Sponsorship - 42nd Annual Salt Festival

The Kentucky Department of Parks is soliciting sponsorships for the 42nd Annual Salt Festival at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, with proposals due September 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The solicitation seeks one or more monetary donors to fund festival activities scheduled for October 16–18, 2026.

Sponsorship funds will support four bulk bins of small pumpkins, paint supplies, fall decorations (pumpkins, specialty squash, corn stalk bundles, and assorted mums), and educational entertainment including Daniel Boone presentations, indigenous drum circles, live birds of prey, pioneer encampments, and blacksmithing demonstrations. The Department reserves the right to utilize the full amount of any monetary sponsorship for other festival expenses beyond those enumerated.

Evaluation uses a 100-point scale: responsiveness to the solicitation (20 points), sponsor background and information (20 points), and monetary sponsorship amount offered (60 points). Sponsors receive recognition through company name and/or logo placement on festival advertisements, the Department's social media accounts, sponsorship boards, and signage near items purchased with donations. The sponsorship arrangement does not constitute an endorsement of the sponsor by the Commonwealth.

Respondents must submit a notarized affidavit confirming compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws and statutory requirements covering corporate taxes, employment practices, occupational safety, and non-discrimination policies. The cost of preparing responses is the sole responsibility of the sponsor, with no reimbursement from the Department. Proposals are submitted to the Kentucky Department of Parks, Mayo-Underwood Building, 500 Mero Street, 5th Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Contact: Allison Warman at 502-892-3367 or allison.warman@ky.gov.