Red background with cowboy boots, hats, horses, cowboys, guitars, stars, horseshoes, and roping rope motifs. Centered text reads 'Heart of Country Music Festival' with date 'September 13, 2025' and location 'Kenton County Fairground, Independence, KY'.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2025

INDEPENDENCE, KY

JUST ANNOUNCED: RANDY HOUSER

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 INDEPENDENCE, KY JUST ANNOUNCED: RANDY HOUSER

ARTIST LINEUP

DAY STAGE • NOON TO 5PM

A person with dreadlocks and dark skin outdoors, wearing a cream shirt and brown jacket, with a yellow sticker that says "Just Added" and text that reads "Maurice The Music."
A man wearing a black cap with a CAT logo, sunglasses, and a brown jacket, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone on a stage with red-orange lighting.
A man with a beard wearing a cowboy hat and plaid shirt playing an acoustic guitar, standing in front of a white wooden building with horizontal siding. Overlaid text reads 'DEREK ALAN'.
A woman with blonde hair holding a vintage teal telephone receiver to her ear, sitting on a bed with a tufted orange headboard in a dimly lit room. The text overlay reads "Ashland Craft."

MAIN STAGE • 6PM TO 11PM

An orange, six-pointed star with points of varying lengths.
Orange star-shaped badge with a seven-pointed star.
A man wearing a black cowboy hat and a striped shirt, looking to the side. There is text overlay that reads 'JAKe WORTHINGTON'.
A woman with wavy brown hair taking a selfie in a desert landscape, sitting on a striped lounge chair, with the caption 'LAUREN WATKINS' overlaid on the photo.
Image of a man with a beard wearing a cowboy hat and plaid shirt, holding a guitar against a clear blue sky. Orange starburst graphics contain the text '2025 Headliner'. Bold text on the image reads 'Randy Houser'.

The Heart of Country Music Festival is Northern Kentucky’s newest and fastest-growing country celebration, and it’s happening right here in Independence, KY. With two stages and seven standout artists, from national headliners to rising stars and hometown favorites this festival is sure to be an all-day party that showcases the heart of the NKY community at its core.

In the midst of live music, guests can also explore a variety of activities, curated brand experiences, and some of NKY’s best food and drinks through our partnership with One Holland. You can also browse our vendor market brimming with over 20 vendors including everything from boutiques, vintage tees, and band merch to art and unique treasures.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

  • Two stages and seven standout artists, from national headliners to rising stars and hometown favorites this festival is sure to be an all-day party featuring: Randy Houser, Jake Worthington, Lauren Watkins, Ashland Craft, Maurice the Music, Derek Alan and John Morgen.

  • Browse our vendor market brimming with over 20 vendors including everything from boutiques, vintage tees, and band merch to art and unique treasures.

  • Getting hungry? Dine at one of our 5 selections of NKY’s favorite eats through our partnership with One Holland.

    Sweet tooth? We will also have 3 dessert vendors ready to fill any cravings and 2 specialty soda, lemonade and tea vendors!

  • Expect plenty to do between sets from family-friendly fun to bigger-kid thrills (hint: a mechanical bull to oversized yard games) and scattered sponsor booths and branded pop-ups packed with demos, giveaways, and photo ops.

  • If you’re thirsty, we’ve got you covered—mini bars will be tucked all around the grounds, plus a pop-up sports bar from Barleycorn’s Brewhouse pouring fresh craft beer and streaming the game (yes, the Cats kick off that day—GO UK!).

TICKETs

2025 tickets on sale now!

Text reading 'E12 Boots' with a faint boot illustration in the background on a green background.

KIDS - FREE DAY PASS

Country fun for everyone—including the next generation of fans! Kids 12 and under enjoy free admission, and we invite you to help us make an even bigger impact by supporting The Point Arc.

Your donation empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental differences to reach their highest potential — in the classroom, at home, in the workplace, and beyond. Together, we can celebrate the spirit of country music while supporting a stronger, more inclusive community.

DAY EVENT ONLY – NO MAIN STAGE ACCESS

COUNTRY MUSIC WITH A CAUSE

Orange background with bold, white text reading 'Day Pass'.

GA - DAY ONLY PASS

GENERAL ADMISSION
Here for a good time, not a late time? This pass gets you in for all the daytime fun—vendors, food trucks, family activities, with live performances from Ashland Craft and Maurice and our homegrown locals Derek Alan and John Morgen.

Valid until 5:00PM.

DAY EVENT ONLY - NO MAIN STAGE ACCESS

Event schedule with dates and prices for early bird, standard, last call, and day-off categories.
Graphic with large, bold letters spelling C A and smaller text below that reads ALL DAY on a blue background.

