Thunder on the River Offroad ShowAboutThe Thunder on the River Offroad Show is the 1st off-road show in the Slade, KY area. Over the last few years the Red River Gorge Area has seen a tremendous growth in offroading with the opening of the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, Boneyard Hollow Offroad Park and Hollerwood Offroad Park. There are also many off-road clubs that call this area their home, such as the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, Kentucky Krawlers, ECO-OHV, Ohio River Four Wheelers, and Eastern Kentucky Offroad. Many locals in the area have ridden these trails for years and now it is becoming a major tourism economic boom. The Thunder on the River event welcomes everyone to the show with any off-road rig you would like to bring. This is a free event for anyone who would like to participate in or attend.
Event Schedule9:00am - Vendor Set Up
10:00am - Registration will be open at the Beattyville Town Square, near the Lee County Courthouse, located on Main Street, Beattyville. FREE registration per vehicle to participate. See below under "parking" for directions on loading and unloading trailers. 11:00pm - Offroad Show Judging Begins. Door Prize giveaway to the participants who register. Free Decal to the first 30 who sign in registration. Anyone who shows up from last the 2019 event bringing their trophy will also receive a free Thunder on the River Decal. Silent auction items on display under the big tent till 4pm. DJ Music and a live performances by local musicians will occur throughout the day. 4:00pm - Award Presentation for each class. Award Presentation of ticket raffel winners. Registration ClassesFree to register your off-road vehicle in these available classes listed below:
Awards are sponsored by Big Hammer Fab. BEST UTILITY ATV BEST SPORT ATV BEST JR. CLASS BEST DIRT BIKE BEST JEEP BEST BOUNCER BEST TRUCK BEST FULL CUSTOM SXS BEST SXS BEST SUV BEAT NOT BABIED |
Thunder on the River supporting Lee County Search and Rescue!Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Lee County Search and Rescue Team. They volunteered countless hours in 2021 during the historic flooding in Beattyville, and they are in need of new turnout gear, an inflatable rescue boat, trainings, and more. You can donate to them by clicking this button!
Join the Facebook Public Group page to stay up to date on Festival Info!
2021 Group Posts! |
Vendors
We welcome all vendors from any off-road field. Area artisans and food vendors are also welcome to purchase a vendor space. Charges for tent spaces will be $25 cash or check. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Lee County Search and Rescue!
Mail Payment to: Thunder on the River C/O Beattyville Lee County Tourism Commission, P.O. Box 738, Beattyville, KY 41311
Call for more info (606) 464-5038
Mail Payment to: Thunder on the River C/O Beattyville Lee County Tourism Commission, P.O. Box 738, Beattyville, KY 41311
Call for more info (606) 464-5038
"Local's Tent"
If you are a local non-profit in Beattyville/Lee County and want to participate then you may have a table space under the "Local Tent" sponsored by the Downtown Beattyville Alliance, The City of Beattyville, and the Beattyville/Lee County Tourism Commission. This is no cost to nonprofits to participate. Donations appreciated.
Contact us
If you have additional questions or wish to reserve a table under the "Local Tent" please contact Teresa Mays at 606-464-5007 or email Teresa at tmays@beattyville.org. You can also call Dedra Brandenburg at 606-464-5038 or email her at info@visitleecounyky.com. You can also join the Thunder on the River Offroad Show Facebook Public Group on Facebook.
Parking Directions & Navigation
Event Address: 200 Main Street, Beattyville, KY 41311
Participant Parking: For licensed vehicle participants, parking will be along Main Street between Valero gas station and the Lee County Courthouse on Center Street. For tailored unlicensed vehicles: parking will be behind the Beattyville Elementary School where with police escort, unlicensed vehicles will be taken to Main Street in groups.
Spectator Parking: Across the railroad tracks in Beattyville, turn right at the light onto Main Street. If Main Street is blocked due to the event, proceed to the next available right turn onto River Drive. Spectator parking will be available in parking lots and street parking along River Drive, Center St, Locust St, and Begley St. Parking also available at Beattyville City Hall on Railroad St. Handicapped parking will be in the Lee County Courthouse Lot on Center Street.
