Week-long community celebration honors America’s 250th with signature events, historic Horse Soldier Farms grand opening and Professional Bull Riders event
SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (February 2, 2026) — Somerset and Pulaski County will soon celebrate a landmark moment — a week in time that not only commemorates two-and-a-half centuries as a nation, but also the beginning of a new era, as the community welcomes a legendary bourbon brand built by soldiers whose commitment to freedom, service, and country defines both their story and the community they now call home.
Community leaders today unveiled Lake Cumberland 250, a week-long, community-wide celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary by showcasing the people, places, and experiences that define the Lake Cumberland region. “The Biggest Small-Town Fourth of July Celebration in America” will officially kick off on June 25 and culminate with the highly anticipated grand opening of Horse Soldier Farms, Horse Soldier Bourbon’s multimillion-dollar distillery experience.
Designed as both a celebration and a platform for participation, Lake Cumberland 250 will feature events across Somerset, Burnside, and Pulaski County, blending live music, classic cars, family fun, and patriotic traditions while inviting local businesses and organizations to participate in a shared regional moment.
The celebration’s capstone: a two-day, ticketed PBR (Professional Bull Riders) American Freedom Invitational event on the Horse Soldier Farms grounds.
“Opening Horse Soldier Bourbon during the nation’s 250th birthday celebration is incredibly meaningful for our founders and our entire team,” said Scott Neil, President of Horse Soldier Bourbon. “This company was built on service, sacrifice, and love of country, and we see those same values reflected in our Kentucky home on Lake Cumberland. From the beginning, we wanted to be more than a destination — we wanted to be part of the community. Our participation in Lake Cumberland 250 reflects that commitment and our excitement to help celebrate this historic moment together.”
As the official bourbon of PBR, Neil said the Horse Soldier team is excited to welcome this legendary American bull-riding organization to Somerset to showcase the strong partnership between the two companies.
“Our partnership with PBR reflects the bold, authentic spirit of our brand,” Neil said. “Bringing PBR to Somerset puts this community on a national stage and allows us to celebrate grit, American heritage, and soldier legacies so important to both companies right here at Horse Soldier Farms.”
The Horse Soldier Bourbon story is woven into one of America’s most historic moments. Just days after 9/11, elite teams of Green Berets were inserted into Afghanistan, some on horseback. Dubbed the “Horse Soldiers,” their exploits were retold in the Hollywood blockbuster 12 Strong and memorialized by America’s Response Monument located at Ground Zero in New York City.
Upon retirement, these legendary men discovered a love for distilling and set out to create America’s now fastest-growing premium bourbon brand, built on a legacy of service, resilience, and craftsmanship. They selected Somerset-Pulaski County for their world-class distillery and visitor experience because of the region’s strong patriotic roots and deep sense of community, values that closely mirror their own.
That shared sense of purpose makes Somerset-Pulaski County a fitting home for a brand rooted in honoring American history while investing in its future, Somerset Mayor Alan Keck said.
“From the moment these gentlemen drove into Somerset to tour our community, we knew this partnership was meant to be,” Keck said. “Their story, their mission, and their vision align perfectly with who we are as a community. Seeing Horse Soldier’s grand opening serve as a centerpiece of Lake Cumberland 250 — during America’s 250th celebration — is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when shared values meet shared opportunity.”
Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) President & CEO Chris Girdler said Horse Soldier’s choice of The Capital of Lake Cumberland for its distillery represents the intentional, values-driven investment the community works every day to attract.
“The symbolism of Horse Soldier Farms opening on the nation’s 250th anniversary is incredibly powerful,” Girdler said. “Lake Cumberland 250 showcases not only this transformational project, but the momentum, partnerships, and regional pride that continue to move our community forward.”
Burnside Mayor Robert Lawson is looking forward to a week of celebration across Pulaski County.
