Enjoy a Nightcap 9:30 p.m.

Grab a fresh beer at The Brew Bridge or for a cocktail check out The Pub on Second.

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum 7 p.m.

Go catch a bluegrass concert at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Head over early to take a tour of the museum before the concert.

Bourbon Time 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy a rare bourbon at Spirits, one of the largest bourbon bars in the country conveniently located in the basement of The Miller House.

Friday After Five 6 p.m.

If you’re in town on a Friday between Memorial and Labor Day, don’t miss the free concert series downtown called Friday After Five. Five free stages of music!

The Miller House 5:30 p.m.

Step into your southern side and have dinner at The Miller House. This historic Sears-Roebuck house was brought back to life in 2008 when it was transformed into a fine southern cuisine restaurant.

Grab a Drink 4:30 p.m.

Grab a drink at Lure, in the Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront, or at Burger Theory, in the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront.

Downtown Hotels 4 p.m.

Check in at the Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront or the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront.

Downtown Shopping 3 p.m.

Check out a couple of the downtown boutiques like Byron & Barclay and Simply Chic Home Accents.

Smothers Park 2 p.m.

Take a stroll at the award-winning Smothers Park. There’s no better place to enjoy the outdoors along the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro than Smothers Park, home of Lazy Dayz Playground named the "Top Playground In The World" by Landscape Architects Network. Then get an afternoon pick me up at The Crème Coffee House. They're locally owned and operated, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. They have a wide variety of specialty drinks, delicious treats, and yummy sammiches.

Downtown Dining Noon

Arrive in downtown Owensboro and have lunch at Famous Bistro featuring yummy salads and one of the best cheesesteak sandwiches you’ll ever eat.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 11-13

Home & Garden Show

It’s going to be a homeowner’s paradise this weekend with the Owensboro Home & Garden Show bringing you all the homebuilding and remodeling tips and tricks you could ask for. Located at the Owensboro Convention Center, the Home & Garden Show will convert over 44,000 square feet of convention space into a land filled with exhibitors showing off the latest innovations in remodeling and home design. Hosted by the Home Builders Association of Owensboro, this show will bring you both indoor and outdoor home design experts. The Home & Garden Show is free to attend and will take place March 11-13, starting on Friday from 5-8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. All aspects of remodeling will be on display, so get all your ideas together before heading out and prepare to be inspired!

State Fiddle Championships

You’ll have the chance to see some of the best fiddle players in the state perform their craft this weekend, with the Kentucky State Fiddle Championships coming to you live on March 12 at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. As a music-centric cultural center, those at the Bluegrass Museum love celebrating rich history and great stories behind Bluegrass music, which is why they brought the State Fiddle Championships to their site in 2021. With a new, updated format and greater emphasis on fiddling than ever before, this event is expected to once again evolve into one of the major competitions in the southeastern US in the coming years. Fiddlers will be playing all day long and the event is $10 to attend!

Hot Brown Smackdown

Get ready to boogie on down to Owensboro as Hot Brown Smackdown takes the stage at Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville for a night of live music. This six-piece, Newgrass-fusion ensemble from Louisville has delighted concert- and festival-goers for years by combining brightly textured, hard-driving, powerful Bluegrass polyphony with high-energy groove and soul. The band will play from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 12 and there will be a cover charge at the door.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: July 22-24

Daviess County Fair

It’s that time of year again, folks! The Daviess County Lions Club Fair will be bringing you all the rides, food and good times you could ask for July 20-23. You can click here to check out the four-day schedule, which will include events such as an open dairy show, petting zoos, inflatables, laser tag, live music and a monster truck show. Trust us – no matter which day you attend, you’re guaranteed to have a blast. Be sure to bring some cash and pack some sunscreen because it’s expected to be warm and sunny this year!

Splash Pad at Horse Fork Creek Park

You can find one of the best spray parks in Owensboro at Horse Fork Creek Park, located on the east side of the city. This spray park opened only a couple years ago and is a guaranteed hit for anyone traveling with kids. The 80-by-60-foot splash pad is nearly double the size of other splash pads in the area and includes 23 individual spray features – 13 ground-mounted sprays and 10 above-ground features. Kids can also enjoy a frog, Cattail Twirl and a 20-foot dumping bucket. You could spend the entire day at this splash pad and have so much fun, without spending a dime!

Dinner at Sassafras

Owensboro’s newest restaurant is garnering tons of positive reviews, and there’s good reason for that. Located at 420 Frederica Street, Sassafras was named after Owensboro’s famous Sassafras tree (the largest in the world!) and focuses on authentic southern and Appalachian dishes made from scratch. Whether it’s smoked meat, charcuterie, chicken and dumplings, or Kentucky succotash you’re in the mood for, Sassafras has it all, and then some.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: May 6-8

Dailey & Vincent

If you’re in the market for a concert from some high-profile, multi award-winning musicians, then we’ve got you covered this weekend. On May 6, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum will host Dailey & Vincent to perform live for a night of amazing Bluegrass music. Individually, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have won five Grammy awards each and, together, they’ve taken home three Grammy nominations. They’re also four-time DOVE Award winners, and the pair have earned 35 IBMA Awards altogether. Backed by one of the best bands on tour today, Dailey & Vincent are some of the most reputable and elite entertainers in American music, with songs and styles that range from bluegrass to traditional country, to gospel. Tickets are $40.50 each and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Downtown Cruise-In

It’s that time of year again, and we know you can’t wait for it! Car shows are back in downtown Owensboro, and we’ve got a full lineup of top-notch vehicles for you to see this summer. This weekend’s Downtown Cruise-In will feature all things Mopar (any Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Ram or Jeep vehicle with an emphasis on classic or vintage models). Head to the entrance at the corner of Third and Daviess Streets to see some of the hottest classic cars in the tristate. There will be great food, prizes, activities and more at this family-friendly event. The show runs from 4-8 p.m. on May 7.

Tours at Western KY Botanical Garden

One of the most beautiful places in Owensboro, Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is the perfect place to escape the daily hardships of life and take some time to relax, reflect and regroup. Check out the historic WeatherBerry house before taking a tour along the beautiful pathways that meander through the garden’s landscape. Here, you can find herbs, roses, daylilies, a huge variety of plants and trees, ponds, cottages and so, so much more! And this year, WKBG has implemented a new system of QR codes that can be scanned via phone to provide information to tourists. You can visit the garden Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Sundays from noon-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and veterans, and $1 for students and children.

Date Night on a Budget

Every couple needs a good date night. But the one thing about date nights is, they can be costly. Once you’ve tallied up the costs for dinner, drinks, a show and/or an experience for a night on the town, you end up with a lighter wallet and, sometimes, a tighter budget to get through the week.

But that’s where we step in. Date nights don’t always have to cost that much!

We’re breaking down the best date night experiences for those times when you don’t want to break the budget, starting with live music.

Friday After 5 is a great opportunity to catch, not one, but multiple concerts across our downtown riverfront FOR FREE. There is absolutely no cost that comes with attending Friday After 5, making it the perfect place to spend quality time with your loved one in the great outdoors.

Friday After 5 kicks off May 20 and runs through September 3 from 5 p.m.-midnight for 16 Fridays straight!

And it only gets better, because Owensboro is now home to another free concert and entertainment series that runs all summer as well! Downtown Live will be held at the RiverPark Center, with the first night kicking off May 13. It will run for 12 Fridays, bringing you a different theme each week. You can find six different spaces utilized for live entertainment, a full bar, and so much more. This event is for those 21 and older.

Another option for your low-budget date night is a trip to Western Kentucky Botanical Garden. This is literally one of the most beautiful places in Owensboro, and its growing season runs all summer and fall. A tour only costs $5 per person, giving you an affordable, intimate experience that also connects you with nature.

With more than 25 different parks spread across the city and county, there is no shortage of fishing ponds, picnic spaces and walking trails that are all free to use, and just as romantic as a big night out.

For those who love the arts, the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is the perfect place to peruse a handful of galleries featuring a wide range of artistic styles. While touring an art museum can be pricey in some cities, here in Owensboro, you can tour OMFA for free (though donations are always appreciated). This would be more of an early evening date, as the museum’s gallery hours run from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Owensboro Expecting Record-Breaking Turnout for 2023 Jeeps and Jamz Expo

There are people who love their cars and trucks, but there’s an even bigger group of people who LOVE their Jeeps, which is why Owensboro will be hosting the first-ever Jeeps and Jamz Expo this year for all the Jeep enthusiasts across the country!

Held for two days on May 19 and 20 2023 at the Owensboro Convention Center, Jeeps and Jamz will bring together hundreds, if not thousands, of Jeep owners and enthusiasts for two days of live music, car shows, city-wide discounts and deals, tons of vendors, off-roading events and after-parties.

Hosted by the Owensboro Offroad Jeepers, this event is expected to be one for the record books.

And that’s not an exaggeration. According to Friday After 5 Executive Director Fran Marseille, she’s already made a phone call to the Guinness Book of World Records as the Jeeps and Jamz Expo is predicted to bring the longest convoy of Jeeps to the state of Kentucky.

The Jeeps and Jamz Expo will coincide with Friday After 5’s opening night on May 19 – also referred to as City Night, which will make the event even more exciting for everyone attending. A FA5 After Party will be free fun for everyone at Jeeps and Jamz.

Owensboro is the perfect place for an event like this, Marseille added, because many of the big Jeep conventions are held in states like Florida, and “a lot of people can’t afford to go.”

“I told Guinness, ‘We are working hard to bring tourism back,’ and this event shows the world that Owensboro is a great place to travel to.”

You can learn more about the inaugural Jeeps and Jamz Expo right here.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: December 16-18

Jimmy Fortune

You can hear legendary artist Jimmy Fortune perform live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on December 15! For those who may not know, Fortune climbed to fame by singing and touring with the Statler Brothers for 21 years, where he wrote the group’s No. 1 hit “Elizabeth,” followed by “My Only Love” and Too Much On My Heart.” Fortune launched a solo career in 2002 the included a slew of albums, with accolades including #10 Billboard Country Album, #1 Southern Gospel and #6 Contemporary Christian. You can score tickets to see Jimmy Fortune right here for $35.

Breakfast with Santa

What’s a better combination than a pancake breakfast and pictures with Santa?! You’ll get the best of both worlds at the Owensboro Convention Center on December 17, where families are invited to attend an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and score free pics with the big guy himself! The 5th annual event is always a good time for everyone who attends and the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The event runs from 7-10:30 a.m.

Santa's Sweets

As part of Owensboro’s Hometown Christmas 2022, downtown Owensboro is spreading holiday cheer with Santa’s Sweets – a two-day event that runs December 16-17.

Satisfy your holiday sweet tooth with some sugar- and fudge-infused treats that will be sold by participating restaurants and businesses in downtown Owensboro. The event is free to the public and everyone is encouraged to join us in kicking off the Christmas season in the sweetest way possible!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 2-4

River City Bike Expo

This weekend is for all the motorcycle enthusiasts out there! The River City Bike Expo will be held on June 2 and 3 at the Owensboro Convention Center. This event will be packed with fun activities for cyclists of all ages and experience levels, including tons of onsite vendors, a sound show, a bike show and a tattoo experience! On Saturday, you can enjoy live music, a fashion show by Evansville Harley Davidson and an awards ceremony for the bike show and tattoo competitions.

