Elizabethtown Announces Steelgrove Amphitheater, Sharilyn Mayhugh as GM

Elizabethtown’s new amphitheater will officially launch in spring 2027 under the name Steelgrove with Sharilyn Mayhugh serving as the venue’s general manager.

When open Steelgrove will be Central Kentucky’s largest outdoor entertainment venue with a capacity of 10,000 on a 55-acre site off I-65 near the Bluegrass Parkway. The venue will be managed in partnership with The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) and signals a welcome addition to the region’s live entertainment landscape.

Capacity was established through a comprehensive feasibility study conducted before the project was announced. The study evaluated market demand, regional demographics, touring trends and comparable venues to identify a size that would best position the amphitheater for long-term success while attracting a wide range of performers and events.

The total investment is approximately $47 million. The project is being funded through Elizabethtown’s existing restaurant tax, meaning no new taxes were created to support construction. This funding model allows the community to invest in a long-term asset that is expected to generate economic impact through tourism, visitor spending and increased activity for local businesses.

According to Krysta Souleyrette, Interim Executive Director of Elizabethtown Tourism, the city’s location made it a natural fit for a destination entertainment venue. Positioned between Louisville and Nashville, and within easy driving distance of Cincinnati and other regional markets, Elizabethtown is uniquely situated to attract both touring artists and concertgoers.

Mayhugh brings live entertainment and venue leadership experience across multiple markets including Texas, California and Tennessee to her new role as GM at Steelgrove.

“Most general managers inherit venues,” she says. “It’s special to have the chance to help create one from the ground up. We aren’t just opening an amphitheater – we’re creating a destination and a cultural gathering place for Central Kentucky. Elizabethtown’s momentum, strong sense of community and strategic location make this an incredible opportunity, and I’m excited to help build something with lasting impact.”

Mayhugh will lead Steelgrove’s pre-opening efforts, including operational planning, team development, stakeholder engagement and guest experience strategy. Her first-year priorities will center on building a strong foundation for the venue, establishing operational excellence and listening closely to residents, businesses, artists and fans as Steelgrove takes shape.

“Steelgrove has all the ingredients to become a standout venue in the region: a compelling brand, a strong market and the right leader in place,” says Todd Yancey, SVP of Venue Management for SFC. “Sharilyn’s experience and approach make her an excellent fit for Elizabethtown’s next chapter.”

Originally from Texas, Mayhugh spent 10 years with Live Nation, helped open Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater as Director of Marketing & Communications, and later served as Managing Director of Entertainment for Circuit of The Americas, where she was General Manager of Germania Amphitheater and oversaw entertainment booking for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. She has worked with major artists including Elton John, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Bruno Mars.

Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP), which produces major festivals Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, has been brought on to handle booking at Steelgrove.

“The opportunity is simple – Central Kentucky has long needed a high-quality outdoor venue of this size,” says Chamie McCurry, DWP’s General Manager and Chief Marketing Officer. “Steelgrove Amphitheater gives artists on summer touring cycles a natural stop in the market and gives fans the outdoor concert experience they increasingly seek during the warmer months.”

McCurry says the booking approach will focus on quality over quantity.

“We want Steelgrove Amphitheater to be a home for a wide range of genres – from country, rock and hip-hop to bluegrass, alternative, comedy and more – creating a well-rounded live entertainment destination.”

McCurry isn’t looking at the 20,000+ KFC Yum! Center in Louisville or Rupp Arena in Lexington as competitors.

“They serve a different purpose and operate year-round, while Steelgrove is a seasonal outdoor venue,” explains McCurry. “Our goal is not to take shows away from existing venues, but to bring more artists, more concerts and more entertainment opportunities to Kentucky overall.”

Elizabethtown is hoping to create a venue that will leave a lasting impression on both artists and guests with a distinctive stage design and a setting that reflect the character of the community. To achieve that vision, they partnered with industry-leading designers and operators including Congleton-Hacker (construction manager), HKS (architect, interior design), CMW (architect and landscape design), Salas O’Brien (acoustics / AV / lighting), Schuler Shook (amphitheater and stage design), ICON (structural engineering), CMTA (MEP engineering) and Kimley-Horn (civil engineering).

_Originally reported by [Pollstar](https://news.pollstar.com/2026/06/18/elizabethtown-names-new-amphitheater-and-gm/)._