“As we Americans prepare to celebrate this historic event, America 250, may we all remember our forefathers, and our military for our freedom, and making this the greatest country to live, work, and play,” Lawson said. A”s a retired member of our great military, I am proud to have served 22 years and I take great pride in the American flag, and the uniform I wore. Let us never forget we are Americans first and we should always put God first and what’s best for our country.”
Celebrating the 250th birthday of America is a reminder that the strength of our nation has always been built from the ground up by communities like Pulaski County, Judge Executive Marshall Todd said.
“Local government is where the ideals of democracy are lived out every day through service, stewardship, and neighbors working together. This is why we are happy to collaborate with all our local governments here in the county, including the City of Somerset and the City of Burnside, to celebrate this major milestone,” Todd said. “Honoring this anniversary connects our past to our future and reaffirms our responsibility to preserve the freedoms, values, and opportunities entrusted to us for the next generation. From Count Casimir Pulaski to Senator John Sherman Cooper and Congressman Rogers, we continue to move forward this year in telling our story and how it connects to history.”
A community-driven celebration
Lake Cumberland 250 is designed to be more than a series of events — it is a community-wide initiative that invites participation from businesses, organizations, venues, and community groups throughout the region.
“Lake Cumberland 250 is an invitation for visitors to experience the full scope of what makes this region special — from our signature events and natural beauty to new attractions like Horse Soldier Farms,” said Michelle Allen, executive director of Lake Cumberland Tourism. “This celebration reflects the energy, authenticity, and sense of place that continue to define Lake Cumberland as a destination.”
The following signature events will anchor the Lake Cumberland 250 celebration:
June 25 — Classic Movie Night at The Virginia, featuring “Grease”
June 26 — Live music at The Virginia, The Highwaymen Tribute Show
June 27 — Somernites Soap Box Derby, presented by the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, Readers to Leaders Story Book Trails and The Somerset Urban Stillhouse
June 27 — Somernites Cruise Classic Car Show
June 27 — Burnside Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks
July 1 — Horse Soldier Farms VIP Ribbon Cutting & Founders Reception
July 2 — Lake Cumberland 250 / Master Musicians Festival Open Mic Night
July 3–4 — PBR American Freedom Invitational at Horse Soldier Farms
July 4 — Fireworks & Music Celebration at Pulaski County Park
How to get involved
Local partners are encouraged to host their own “250”-themed events, specials, or experiences during the celebration window. Events and promotions can be submitted via lakecumberland250.com by completing a short form to be featured on the official Lake Cumberland 250 website and in coordinated promotional efforts.
Participating partners will also receive the Lake Cumberland 250 Marketing Kit, which includes logos, graphics, and promotional assets to help amplify their own events while aligning with the overall celebration.
Downtown Somerset will be alive with patriotism, from American flags to flowers and banners that celebrate this community-wide event, See Somerset Tourism Executive Director Leslie Ikerd said. Businesses and homeowners are encouraged to decorate as well.
“This week-long celebration highlights Somerset’s role as a gathering place — where history, entertainment, and community come together,” Ikerd said. “Lake Cumberland 250 gives us an opportunity to elevate our downtown, support local businesses, and welcome new visitors while celebrating the pride we share in calling this place home.”
More details about all anchor events, including the PBR American Freedom Invitational, will be released in the coming weeks. Follow @lakecumberland250 on Facebook and Instagram for announcements leading up to the celebration, or visit lakecumberland250.com.
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Pulaski County, Kentucky, is The Capital of Lake Cumberland, where every year more than 4 million visitors enjoy “real life, unsalted™” on Lake Cumberland’s more than 1,200 miles of shoreline and 63,000 surface acres of water. Boating, watersports, hiking, camping, mountain biking, outdoor art, culinary excellence and a robust downtown entertainment scene combine to deliver an authentic southern Kentucky adventure. For more information about where to stay, dine, shop or explore, visit lctourism.com, seesomerset.com or visitburnside.com.