Owensboro Symphony Summer Salute

We’ve got a FREE concert from the Owensboro Symphony to brag about! The Summer Salute will feature the Owensboro Symphony with special guest Rockapella for a night of amazing music on our downtown riverfront. Songs from Shambala, Philadelphia Freedom and Rock the Boat will be played. This concert will be held on June 2 at 7 p.m. at McConnell Plaza. Just bring your own chairs! Those wanting a VIP experience can purchase tickets for the Conductor’s Circle right here.

Farmers Market

There’s no better way to kick off your weekend than with a trip to the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market! Held on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon, you can shop from over a dozen local vendors that sell everything from fresh veggies to homegrown flowers and specialty meats. There are also several craft vendors! This event is free to the public, and the Farmers’ Market is located at 1205 Triplett Street.

Less Than One Month Out From ROMP: Everything to Know

Friends, we are about a month out from one of the greatest Bluegrass concerts in the country, and that means it’s time to remind you why you should absolutely be checking out ROMP 2023!

ROMP will be held June 21-24 at Yellow Creek Park and this year’s lineup is one for the books. You’ll hear live music for four straight days from some of the best Bluegrass artists in the business. We’ll break down the lineup right here:

Wednesday, June 21: Stillhouse Junkies will perform on the Jagoe Homes Afterparty Stage at 8 p.m., followed by Damn Tall Buildings at 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 22: Rick Faris kicks things off at 4 p.m., followed by Kitchen Dwellers at 5:15, Rhonda Vincent at 6, Greensky Bluegrass at 8:30 and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway at 10:30. Afterwards, Kitchen Dwellers will take the Afterparty stage at midnight, followed by Greenwood Rye at 1:30 a.m.

Friday, June 23: Bill & The Belles takes the main stage at 2:15 p.m., followed by The Purple Hulls at 3:30, Slocan Ramblers at 4:45, Tuba Skinny at 6:30, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder at 8:30 and The Infamous Stringdusters at 10:30. The Afterparty Stage will host Slocan Ramblers at midnight and Armchair Boogie at 1:30 a.m.

Saturday, June 24: Kentucky Bluegrass Allstars hit the main stage at 11:30 a.m., with Kentucky Shine performing at 12:45. David Peterson & 1946 will perform at 2 p.m., followed by John R. Miller at 3:15, The McCrary Sisters at 4:45, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band at 6:30, Old Crow Medicine Show at 8:30 and Sam Bush at 10:30 p.m. Henhouse Prowlers will play the Afterparty Stage at midnight.

You can enjoy some amazing artist workshops, a kids zone, yoga sessions, food and craft vendors, tours of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum and all kinds of after parties throughout the four-day fest as well! This is an authentic Bluegrass experience for anyone and everyone. Tickets are available right here.

Don't forget to book your hotel for ROMP 2023!

And another super cool perk: On June 20, attendees can visit Green River Distilling Co. and purchase a bottle of the ROMP 20th Anniversary Edition bourbon from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

West KY Boat & Outdoor Show a one-stop-shop for fishing, boating, camping and more

With warmer weather just a couple of months away, the West KY Boat & Outdoor Show has everything you need to start planning out your spring and summer. The event will run February 11-13 at the Owensboro Convention Center and will feature all the pontoons, fishing boats, jet skis, campers, golf carts and other outdoor equipment you could ask for!

The West KY Boat & Outdoor Show allows exhibitors to display their products and services in one spacious area. This gives boat, fishing, camping and outdoor enthusiasts a chance to see a variety of items without having to travel elsewhere to find what they’re looking for.

This event is not only huge for the local economy (as it’s expected to bring in over 6,000 attendees), but FREE to all those who come!

The West KY Boat & Outdoor Show runs on three different dates, starting Friday, Feb. 11 from 4-8 p.m. The show will be open Saturday, Feb. 12 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Owensboro Symphony 2022-23 Season Preview

There’s no doubt the Owensboro Symphony is one of the best in the Midwest, and this year’s 2022-23 season is here to prove it. With five concerts scheduled for the upcoming fall and winter months, there’s never been a better time to get your hands on some season tickets for Owensboro Symphony’s 57th Season.

Kicking off the season with Opening Night on October 22, Troy Quinn and the Owensboro Symphony will dazzle concert-goers with the Overture from Ruslan and Ludmila – Mikhail Glinka’s orchestral showpiece. This concert will also feature Paul Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber, closing out with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. This is a great way to be introduced to the sounds of the symphony from a talented group of musicians.

Next up, Owensboro Symphony will bring you Home for the Holidays on December 10. This beloved fan favorite will mesmerize listeners with holiday classics combined with new sounds from The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and Sleigh Ride. This is the most festive and memorable holiday event for the entire family to enjoy!

Owensboro Symphony will collaborate with violinist Sandy Cameron on January 28 to bring you Cinematic Romance. Enjoy an evening of Hollywood’s most romantic movie scores with music from Gone with the Wind, Romeo and Juliet and Casablanca. Described as “brilliant” by the Washington Post, Cameron is regarded as one of the most strikingly unique artists of her generation, and you won’t want to miss the sound of her beautiful violin in Edward Scissorhands Suite.

Up next is Night at the Museum on March 4, where the Owensboro Symphony brings history to life on an adventurous journey through the museum. Music from Indiana Jones, The Mummy, Night at the Museum and more will showcase an exhilarating performance from these amazing artists and a thrilling night for those in the audience.

To end this year’s season, you can enjoy the wonder and whimsy of symphonic music featuring Kentucky native and world-renowned flutist Jim Walker for Whimsical Walton and Walker. On April 15, see Walker’s music come to life on stage with the Owensboro Symphony. Walker has done musical collaborations with Paul McCartney, Leonard Bernstein and John Williams, and this concert will feature selections from Mozart, Henry Mancini and William Walton’s The Wise Virgins Suite.

Your Two-Day Itinerary for Owensboro

Owensboro is the perfect place to spend a weekend getaway. Whether you’re on a cross-country roadtrip to a city like St. Louis (only three hours away) or Nashville (only two hours away), or you’ve just decided to get out and explore the great state of Kentucky, our northwestern city should absolutely be a destination on your radar.

In a matter of 48 hours, there is so much to do, see, hear and experience in Owensboro. We’ve crafted a two-day itinerary for those wanting to get in as many sights, sounds and smells as possible.

Day One:

Once you arrive in Owensboro, you’ll probably want to drop off your luggage at your hotel of choice. We have so many amazing hotels to choose from here – many of them new! You can find a list of hotel properties here, including two that overlook the Ohio River and are located in our beautiful downtown area.

Now that you’ve started settling in, it’s a great time to get out and try something new. That’s the whole reason you traveled to a new place, right?

One of the top spots on your list should definitely be Green River Distilling Co. After launching their flagship bourbon (to great reviews, mind you) in 2022, there’s never been a better time to take a tour of our historic bourbon distillery. You can book a tour for $20 Monday-Saturday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. These one-hour tours include a tasting of three different bourbons produced at the facility and are led by some of the best tour guides in the state.

While you’re in the downtown area, there are some great places to check out for lunch. We often hear the question, “Where should we eat?” from tourists. And honestly, it depends on what you like! But you can find amazing lunch and dinner options at Mellow Mushroom (known for its pizza and craft beer), The Famous Bistro (Greek cuisine – amazing food, but a little pricier), Fetta (pizza by the slice – including mashed potato pizza), Don Mario’s (Mexican cuisine and amazing outdoor dining), Lure Seafood and Grille (seafood on the riverfront), The Brew Bridge (a brewery featuring southern-style cuisine), The Creme Coffee House (coffee and great breakfast/lunch sandwiches) and Colby’s (American cuisine).

After lunch, head downtown to Smothers Park to explore one of the greatest playgrounds on the planet, along with a beautiful riverfront that includes fountains, a walking trail and Bluegrass music played on speakers along the way.

This is also a great chance to check out The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum (when planning your trip, check their schedule to see if a concert will be playing!) in downtown Owensboro, as well as Western Kentucky Botanical Garden.

At night, grab a ride on the Downtown Trolley to Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville for some live music. Stop in at the Pub on Second for a beer or a specialty martini before. If you’re visiting Owensboro over the weekend, you don’t even have to leave downtown for a night of entertainment, as Friday After 5 and Downtown Live will both be in full swing on Friday night.

Day 2:

After seeing all that downtown Owensboro has to offer, it’s time to get out and explore a little further!

Head to Preservation Station for breakfast and one of the coolest shopping trips you’ll ever take, as this retail venue is housed in a former elementary school and includes more than 60 different shops!

While you’re out that way, stop by The Cottage for a quick lunch on your way back to town, and take the bypass to the other side of Owensboro (only a 15-minute drive) to Reid’s Orchard, famous for its annual Apple Festival. You can shop at the onsite market for all kinds of farm grown goodies you just won’t find anywhere else.

When you get back to the city, be sure to swing by the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art for one of the best art museums in the state of Kentucky. Not only is admission free (though donations are appreciated), but one of the largest folk art galleries in the country can be found right here.

And once you’ve entered city limits again, it’s time to try our world-famous barbecue for dinner. Whether you swing by Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, Old Hickory Bar-B-Q or Ole South Bar-B-Q, you will not be disappointed by the array of mutton, pork and ribs we offer here in Owensboro. Our annual Bar-B-Q Festival is famous for a reason, and these restaurants have garnered worldwide fame for their delicious flavors.

If your second day in Owensboro is a Saturday, head back downtown to enjoy Live on the Banks, a free summer outdoor concert series held at Smothers Park from 7-9 p.m. You can grab a drink from any establishment and ask for a plastic green cup to carry it in to and from different sights within The District, if you prefer. This is your chance to take in the color-changing lights on our downtown bridge while you sip a cocktail and enjoy everything that makes our city so wonderfully unique and beautiful.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: October 7-9

Bronze Buffalo PaintOut

This three-day festival brings dozens of artists to Owensboro from Kentucky and surrounding states to render paintings of famous local sites and community events. The paintings are entered into a competition and presented in a one-night exhibition at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art. The buffalo theme is inspired by the museum’s heroic-sized bronze buffalo statues in its sculpture park. This 15th Annual event will be held October 6-8 at the OMFA.

Car, Truck & Jeep Show

The 12th Annual Car, Truck & Jeep Show will be held at Kentucky Wesleyan College on October 8. You can see tons of amazing vehicles at one of Owensboro’s biggest car shows of the year! Lots of awards will be given out, vendors will be selling crafts and other treats, and raffle drawings will be held all day long. Admission is free to the public and the show runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Trip to Reid's Orchard

You can celebrate fall in all the best ways with a visit to Reid’s Orchard! Not only can you sip on Apple Slider Slushies and pick pumpkins and apples with the whole family, but your kids can visit a petting zoo and have tons of fun at the Reidland Play Area. Shop for mums, see the beautiful countryside, and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at this historic location. Reid’s is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Haunted Places to Check Out in Owensboro

With Halloween right around the corner, it's the best time of the year to explore everything spooky, haunted and paranormal. Here in Owensboro, we've got more than a dozen locations throughout the city and county that have sparked hundreds of ghost sighting reports over the years.

From stories of a ghost that pushes people down the basement stairs to the mysterious “Lady in White” that haunts the RiverPark Center, there are a lot of haunted places to check out around here.

