OLIVE HILL, KY — Downtown Olive Hill was alive with activity Saturday as residents and visitors gathered for the first annual Blackberry Ramble Festival, a full-day community event that blended local entertainment, contests, live music, and family attractions.
The festival opened mid-morning with vendor sales beginning at 10:00 a.m., as booths lined the downtown area offering food, crafts, and community goods. Organizers also launched registration shortly after, at 10:10 a.m., for both the Blackberry Ramble Beauty Pageant and the Blackberry Idol contest, drawing early interest from participants across the region.
By late morning, the spotlight shifted to the stage for the Blackberry Ramble Beauty Pageant at 11:00 a.m., featuring contestants ranging from infants through the 2026–2027 school year graduates. Shortly after, at 12:00 p.m., the Blackberry Idol contest showcased local vocal talent, with strong community support throughout the competition. Matti Grayce Mers walked away with the Grand Prize in that.
A highlight of the afternoon came at 2:00 p.m., when country entertainer Cledus T. Judd took the stage for a live performance followed by a meet-and-greet with fans.
Music continued into the evening as the 7 Turn Band performed from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., closing out the entertainment portion of the festival with a full set that kept attendees gathered in the downtown area.
Beyond the stage performances, the event also featured family-oriented attractions including a mechanical shark experience and zorb ball activities, both of which drew steady crowds and added a carnival-style atmosphere to the celebration.
Organizers described the event as a family-centered festival designed to bring the community together, with signage and promotions emphasizing “fun for the whole family.”
As the event wrapped up, vendors concluded sales and attendees filtered out of downtown Olive Hill, marking what organizers hope will be the beginning of a new annual tradition for the community.
Since launching in Ashland in 2019, Fresh Start Health has expanded to three Rural Health Clinics—Grayson, Vanceburg, and the newest in Morehead, opened in March 2025. Each location provides a full spectrum of services: psychiatric and counseling care, addiction medicine and recovery support, primary care, and transportation for patients who need help getting to appointments. The Morehead clinic at 150 Newtowne Square brings this comprehensive model to Rowan County.