Hazard launches winter events with family magic-comedy night at Hal Rogers Forum

Hazard will kick off a new winter events series with a family-friendly comedy and magic show featuring Matt Fore, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hal Rogers Forum. The city organized the series to boost downtown and Forum attendance through the slower winter months and to offer affordable entertainment for local families.

Matt Fore, a performer based in Johnson City, Tennessee, brings roughly two decades of experience in comedy and magic and is billed as a family-oriented entertainer. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults, with children 12 and under admitted free; tickets will be available through Eventbrite. The low-cost structure is designed to lower financial barriers for families and encourage broader community participation.

City staff say the program is part of a wider community development effort to animate downtown Hazard during winter and to create reasons for residents to gather in public spaces. Beyond the immediate draw of an evening out, organizers hope events at the Hal Rogers Forum will send foot traffic to nearby restaurants and shops that depend on steady business through the colder months.

Public health and equity considerations are central to the event’s potential impact. Affordable, family-friendly programming can reduce social isolation and provide safe, supervised activities for children and caregivers. At the same time, accessibility and inclusion remain important concerns for a county with diverse needs. Ensuring accessible seating, convenient transportation, clear communication about admission policies, and targeted outreach to low-income households will determine whether the series reaches the broad cross-section of Perry County residents who could benefit most.

Local economic and cultural policy intersects here: municipal investments in programming are a common strategy for downtown revitalization, and winter events can help sustain year-round vibrancy. For residents on tight budgets, a $10 ticket and free admission for young children makes an evening at the Forum more realistic than many commercial outings. For small business owners, even modest increases in evening foot traffic can make a difference in monthly revenue during the off season.

For families planning to attend, buy tickets on Eventbrite and arrive early to find seats and visit downtown businesses beforehand or afterward. The city plans additional winter events following this opener, offering more chances for community gatherings that are low-cost and locally focused. For Perry County, the series represents both a short-term source of fun and a longer-term push to keep downtown Hazard lively through winter.