Haunts of Owensboro Walking Tours

Owner David Wolfe II has been sharing the city’s local hauntings since 2007. You’ll hit a handful of the haunted places on this list by taking Wolfe’s tour, which is convenient. Wolfe engages his audience with not only stories, but enthusiasm. I took Wolfe’s tour in 2018, and one of his creepiest stories involved a couple that lived above The Crème Coffee House on the second floor.

“That second floor is so haunted, literally, they could put it on a movie or a documentary itself,” he’s said.

That building first opened in the 1800s. Originally a music store, the current coffee shop has been using the upstairs floor as a rental space. On the very first night of the first tenant’s stay, Wolfe said, the girl experienced the front door opening and shutting on its own, as well as a series of “clomping footsteps” walking from the first floor to the second. Upstairs in her living room, Wolfe said the young girl heard the sound of someone sitting down on a squeaking couch cushion in her studio apartment.

She was so scared she called the cops. Then she moved out. A second person moved in, experienced the same series of hauntings as the first girl, and moved out too. She documented her experience and submitted it to Wolfe, who said it was legit.

Other haunted places on Wolfe’s tour were the front lawn of the Daviess County Courthouse and the Famous Bistro on 2^nd Street.

Owensboro Museum of Science and History

The building that houses the OMFA in downtown Owensboro has a lot of history, and reports of sinks turning on and off on their own just adds to the mysteriousness. There are also stories about a young man who loves playing in the "shadow room." Sometimes, they say, his shadow sticks around.

Ghostly Productions Building

Located at 203 West 4th Street, this building houses a local business focused on all things scary, but the really scary thing about this haunt are the reports of "multiple sounds" that can be heard...and not from the living.

The Campbell Club Building

Now called The Cupola Club, this restaurant at 521 Frederica Street has been referred to as one of the most haunted places in Kentucky. One of the most popular ghost stories from the club involves Chef Matt Weafer, who told Wolfe that he noticed a pretty young lady sitting and peering out the front window of the building. He asked fellow staff members about her and, when they went to talk to her, she was gone. Vanished into the night.

Theatre Workshop of Owensboro

Wolfe has called TWO “one of the most haunted sites in western Kentucky.” According to legend, there are five spirits haunting the Old Trinity Centre (now TWO). Many people have reported seeing a young lady who allegedly took her own life by hanging herself in the shower. As the story goes, when a priest walked into the church and saw her corpse, he took his own life in the basement because he was so haunted by the image.

To this day, reports of lights constantly flickering on and off, the sound of a ringing bell (where there no longer is a bell) and cold drafts that come out of nowhere are often made. Even scarier, you want to be cautious standing in front of the basement because you might get pushed down the stairs. Many others have in the past.

Daviess County Middle School

The sounds of screams and slamming doors are enough to scare anyone, but reports of a dark figure that roams the premises makes DCMS as haunted as it gets.

Ben Hawes State Park

According to legend, a girl was burned at the stake for witchcraft in the 1700s, and now, she meanders (or floats?) through the very woods in which she was killed. It’s true what they say about Ben Hawes…it’s hauntingly beautiful.

Civil War site in Deanefield near the Daviess/Ohio County line

Anytime you can hear shots fired in the middle of the night at a former Civil War site, it’s pretty much a guarantee the place is haunted. The place to check is located at Highway 1414, where confederate soldiers hid from the Yankees behind a small cliff. Rumor is, the Yankees found those soldiers and…you guessed it. They killed them. On nights when the moon is full, you can hear gunshots, sounds of laughter, a fire crackling and horses galloping. I’m no expert, but that sounds haunted enough to me.

Owensboro Catholic Middle School

From “mysterious red stains” on the floor to reports of creepy laughter, screams and doors flying open, it feels safe to say there’s something peculiar happening at OCMS. Does that mean it’s haunted? Yep, pretty much.

The Turley Building

Even better, RPC is hosting “Terror at the Turley” throughout the month of October. The “PG-13” haunted house opens on Friday, October 14 from 7:30-10:30 p.m., and it will also be open on Oct. 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29. Admission is $12 per person.

According to Jorn, “I wouldn’t bring small children.”

The RiverPark Center

At RPC, you’ve got your classic, “Woman jumps from a catwalk into the Ohio River to her death” haunted building story. This happened in 1927. So, it’s more than a little weird that, 100 years later, you can see a woman in white—water dripping from her clothes—walking over the edge of the catwalk to the river below.

The Miller House

The spirit of a little girl is rumored to haunt the local eatery and loves to play with a ball she bounces up and down the restaurant’s wooden staircase. I mean, she doesn’t sound like a malevolent spirit, per se, but creepy is an understatement.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 31-April 2

Watchhouse Duo

This singer-songwriter duo will bring their amazing chemistry to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum with a concert on April 1. Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz have achieved amazing success over the last year, opening up for Punch Brothers in 2022 and headlining shows across the US. After starting their musical journey over a decade ago playing coffee shops and restaurants, this duo has continued to create beautiful music while garnering nationwide fame. Tickets are $38.50 and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Tour at Western KY Botanical Garden

There is so much to get excited about when it comes to Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, and there’s never been a better time to take a tour at this amazing facility. With the flowers beginning to bloom, you’ll be transported to an oasis full of beauty, wonder and awe. With new art installations abound, the historic WeatherBerry House open to the public and a new Path of Hope and Healing walkway paving the way for guests to enjoy a quiet and relaxing experience, Western Kentucky Botanical Garden has it all. WKBG is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $2 for children.

New Beer at Pub on Second

If you’ve been on the search for some new beer to try, the Pub on Second has got you covered! The Pub just dropped its two newest drafts in the form of a Lemondrop Pilsner from Barrique Brewery & Blending and “Fuzzy Hugger” from Magnanimous Brewing. And for those who favor a non-alcoholic drink, The Pub has two new alcohol-free brews from Athletic Brewing Co. Head over to one of Owensboro’s coolest bars to try these new releases!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: January 14-16

2A State Championships

The 2A Kentucky State Basketball Championships are kicking off this week at the Owensboro Sportscenter. Featuring eight girls’ and eight boys’ teams from schools with 500-900 students, the 2A Championships will bring hundreds of student athletes to Owensboro for some exciting competition. The tournament runs Thursday-Sunday, with the state championships taking place on the final day. This is the third year in a row that Visit Owensboro has hosted the 2A State Championships, and hotels across the city will be filled with athletes, families and fans from all across the state!

Rodney Dillard & The Dillards

Rodney Dillard & The Dillards are coming to you live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on January 15. A founding member of The Dillards along with his brother Doug, Rodney was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 and his band garnered recognition for playing The Darlings on The Andy Griffith Show. The Dillards were also known for “modernizing and popularizing the sound of bluegrass in the 1960s and 1970s,” so if you want to check out a band with a unique sound and historical relevance to boot, this is the show for you. Tickets are $20 and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Lonestar

Known best for their love songs you love to slow dance to (“Amazed” surely rings a bell), Lonestar is bringing that soothing, melodic sound to Owensboro on January 15 at the RiverPark Center. Known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, Lonestar has amassed RIAA-certified sales in excess of 10 million album units since their national launch in 1995. The concert kicks off at 8 p.m. and tickets are only $21 each, so grab them while you can!

Head to Owensboro in September for a Month of Amazing Shows, Concerts

This fall is going to be exploding with talent and amazing performances at the RiverPark Center, and we cannot wait to share this lineup of artists with you.

The month of September is going to be one of RPC’s busiest (and best) months for live entertainment, so it’s the perfect time to catch a rock concert, a country concert or even be part of a live studio audience for one of America’s greatest televised games when you’re visiting our northwestern Kentucky city.

Wheel of Fortune LIVE! Will hit the RPC stage on September 8, bringing you an all-new theatrical experience that is the one-and-only way fans can experience “America’s Game” in person outside of Sony Pictures Studios. Guests can audition to go on stage and feel like they’ve stepped into the game show itself. Prizes include $10,000 cash, trips to Paris and Hawaii, and more at every show! Tickets are only $35 each!

The Oak Ridge Boys will be hitting the RPC stage as part of a nationwide tour, showcasing dozens of country music hits and Grammy-winning songs. They will perform live in Owensboro on September 9 from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $43 and can be purchased right here.

Are you a fan of the legendary Meat Loaf? Then head on down to RPC on September 10 for BAT: A Meat Loaf Celebration, featuring The Neverland Express + American Idol Winner Caleb Johnson. You’ll get to hear Meat Loaf’s hit songs performed brilliantly by The Neverland Express (which includes world-class alumni of Meat Loaf’s official band) and Caleb Johnson – one of the best rockers to ever hit the American Idol stage. BAT will kick off at 7 p.m. and tickets are $34.

On September 15, Brett Michaels will take the RPC stage to bring you all the best hits this multi-platinum global superstar has accumulated during his career. With over 32 million records sold and three generations of loyal fans, Brett Michaels will bring you a night of rock music you’ll never forget. The show runs from 7-9 p.m. and tickets are $65.

In a storied career dotted with smash singles, platinum albums and countless honors and acclaim, you won’t want to miss country music star Clay Walker perform live at RPC on September 24. You can purchase tickets right here.

River City Bike Expo an Event for All Motorcycle Enthusiasts

A huge event will be coming to downtown Owensboro this summer, and this one is for all the motorcycle enthusiasts!

River City Bike Expo will be held on June 2 and 3 at the Owensboro Convention Center. This event will be packed with fun activities for motorcyclists of all ages and experience levels. Not only will there be vendors and national suppliers onsite, but a sound show, bike show and tattoo experience will pack an exciting punch for attendees over the two-day event.

The Expo will be open to the public and kick off on Friday morning at 9 a.m. It will flow into the evening hours to celebrate Friday After 5, complete with live music, food trucks and other events along Owensboro’s gorgeous riverfront.

On Saturday, the River City Bike Expo will feature a full day of activities ranging from a fashion show presented by Evansville Harley Davidson to a bike show by Urban Rides Magazine to a Sounds Warz sound competition held outside on the pier. The legendary Radical Randy Ackers will be the emcee, and events will run from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

An award ceremony for the bike show and tattoo competition will be held on June 3 at 7 p.m. For more information, check out River City Bike Show on Facebook.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: October 14-16

Cole Swindell

Country superstar Cole Swindell is bringing his “Back Down To The Bar” tour to the Owensboro Sportscenter on October 14 at 7 p.m., along with special guests Ashley Cooke and Dylan Marlowe. Swindell will be performing all his greatest hits, including “You Should Be Here” and “Middle of a Memory,” as well as new singles such as “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” and “Single Saturday Night” for a night of amazing country music. Tickets start at $39.50 and are going quick!

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

One of Bluegrass music’s most treasured icons, Michael Cleveland, will be performing live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 15 at 7 p.m. The award-winning fiddler will be joined by his award-winning band, Flamekeeper, for a show that will mesmerize the audience and leave you talking for weeks afterward. You won’t want to miss this 2020 GRAMMY winner perform live, so be sure to purchase tickets right here for $22.

