UPDATE: 2019
The unofficial start date for some locals and vendors will be
Monday, October 14th.
(When locals start shopping the booths that have already been set up.)
With the official start date being Thursday the 17th.
The last day of the event this year is October 21st, which is the third Monday of October.
And remember, it always ends on the third Monday in October.
Where is Preston, KY?
Preston is one of the towns that make up the county known as Bath. It is only about three miles south west of Owingsville, right off I-64 interstate, exit 121. It was founded in 1881 as Preston Station as being part of the Big Sandy Railroad. Preston is also home to one of the oldest, still in business, country stores, Blevins Grocery. And the little country store sits right in the center of all the action.
"If you stop in, be sure to grab you a bologna sandwich," all the locals say.
(Update: Blevins Grocery is now sadly closed.)
If you need driving directions to Preston, KY please click here: Preston Map
Each year the number of trading booths continue to grow. People travel from all over the country to buy, sell, trade and browse. You have a humongous selection of merchandise to choose from. Everything from new items like as t-shirts, shoes, purses, housewares, etc. to those one of a kind antiques you may be searching for to finish off a collection. Whatever that may be. It also has a large number of animal booths. Dogs and guns are the main attraction due to the fact of many hunters in the area. And that the Mt. Sterling Court days banned the sale or trade of animals around 1970.
The food booths are incredible. Preston Court Days has the best home cooked foods around. Whether it is country ham, brown beans, cornbread, chili dogs or yummy cheeseburgers, you can find it all. And you will love it.
I recommend the Blooming Onions!
The original ones, not the cheaper versions out there.
But my sister swears the Amish home made fried apple pies are to die for!
And the chili dogs along with an ice cold Ale-8.
And my husband loves the Philly Cheese Steak with all the peppers and such:
Preston Court Days is a great way to ring in fall. So come on out and join in all the fun.
Preston is one of the towns that make up the county known as Bath. It is only about three miles south west of Owingsville, right off I-64 interstate, exit 121. It was founded in 1881 as Preston Station as being part of the Big Sandy Railroad. Preston is also home to one of the oldest, still in business, country stores, Blevins Grocery. And the little country store sits right in the center of all the action.
"If you stop in, be sure to grab you a bologna sandwich," all the locals say.
(Update: Blevins Grocery is now sadly closed.)
If you need driving directions to Preston, KY please click here: Preston Map
Each year the number of trading booths continue to grow. People travel from all over the country to buy, sell, trade and browse. You have a humongous selection of merchandise to choose from. Everything from new items like as t-shirts, shoes, purses, housewares, etc. to those one of a kind antiques you may be searching for to finish off a collection. Whatever that may be. It also has a large number of animal booths. Dogs and guns are the main attraction due to the fact of many hunters in the area. And that the Mt. Sterling Court days banned the sale or trade of animals around 1970.
The food booths are incredible. Preston Court Days has the best home cooked foods around. Whether it is country ham, brown beans, cornbread, chili dogs or yummy cheeseburgers, you can find it all. And you will love it.
I recommend the Blooming Onions!
The original ones, not the cheaper versions out there.
But my sister swears the Amish home made fried apple pies are to die for!
And the chili dogs along with an ice cold Ale-8.
Preston Court Days is a great way to ring in fall. So come on out and join in all the fun.
Or here, for those of you who've written asking for a specific address to input into GPS systems:

Blevins Grocery (which is center of the court day)
6825 Preston Road
Owingsville, KY 40360
(update: This store has now closed)
or
The Wander In store
is right at the Owingsville end of Court Day (so you'll get to park at the beginning) of court day and here is the address for that. They have ICE COLD ALE-8's!
79 Blevins Valley Rd, Owingsville, KY 40360
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*VENDORS:*
For vendor information, you may try this FB link.
Note: Sorry, I am no help otherwise for booth rentals.
For vendor information, you may try this FB link.
Note: Sorry, I am no help otherwise for booth rentals.
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Bit o' History
Preston Court Days originally stemmed off from the Mt. Sterling Court Days in the 1970's with the help from James "Coon" Conyers.
Preston Court Days originally stemmed off from the Mt. Sterling Court Days in the 1970's with the help from James "Coon" Conyers.
Way back in 1794, the Mt. Sterling Court days got it's name because once a year the Circuit Judge made a visit to town to try criminals. And people from the area would meet up to sell their items and crops or to do some trading of goods. Back then Mt. Sterling allowed the sale and trade of dogs and many other animals. But dogs were always the main attraction. Hunters from all over came to buy, sell and trade for dogs. Hence the nickname of the event, Trade Days.
