Olive Hill – Students, families, and community members from across eastern Kentucky are invited to experience the inaugural 1ST2FLY STEAM Festival, a two-day event focused on hands-on learning, career exploration, and community connection.
The festival will take place May 15 and May 16 at the Depot in Olive Hill.
Led by Carter County’s Pathfinder Initiative Coalition, the festival is designed to connect young people with real-world opportunities in fields such as aerospace, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, information technology, and technical education while reinforcing positive, future-focused decision-making.
“The festival was created to provide young people with meaningful, hands-on opportunities that connect them to real careers, positive role models, and future possibilities,” said Max Hammond, Executive Director of Warriors’ Path of Kentucky and event organizer.
The name “1ST2FLY” demonstrates both the region’s history and its vision for the future.
“1ST2FLY reflects Carter County’s aviation heritage and the idea of helping all of our students find their path. Some students will become the first in their families or communities to pursue new opportunities and career paths,” Hammond said.
The festival will welcome approximately 800 to 1,000 Carter County middle and high school students on Friday, May 15, who will be bussed in to participate in structured activities, while still remaining open to the public.
Saturday, May 16, will expand into a full community festival day designed for families and visitors from across the region.
Activities throughout the two-day event will include a wide range of hands-on experiences aimed at engaging students and sparking curiosity.
According to Hammond, activities will include a paper airplane contest, frisbee golf, mountain biking experiences, a science fair, STEAM demonstrations, and opportunities to join the Carter County Pathfinders Mountain Bike Racing Team.
A key focus of the festival is exposing students to career pathways and workforce opportunities available in the region.
Exhibitors will include colleges, workforce programs, and organizations representing a wide range of industries.
Hammond says some of the attending exhibitors will be Morehead State University Space Trek, Challenger Learning Center, Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League, Ashland Community and Technical College, Mountain Association, and the Warriors Path Project.
Unlike traditional career fairs, Hammond says this event emphasizes interaction and immersion.
“It is fully hands-on, community-wide, and blends STEAM, workforce development, outdoor recreation, and culture into a single experience,” he said.
The 1ST2FLY STEAM Festival is part of a broader effort to strengthen communities by creating meaningful opportunities for youth.
“The festival aims to increase student confidence, career awareness, and community pride while helping young people see real opportunities for their future,” Hammond said.
He also emphasized the importance of engaging the entire community in that effort.
“It ensures families are involved, strengthens community pride, and reinforces that youth success is a shared responsibility,” he said.
In addition to educational programming, the festival will feature entertainment and activities for all ages. Friday will include a guest speaker, Dr. Jennifer Carter, as well as a free movie night sponsored by Olive Hill Tourism. Saturday will feature inflatables, food vendors, and a live concert featuring Bath County native, Branden Martin.
“The 1ST2FLY STEAM Festival is completely free to attend. There are no tickets required, and the event is intentionally designed to be accessible to everyone in the community,” Hammond said.
Organizers expect more than 1,500 attendees across both days, with participation extending beyond Carter County into surrounding areas.
The 1ST2FLY STEAM Festival is led by Carter County’s Pathfinder Initiative Coalition, with support from the Galaxy Project, Carter County Tourism, Olive Hill Trail Town, and Olive Hill Tourism.
The festival has been made possible through partnerships with local schools, agencies, and organizations across the community.