Beer Tasting at Brew Bridge

Fall is the perfect time for a beer tasting, and there’s no better place in Owensboro to try an array of different beverages than Brew Bridge. This brewery offers tons of delicious options for every kind of beer drinker, and you can find everything from a Belgian Tripel to a Double New England IPA at this one-of-a-kind establishment. Brew Bridge also offers an amazing food menu, so you can dine while you drink!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: July 29-31

Artifact Show

Head to the Owensboro Convention Center on July 29 and 30 to experience the 2022 Owensboro Artifact Show. This event has gained popularity over the years for providing and selling some of the coolest Native American artifacts from all over the country. You can also enjoy an Ethnography Show at this two-day event. Vendors will have everything from coins and knives to fossils, jewelry and arrow heads. The show runs July 29 from 2-8 p.m. and July 30 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $20 on Friday and free on Saturday.

Coffey Anderson at FA5

Owensboro’s free outdoor concert series is bringing you Texas native Coffey Anderson on Friday, July 29 for a night of amazing country music. Anderson mixes mainstream country with pop, R&B and hip-hop beats for an innovative mashup of today’s best hits. Anderson’s known best for hits such as “Mr. Red, White, And Blue,” ''Better Today” and “Bud Light Blue,” but he’s also garnered fans through his popular YouTube videos. You can see Anderson perform live from 7-10 p.m. at the Jagoe Stage in McConnell Plaza.

Cruise Ship Viewing

One of the coolest things about living in a river city is getting to see the boats dock from our downtown riverfront. On July 30, you can see, not a boat, but a huge cruise ship dock at English Park! The American Queen will be swinging through Owensboro to give its passengers a day to experience our beautiful city, and you can see the amazing, multi-story ship yourself from 8 a.m.-noon.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: April 7-9

Trunnell's Easter Egg Hunt

You can enjoy spring in all its glory at the Trunnel’s Egg-Ceptional Easter Egg Hunt this weekend! Held on April 1, join the Easter Bunny on the hunt for eggs. This event will feature nonstop egg hunts with prize packs for the kids, photo opps, a unicorn meet-and-greet and over 30 different farm attractions to enjoy. The event runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and tickets are $19.99/child and $14.99/adult.

Easter Adventure

Held at Cecil Farms Produce for two days on April 7 and 8, the Easter Egg Adventure on the Farm is a family-friendly event for everyone to enjoy! There will be Easter eggs, visits to the greenhouse and fun spring shopping from local vendors. This event is being held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and the cost is only $5.

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden

The flowers are all beginning to bloom at Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, so it’s the perfect time to tour this beautiful 12-acre facility. Even better, WKBG is kicking off April with a day of fun and learning for elementary-aged kiddos! Check out hundreds of flowers, plants, trees and art installations at this wonderful garden, and be sure to explore the historic WeatherBerry House on the property too.

Head to Owensboro to explore a variety of outdoor murals

With so many talented artists living in Owensboro, outdoor murals are becoming more widespread across the city. You can take a stroll through downtown Owensboro and see most of these murals for yourself, but we thought we’d break some of the locations down for you to make your journey a little easier.

Owensboro’s “Be the Change” mural was spearheaded by New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services and encourages people to step up and intervene in dangerous situations when they see them. Those situations may include sexual harassment and assault, bullying and negligent or abusive behavior by families, spouses and caregivers. The lion represents the courage one needs to step up and say something, while the green dots represent the Green Dot Program—a training program that teaches residents what to look for and how to respond to potentially dangerous situations involving other people around them.

The Be the Change mural is located at Third and Allen streets in downtown Owensboro.

The “Owensboro” mural that scales the east side of the Visit Owensboro building (215 East Second St.) depicts a number of banjos and other instruments, with the word “Owensboro” painted across the top. The mural highlights Owensboro’s rich Bluegrass Music heritage, as well as its designation as the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World.

The mural at Kendall-Perkins Park is still in the works, but it’s absolutely gorgeous so far. Depicting Black history and empowerment through historical figures and famed Owensboro residents, this massive mural will stretch 700 feet across a former “segregation wall” and include local talent from artists all across Owensboro.

The Osprey mural was created by Italian street artist Hitnes. The large mural depicts a bird catching a fish with its talons. You can find it on the west side of the building at the 100 St. Ann building at Riverfront Crossing. The piece is part of a bigger project called “The Image Hunter” which traces the adventures of naturalist John James Audubon when making the book “The Birds of America.” Hitnes’ goal was to travel to more than 20 cities to view birds and create large-scale murals for the self-financed project.

Cars glisten in this mural as they drive past it on the Glover Cary bridge, making it a beautiful spectacle to see from the ground level.

The downtown Mirror Mosaic Mural is being brought back to life by artist Gary Bielefeld. Bielefeld had to remove two tons of glass and adhesive from the original mural to begin work on the new one. Stretching 110 feet by 43 feet, this mural shows the entire state of Kentucky and all the geographical regions within it. Bielefeld said the state of Kentucky will be lined with lights and that Owensboro will get its own special spot on the mural, just like before.

A winged butterfly mural at Simply Chic Home Accents is the perfect place to take a selfie. This colorful work of art was painted by Paige Owens and also features a garden scene that winds along the brick wall.

The vintage Coca Cola Mural can be found at 210 Allen Street. Obviously, you have to take its old-school messaging and advertising (5 cent sodas?!) with a grain of salt, but that’s what makes it so fun!

“The Whiskey Without Regrets” mural at Green River Distilling Co. was painted by artist and creative director Aaron Kizer. It’s such a cool mural because, first of all, it’s huge. And secondly, it pays homage to Green River Distilling’s 100-plus year history, when original founder J.W. McCulloch named his bourbon “The Whiskey Without Regrets” as part of a very lucrative advertising campaign. And that slogan is still being used by the distillery to this day.

Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining

When the sun’s shining, the humidity is low, and the temps are warm, there’s nothing like a good lunch or dinner on an outdoor patio. Luckily for all those traveling to Owensboro, we’ve got tons of great restaurants that offer outdoor seating.

Since everyone loves a waterfront location, we’ll start with some of the best outdoor seating options in downtown Owensboro – many of which give you amazing views of the Ohio River and the amazing entertainment venues located along it.

Lure Seafood and Grille has one of the biggest and best outdoor seating venues in Owensboro. Located one street over from the river, you can enjoy crab legs, pasta, and tons of home-cooked seafood and steak while dining on Lure’s expansive outdoor patio area. Make sure to check their Facebook page for live music as well!

Also located downtown, Burger Theory has every kind of gourmet burger you could possibly imagine (as well as a great Bloody Mary for brunch). You can see the Ohio River in all its beauty from Burger Theory’s outdoor patio and, even better, there’s lots of seating options available.

The Miller House offers southern cuisine and one of the largest collections of bourbon in the country, but you can really live the southern experience by dining on the restaurant's enormous porch. The Miller House also offers a beautiful outdoor patio for dining.

Don Mario’s Mexican Restaurant provides enough outdoor seating to wrap around the entire building! Located in downtown Owensboro on 2nd Street, you can sip a cold margarita in the warm sunshine as you take in all the hustle and bustle of downtown Owensboro.

Fetta Specialty Pizza offers pizza by the slice, and you can hang out for hours on their back patio, where live music is often performed. Mellow Mushroom Owensboro also serves an array of unique, delicious pizza, and you can enjoy the sights and sounds of downtown Owensboro as you sip a craft beer at one of their outdoor tables.

Other great places that offer outdoor seating in Owensboro include SIP Wine Room (with excellent views of the Ohio River), Pub on Second, The Famous Bistro, Legends Sports Bar & Grill, Drake’s Owensboro and Colby’s.

Holiday Events for the Whole Family

As we get closer and closer to Christmas Day, we wanted to invite visitors and locals alike to partake in a number of family-friendly holiday activities that are sure to boost your spirits leading up to the big day!

Christmas at Panther Creek runs every night from 6-9 p.m. at Panther Creek Park. You and your family can ride together in your vehicle to experience over 500,000 lights and more than 50 displays along a 1.15 mile long driving tour. Grab your hot chocolate and turn on the holiday tunes for this country adventure! Admission is $5/vehicle and the event runs until January 2.

On the topic of Christmas lights, head to Legion Park in the heart of Owensboro to experience “Holiday in the Park” with your family and friends. There are tons of lights and displays to see, and it’s free to the public! The event runs through January 1 each night. Meanwhile, the Owensboro Christmas Lights, held in the Stonegate neighborhood off Highway 54, is another great drive- or walk-thru option for festive holiday lighting.

As part of Owensboro’s Hometown Christmas event, the Dancing Lights are one of the biggest draws of the holiday season! Head to Smothers Park in downtown Owensboro to experience a holiday light show every 15 minutes along with a variety of holiday songs. The event runs each night from 5-9 p.m. and is free to the public.

And while you’re downtown, swing by the Owensboro Convention Center to get your skate on at Energy on Ice. Overlooking the Ohio River, this synthetic outdoor ice rink costs $10/person to skate and you can find the details regarding dates and times right here.

At the Owensboro Museum of Science & History, you can celebrate the holidays for a whole week with the museum’s “Winter Break Blast,” where your kids can get into the holiday spirit with tons of activities from December 20-23.

Cheers! Check Out These Fall-Themed Drinks in Owensboro

There are countless ways to celebrate the fall season this year, but one of the tastiest methods is by ordering a fall-themed drink!

Here in Owensboro, our bars and restaurants have everything you need for that perfect seasonal beverage to help you relax, unwind and enjoy this beautiful sweater weather. Whether it’s a beer, a cocktail or a mocktail you’re in the mood for, there’s no better way to toast to cooler weather, clear skies and pumpkin spice.

At Sassafras, you can celebrate fall with two original cocktails with very different flavors. Order a “Fall Thyme” that emulates the first cool breeze of fall, complete with herbal aromas, slight overtones of thyme and sharp, crisp gin.

Also available at Sassafras, “The Cherry Tart” contains smoked barrel-aged Ambrosia cherries infused with a heady, savory aroma. This vodka-based cocktail is bright, sweet and tangy with a slight smoky tint.

At Brew Bridge, you can order a flight of fall-themed brews or a pint of Marzen – a lager with a medium to full body traditionally served at the Munich Oktoberfest. It doesn’t get more authentic than that! Top your beer off with an order of warm pretzels and beer cheese for the entire fall-themed package. Brew Bridge has also brewed its very own Marzen that you can order by the pint or take home in cans.

The Pub on Second will be bringing back a fan favorite this year with their Pumpkin Spice Martini. You can also enjoy a number of Oktoberfest beers on tap and a pumpkin-flavored beer by the bottle.

It wouldn’t be fall without an apple-flavored drink, right? At SIP Owensboro, you can try a delicious twist on apple cider with an Apple Cider Mimosa! Perfect for brunch, lunch or an end-of-the-day reprieve from the hustle and bustle of life.

Always a creative force with their cocktails, Mellow Mushroom has the perfect fall drink to get you warm and toasty. A Campfire Peach Margarita contains a tasty blend of peach, spice and smoke thanks to a combination of Casamigos Blanco Tequila, mezcal, fresh agave sour, peach puree and jalapeno.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: December 23-25

Winter Break Blast

The Owensboro Museum of Science and History is hosting a weeklong event for all the kiddos who want something fun and educational to do while school's out! OMSH's "Winter Break Blast" will be held December 20-23 featuring different events each day. Head downtown to see the museum's Live Animal Experience from 10:30 a.m.-noon, where you can get your photo taken with baby lambs, calfs, bunnies and goats! And on December 21, the OMSH will host storyteller Susan Fowler for "The Night Before Christmas" (11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.) and "Winter Adventures with Lewis and Clark" (12-2 p.m.) programs. Admission is $5 for non-members and free for members!

