St. Joe’s Picnic Frequently Asked Questions

A group of Ursuline nuns started St. Joe’s Picnic for the Kids in 1850 to raise funds for the care of orphaned children living at St. Joe’s. The picnic has remained one of the largest annual fundraisers providing vital support to cover the daily operating expenses of the home.

Funding is provided from the state to assist with the cost of caring for these children, but this covers less than 77% of the actual expenses. This leaves a significant amount that must be raised by other means. The picnic is the major source of these additional funds and every dollar raised helps the kids.

You can get your food and drink tickets ahead of time right here! Jump online before Thursday, August 6 at 4 p.m. to skip the hassle, then swing by the Information Booth when you arrive to pick them up (we’ll be open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, August 7, and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 8).

Insider tip: Planning to bring a big group or stock up? Buying in bulk in advance scores you a discount!

You sure can! We’ll have ticket booths set up on site but trust us — nobody likes spending their summer evening waiting in line. Buying online ahead of time means less time in line and more time enjoying the fun.

Need cash while you’re here? We have ATMs on-site, but buying your tickets online in advance is still the easiest way to skip the lines and save on ATM fees!

All ticket sales are final but think of it this way: every single ticket you buy goes straight toward making a difference. You’re directly supporting the physical, emotional, and educational care of the incredible children who are in our residential program.

Raffle tickets will be sold during Picnic, but why wait? Pre-purchase your online raffle tickets up until 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7. Order them here!

Winners for all raffles will be drawn at midnight on St. Joe’s front lawn. You don’t need to be present to win. Winners will be notified by phone and/or email on Monday, following the Picnic.

Yes, re-entry is permitted! Grab your favorite festival food, enjoy the music, and make a full night of it with us.

If you are the winner of a raffle or one of the other prizes during Picnic, you will be contacted on the Monday following Picnic. You can also contact St. Joe’s info@sjkids.org or 502.893.0241 with any questions or to make arrangements to pick up your prize. You must have a scheduled time for prize pickup to ensure appropriate staff is on site to give you your prize.

The 177th St. Joe’s Picnic for the Kids will be held on our front lawn in historic Crescent Hill Friday, August 7 from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Saturday August 8 from noon until midnight.

Guest parking is available in the grassy area facing Brownsboro Road. Parking attendants will be on-site to help guide you to a spot. After you’ve parked, hitch a ride on our shuttle to the Picnic grounds if you prefer not to walk.

Insider Tip: For an easier parking experience, you can grab a spot at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, hop on a shuttle, and head to Picnic.

Absolutely! Let our parking crew know as you arrive, and they will direct you to a reserved parking space. Accessible spaces are available on a first-come, first-served.

We will have ADA-compliant portable restrooms located throughout the Picnic grounds.

Yes, water will be available free of charge at a station located next to the Info Booth.

We want to make sure Picnic #177 is safe and healthy for everyone! For minor scrapes or cuts, Band-Aids are available at the Info Booth. But for serious medical concerns, our event staff will coordinate directly with local first responders.

Yes! Rain or shine, the festivities will go on. (In the event of severe weather, we will post updates on our social media channels).