From Lexington, KY (drive time 1 hour 20 minutes): Take I64 East toward Winchester, KY then exit onto the Mountain Parkway East. Take the Slade/Beattyville exit 33 and turn right at the end of the ramp onto HWY 11 South. Drive 20 minutes South on HWY 11 past the Natural Bridge State Park and into Beattyville, KY.
From London, KY (drive time 1 hour): From I-75, take exit 41 in London, KY and turn right onto HWY 80/Hal Rogers Parkway. Turn left onto HWY 30 E and follow it for 20 miles toward Tyner, KY. Turn right onto HWY 421 for 2 miles then turn right back onto Hwy 30 at the Valero Corner Market. Follow HWY 30 for 25 miles into Beattyville, KY.
From Richmond, KY (drive time 58 minutes): Follow the Eastern Bypass around to the East and turn onto HWY 52 for 30 miles toward Irvine, KY. Cross the green bridge over the Kentuck River and turn right at the Estill County Courthouse to continue on HWY 52. Continue strait and under the Railroad underpass then turn left onto HWY 1571 following the river for 7 miles. Turn right back onto HWY 52 E and follow for 10 miles then turn left onto HWY 498. Follow 498 for 3 miles then turn right onto HWY 11 South into Beattyville, KY.
Participant Parking: For licensed vehicle participants, parking will be along Main Street between Valero gas station and the Lee County Courthouse on Center Street. For tailored unlicensed vehicles: parking will be behind the Beattyville Elementary School where with police escort, unlicensed vehicles will be taken to Main Street in groups.
Spectator Parking: Across the railroad tracks in Beattyville, turn right at the light onto Main Street. If Main Street is blocked due to the event, proceed to the next available right turn onto River Drive. Spectator parking will be available in parking lots and street parking along River Drive, Center St, Locust St, and Begley St. Parking also available at Beattyville City Hall on Railroad St. Handicapped parking will be in the Lee County Courthouse Lot on Center Street.
From Lexington, KY (drive time 1 hour 20 minutes): Take I64 East toward Winchester, KY then exit onto the Mountain Parkway East. Take the Slade/Beattyville exit 33 and turn right at the end of the ramp onto HWY 11 South. Drive 20 minutes South on HWY 11 past the Natural Bridge State Park and into Beattyville, KY.
From London, KY (drive time 1 hour): From I-75, take exit 41 in London, KY and turn right onto HWY 80/Hal Rogers Parkway. Turn left onto HWY 30 E and follow it for 20 miles toward Tyner, KY. Turn right onto HWY 421 for 2 miles then turn right back onto Hwy 30 at the Valero Corner Market. Follow HWY 30 for 25 miles into Beattyville, KY.
From Richmond, KY (drive time 58 minutes): Follow the Eastern Bypass around to the East and turn onto HWY 52 for 30 miles toward Irvine, KY. Cross the green bridge over the Kentuck River and turn right at the Estill County Courthouse to continue on HWY 52. Continue strait and under the Railroad underpass then turn left onto HWY 1571 following the river for 7 miles. Turn right back onto HWY 52 E and follow for 10 miles then turn left onto HWY 498. Follow 498 for 3 miles then turn right onto HWY 11 South into Beattyville, KY.
Congratulations to our 2019 Winners! Below slideshow from the April 2019 Event.

2019 Offroad Show Funds help Search and Rescue purchase a Rhino SXS.
May 2019: The Search & Rescue added a new tool to the toolbox to help with calls in the county that other units can't reach.. This will help tremendously in search efforts and rescue the accident victims in the off road community in conjunction with Tri-Community V.F.D if need be. Special thanks to the Lee County Tourism for helping raise part of the money to purchase this equipment, the rest of it was fundraiser money of the teams thanks to all that helps and supports the Lee County Search & Rescue without you guys this would not be possible.
May 2019: The Search & Rescue added a new tool to the toolbox to help with calls in the county that other units can't reach.. This will help tremendously in search efforts and rescue the accident victims in the off road community in conjunction with Tri-Community V.F.D if need be. Special thanks to the Lee County Tourism for helping raise part of the money to purchase this equipment, the rest of it was fundraiser money of the teams thanks to all that helps and supports the Lee County Search & Rescue without you guys this would not be possible.