Hardin County Events: February 4–8, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Chili is the theme of the week — the Trail Tots Chili Supper at Pritchard Community Center (Wed) and Motto Mortgage's 4th Annual Chili Challenge (Thu), where the crew cooks and you judge
• Saturday is loaded with Valentine's and Galentine's options, from a free craft fair in Vine Grove to UNITY ON THE RUNWAY at The Haycraft
• The Elvin E. Smith Jr. Library & Gallery Dedication, rescheduled by the storm, lands Wednesday at the Hardin County History Museum
• Radcliff Small Business Alliance hosts its First Friday Coffee & Cards at Apostoli; their gala is rescheduled for February 21
• Sunday brings a Super Bowl Sunday Sale at Uniquely Yours and an all-poetry open mic at Flywheel

Summary

After a long stretch of Winter Storm Fern keeping everyone indoors, Jon O'Brien walked through a week built for getting back out — with the caveat that Mother Nature might still have a say. "Be safe if you're going out," he opened, noting the sun was finally trying to peek through and temperatures were climbing toward 40. From a whiskey night at Bourbon Barrel Tavern to a packed Saturday of Valentine's and Galentine's events, the calendar for February 4–8 has something nearly every day.

The week's running theme is chili — a fundraiser supper Wednesday and a competition Thursday — alongside a rescheduled library dedication, a small-business networking morning, and a Sunday that closes with a Super Bowl sale and live poetry. With the roads clearing, it's a good week to support local and reconnect.

Watch this segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mskpYty9JUE&t=1893s Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mskpYty9JUE

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Jon O'Brien opened his events run-through with a realistic note about the week ahead: with Winter Storm Fern still lingering, every plan came with a weather asterisk. "Again, today, be safe if you're going out. Watch the road. Be careful about everybody else driving around because they're not always driving the safest either," he said. But the thaw was underway — "the sun's trying to peek out right now... and it's around 40, so that's not a bad thing" — and the calendar was ready when the roads were.

Tuesday at Bourbon Barrel Tavern

The week opened the night of the show with Old Carter Night at Bourbon Barrel Tavern, where Jon works. Proprietor Mark Carter was set to come down around 4:30 PM to talk about his whiskey and the process behind blending his barrels. The draw for collectors: a 27-year-old whiskey with just one pour left. "If you're not here when we open, you're probably not getting that pour," Jon said. "Come on down, get in here early."

Wednesday: a rescheduled dedication and a chili supper

Wednesday brings the Elvin E. Smith Jr. Library & Gallery Dedication, rescheduled by the storm, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Hardin County History Museum. The event includes refreshments, a welcome, the dedication, special comments, and self-guided viewing — "so you can kind of walk around and check out everything," Jon said.

That evening, the Trail Tots Chili Supper Fundraiser runs 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Pritchard Community Center. It's $10 for adults and $5 for children. "If you want a nice warm bowl of chili for a good, good price, they've got it over there," Jon said.

Thursday: a chili challenge and a club meeting

The chili theme continues Thursday with the Motto Mortgage 4th Annual Chili Challenge, 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at 100 Chase Way, Suite 4 — a chili competition with voting and a charity tie-in. As Britten clarified during the segment, the Motto Mortgage crew does the cooking while attendees judge. (Britten also recalled voting for "the wrong chili" last year and landing in friendly trouble with his buddy Grafton Sizemore, whose entry he passed over.) Also Thursday, the Elizabethtown Junior Woman's Club meets 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce.

Friday: business networking and live songwriting

Friday morning, Phil flagged an addition Jon's list didn't have: the Radcliff Small Business Alliance Coffee & Cards, 8:00 to 9:00 AM at Apostoli in Radcliff. It runs the first Friday of every month and is open to the public. "Maybe you wanna start a business, wanna get some advice from somebody, this is a great way to network," Phil said. He also noted the Alliance's gala has been rescheduled for February 21 — buying himself, by his own admission, more time to grab a ticket.

Friday night, the Heartland Songwriters Association of Kentucky brings its Showcase & Original Open Mic to Waters Edge Winery & Bistro at 7:00 PM.

Saturday: Valentine's and Galentine's, all day

Saturday is the busiest day of the week. The free Galentine's Craft Fair runs 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Vine Grove City Hall, with local vendors, handmade goods, a coffee truck, and raffles. The Girls' Day Out: Valentine's Edition at 212 S Mulberry St offers a winter clearance of 50 to 75% off — "that's a good deal," Jon said. In the evening, there's a Date Night: Dinner for Two with mocktails at CleanGoodeats Cooking Studio in Radcliff (registration required), a Galentine's Dinner at 6:30 PM at 401 W Poplar St, and UNITY ON THE RUNWAY: A Divine Nine Fashion Experience at 7:00 PM at The Haycraft.

Sunday: a Super Bowl sale and live poetry

Sunday wraps the week with the Super Bowl Sunday Sale at Uniquely Yours Quilts & Crafts, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and live poetry readings with an all-poetry open mic at Flywheel from 3:45 to 6:00 PM, with sign-ups starting at 3:45.

The hosts couldn't let Super Bowl Sunday pass without a quick prediction round. With the Patriots and Seahawks set to play, Jon went Seahawks — "I like birds more than the New Englanders" — while the table half-joked that you never bet against the Patriots in the big game. Either way, it's a good excuse to get out, shop local, and ease back into the week now that the snow is finally letting go.