GA - FULL DAY PASS

GENERAL ADMISSION

All-day, all-stages, all kinds of country! This pass gets you GA access to both stages—from rising local stars to national headliners on the Main Stage.

We’ve got Ashland Craft, Maurice, Derek Alan, and John Morgen on the daytime bill—and RANDY HOUSER, Jake Worthington and Lauren Watkins hittin' the main stage!

ACCESS TO ALL EVENTS & STAGES

Text-based promotional graphic with four sections showcasing different dates and prices for an event or sale. The sections list dates, titles, and prices, from June 9-30 ($55), July 1-August 25 ($65), August 26-September 12 ($70), and September 13 (day-of) ($75).
Text graphic with the phrase 'RIT OR DIT' in bold, stylized white letters on a dark blue background with abstract shapes.

PIT - FULL DAY PASS

Get close enough to feel the bass in your boots! This pass includes everything in Full-Day GA, with access to both stages, vendors, food trucks, and full-day fun—PLUS exclusive access to the PIT area in front of Main Stage.

It's the best view in the house for the biggest acts of the night— RANDY HOUSER, JAKE WORTHINGTON, and LAUREN WATKINS!

ACCESS TO ALL EVENTS & STAGES

Pricing timeline for a multi-stage event with dates and prices: June 9-30 early bird $75, July 1-August 25 standard $85, August 26-September 12 last call $90, September 13 day-of $105.
Logo with large white block letters spelling 'VIP' above the word 'LUXURY' on a red background.

VIP - FULL DAY PASS

Our VIP Experience is for country fans who love the music and a little luxury. This pass includes access to all the festival has to offer PLUS exclusive entry to our VIP areas at the Main Stage, featuring:

• Shaded tents and lounge seating
• A private bar with ice-cold drinks
• VIP-only restrooms (you'll thank us later)
• Access to a private viewing area—close to the action

ACCESS TO ALL EVENTS & STAGES • VIP

A timetable with different date ranges and corresponding prices for a service or product.
A large blue logo with the word "EASY" in block letters.

  • Once your ticket has been scanned, re-entry to the festival grounds is not permitted — so come ready to stay a while! We've got everything you need to enjoy the full day. For security purposes, all attendees and their belongings are subject to search.

  • Heart of Country Music Festival will be held at:
    Kenton County Fair Grounds
    2836 Harris Pike, Independence, KY 41051
    A full festival map will be available on our website soon!

  • Chairs and blankets are NOT permitted inside the festival grounds.

    There will be limited seating available in the food truck area, plus scattered benches and rest zones.

    VIP ticket holders will have access to first-come, first-serve seating. ADA seating will also be provided in designated areas.

  • Sure thing! Heart of Country Music Festival is safe for the whole family. Kids 12 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Although we are happy to have kiddos, please note that this event may not be appropriate for small children under the age of 7.

  • YES, we allow strollers and wagons for children during our daytime event (12-5pm), however strollers are NOT permitted in the Main Stage area (5-11pm).

  • To ensure the safety of all attendees, all bags will be subject to search upon entry. Please review the guidelines below before arriving at the festival:

    • Small bags and purses (no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”) are permitted.

    • Clear bags are encouraged to speed up the entry process.

    • Hydration packs (empty upon arrival) are allowed but must have no more than two compartments.

    • Fanny packs and small clutches (no larger than 6.5” x 4.5”) are allowed.

    • Backpacks, large bags, and luggage are not permitted.

  • No. All outside food and beverage is prohibited. Exceptions may be made for small children under the age of 7). We have a number of amazing food vendors, including kid-friendly options! Water bottles can be purchased and reusable cups can be found and filled at our free water refilling stations throughout the venue.

  • PROHIBITED ITEMS INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO):

    • Weapons or firearms of any kind (regardless of permit)

    • Outside food and beverages

    • Illegal substances or drug paraphernalia

    • Glass containers

    • Drones or professional camera equipment without a media pass

    • Bicycles, scooters, or skateboards

    • Pets (service animals permitted)

  • Heart of Country Music Festival encourages a smoke-free environment and asks that you respect the health of your fellow fest-goers and refrain from smoking or vaping in areas where it may affect someone else. Smoking is prohibited under all tents and inside buildings. Please find an isolated area if you must smoke, and dispose of your butts properly.

  • Applications coming soon! Shoot us an email at info@heartofcountryfest.com

Want to get involved?

BECOME A SPONSOR

Meet country music fans face-to-face on festival day with logo placements, immersive activations, or audience-building campaigns.

BECOME A vendor

Set up shop in our bustling vendor village to showcase your product, service, or art, and ride the festival buzz all day long.

COMING SOON!

media passes

Apply for a Heart of Country media pass to access premium sightlines and story angles without the need for backstage credentials.

Sign up for email updates on exciting festival news, artist announcements and exclusive merch drops!

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