Harrodsburg First

Community leaders formed Harrodsburg First in 1986 as a division of the Harrodsburg-Mercer County Landmark

Association, Inc., Harrodsburg First was established to implement and administer a comprehensive downtown

revitalization program under the National Main Street Program’s philosophy and approach. Since Harrodsburg’s

selection as a State Main Street Community through the Kentucky Heritage Council in 1988, positive and

consistent steps have been taken to encourage this revitalization and economic restructuring within the context

of historic preservation.

The mission of Harrodsburg First is to promote, preserve and revitalize Harrodsburg's historic area with a focus on aesthetics, economics, and education of our historic assets. A healthy downtown environment shows reflects pride in the entire community while a declining downtown is evidence of an economically challenged community. By following our vision statement, “using the Main Street Four Point Approach, we strive to transform Downtown Harrodsburg into a vibrant district by capitalizing on our historic charm, diverse architecture, and small-town character,” Harrodsburg First believes that our heritage and identity begins in the downtown district. Downtown is the historic, social, cultural, and political core of our community – it’s our living room so to speak. 

Each year Harrodsburg First sponsors host a number of special events to promote the community. The following annual events have become popular:

Summer Night Markets​​​​​	May – September​
Dinner on Main​	​Mid-June
​​Oktoberfest	​Mid-October
​​Night of the Great Pumpkin	​​October 31
​Twilight Christmas Parade	​First Friday in December

 

In addition, Harrodsburg First hosts numerous shopping and retail promotions and community activities in support of our strong base of independently owned retailers and dining establishments. Historic preservation is one of our core values; we advocate for the protection of our historic assets. When funds allow, Harrodsburg First provides façade grants to downtown property owners so that our historic properties can be maintained for future generations. 

​Kaitlyn Harder,​ Executive Director​