HerKentucky 2014 Summer Fun List: Henderson / Owensboro Edition
Summer is here, y'all, and Kentucky has so much fun to offer! We've found the best ways to have fun in cities and regions across the Commonwealth, and we're thrilled to share them with you! Click here to download our
2014 Summer Fun List for Henderson and Owensboro
. Print it out, check off the fun events you experience, and have a great summer!
HENDERSON
Please allow me to toot the horn of my hometown. Henderson is home to three(!) of the
, a list compiled by the Kentucky Travel Industry Association.
You've missed some of the events already, but the good news is that this wonderful festival lasts all week long!
This one is my personal favorite, since I know the founder. I call her Mom.
You don't want to miss the 29th year of the Bluegrass Festival, which has evolved
into one of the biggest bluegrass festivals in the country.
The newest of the Henderson music festivals, this one is named for the late County Judge/Executive,
who loved attending songwriters' festivals. Wouldn't he be proud of this one?
A few years (decades, whatever) ago, my grandfather was the Head Ranger and my grandmother ran the gift shop at the museum. I thought we owned the park. This was my childhood playground, and I feel such joy taking my own children to visit.
Miles of trails for hiking, a museum full of priceless Audubon artwork,
golf, water, camping. You will never be bored here!
Plan to share. Get the brussels sprouts. You're welcome.
A few years ago, my mom gave me a lovely, silver horseshoe necklace and told me
!
You-pick berries and fruit stand open in July and August.
You can even get your farm fresh eggs here!
Enjoy Fabulous Fridays at Ruby Moon!
You can purchase wine by the glass, enjoy complimentary cheese and crackers, and receive 10% off purchases.
A perfect place to relax with the best view in town. Enjoy fun events like
Yappy Hour (the next one is June 18 at 5:00) or join the party for July 4th,
when Lindsey Williams will be playing and On Deck will also be donating the gate
money to Mark Brooks, who was diagnosed with ALS. Have fun and do good!
Support local farms by patronizing the Farmers' Market, open from May through October,
every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am until 5pm.
The Henderson Riverwalk's latest section creates a 2.3 mile pathway to enjoy walking or running
along the Ohio River, past Sunset Park, Redbanks Park, and into Atkinson Park.
OWENSBORO
Before we jump into our Owensboro Summertime Bucket List, let's take a peek into the past:
This is what Veterans Blvd looked like when we left our wedding reception
at the RiverPark Center back in 1999.
Little did we know that Owensboro had some big ideas, because now that same area looks like this:
No such thing as summertime boredom!
Quickly becoming another jewel in the area's music festival crown.
This year's headliner? Hank Williams Jr. No big deal.
Pick your own fruit and try out delicious summer crops of peaches, corn, tomatoes,
and summer apples at this fantastic, family owned orchard.
Home to the world's only museum dedicated to the history and preservation of bluegrass music.
Also has my vote for best phone number. 1-888-MY-BANJO. That's awesome.
This place is on my must-try list for our annual summer visit home!
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Yes, I have a favorite. No, I won't tell you. Don't worry, you can't make a poor decision here.
Big Dipper
Order a burger through the garden or a divine BLT, and don't forget a banana shake.
Don't forget your cash, either. This place is old school.
Oooh and aaah to the sounds of the OSO, joining the spectacular fireworks display.
This one is for the kids (and the adults)! Exhibits both fun and fascinating are to be found
inside this historic building. Admission is only $3 per person.
This 9 day outdoor basketball tournament will captivate you!
This year's will be held July 18-25 at Kendall-Perkins Park.
You just missed this wonderful event, but be sure to put in on your calendar for next year!
Choose your distance and come as you are! Bike, walk, run, and stay for the party at the home of the
generous David and Jean Yewell. All your hard work and play will benefit the children
living at the St. Joseph's Peace Mission and the Yewell Home for Boys.
HerKentucky 2014 Summer Fun List: Paducah Edition
Summer is here, y'all, and Kentucky has so much fun to offer! We've found the best ways to have fun in cities and regions across the Commonwealth, and we're thrilled to share them with you!
