In 1850, only one year after St. Joseph Children’s Home was founded, the Orphans’ Picnic began. What started out as a small picnic run primarily by a group of Ursuline nuns trying to raise funds for the orphaned children in their care has become Kentucky’s biggest picnic of its kind. Now drawing over 60,000 people a year, the Picnic’s sole purpose is to raise funds for St. Joseph’s children. All proceeds that are raised with the Friday Night Live Event and the annual Orphans’ Picnic go directly back into the Home to support the children’s programs.
The next St. Joseph Orphans' Picnic is Saturday, August 11th, 2012. The Picnic averages 63 booths, which include, games of chance, raffles and food and beverages. Over 3,000 people volunteer with their family, friends and co workers to make sure that this wonderful event runs smoothly and is fully staffed. We have several families that have been volunteering, in their booths, for over 50 years! Prizes range from new cars to Weekend Getaways. One of the favorite raffle booths is the Fine Dining booth where for a single $1 chance you can win over 55 gift certificates to local restaurants. Our famous home cooked chicken dinner is always a family favorite. Our chicken dinner begins at noon and service lasts until we run out. So make sure to get here early!

Join us and 50,000 or so of our friends and neighbors for a fun-filled day of games, food, and community spirit that is the largest annual fundraiser to support the kids of St. Joe's. Picnic hours: noon - midnight.

For a preview of the picnic and somewhat smaller crowd, come out the night before for Friday Night Live and enjoy music, adult-games, and selected booths. Friday Night live hours: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

Please help us make the picnic enjoyable for everyone and abide by the following PICNIC RULES:

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 9:00 PM
Bags/purses are subject to search
No solicitation
No coolers
No weapons
Service animals only
No skateboards/bikes