Weekend will be crowded with events/ Lot of out-of-towners expected

If you can’t find something to do in Owensboro this weekend, you’re not trying.

At least 11 major events are on tap — most of them downtown.

Probably the biggest will be the St. Patrick’s Day block party that O.Z. Tyler Distillery, Bar Louie, The Miller House and Republic Bank will host in the 200 block of Frederica Street from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, March 17.

Frederica Street will closed for 12 hours that day between Second and Third streets.

And the city is allowing people to have open containers of beer and liquor inside the fenced-in part of that block during the party.

City Commissioner Larry Conder said the idea is to test whether more such events can happen downtown.

“The block party is trying to prove that you can successfully have areas for open containers downtown,” he said. “Several groups including Friday After 5 have pushed for it in Smothers Park. But you have kids in Smothers Park. Technically, under state law, we can’t do that. But if this block party is successful, maybe we can show the state that it can be done.”

Children won’t be allowed inside the block party area.

But organizers say a family-friendly area will be set up away from the area where beer and liquor are served.

“Let’s hope for good weather,” said Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With so much going on, we’ll see a lot of people from out of town this weekend. We’ve been hearing that a lot of people are inviting family and friends to visit this weekend.”

— Another big event is the Kentucky Fried Pickin’ End of Winter Bluegrass Jam Festival at the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront just west of Smothers Park.

Last year’s event drew pickers from seven states to Owensboro.

It’s free and music will continue around the clock into Sunday.

Elissa Payne, the hotel’s director of sales, said, “Throughout the weekend, you will find almost every pocket within the hotel full of bluegrass melodies — from a solo guitarist all the way up to a 12-person — or more — jam session. Musicians come from all walks of life, all ages and all different experience levels.”

People can bring instruments and join in or just sit and listen.

— The International Bluegrass Music Museum is hosting Pete Wernick’s Bluegrass Jam Camp this weekend with pickers from several states.

But it’s not open to the public.

— The 2018 Color Blast 5K Run/Walk will be in Moreland Park from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17.

Last year, it drew about 2,000 people.

At every mile marker, runners and walkers are hit with “a safe and nontoxic” colored powder that colors their white clothing.

— Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is hosting a St.Patrick’s Day Succulent Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

For $25, people can pick a pot, plants and decor for the pots.

— The Owensboro Convention Center is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a party from 6 to 11 p.m.

The Louisville Crashers will be performing.

— Owensboro Dance Theatre will present “In Concert featuring ‘Beauty and The Beast..Brought to Life’ ” at 7 p.m. Saturday at the RiverPark Center.

— Theatre Workshop of Owensboro’s “Owensboro’s Got Talent” show will be at the Empress Theatre, 418 Frederica St., starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

— The Owensboro Ballroom Dance Club’s annual St. Patrick’s Dance will be at the Kentucky National Guard Armory, 3300 Tamarack Road, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

— Daviess County Public Schools’ annual District Arts Showcase “A Symphony of the Arts” starts at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Owensboro Convention Center and continues through Tuesday.

— And the RiverPark Center is bringing in “One Night of Queen” — a tribute to the music of Queen — at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Messenger Inquirer article written by Keith Lawrence, [email protected]