The HerKentucky List of Fall Activities You'll Actually Want to Do
It's fall, y'all. There are so many fabulous things to do. But, let's be honest. Corn mazes and apple orchards aren't enough to get me off the couch. I mean, there's A LOT of college football to watch, and picking out a pumpkin just is never going to be as interesting as SEC games. You've seen plenty of fall lists with (sort of) interesting seasonal activities that (kind of maybe) make you want to turn off the game and enjoy the season. Here's HerKentucky's list of Fall activities you'll actually want to do.
- Sunrise Trackside at Keeneland. I've always wanted to do the trackside Saturday breakfast and jockey Q&A. What a unique, intimate way to experience the track!
- Sample the Cask Strength Maker's 46 at Maker's Mark. Maker's 46 is such a delicious bourbon; it's got these spicy caramel notes that taste like the best creme brûlée you've ever eaten. Sample the Cask Strength variant at Maker's this fall!
- The Breeders' Cup + UK football weekend. Possibly your last chance to see American Pharaoh run. Your best chance to see Kentucky defeat Tennessee. An epic Lexington weekend.
- YWC Fashion Show. Drink champagne and see the latest fall fashions while raising money for Louisville charities.
- Sundy Best Live at Mercury Ballroom. Eastern Kentucky's favorite roots duo will be cutting a live album at Louisville's Mercury Ballroom on Halloween weekend!
- Haunted Bardstown. The Shadows of Federal Hill tour on October 23rd and 24th tells the story of Judge Chambers, uncle of My Old Kentucky Home composer Steven Foster, in the hours following his fatal dueling wound. “Tragedy, sickness and mystery can be found lurking in the history of My Old Kentucky Home,” said Johnny Warren, managing artistic director of “The Stephen Foster Story.” “This ghost tour provides a peek into the darker side of the historic mansion. So many people enjoy the spirit of the Halloween season and we believe Federal Hill is a fantastic place to get spooked while celebrating the history of a Kentucky treasure.”
What are your must-see fall activities?
What to Wear to the YWC of Louisville's Fashion Show
Tomorrow night is one of my very favorite charity events of the season, the Younger Woman's Club of Louisville's Fashion Show. This is such a fun event that offers a preview of the season's top fashions from local boutiques and always raises so much money for the YWC's Charity Campaign.
You always see guests in a variety of looks at the YWC Fashion Show, from cocktail to casual. I find that a little bit of glam and a lot of sass are your best bet. I've put together a few of my favorite looks below.
Hope to see you at the YWC Show; visit bit.ly/YWCFashionTix for tickets!
Pink and White Kentucky Football Patchwork Quilt
The Wildcats are two wins away from Bowl eligibility, y'all. So, it only seems fitting that this week's quilt of the week is a Kentucky Wildcats football themed quilt. It's just a regular patchwork quilt, made special with the unique fabric. My granny surprised me with this one for Christmas one year. I just love it!
Make-a-Wish Day at Keeneland
There's really nothing better than a day at Keeneland's Fall Meet. Lexington is at its prettiest this time of year, you're likely to run into plenty of friends at the track, and there are great races to watch. The only way it can get better is if you have the opportunity to help others. Tomorrow, you have the chance to do that at Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland!
The thoroughbred industry and Keeneland are working together to help grant the wishes of local Kentucky kids through Make-A-Wish® Day at Keeneland!Local Thoroughbred farms and organizations (Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Ashford Stud, Darley, Shadwell Farm, Lane's End Farm, Flaxman Holdings, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Shawnee Farm and Gainsway Farm) will help grant wishes for nine deserving children. The Keeneland Kidseven get the opportunity to present the trophies after each race!
You can support Make-A-Wish and enjoy a day at the races by purchasing a Wishing at the Races Ticket Package for $25, which includes a general admission ticket, reserved seating in the Grandstand, a Keeneland program and a limited edition t-shirt designed by a wish kid! 65% of ticket sales benefit Make-A-Wish.
To purchase tickets, please call 1-877-206-9474 or visit HTTP://MAKEAWISHKY.KINTERA.ORG/KEENELAND.
If you can't make it to the track tomorrow, follow along on HerKentucky's Instagram for photos from the event!
HerLouisville: Sophisticated Fall Comfort Food at the Irish Rover
With autumn's cooler temperatures setting in, I find myself craving heartier comfort food. This weekend, my beau and I found some new dishes at The Irish Rover that fit the bill. We've always headed up Bardstown Road to the Clifton-area pub for pints, Bushmills, and fish and chips, but we both found ourselves intrigued by variants of traditional shepherds pie.
Bob order the Cottage Pie, a fabulous beef stew in a bread bowl with mashed potatoes.
And I had the Fisherman's Stew, one of the most unique and delicious dishes I've had in ages. Salmon and whitefish mixed in a béchamel sauce, with a mashed potato crust and parmesan cheese. So delicate and delicious!
If you haven't been to the Irish Rover for a while, check out their hearty, sophisticated Fall menu!
Louisville People and Lexington People
Testing the theory that Kentuckians identify with one of their two major college towns.
I've got this theory about Kentuckians.
It doesn't matter what county you grew up in, every Kentuckian identifies as a Lexington person or a Louisville person.
Oh, sure, you may live closer to cities like Cincinnati or Nashville. You may go to St. Louis or Charleston, WV or Indy or anywhere else to shop and unwind. But, when it comes down to college affiliations, sports teams, and generally which city you prefer, there can only be one. Nobody loves both cities equally. I've known plenty of people who drive from Western Kentucky to Lexington to shop, eat, or tailgate. Others may be from the Eastern mountains, but crave a steak from Mortons or Ruth's Chris or an Oxmoor Mall fix.
Of course, both cities are amazing. I've lived in Louisville and in Lexington, and have been very, very happy in each. There's no substitute for a night out on Bardstown Road, a play at Actors Theatre, or the view from River Road. But, I'm a Lexington girl at heart. I went to Transy and to UK. I grew up in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. I bleed blue. And, I'll always be a Lexington girl. I start planning trips to The Track (Keeneland, duh. There is only one!) or to see my 'Cats months in advance. No matter how long my license plate says "Jefferson County", my heart will always lie a little farther east.
Are you a Louisville or Lexington person? Take our quiz and see!
- Keeneland or Churchill Downs?
- Blue or Red?
- Cats or Cards?
- Woodford Reserve or Maker's Mark?
- Ramsey's or Ramsi's?
- I-75 or I-65?
Of course, if you answers were from column A, then you're a Lexington person; if you answered mostly Bs, then you're a Louisville person!
Which one are you?
Rose + Ivory Fan Quilt
Every Thursday, I spotlight a Quilt of the Week, featuring one of the stunning quilts my grandmother has made for me through the years. Today's quilt is a fan pattern on a rose and ivory background. I love the delicate hand-stitched fan patterns in the ivory blocks!