DustinLynch1
Merchants & Music Festival headliner Dustin Lynch

One of our fine city’s most anticipated events of the year, the Merchants & Music Festival, is back to rock Tower Park once again. This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, September 27th from 2:00pm until 11:00pm. The complete list of merchants is at the end of this article. 

Whether you’re an M&MF veteran or new in town, you won’t want to miss this year’s festival. For starters, the walkways will be lined with booths from local businesses. You can find everything from local artisans and businessed to great food. Speaking of food, you should probably bring your appetite along to the festival. The Merchants Café will be lined with booths featuring culinary fare from all your favorite restaurants and organizations, including the following vendors:

The Merchants Marketplace will be set up to highlight local shops, and a great place to do some shopping between music sets. The following stores will have booths at the Merchants Marketplace:

  • Fort Thomas Central

  • It’s In the Details, LTD

  • Maxwell Jumps

  • Stella and Dot Jewelry

  • Vanity Salon 

Along with featuring local shops, the festival will spotlight local businesses in the Merchants Showcase. At the Merchants Showcase, you can find the following booths:

One of the many great things about M&MF is that it’s fun for all ages. The Kids Zone will be bustling with activities for children, and also feature inflatables to help keep them entertained while you sneak off to grab some wine or beer from the Merchants Café (don’t worry, we’re a judge-free zone here at Fort Thomas Matters). The Kids Zone is sponsored by the Campbell County YMCA and Director, Dana Ensley.

The Y is also providing a FREE photo booth that will print commemorative photos on the spot to remember your day at Merchants and Music. They are a great community partner and will also highlight membership packages.

The event will also have a USO Tent to recognize all the service men and women from throughout the area.

Now, onto the music. There will be two stages again this year – the Main Stage (located at the amphitheater) and the Second Stage. Below you will find this year’s lineup:

Second Stage

2:00pm: Kara Lynn – She is a singer/songwriter from the Northern Kentucky area, who is best known for her musical blend or country, pop, and rock influences.

3:15pm: Jetset Getset – This six-piece group of teenagers will be using their signature upbeat style to perform great country songs for the crowd. This group has garnered some international attention, and was also named “Who New to Watch” in 2013 by the Country Music Association.

5:30pm: The Kentucky Struts – This quartet of childhood friends is based out of Cold Spring, KY. They’ve made a name for themselves around the area for their Americana sound.

7:30pm, 9:00pm, and 10:45pm: Ashley Martin – Born and raised in Ohio, Martin is known for her signature edgy blend of country and rock.

Main Stage

4:30pm: Jamison Road – You may have seen this trio play at some of the area’s most popular events. They’ve played everything from the Taste of Cincinnati to the Kentucky Speedway, and they have also traversed the United States to bring their music to the masses.

6:30pm: Trick Pony – This group made their mark in country music during the 2000’s with a string of hits including “On a Night Like This,” Pour Me,” and “Just What I Do.” The band is back again with new music that is sure to keep fans dancing throughout their entire set.

7:45pm: Frankie Ballard – Ballard rose to the top of the country charts with his 2013 breakout hit “Helluva Life.” He’ll be playing all your favorite songs from his latest album, Sunshine & Whiskey.

9:15pm: Dustin Lynch – This year’s headliner took the country world by storm with his hit single “Cowboys and Angels.” His new album, Where It’s At, has been taking over the country charts since its release earlier this month. You can find out more about Lynch by reading his exclusive interview with Fort Thomas Matters.

Once the music concludes, the festivities aren’t over. Make sure to stick around for the fireworks, which are scheduled to begin at 10:30 pm.

What are you looking forward to the most at this year’s festival? Let us know in the comments below or by visiting our Facebook page.

Here’s the complete list of merchants for 2014 (*FTMFamily in bold):

Fort Thomas Coffee

Fort Thomas Central 

Tracy Davis State Farm

Huff Realty (FTM advertiser Rob Beimesche)

Campbell County YMCA

Omega Processing

Lovell’s Hardwood Flooring

Anita’s Mexican 

City BBQ

Fort Thomas Pizza

Southern Smoke BBQ (Olde Fort Pub)

Fort Thomas Living

Hosea Project Movers

Newport Kroger Marketplace

Jeff Wyler Fort Thomas

St. Elizabeth Fort Thomas

St. Elizabeth Physicians

The Bank of Kentucky

Dickey’s Glass

SimpTech Solutions

The Barrington, Villaspring, Highlandspring

Your Town Realtor

Citizens Bank of Campbell County

Alexandria Pike Animal Hospital

Gutter Magician

Victory Community Bank

West Sixth Brewery

Baker-Bird Winery

Stonebrook Winery

Rose Hill Farm Winery

Lover’s Leap

Texas Joe’s

Southside Deli

Smoker EZ BBQ

Tom & Chee

WeQ4U

BMC Services Group

Sweetastics

Marty’s Waffles

Snappy Tomato

The Movement Church

After Prom

Northern Kentucky Hates Heroin

Puffins European Street Food

Kona Ice Truck

Cub Scout Pack 70/Boy Scout Troop 437

Subway

Woodfill Boosters

Mercy Mia’s

Chick Fil-A

Mr. Softee

Pit To Plate

The Flying Pig at Arnie’s on the Levee

Dresser Up Vintage Boutique

Plexus Slim

Joe Dalby State Farm

CrossFit Soto

Dark Star Hot Sauce

Schone Kitchen Design

Children’s Art Academy

Transamerica

INKAA/Art House

It’s In the Details

Earthjoy Tree Climbing

Dave Walkenhorst Agency

Kaleidoscope Dance

Monera Jewelry

Mary Kay Cosmetics

Jamberry Nails

Just Jewelry

Stella and Dot Jewelry

KY Gentlemans Cigars

Therapeutic Loving Foster Care–Home of the Innocents

KHC Gallery

State Farm Insurance

Shari’s on the Avenue

E-Jay’s Salon

Three French Hens

Sibcy Cline

Ideal by Design

American Weathertech

Kevin Heekin

Vanity Salon

Bev Erschell Art

Wisdom Tree

Staff Management

Old Guest House Boutique

LIFT Grant

Maxwell Jumps

Money Mailer

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