Click here to download our 2014 Summer Fun List for Paducah
. Print it out, check off the fun events you experience, and have a great summer!
Paducah has much to offer when the sun starts shining and the temperatures rise. So, if you live in the western part of the state, add some of these items to things you MUST do before fall begins her (rapid) approach!
Fireworks over the Ohio River
Story time (for kids) or Evening Hour (for adults) at McCracken County Fair
Paducah's Downtown Farmers Market
That can be just the beginning of summer fun. If you're willing to go beyond the Paducah area, there are summer adventures all over Western Kentucky from Mammoth Cave to Bubbleland. So, get out there and enjoy Western Kentucky sunshine!
~ Sarah Stewart Holland
Sizzling Summer Trends for 2014
Bold Prints
Bright flirty florals, sweet stripes and bold geometrics will have you looking chic all summer. Complete the look with your favorite jean jacket and a statement necklace and you'll be ready for any event that summer throws your way!
Shiny Fabrics
This is such a fun summer trend! You can go head to toe if you dare, but I love this trend as an accent and can't get enough of metallic shorts! These versatile beauties could easily go day or night and for day, I would suggest a crisp white button down. To take metallic shorts out on the town, I would swap out that button down for a flirty black top.
White Everywhere
I always love dusting off my whites after Easter and I think there is something so fresh about all white during the summer. Just remember to pay attention to fit and check to make sure your garment has enough coverage before leaving the house. White can be Tricky!
Bright Colors
I had a hot pink shift dress that I wore to death. I LOVED it and I am happy to see that designers are bringing back bright shifts again and I plan on adding a few to my already packed closet. Dazzling Blue, Celosia Orange and Radiant Orchid will be everywhere this summer and I can't wait. Which color is your favorite?
Photo Credit#BLUBRUNCH at Louisville's Downtown Marriott
Yesterday, Bob and I were treated to brunch at BLU Italian Grille at Louisville's Downtown Marriott. If you follow HerKentucky and BLU Grille on Instagram (and, seriously, why wouldn't you?), you know that we turned our brunch into an Instagram takeover. It was so fun, and the food and service were fantastic!
Sunday brunch at BLU is a bit of an event. There's a jazz trio,
delicious beverages,
and an extensive buffet of breakfast and lunch fare.
Steak medallions, garlic mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables
Two kinds of smoked salmon with caprese salad.
One entire table features locally-sourced items from Kentucky and Indiana. It was fabulous, y'all.
Bourbon cheddar cheese and Bibb lettuce. As #kentuckyproud as it gets!
Bourbon cinnamon buns
And then, there was the dessert table. Oh my goodness. The dessert table.
Bourbon + Cheesecake.
The Chocolate Bombe was, well, The Bomb.
Cheers to BLU for a great brunch, an attentive staff, and a whole lot of fun!
BLU Italian Grille is located at 280 West Jefferson Street in Louisville. You can peruse their menu here.
(Thanks to BLU for the invitation and the wonderful meal!)
Agrestic Music and Arts Festival!
If I were you, I'd make plans to spend the 6th and 7th of June in Whitesburg at the Agrestic Music and Arts Festival for Autism.
Family loyalty aside, y'all should check out the Agrestic Festival next weekend. While you're in Whitesburg, get the pimiento cheese and fried green tomato hamburger at the Pine Mountain Grill. It's worth the trip.
For more of the HerKentucky writing staff's take on the Commonwealth's most noteworthy events, sign up for our monthly HerKentucky Happenings email!National Hamburger Day
Today is National Hamburger Day.
Yep, that's a thing.
But did you know that the cheeseburger was invented right here in Louisville?
The story goes that, in 1934, Margaret and Carl Kaelin were the proprietors of Kaelin's Restaurant in the Deer Park neighborhood of Louisville. Carl got the idea to add a piece of cheese to his hamburger, and the rest was delicious history.
Kaelin's mini-hamburgers, via Southern Living
.
Kaelin's closed a few years ago, but it holds a place in Kentucky lore as the home of the cheeseburger.
Happy Hamburger Day, y'all! Who serves your favorite Kentucky Hamburger?