Christmas at Panther Creek

It’s a magical, memorable experience for the whole family when you attend Christmas at Panther Creek! This outdoor, lighted driving tour features more than 500,000 lights that you can enjoy from the warmth of your vehicle. See lights and displays in every color, shape and size through January 2 from 6-9 p.m. each night. And to make the experience even better, the proceeds collected from admission ($5/vehicle) goes directly to five nonprofits across Daviess County.

Holiday in the Park

If you’re more of a city dweller, you can still see all the lights your heart desires, right in the heart of Owensboro. Held at Legion Park, Holiday in the Park is a family-friendly tradition that’s been held for years, and it continues to get better each holiday season! Take your friends, family, pets or just yourself for a walk around this beautifully-lit park as you enjoy dancing light displays, Santa’s sleigh and great holiday backdrops around every corner. This event is free to the public each night through January 1.

Plan Your Big Day with Wedding Sampler in Owensboro

If you’ve got a wedding to plan, we’ve got a brand new event designed especially for you!

Visit Owensboro has created a Wedding Sampler event that will give brides and grooms the opportunity to check out all of the wedding venues offered in our area. Held on April 30 from noon-6 p.m., you can visit a variety of locations in one single day – for free!

As explained by Visit Owensboro’s Dave Kirk, weddings play a huge role in our local tourism economy. Hotel room blocks are set up for guests, food is provided by local caterers and restaurants and visitors from all over the country get the chance to visit our incredible city.

“I just thought, ‘How cool would it be if we could make it easier to book and select the perfect place for your wedding/reception by allowing you to see multiple places in a day staffed with wedding experts,’” Kirk said.

Already, more than 10 venues have expressed interest in participating in this new event. Indoor venues such as The Party Space Place and outdoor venues such as Western Kentucky Botanical Garden being just a couple of them.

Brides and grooms may be able to speak with wedding photographers, check out table centerpieces and even taste some food and drinks while visiting the different locations.

Visit Owensboro will offer a punch-card passport with each venue listed to attendees, which can be picked up at the visitor center on April 28 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Participants can get their cards punched at each venue before turning their cards back into the visitor center on Monday, May 1 for the chance to win some wedding-related prizes.

A complete list of venues participating are:

Owensboro Convention Center

Green River Distilling Company

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

White Chateau

The Pearl Club

Holiday Inn Riverfront/Burger Theory

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Owensboro Waterfront

Bayside at The Party Space Place

RiverPark Center

Third Baptist Church

Idyllwood on Veach

Owensboro Music Business Expo Will Change the Game for Those Seeking Careers in Music

For anyone and everyone trying to break into the music business, it can be a long, tough, seemingly impossible process. And that is why Owensboro is hosting an exciting new event to help make your dreams come true.

The Owensboro Music Business Expo (OMBE) is a brand new event that will be held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum for three days on April 13-15, 2023. There are SO many reasons you should be excited for this debut, so let’s break them all down right here.

First off, the OMBE is being launched by successful, world-famous musician Adam Gaynor, formerly of the multi-Grammy-nominated band Matchbox Twenty. Gaynor played rhythm guitar for the band for years, helping them to sell over 40 million albums. If anybody knows the ins and outs of breaking into the music biz, it’s Gaynor.

The OMBE will be “super informative for anyone looking to break into the music business, develop improved marketing skills to build their brand, or even have their music evaluated by accomplished industry professionals,” Gaynor said. “This is the real deal … and this is going to be a great deal of fun.”

You’ll also get the chance to meet some of the biggest names in the music business at the OMBE! Award-winning songwriters, composers and influencers will be onsite to share their experiences with independent artists. Attendees will benefit from this one-of-a-kind experience through innovative seminars, workshops, panels, showcases and exhibits regarding both the business and creative sides of the ever-changing music industry.

According to OMBE Co-Founder Francine Marseille, “The OMBE will provide the tools and resources needed to succeed, while also providing an epic experience in a more intimate setting than events such as South by Southwest or NAMM.”

As Gaynor noted, he was intrigued by Marseille’s request to collaborate after looking at a map of the US and noticing how many different states bordered Kentucky.

“What an amazing opportunity for artists, musicians and even young entertainment lawyers to converge on the great city of Owensboro,” he said. “[Attendees can] learn a lot, mingle, see new technology and, most importantly, share all of those ‘insider’ secrets no one helped me with back in the day.”

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Executive Director Chris Joslin said his facility serves as the perfect backdrop for such an event.

“Even though the Expo covers all music genres, our venue tells the story of the bluegrass music industry, and we’re excited to share that tale with a whole new audience,” Joslin said.

The OMBE will focus on topics that include branding, setting goals, legal contracts, protecting your music, royalties, new technology, strategies, starting your own label, songwriting, marketing, promotion and advertising, distribution, booking and impressing promoters, coaching and mentoring, TV and film placement, networking, special ams, performances and hangouts in the OMBE cafe and exhibits with brands, services and more.

You can register for the Owensboro Music Business Expo right here! Tickets are $149 and special hotel rates will be available for attendees and exhibitors.

Where to Celebrate Halloween in Owensboro

There are so many ways to celebrate Halloween, and Owensboro has tons of ways to get you into the spooky season this year!

We’re breaking down a list of all the parties, festivities and Halloween-themed events that should be on your radar leading up to October 31. You could make an entire weekend out of several of them!

At Owensboro’s hometown brewery, Brew Bridge will host History Served Up: Halloween Style on October 21 from 5:30-7 p.m. Collaborating with the Owensboro Museum of Science & History, you can learn all about the history of witches at this fun event. Historian Matt Alschbach will present Bewitched: Women as Purveyors of the Medical, Mystical and Magical in America. Tickets are $30 and include a $10 appetizer and a $6 pumpkin spice beer.

If you’re in the mood for a Halloween party with all the bells and whistles, you won’t want to miss Cork & Cuisine: Happy Hallo-Wine at the Owensboro Convention Center on October 27. Treat yourself to a night of spooktacular food, wine and spirits from 6-10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased right here!

Also on October 27, you can bring the entire family to downtown Owensboro for Trail of Treats from 5:30-8 p.m. Be sure to bring your treat bag for tons of free candy from over 60 different booths! You can also enjoy character appearances and fun Halloween music at this free event.

The Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market is returning with its Halloween Market this year on October 29 from 8 a.m.-noon. This is one of the most-attended events of the year, and you can score tons of amazing meats and produce, homemade candy and sweets and beautiful fall decor from amazing local artisans.

You can go trick-or-treating at an a-maze-ing corn maze at The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. on October 29 and 30! The event runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days and the cost is $5/person.

If you want to turn the party up a notch, head to Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville on October 29 for their Halloween Party. Get into the spirit with costume contests, live music and tons of fun into the late night hours. The cover charge is $10 and the party kicks off at 8 p.m.

Southern Lanes is celebrating Halloween the right way with Halloween Boos and Booze on October 29 from 7-10 p.m. This amazing bowling alley also sports an arcade, bumper cars, laser tag and a full bar! Wear your best costume and leave the kids at home for the night at this 21-and-older event.

O’Bryan’s Bar & Grill will host its Halloween Party on October 29 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Catch live music from Blackford Creek and Kalico and rock the night away at this party! Bring $10 for a cover and enjoy drink and beer specials all night long.

Free rides on the downtown Trolley are a must when visiting Owensboro

One of the coolest (and most convenient!) things about being an out-of-town tourist in Owensboro is the downtown Trolley service.

One thing that makes the Trolley stand out most–aside from the old-school look of the bus itself–is that it’s FREE to ride. And yes, you heard that right!

The Trolley provides free transportation on both weekdays and weekends in downtown Owensboro. How often do you see free public transit in the cities you travel to these days?!

You can catch a ride on the trolley at tons different areas across downtown Owensboro, with stop times around every 20 minutes:

Walnut and 3rd Streets
3rd and Locust Streets
3rd and Frederica Streets
3rd and St. Ann Streets
3rd and Daviess Streets
2nd and Crittenden Streets
2nd and Daviess Streets
2nd and Allen Streets
2nd and St. Ann Streets
2nd and St. Elizabeth Streets
Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Waterfront
Holiday Inn Downtown
Owensboro Convention Center

The great thing about the Trolley is that both visitors and locals can experience everything downtown Owensboro has to offer, without ever having to move their car. You can simply hop on the trolley from your hotel and be taken to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum if you’d like. From there, you can hop back on the trolley and be taken to one of our local bars or restaurants for a fun night out. Or to our riverfront walk. Or to our historic shopping district. And then, once you’re done exploring, catching a show–whatever it is you’ve made plans for–you can catch a ride on the trolley back to your hotel!

The trolley schedule changes with the seasons, but from April-October, you can catch free rides Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. AND from 4-8 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the trolley’s hours are extended to 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-10 p.m.

From November-March, the downtown trolley runs Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

And if you ever find yourself wondering where the trolley is, you can simply check out this live map that shows you exactly where the trolley is, and where it’s headed next!

The downtown Trolley has been a staple in Owensboro for years, and there’s good reason for that. From the jingle of the bells as it makes a stop to the amazing drivers who chauffeur you around the beautiful riverfront, it’s one of the best experiences our city offers to visitors and locals alike.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 18-20

We Banjo 3

This quartet is comprised of Galway, Irish and Nashville roots, and that combination has proven to be a major success in the U.S. since their 2012 debut! We Banjo 3 has quickly risen to superstardom in the Bluegrass music world as they continue to push boundaries while maintaining an unwavering devotion to everything that entails a great, live performance. Combining their instrumental expertise of the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and percussion with lead singer David Howley’s amazing voice, this band has performed at shows all over, including Merlefest, BattleRock, Summercamp, ROMP and Wintergrass. You can catch them live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on March 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $38 and selling fast, so grab yours today!

