What is it?
The Bluegrass Bash : Kentucky Fish Convention is a joint national convention of the American Cichlid Association, American Livebearer Association, and International Betta Congress. All three national groups will bring their national conventions together into one big event on June 25-28, 2026 right here in Lexington, Kentucky. The Bash will have presentations from experts in fishkeeping, shows to display species to be judged, a tank decorating contest for kids, auctions, a swap, and many other activities providing a full extended weekend of fish fun.
The Venue
The Bluegrass Bash takes place at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center, 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Kentucky. With the on-site Sedona Taphouse for dining and socializing, plus a location just 7 miles from Blue Grass Airport, the Clarion is the ideal setting. Spacious exhibit halls, comfortable accommodations, and modern amenities all come together to make it the best venue for connecting the aquarium community.
We have secured a select number of rooms for convention attendees at a special rate available through the link below.
Our Speakers
Get ready for an unforgettable speaker lineup featuring some of the most respected and innovative minds in the field. Their expertise, groundbreaking research, and inspiring insights will make every presentation a must-see. This is a rare chance to learn from the very best—don’t miss it!
Last minute suprise additional speaker: Juan Miquel Artigas Azas will be speaking on goodeids
Fish Show
The ACA will feature the best of the best for its show this year. The ACA will be limiting the show to only 50 entries to ensure the best cichlids are on display. Each participant will only be eligible to enter 3 entires for the entire Cichlid show meaning they must select their very best. The ALA and IBC will also host their own show featuring the best bettas and livebearers the fish keeping hobby has.
Vendor Room & Swap Meet
The Bluegrass Bash will also feature a vendor room where you can purchase all your fish keeping needs. In addition to the vendor room running all convention there will also be a swap meet during the convention where even more great deals will be available to you.
Auctions
The Goodied and Rare Livebearer auction and Babes Auction will both be exciting events that will offer rare and hard to find species to the highest bidder. Both of these auctions are full of excitement, deals, and fish you may never get a chance to see again. The proceeds of both auctions go towards funding conservation and research.
Kids Tank Decorating Contest
We aren't leaving the young fish keepers out on this event. The Bluegrass Bash will feature along with other kids' activities a tank decorating contest aimed at the hobby's youth.
Swap Meet
Sunday Swap Meet is from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Tables will be provided. Paid convention attendees have free entry with a Convention Name badge. All other attendees, including the public, are charged $5 per person to enter.
Children under 5 are free.
To set up to Sell Tables are $50 each but are half price if registered for the convention.
Contact Us
Event Schedule
Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Event Schedule
Event Schedule
Event Schedule
Wednesday
8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Setup: Show Room, Rental Room & Vendor
6:00 PM | Early Bird Hospitality (Bourbon Tasting / Pizza ticket required)
Thursday
9:00 AM–11:00 PM | ALA Show Open
10:00 AM | Prestige Aquatics Booth (Free Doughnuts & Coffee) – Paddock
10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Showroom, Vendor, Registration, Rental Room & Silent Auction Table Open
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour & Tasting
6:00 PM–12:00 AM | Hospitality Suite Open
6:30 PM–9:00 PM | KICK Room – Brook Ledge
7:00 PM–8:00 PM | Presentation: Gerald Griffin – Wild Bettas!
8:30 PM–9:30 PM | Presentation: Dave Schumacher – Whatchoo Callin’ Me?
10:00 PM-11:30 PM | Presentation: Juan Miguel Artigas Azas – Goodeids!
Friday
8:30 AM–12:30 PM | Kentucky State University Aquaculture Lab Tour (Limit 55)
10:00 AM | Prestige Aquatics Booth (Free Doughnuts & Coffee) – Paddock
10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Showroom, Vendor, Registration, Rental Room & Silent Auction Table Open
9:00 AM–5:00 PM | ACA Silent Auction – Paddock
10:00 AM–9:00 PM | KICK Room – Brook Ledge
2:00 PM–3:30 PM | Presentation: Art Parola & Amanda Fredal – Challenges for the Aquarium Hobby
3:30 PM–5:00 PM | Presentation: Omar Dominguez – FishArk Project & Conservation
7:00 PM–9:00 PM | NAGWG Meeting & Livebearer Auction – Derby, Preakness & Belmont
8:30 PM–10:00 PM | Kick Auction (Kids Only) – Brook Ledge
10:00 PM | ACA Late Night Auction Proceeds to Research, Education, and Conservation Projects – Derby, Preakness & Belmont
Midnight to 2:00 AM| Late night pool party immediately following the Friday night auction!
Saturday
7:00 AM–9:00 AM | Show Judging (ACA, ALA, Betta)
9:00 AM–5:00 PM | Show Room, Vendor Room & Silent Auction Table Open
9:00 AM–10:00 AM | Presentation: Rusty Wessel – Cichlids with Livebearers ( Domestic and Wild)
9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Registration – Barbaro Room
10:00 AM | Prestige Aquatics Booth (Free Doughnuts & Coffee) – Paddock
10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Presentation: Michi Tobler – Conservation
12:00 PM–2:00 PM | Kids Decorating Contest (Limit 15) – Brook Ledge
12:30 PM–2:00 PM | ALA Graduate Student Poster Presentations
2:00 PM–3:00 PM | Presentation: Humberto Zea Martin – Colombian Fish
3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Presentation: John Krepper – Lake Tanganyika Cichlids
5:30 PM–7:00 PM | Wine & Beer Tasting – Sponsored by: Kevin Lush in memory of Jim Dantona
6:30 PM–7:30 PM | Reception Bar
7:30 PM–8:30 PM | Combined Banquet – Man ‘O War, Secretariat & Thoroughbred
8:30 PM–9:30 PM | Banquet Speaker: Spencer Jack
9:30 PM–12:00 AM | Hospitality Suite & Fish/Vendor Room Open
10:00 PM | Break Down Show Tanks
Sunday
8:00 AM–10:00 AM | Tear Down Fish Show
9:00 AM–10:00 AM | Show Award Presentations
11:00 AM–3:00 PM | SWAP Meet