a dry city (no alcohol sales).
- Berea College's no-tuition work-study program.
- The Kentucky Artisan Center.
New here? A few tips
- Pack for hot, humid summers and cold winters.
- Berea is a dry city, so bring your own if you want a drink.
- A car is essential; public transit is limited.
- Try the local spoonbread and burgoo.
- People are friendly and say 'y'all'.
Make this page better
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Part of Lexington area
Nearby
Every areaLexingtonKentuckyWhere horses and bourbon set the pace of life.Red River GorgeKentuckyWhere the red rocks meet the hollersDanvilleKentuckyWhere the Bluegrass beginsMount SterlingKentuckyThe friendliest stop on the way to the mountainsHarrodsburgKentuckyWhere Kentucky's story begins.BeattyvilleKentuckyWhere the hills hold their stories.CorbinKentuckyRooted in the mountains, rich in heart.FrankfortKentuckyWhere Kentucky’s bourbon, horses, and history meet.
Richmond-Berea, KY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.