Tracy Lawrence & Clay Walker

What’s better than hearing two country music icons perform live at the same show?! You can do that very thing on March 19 at the Owensboro Sportscenter, where country legends Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker will bring you a night of amazing hits and a full band onstage to help them do it. The two artists have more than a dozen #1 hits on the Billboard country music charts combined and have racked up more than 12 million albums sold. Special guest Randall King will be joining Lawrence and Walker for this concert too! Tickets start out at $39, and the show kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Mary Poppins Live

You’ll have two chances to see Owensboro Dance Theatre perform this weekend, as they bring “In Concert featuring Mary Poppins: Homecoming” to the RiverPark Center stage on Saturday, March 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m. Based on the 1930s eight-book series by P.L. Travers, this show presents a tale of magic and wonder through dance. Mary Poppins will take flight onstage and leave you ready to dance on the rooftops! Incorporating moving, digital backdrops, special flying effects, professional guest dancers, and many local dancers, this is a show that’s guaranteed to exceed your “Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious” expectations. Tickets for this family-friendly event are $16.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: May 13-15

Bar-B-Q Block Party

This is for all the mutton, pork and burgoo fans out there, because this event is ALL about the barbecue. Bring your family, your friends, or just yourself to downtown Owensboro May 13 and 14 for Owensboro’s Bar-B-Q Block Party. Both similar to, and different from, our previous Bar-B-Q festivals, this year’s event will feature church cooking teams, the Backyard Cooking Competition, and delicious meals from all your favorite local BBQ restaurants, just like before. World Champion Competitive Eater Joey Chestnut will be back in town for a meet-and-greet on Saturday from noon-1 p.m., and there will be plenty of fun rides and midway games for the kids to enjoy. Live music will also be played both days in front of the Owensboro Convention Center! The Bar-B-Q Block Party will be held Friday from noon-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Dan Tyminski Band

If you’ve ever seen the movie O, Brother Where Art Thou? then you are very familiar with Dan Tyminski, whose voice famously accompanied George Clooney’s for the song, “I’m A Man of Constant Sorrow” for the film. The great news is, you’ll have the chance this weekend to see Dan Tyminski and his band perform live in Owensboro for an amazing concert! Held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 14, this 14-time Grammy winning musician (who has collaborated with artists such as DJ Avicii, Alison Kraus, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney and Reba McEntire) will mesmerize you with his extraordinary skills on the guitar and mandolin, as well as his “burnished, soulful tenor voice” that’s helped propel him to superstardom. Tickets to see the Dan Tyminski Band are $34 and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Kentucky Fried Pickin'

Hundreds of pickers, pluckers and strummers from all over the country will put on a free show this weekend at the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront. Kentucky Fried Pickin’ will be held May 12-14 – the same weekend as this year’s Bar-B-Q Block Party, so there’s never been a better time to visit downtown Owensboro for some of the best barbecue and Bluegrass you’ll find anywhere! Those who are participating in KY Fried Pickin’ have rented rooms at the Holiday Inn, so those interested in watching and listening can hang out and travel room-to-room to see them play. There will be between 1,000-1,500 pickers joining in the fun, making it the biggest KFP event ever held. You won’t want to miss it!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: October 21-23

Pumpkin Painting at The Cottage

For those who love painting pumpkins with family and friends, The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. has a whole day dedicated to that very thing! On October 22, you can grab your favorite people and spend the day letting your inner artist get creative with a day of pumpkin painting. Pick your pumpkin from the patch and enjoy free paints and brushes as you make a masterpiece. Pumpkin prices vary based on size and style, and the event runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

BlOktoberfest

Celebrate Oktoberfest with a twist at downtown Owensboro’s 2nd Annual BlOktoberfest! Bringing together a variety of downtown businesses and local artisans and musicians for a full day of family-friendly fun, you can celebrate fall in the best way! This year, enjoy live music all day, a stein holding competition and some of the best beer in Kentucky from a number of bars and restaurants. BlOktoberfest will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 2-8 p.m.

Reid's Orchard Apple Fest

One of Owensboro’s best festivals of the year, the Reid’s Orchard Apple Festival will be held for two days on October 22 and 23 this weekend! Celebrate all things fall with tons of amazing food (including a variety of barbecue), delicious sweets and pumpkins and apples galore! Shop from dozens of amazing vendors for fall and holiday decor, and enjoy the great outdoors with your friends and family! This will be the LAST Apple Festival held at Reid's Orchard, so be sure to make it count! Parking is $5 and the festival runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Spring Break events in Owensboro

Whether you’re a visitor or a local, spring break in Owensboro is a great experience. Not only is there a ton of stuff to do during the week, but the Dogwood trees and Azaleas have started to bloom. The days are getting warmer, outdoor patio seating is getting fuller, and the entire city comes alive with the excitement of getting out and experiencing it all.

With our spring break running April 4-8 this year, we’ve got you covered on what to do, what to see, and where to go. From sporting events, to petting zoos, to live music, there’s no better time to check out what Owensboro has to offer than during Spring Break 2022.

Maybe you’re in the market for a little athletic competition this spring break, but don’t know where to find it. We’ve got you covered here in Owensboro with the 2022 Showdown in the Bluegrass Quads Indoor Volleyball Tournament. The tournament is only one day—Sunday, April 3--and there’s cash prizes to be had, so why wouldn’t you sign up?! There’s also a 6 vs. 6 Co-Ed tournament the day before on Saturday, April 2! Both events take place at the Owensboro Convention Center.

Experience Artrageous at the RiverPark Center on April 2. What is Artrageous, you ask?

Imagine an artist creating a masterpiece before your eyes in mere moments, coupled with a palette that mixes captivating vocals, intricate choreography and exciting audience interaction. This show takes you on a unique, visual journey packed with inspiration, creativity and fun! This one-of-a-kind experience brings you a crossover of artists, musicians, singers and dancers. Even better, tickets are only $12.

Kids will have two chances to see some super cool animals at Daviess County Public Library’s “Exotic, Aquatic and Backyard Creatures with Brad Reynolds.” The first show will take place from 2-3 p.m. and the second from 4-5 p.m., both on April 5.

There’s a weeklong Spring Break Camp (#KidsCamp) at the Owensboro Family YMCA running April 4-8. Kids can spend the week swimming, doing crafts, playing games and sports. Children 5-12 years of age are welcome and the event costs $28 per day for non-members and $35 per day for members.

Music legend and multiple Grammy Award winner Dwight Yoakam is performing all of his greatest hits (and there are a lot of them) at the Owensboro Sportscenter on April 7. Tickets are $100 and selling fast!

A fun event for adults and kids alike, an Easter Scavenger Hunt and Petting Zoo will be held at Cecil Farms Produce on April 8 and 9. Get out and explore the farm before taking a scavenger hunt! Be sure to check out your favorite ferns or plants from the greenhouse while you’re there! Tickets are $5 per person and the event runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. both days.

The Boro Brawl Nationals is pretty much exactly as it sounds. It’s a national wrestling competition bringing in roughly 500 student athletes to Owensboro to duke it out on the mat. Held at the Owensboro Convention Center on April 9, this is a great event for anyone interested in wrestling. And for those who participate, the Boro Brawl Nationals is also a great way to impress college recruiting scouts who will be in attendance!

Trunnell’s Farm Market is kicking the spring season off with its Egg-Ceptional Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Fun. And who can say no to bunnies?!

This event will take place at the Utica location, where kiddos of all ages can hunt down Easter eggs and get all their bunny cuddles on April 9 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $14.99 per child and $10.99 per adult. Those 12 months and younger get in free!

Tickets include a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny, face painting, a close look at tons of baby animals and nonstop egg hunts with prize packs for kids!

While you're in town, be sure to check out Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville for a weekend of live music, as well as Escape Today for some of the best axe-throwing and escape rooms you can find anywhere in the state!

Visit Owensboro bringing back Mocktail/Cocktail Crawl

What better way to celebrate the start of summer than with a delicious cocktail? Whether it’s a frozen margarita or a non-alcoholic strawberry daquiri, there’s something magical about sipping a fruity drink on ice under the warm sunshine.

Bringing back a fan favorite, The District Mocktail/Cocktail Crawl will run for two weeks from May 13-27. It will kick off on the first day of the downtown Bar-B-Q Block Party (May 13-14) and continue through the first two Friday After 5 events of the season (May 20 and 27) and Downtown Live.

Several bars and restaurants located within downtown Owensboro’s entertainment area – dubbed “The District” -- will offer featured specialty cocktails and mocktails at prices ranging from $2.50-$10.

Be sure to check out Visit Owensboro’s social media channels on Monday, May 9, where you can find a Drinks Guide and a list of bars/restaurants participating. You can also check out a list of kid-friendly bars, hours of operation for each place, and the cost of each drink.

SIP Owensboro General Manager Regan Neal said her team was exciting to participate in this year’s Mocktail/Cocktail Crawl with Visit Owensboro.

“Through this, we are able to cater to those who want a drink, and also to those just wanting something refreshing to sip on while enjoying downtown,” Neal said.

Friday After 5 Director Francine Marseille echoed that statement, saying she couldn’t wait to see the community come together for the event.

“Starting the crawl with the Bar-B-Q Block Party, and then keeping the community engaged and involved in our downtown – it’s perfect timing to roll right into Friday After 5’s 26^th anniversary celebration,” she said.

Visit Owensboro’s Dave Kirk said The District Mocktail/Cocktail Crawl will offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at each location so that everyone can participate.

You don’t have to drink to have fun, which is why Visit Owensboro wants to make it clear that you don’t have to drink alcohol to participate in the Mocktail/Cocktail Crawl. And if you do choose to drink alcohol, we ask that you drink responsibly and have a designated driver at the ready.

With the event running for two weeks, there will be plenty of time to try all the different drinks, so don’t forget to space them out!

Participating restaurants and bars include:

∙ The Pub On Second

∙ Lure Seafood and Grille

∙ Brasher’s Little Nashville

∙ The Crème

∙ Don Mario’s

∙ The Brew Bridge

∙ SIP Owensboro

∙ The GhostLight Lounge

∙ Burger Theory

See Grammy-Winning Oak Ridge Boys Live in Owensboro

With a huge fan base that spans decades, the Oak Ridge Boys will be bringing you a night of Grammy-winning country music at the RiverPark Center on September 9.

The Oak Ridge Boys have been touring and making music together for 50 years, creating one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. Their four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have resulted in dozens of country music hits, many of which have earned Grammy, Dove, CMA and ACM awards.

Some of the Oak Ridge Boys’ most popular songs are “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Leaving Louisiana in Broad Daylight,” “Thank God for Kids” and “American Made,” but there are many, many more classics this quartet is famous for.

Also members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Oak Ridge Boys have also been performing songs from their recent album “Front Porch Singin’” on this tour. This album was produced with one of the hottest producers in Nashville, Dave Cobb, at the historic RCA Studio.

Tickets to see the Oak Ridge Boys perform live in Owensboro are $43 and the show runs from 7-9 p.m.

Owensboro to Host Kentucky Thespian Festival

Hundreds of thespians from across the state will make their way to Owensboro this fall for the Kentucky Thespian Festival. Held at Apollo High School and RiverPark Center November 10-12, this event celebrates all things related to the theater.

Kentucky Thespians is affiliated with the International Thespian Society and offers a wide range of opportunities for students, educators and artists. Participants will spend three days at the festival, which also showcases student recognition along with professional development, performance opportunities and community building resources.

This year’s festival is titled “Theatre Through the Decades.” Thespians will spend the entire day participating in workshops, technical challenges, All-State show auditions, and watching multiple shows throughout the day.

Past participants from all over Kentucky have applauded the festival for bringing hundreds of people together with the same interests.

Aside from getting the chance to perform and learn the technical ins and outs of theater production, the Kentucky Thespian Festival helps students choose colleges that will benefit them, select audition pieces and learn what it takes to do behind-the-scenes work, like production.

Visit Owensboro is proud to welcome the Kentucky Thespians to our community, and we can’t wait to show them everything our city has to offer.

See Country Music Star Lorrie Morgan Perform Live in Owensboro

Country music superstar Lorrie Morgan is performing live in Owensboro this winter, and with a new album soon to be released, there’s never been a better time to see Morgan in concert!

You can see Morgan in all her glory on February 10 at the RiverPark Center. The Nashville native has been in the country music business since the age of 13. She’s had more than 40 chart entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including three No. 1 singles: “Five Minutes,” “What Part of No,” and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.”

Morgan also has multiple award wins under her belt, and she was the first woman in her genre to kick off her career with three consecutive Platinum albums.

Most country music fans know Morgan best for her voice, and RPC described her as one of the “most emotive vocalists of modern times.”

Right now, Morgan is working on a new album with award-winning producer Richard Landis, and she is still killin’ it in the country music scene after decades of success.

