The Kentucky Derby started in 1875 and is the oldest continuously held sporting event in the US, but St. Joe’s Picnic For the Kids has been around longer — 26 years longer, to be exact.

The annual picnic was founded in 1849 by Ursuline nuns as a way to raise money for what was then the St. Joseph Catholic Orphan Society. While the days of the traditional orphanage are gone, the picnic continues to be the largest fundraiser for St. Joseph Children’s Home — which operates today as a state-licensed, nonprofit child care facility.

Radiotronic will perform Friday, Aug. 11 night and Rearview Mirror will take the stage on Saturday, Aug. 12. | Photo by Falls City Photography

This year’s St. Joe’s Picnic will take place on Friday, Aug. 11, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. + Saturday, Aug. 12, 12 p.m.-12 a.m. at the center’s campus at 2823 Frankfort Ave. Entry and parking are free, but there are plenty of ways to donate your dollars while eating cotton candy and even playing blackjack.

Picnic Tickets

All food and drinks + activities require picnic tickets that can be purchased at booths throughout the grounds. One ticket equals $1 and all the funds go directly to St. Joe’s.

Use picnic tickets to dig into a country-style chicken dinner with all the fixings inside the gymnasium. | Photo by Falls City Photography

Tickets can be use on things like its famous chicken dinner + other fair-style food, carnival games, a cake wheel, and more.

Pro tip: Get discounts on large ticket orders online before Thursday, Aug. 10.

Play casino games

Be sure to hit the ATM ahead of time as most of the gambling games — think: blackjack, big six + pull tabs — are played with cash.

"Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em" while playing casino games. | Photo by Falls City Photography

Raffles

A Florida beach house vacation, Big Green Egg grill, quilts, and bourbon are just a few of this year’s raffle prizes. Online raffle sales are open until noon on Saturday, Aug. 12, but you can also purchase tickets at the picnic until 11:30 p.m. the same day.