Then sometime in the 1970's, the Mt. Sterling Court Days banned the sale of animals, especially dogs. I'm not sure why but many people were outraged, including James "Coon" Conyers. He had been running the largest dog trade days in KY, so he decided that he would start one up in Preston.
And wow did it take off!
Nowadays, coon hunters, shoppers, sightseers, antique hunters and everyday locals can't wait for this yearly event to roll in!
The tiny town of Preston is made up of only about 500 people. But when Court Days roll in, the visitor count will easily exceed ten to fifteen thousand. And each year that number continues to grow!
See ya'll there either buying, selling or trading.
Leave a comment and let us all know what your favorite Court Day Food is!
Preston Court Days sound very interesting. Would love to visit if I have the opportunity to do so!
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy, it sure is something to visit if you possibly can. They really do have something for everyone. Even if you're not looking to buy, you can feast at some awesome food booths too.
Delete~Lisa
Can you still drive golf carts?
ReplyDeleteI was out there both Friday and Saturday and there were plenty of golf carts, four wheelers and atv's riding around. Even four wheelers pulling tobacco wagons to give people lifts for a $1.00.
DeleteCan you buy,sell or trade hunting dogs this year
ReplyDeleteI havent seen any yet but if they're here they must be somewhere else not where they usually were
DeleteDo you have any idea how many vendors will be there this year?
ReplyDeleteThere are wayyyy to many vendors to try and even take a wild guess. It's in full swing now, come out n visit if you can.
DeleteDo you know how many vendors will be there this year?
ReplyDeleteMe my mom and my daughter are leaving late tonight from our home in Jonesborough, TN heading there. We are staying until Sunday evening. Me and mom came two years ago on a whim and loved it. So we are very excited to be able to come back!! Can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteOh great! So glad you are making it back! Tomorrow should be the busiest day. It sure does have something for everyone.
DeleteI just got home from there. We ran out and grabbed dinner at a vendor booth because we are close. Blooming onion for me and philly cheese steak with extra everything for hubby.
Hope yall have fun and find something you can't live without!
What are the hours for Sunday?
ReplyDeleteWhat are the hours for Sunday?
ReplyDeleteusually around 8am it starts back up good and continues until about dark
DeleteI have heard of Shepard puppies being sold in preston flea markets by possibly the Amish community? If you know anybody like that I am interested please reply!! Thank you so much
DeleteHi Ryan. There are lots of people that you see walking around with dogs for sell or trade, as they say. And in the back section, there's an animal lot, with lots of animals, chickens, rabbits all kinds.
DeleteI personally don't know about Shepard puppies, but I'd suggest you follow the Facebook link above and maybe ask on there. I'd say someone would have a lead for ya. Sorry I can't tell ya more on 'em.
-Lisa
Which day is least crowded? And do all vendors stay through Monday? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy. Probably one of the first few days open is the least crowded. And Saturday and Sunday is usually the most crowded. And no some vendors are already packed up and gone by Monday. But there's still usually a lot left to browse.
Deletewhat is the address to put in your tom tom
ReplyDeleteBlevins Grocery (which is center of the court day)
Delete6825 Preston Road
Owingsville, KY 40360
(It's the old store in my photo way at the top of this post.)
or The Wander In Store is right at the Owingsville end (so you'll get to park at the beginning) of court day and here is the address
for that.
79 Blevins Valley Rd, Owingsville, KY 40360
hello,I have been coming to mt. sterlings court days for 31 yrs straight, I love it it's my Christmas, my old man used to come and we never new about preston until an old friend of mine that did sell beagles told me about it, being the curious guy I had to find it, it was hard to find the first couple times and I think someone should put a temporary sign pointing to preston, well the old man died and I bring my 2 grandson's now 12 and 13 this yr, I have been coming to preston 10 yrs and like it almost more than mt.ster. the people and venders are nicer more country folk like myself, I am a farmer and love dogs food and guns, oh the women are nicer at preston also.,i will look for your booth, coming on Saturday and mt. ster. on Friday.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you love it out there! A great tradition to pass on to your 2 grandsons. Maybe one day they will be bringing their grandsons too!
DeleteMake sure that I don't go to Prestsonburg KY. Two different place when I click k on the map it tried to take me there.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, yes, after clicking the map link, Google brings up Preston KY 40360 first, then under that the "Prestonburg location" available also for some reason. Always make sure to click on the first one, PRESTON Kentucky. Thank you for pointing that out. Great advice to those clicking in. Always go with PRESTON, KY 40360.
DeleteCouldn't they do it a different weekend than mt Sterling ct. Days
ReplyDelete