You can get tickets to see Lorrie Morgan in concert right here for $34. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Experience a real winter wonderland with Owensboro’s Hometown Christmas

Downtown Owensboro will be transformed into a north pole wonderland, bringing the riverfront to life every weekend with different holiday-themed activities starting November 18.

The City of Owensboro announces Hometown Christmas, a series of holiday activities in downtown Owensboro from November 18 through December 31, 2022.

The holiday celebration will kick off with the Smothers Park Christmas Tree lighting ceremony with the Kentucky Youth Chorale on Friday, November 18, followed by the newly expanded Dancing Lights interactive display presented by Big Rivers Electric Corp. and Visit Owensboro. The following evening will include the return of the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade.

Also returning in 2022 is the Energy on Ice outdoor skating rink at the Owensboro Convention Center. Other events will include the Hot Chocolate Hop, Holiday Photo Night, Friday After 5’s Christmas at the Inn, as well as numerous productions at the RiverPark Center, Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Owensboro Convention Center, just to name a few.

“We are excited to expand the Dancing Lights display and to be adding a variety of activities along the riverfront for the Christmas season,” said Tim Ross, Director of Public Events for the City of Owensboro. “We saw great success with the 12 Days of Christmas concept last year, and wanted to expand it longer than 4 weeks. We are happy to be able to add even more activities this year, including the Dancing Lights display which will now occur nightly.”

For a complete schedule, click here!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: December 30-January 1

New Year's Eve Balloon Drop

If you’re looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate the new year, head to downtown Owensboro for a day of fun, festivities and, best of all, balloons! The Owensboro Museum of Science and History will hold its annual Balloon Drop in the form of hundreds of multi-colored balloons floating to the ground to kick New Year’s off the right way. Enter a half-pot raffle for the chance to win some extra holiday cash, and celebrate 2023 with all your loved ones from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on December 31. Admission is $5 for nonmembers and free for members!

Space Cowboys at Brasher's Lil' Nashville

For the second year in a row, Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville is toasting to the new year in a big way with its New Year’s Eve Party on December 31. This year’s theme is “Space Cowboy,” so go on and saddle up with the best themed outfit you can find. All general admission tickets will include hors d'oeuvres and are expected to sell out fast, so be sure to grab them while you can right here! Held from 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m., enjoy live music from Josh Merritt and Andy Brasher and Friends, as well as an onsite photo booth to capture memories with all your favorite people.

New Year's Eve Masquerade

For all the adults out there who need a good night out, there’s no better place than the Owensboro Convention Center to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style. OCC’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party will start with a cocktail hour from 7-8 p.m. followed by live music from Emerald Empire Band. Come dressed to impress in your favorite masquerade attire! Tickets start at $20 for general admission, but you can also reserve your own table (4 people for $100 and 8 for $200). The cocktail hour add-on is available for all ticket holders at $30 apiece. This event is reserved for the 21-and-older crowd and takes place on December 31.

Beat the Summer Heat in Owensboro

Here in Kentucky, summer likes to stick around all the way through September, and it’s no secret that it can get really, really hot. But here in Owensboro, we’ve got tons of amazing ways to help you beat that summer heat and have a good time doing it.

If you’re looking for a great swimming pool to cool down in, check out Atlantis Swim Club. Not only can you enjoy a full-length swimming pool with 25-meter lanes, but you can splash around in a wave pool, a gigantic water slide and a gated baby pool for the little ones!

You don’t have to be a member to swim at Atlantis either. Adults can swim for a full day at $16/person, $11/child and kids 2 and under get in free. And prices drop after 3 p.m. to $11/adult and $7/child.

If you don’t have time for a day at the pool, there are tons of parks across Owensboro-Daviess County with spray parks. And, hey, who says you have to be a kid to cool off at a spray park?

You can find spray parks at Smothers Park in downtown Owensboro, Horse Fork Creek Park on the east side of the city, Legion Park and Yellow Creek Park.

And if you didn’t bring a bathing suit with you on your trip – no worries. You can spend a day indoors enjoying all the amenities Owensboro has to offer. Kids will have a blast at Elite Air (an indoor trampoline park), Escape Today (escape rooms and ax throwing), the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, Ozone Laser Tag and Southern Lanes Bowling (complete with an arcade and bumper cars).

Adults and kids alike can beat the summer heat with trips to Green River Distilling Co., the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, Preservation Station, Pixel Palace (selfie museum) or a show at the RiverPark Center.

Pub on Second Opening New Brewery in Owensboro

There are a lot of reasons to get excited about visiting Owensboro, and another one just got added to the list! Soon to be opening in February is our city’s second hometown brewery at the Pub on Second.

The Pub on Second has spent the last few years operating as a local bar focused on craft beer, so it’s fitting that the Pub decided to begin brewing its own.

With Matt Watson – of Henderson Brewing Company in Henderson, KY – as head brewer and co-owners Bill Brown and John Condray leading the brand new endeavor, it’s a guarantee that the Pub on Second will be developing some quality craft beer.

The Pub has long been known for its selection of craft beer, supplying patrons with 28 craft beers on tap and a seemingly endless, ever-changing menu of craft beer in bottles and cans.

As reported by the Owensboro Times, the Pub on Second plans on dedicating four taps to its in-house brewing, keeping the operation small and consistent with plenty of variety based on seasonal changes and feedback from customers.

Eventually, the Pub on Second plans to expand its brewing venture by teaming up with a local restaurant in the area and operating in a larger space. But for now, the team will be brewing onsite, making the Pub on Second even more of a tourist attraction than it already is.

The Pub on Second will serve as Owensboro’s second brewery following The Brew Bridge’s 2020 opening. Both locations are located in downtown Owensboro.

Check Out Owensboro’s Skate Park During Your Next Visit

Owensboro has a variety of beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, but one of the coolest parks on the list is known for more than fishing lakes and nature trails.

The Travis Aubrey Skatepark is another one of our city’s hidden gems. This 14,000 square-foot facility was designed by Spohn Ranch Skateparks for Owensboro’s skating and BMX community. Located at Chautauqua Park in the center of our city,

This skate park includes quarter pipes, a bowl, ledges and wedge ramps and a staircase with a handrail. Half of the park includes space for technical tricks while the other section is designed for catching more air, so you get the best of both worlds at this skatepark.

The Travis Aubrey Skatepark has received amazing reviews on Google, with users complimenting its cleanliness, design, good lighting and beautiful park surrounding the skating area.

Visitors are welcome to visit the skatepark anytime! It is open from dawn to 11 p.m. each day and is free to the public.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: January 21-23

Fear Expo Live

Those who love everything horror-related and those who supply everything horror-related will come together this weekend at the National Haunted Attraction Industry’s Fear Expo, taking place at the Owensboro Convention Center January 21-23. The Fear Expo will feature tons of activities and memorabilia for fans of the scary, including Haunt Master Classes, hands-on workshops, a vendor showcase show, live music, haunt tours, a costume ball and a Friday night After Party. Fear Expo Live is dedicated to connecting “attraction owners with the latest products and services from the industry’s leading vendors early in the year to ensure products are delivered on-time, ahead of schedule and at some of the best prices of the year.” The Expo is free to attend, but you need to register online ahead of time for buyer, exhibitor, seminar, speaker and events tickets.

Step Afrika!

Touring all across the country, Step Afrika! is making a stop in Owensboro on January 24 at the RiverPark Center to showcase the tradition of stepping. Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. If you’ve never seen a step show, this is the perfect opportunity to experience something new, educational and uplifting from some of the best steppers on the planet. This show has won tons of awards and in 1994 became the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Tickets for Step Afrika! are $27 each and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Live Music at Lil' Nashville

If you wanted some live music to snap you out of the wintertime blues, Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville is the place for you this weekend. The bar will have live performers every night of the weekend, with the Music City Dueling Pianos taking the stage Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m., along with a daytime performance on Sunday at noon. Opening for them will be live performances from Paul Montgomery at 6 p.m. Friday and Jerred Green at 6 p.m. Saturday. Happiness Jones will follow the Music City Dueling Pianos on Sunday at 4 p.m. Even better, Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville will be offering a Bloody Mary Bar at 11 a.m. on Sunday, so head downtown this weekend for drinks and a good time, no matter which day (or days!) you make it out.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: April 14-16

Spring Bliss Market Day

If you’ve never been to historic Reid’s Orchard, this is the perfect opportunity to check it out! Spring Bliss Market Day will be held on Sunday, April 16 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., bringing you a greenhouse full of plants and flowers, 25 different vendors to shop from and plenty of activities for the kids! Reid’s is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year, so come out and see what the fun is all about!

Owensboro Music Business Expo

Discover new ways to approach your music career at Owensboro’s first-ever Owensboro Music Business Expo. Workshops will be led by some of the best songwriters and producers in the country, with keynote speakers that include Taylor Swift’s former manager Rick Barker and Liverpool-based producer Steve Levine. Former Matchbox Twenty Guitarist Adam Gaynor is launching the OMBE with Francine Marseille. OMBE will be held April 13-15 at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. You can register right here!

Jesus Christ Superstar

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, Jesus Christ Superstar returns to the stage bigger and better than ever before With lyrics and music by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, JCS is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the finals weeks of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. The show will be held at the RiverPark Center on Sunday, April 16 at 7 p.m. and tickets are $45.

Kentucky 2A Championships Generates $1.25 Million Economic Impact for Owensboro

The Kentucky 2A Championships are a huge component of Visit Owensboro’s economic impact on our community. A series of tournaments spanning six different sports and growing in number each year, the overall economic impact totals $1.25 million.

The 2A Championships was designed to give smaller schools with enrollments between 600 and 1,000 students a unique opportunity to qualify and compete for a state championship.

According to Chris Gendek, destination development and sports management director for Visit Owensboro, the Kentucky 2A Championships provide a great service in bringing statewide exposure to Owensboro-Daviess County.

“These tournaments bring in over 1,000 unique student-athletes, coaches and their families throughout the year,” Gendek said. “This brings people from across the Commonwealth that may not know about Owensboro-Daviess County and fills our restaurants, hotels and attractions.”

Even more, the Kentucky 2A Championships plays an important role in bringing awareness to Owensboro’s local colleges, Brescia University and Kentucky Wesleyan College.

“This awareness gives our local colleges an opportunity to get in front of over 1,000 students and their families as potential student-athletes, as well as students who could potentially attend school here, graduate, and continue living in Owensboro,” Gendek said.

See Owensboro’s Famous Dogwood Trees this Spring

Owensboro is famous for its beautiful dogwood trees and, starting in mid-to-late April each year, our city becomes a sea of white and pink as the dogwood trees reach peak blooming season.

The dogwood trees are so popular, in fact, an entire section of Owensboro has been dedicated to them! The Dogwood-Azalea Trail runs through the center of the city along Griffith Avenue and many of its side streets.

But that isn’t the only place to find dogwoods! Because of its commitment to urban forest management, Owensboro has been a designated “Tree City” since 2018, so there are plenty of places to spot dogwoods all over.

If you want to take a gorgeous drive lined with dogwoods, both Hwy. 56 and Hwy. 144 are great country roads surrounded by rolling hills and tons of beautiful trees, including plenty of dogwoods.

