Here Are 12 Crazy Traditions You'll Totally Get If You're From Kentucky
By Jenn Shockley|Updated on January 05, 2023(Originally published December 31, 2022)
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Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
Every state has its own traditions, and Kentucky has some time-honored and/or crazy traditions of our own. Most of these traditions in Kentucky are commonplace to you and me, but to out-of-state folks, we might as well be dancing naked in the woods. Not all our practices cause visitors to stare off blankly. Some people even bask in our ways during certain times of the year. Here are 12 long-standing Kentucky traditions:
Growing up in the country, one of the things we looked forward to was the hay rides. These are simple wagons full of hay that are pulled by multiple horses or a tractor. Riders would just sit and socialize in the hay, sometimes sipping drinks or eating snacks while rolling around and taking in the scenery on a crisp fall day.
In the case of a mild sore throat, elders would take two shots of bourbon, about 3 heaping tablespoons of local honey, and 1.5 tablespoons of lemon and warm it till the honey is dissolved. If you need more spice, add a half shake of ground red pepper before heating. Stir it consistently, and it is of the utmost importance not to overheat. When it was ready, they would simply sit, covered comfortably in a chair, and sip any discomfort away.
There is a church (or 50) in every Kentucky town. Most of us have attended at some point or another. From our roadside signs to our steeples, you can tell that religion is a popular tradition here, even for those that only attend on holidays and special functions.
Mint and Kentucky Bourbon combine into a Kentucky Derby drink that is drank somewhat religiously around race festival time. It is said that Helena Modjeska had one at a pre-Derby breakfast in the 1930s and loved it, instantly springing the Julep into a popular drink.
The Kentucky Derby was the U.S. version of a horse race from England, and hats can be important to the English at festivities. Thus, the tradition of dressing in your best for the renowned 30-second race became a tradition for the ladies. Notoriety comes with the hat, and those wearing the most provocative cranium styles are usually memorialized by the media.
Growing up, Momma's all around the state cook black-eyed peas, cornbread, and cabbage for New Year. It brings good luck or extra money for the 365 days that follow. Not everyone is fond of either dish, but you just gotta eat at least one bite every year so you don't miss out on that good luck.
A craft can be anything from sewing to pottery to wood carving. Some people do crafts for fun. Others prefer to make their own things instead of shopping, when possible. Stories of Papaw whittling all of Granny’s wooden spoons are told around the dinner table. Many still have them today, more than 100 years after they were made. They are a treasured memory of an age-old tradition.
Milk is our state drink and most of us like cocoa or vanilla. Parents always made cocoa or warm vanilla on the stove with fresh milk, unsweetened cocoa or vanilla flavoring, and sugar or honey. They’d heat it up till everything dissolved, and pour it into a mug. Occasionally we’d add tiny colored marshmallows or a peppermint pinwheel. It was something to look forward to after being in the cold doing chores or horsing around. Those who want a more adult version can add bourbon cream.
Many Kentuckians can remember a Dad or a friend playing guitar, harp, or banjo when they were a child. Most everyone we know either plays music or is married to someone who does or has. The phrase, "pickin and grinning" is quite a good description of a lot of Kentucky families.
Quilts were made all across the state, especially in the Appalachians. Quilts or the art of quilt making is passed down from generation to generation. Our ancestors made quilts out of the scraps of materials they could find or barter for. These warm mismatched bunches of material provide warmth and the love they were made with. You know it’s a tradition when we have a Kentucky Quilt Museum.
When the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville games are on, nothing else in the world matters for some sports fans. You'll hear stories of guys watching the game while their child was born… No joke. The Cardinals and the Wildcats playing against one another is the "do not miss it", game for sports fans. Even those that never watch sports occasionally watch these two teams play just for the excitement generated by fans of each team.
The Kentucky Derby is also coined "Run for the Roses", since the early 1900s. The reasoning was the beautiful blanket of roses that is put on the Derby winner each year. The roses are a specific species that has been maintained since before 1870. They have kept these blooms completely pure of any other pollination specifically for the Kentucky Derby each year.
All these Kentucky traditions are common, but it probably varies according to the area of the state one lives in or frequents. Eastern, western, northern, southern, and central Kentucky each have a unique way of living, but we share a common goodwill and a “take it easy” nature. These are just a few of the traditions we noticed while immersed in Kentucky culture growing up. What traditions do you celebrate in Kentucky?
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Kentucky culture and traditions
Chris Muras|January 05, 2023
What are some Kentucky traditions?
Kentucky is a state full of traditions, some passed down through generations and others beginning in recent years. From racehorses to moonshine, Kentucky has some pretty ingrained traditions. Here are a few Kentucky traditions and cultural proclivities that are still running strong:
1. Kentucky pride: We love our sports teams and Kentucky traditions - especially the rivalry between the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville teams. 2. Burgoo: A slow-cooked hearty stew with meat and vegetables. 3. Sweet Tea: As it is in much of the south, sweet tea is hugely popular in Kentucky. 4. Fancy hats: This may have started in conjunction with the Kentucky Derby, but they sure are fun to wear and they do a good job keeping the sun out of your eyes. 5. Ale-8-One: This ginger and citrus soft drink has been popular since 1926 and is often spruced up with a bit of bourbon. 6. Bluegrass Music: A staple in Kentucky is this lively form of music that is highly celebrated all year round but especially at the Festival of the Bluegrass in June. 7. The Kentucky Hot Brown: An open-faced sandwich that was first created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville in 1926. Made with turkey, cheese, tomatoes, eggs, bacon, and a delicious Mornay sauce.
What are things Kentucky is known for?
One of the longest-standing traditions celebrated in the Bluegrass State is the Kentucky Derby, which draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to Louisville each May. But there are other, lesser-known, treasured events too. Every summer marks the start of Moonshine festivals across the state, where locals and tourists alike gather to sample freshly made whiskey from local distilleries.