And if you want to get out of the car and explore the dogwoods, check out Yellow Creek Park, Ben Hawes Park, Panther Creek Park and James Mason Park, located right in the heart of Owensboro.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: October 28-30

Asleep At The Wheel

Grammy-winning band Asleep at the Wheel will be swinging through Owensboro for a concert on October 29. Held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, you can see for yourself why Asleep at the Wheel has garnered decades of loyal fans for the past 50 years of music making. They’ve released 31 albums with over 20 country music singles to their name. And with a fresh new lineup and album, New Routes, there’s never been a better time to see Asleep at the Wheel perform live. Tickets are $42 and can be purchased right here.

Rocky Horror at RPC

You’ve seen the movie, but have you seen the movie with live performances onstage simultaneously? You can do that very thing at RiverPark Center’s Rocky Horror Picture Show on October 29, complete with your own costumes to bring your favorite characters and moments to life. Receive a goodie bag with fun items and shout/sing along with the film as RPC’s Shadow Cast crew performs along with it. This is the best way to celebrate Halloween and have a weird, wacky time doing it. Tickets are only $15 and the show kicks off at 10 p.m.

Cork & Cuisine

Head to the Owensboro Convention Center on October 29 for a hauntingly good time at the Cork & Cuisine Happy Hallo-wine event celebrating all things Halloween. Enjoy amazing food and drinks, along with a costume contest, Halloween Movie Trivia and some top-notch giveaways throughout the night. Tickets are $65.25 per person or two for $115 and includes all wine and spirits. Be sure to make reservations right here!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: January 6-8

ACO Cornhole Tournament

Ahead of the American Cornhole Organization’s World Championships this summer, the ACO Owensboro Major will hold its Pro Series Tour January 6 and 7 at the Owensboro Convention Center. This tournament will bring some of the best cornhole players in the Midwest together for two days of competitive play. There will be separate competitions for seniors, women, juniors, coed teams, world doubles pool play and world singles pool play. The competition kicks off at 9 a.m.

Greatest Showman Interactive Experience

If you’re looking for something unique and fun to do this weekend, head over to the RiverPark Center for The Greatest Showman Interactive Film Experience. Not only will you get to watch the movie on a big screen, but the RPC Shadow Cast Crew will perform alongside the film in Cannon Hall! You’ll receive a goodie bag upon arrival to use throughout the film to enhance the experience, and you can dress up as your favorite character. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. on January 6 and tickets are $12.

Tour at Science & History Museum

While you're in Owensboro, be sure to make time for a visit to the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, housed within an historic 19th- and early 20th-century building in downtown Owensboro. Admission is only $5/person and the museum includes one temporary exhibit and seven permanent exhibit galleries. Bring your kiddos to enjoy a day full of learning and fun, including time spent at the Owensboro Rotary's PlayZeum!

Head to Owensboro for One of Kentucky’s Best Christmas Parades

Often regarded as the best Christmas parade in Kentucky, you can head over to Owensboro for a night of magic and memories on Saturday, November 19 at 4:30 p.m.

Held by Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade Association, this year’s parade is going to be one for the books, with more than 100 floats bedazzled in lights making their way through downtown Owensboro.

You can grab your entire family and bundle up for this event, sitting roadside with or without your own chairs to keep you comfortable throughout the hour-long experience.

Not only will there be tons of decked-out floats to keep you entertained, but marching bands will play music, holiday songs will belt out from vehicles, and character appearances will have your kiddos super excited to sit up front and score some free candy!

While at the parade, you can purchase hot chocolate and warm snacks from food vendors, as well as cotton candy and light-up toys that make the parade experience as magical as it gets.

And, of course, you won’t want to miss the man of the hour himself – Santa – as he finishes the parade out with a grand finale entrance.

Make a whole night of the Christmas Parade by spending the night in Owensboro and checking out its beauty at the beginning of winter. The Christmas Parade is free to attend and welcomes people of all ages.

Celebrate Dolly Parton’s Birthday in Owensboro

This is for all the Dolly Parton fans out there!

On Thursday, January 19, Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville is going to celebrate the country music icon’s birthday with a Dolly-themed party.

“In Dolly We Trust” will feature karaoke, a look-alike contest, drink specials, photo opportunities and more! The singer, actress and philanthropist is turning 77, so this 21-and-over event is for decades of Dolly fans.

Aside from selling 100 million records worldwide, winning 11 Grammys and having 25 No. 1 singles on the Billboard country music charts, Dolly Parton has garnered international recognition for being co-owner of The Dollywood Company and creating the Dollywood Foundation, which manages a number of projects to bring education and poverty relief to east Tennessee, where she grew up.

So head to Owensboro in mid-January for a pick-me-up – where you can get “Dolled Up” while paying homage to one of America’s greatest treasures. Bring some cash with you for a cover charge, and plan on having fun all night!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: April 21-23

The Isaacs

The Isaacs have performed for over 50 years, taking home nine Dove Awards and receiving three Grammy nominations for their latest three albums. This band has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and as members of the Grand Ole Opry as well. You can see The Isaacs perform at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on April 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Pigtails & Cowlicks

At least 500 families will be selling new or gently used children’s items at amazing prices at this year’s Pigtails & Cowlicks event! This is a great way to stretch your budget and still buy high-quality clothing, shoes and more. In fact, you can find everything from clothing to furniture to baby gear. There is no admission fee to shop and the event will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center on April 21 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and April 22 (8 a.m.-1 p.m.).

Beer at The Pub on Second

The Pub on Second is expected to launch its first round of in-house brews in a few weeks, making this a very exciting time to check out this downtown bar. The Pub is widely known for its selection of craft beer and cocktails, but brewing its own beer will be an exciting way for visitors to check out everything Owensboro has to offer. The Pub plans to release three specific beers starting out.

See Sister Sadie, Kentucky Shine Perform Live in Owensboro

The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing you a concert packed with talent from two different bands as part of its “Lost River Sessions” on May 18. This is an event proudly sponsored by Visit Owensboro, and we can guarantee you it's worth the trip!

Originally formed as a pickup band in 2012, Sister Sadie has since reached heights beyond any of their dreams. This Bluegrass band is comprised of five musicians who each bring a different skill to a team that creates some of the best Bluegrass music in the business.

Together, the band creates a sound uniquely its own. Sister Sadie is part hard-driving bluegrass and part “the sound of the mountains themselves.”

Sister Sadie has won numerous awards over the last few years, including 2020 IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year for Deanie Richardson, Vocal Group of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. In 2021, Sister Sadie took home another IBMA Vocal Group of the Year award, with newcomer Jaelee Roberts winning IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the Year.

And that’s not all! In 2022, Gena Britt won the SPBGMA Banjo Player of the Year and Sister Sadie got started on their third album.

To top it all off, Kentucky Shine will open for Sister Sadie at this concert. Hailing from our very own Owensboro, Kentucky, Kentucky Shine has been recognized as one of the region’s strongest emerging talents.

Tickets for this show are $20 for adults and $15 for students.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: January 28-30

Night at the Oscars

Who hasn’t dreamed of hearing the songs from their favorite films performed live? You’ll have that very chance on January 29 at A Night at the Oscars, where the Owensboro Symphony will roll out the red carpet and transport you right onto Hollywood Boulevard for a night of live music from some of the most iconic Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated films of our generation. Songs and scores from movies like The Godfather, La La Land, The Lord of the Ringsand Titanic are just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended) for what this fabulous concert has to offer. Even better, the Owensboro Symphony will be joined by “the world’s most recorded piper in history,” Eric Rigler, as the featured soloist, making this a family-friendly show that you absolutely should not miss! Tickets are $42.50 and are selling quickly, so be sure to grab yours as soon as possible.

Your Perfect Day Wedding Show

Everyone always thinks they’ll have plenty of time to prepare for their wedding, but the process can be stressful, time-consuming and just flat-out overwhelming at times. But the brides and grooms out there need not worry, because Your Perfect Day Wedding Show is coming to the Owensboro Convention Center on January 30, giving you the chance to collaborate with all the vendors you’ll need in a single setting. The show will feature a collection of area wedding professionals that are eager to meet you and help plan out your special day. You can sample food from caterers, design your bouquets and table settings and peruse through a variety of dresses and accessories. Plus, all brides can register to win some pretty snazzy door prizes, so it’s a win-win. Admission is $3 for adults and tickets will be available at the door. The exhibition runs from noon-4 p.m.

Live Music at Lil' Nashville

Andy Brasher’s done it again, packing his bar with country music talent through the entire weekend. Kicking off on Friday, Jan. 28, Jarred Green will open up at 6 p.m., followed by Randy Cruse & Reynolds Station—a band that blends country and southern rock—at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, you can catch country artist Josh Mitcham performing live at 6 p.m. before the Rye Davis Band takes the stage at 9:30 p.m. And finally, you can treat yourself to Lil’ Nashville’s Bloody Mary Bar on Sunday at 11 a.m. with live music from Troy Miller kicking off at 4. This new music venue has already garnered a reputation for creating good times, good drinks and good sounds, so head to downtown Owensboro this weekend for these amazing performances!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: August 12-14

Friday After 5

Owensboro’s outdoor summer concert series is celebrating the last few weeks of summer in a big way this weekend. With live music performances from the Jim Gustin Band, Velvet Bombers, Headliners and Dalton’s Burning, you’ll be entertained across four different stages from 5 p.m.-midnight. WBKR will also host a scavenger hunt for “Back to School Night,” as well as Fight Night Finals at the Ruoff Party Stage from 6-8 p.m. This will be one of the last FA5 events of the season, so check it out while you still can!

Happy Together Tour

If you’ve been craving a good old-fashioned night of nostalgia, then the RiverPark Center has exactly what you need! On August 13, the Happy Together Tour will hit the RPC stage, bringing you some of the greatest musicians from the 1960s and 70s. This lineup includes headliners such as Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Turtles, The Association and The Vogues, to name a few. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. and tickets are $70/person.

Terry Lee Ridley

This weekend is going to be all about the live music at Diamond Lake Resort! Head to Owensboro-Daviess County’s famous campground to catch Terry Lee Ridley & His Million Dollar Band take the stage on August 13 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. A first-class showman built around lightning fast piano playing, you’ll hear (and dance to!) some of the greatest hits from the 1950s and 60s. And on August 14, enjoy a Wet and Wild Water Wars Weekend complete with water guns, pumps and firehoses for a day of water-focused fun!

Enjoy Fun, Holiday Magic at RPC in December

Summer might be for the outdoors, but winter is for the theater, and we’ve got a great bundle of shows coming to Owensboro in December!

On December 7, take the whole family to RiverPark Center to see Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical for some cheery holiday fun. The beloved TV classic will be portrayed on the stage and will include all your favorite characters, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf and Bumble the Abominable Snowman as they navigate the North Pole and teach the invaluable lesson: What makes you different, makes you special.

Tickets to see Rudolph are $45 and the show kicks off at 7 p.m.

RPC will also bring you The Prophecy Show on December 8, where you can experience the magic of Christmas in all its musical glory. This award-winning musical experience from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is always a huge hit with audiences, and tickets can be purchased right here for $25!

And, last but certainly not least, you can once again kick your holiday season off the right way with a wonderful show from Owensboro Symphony. Home for the Holidays will hit the RPC stage on December 10, mesmerizing listeners with classic favorites and some fresh, new works from The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and Sleigh Ride. Does it get any closer to Christmas than that?!

Celebrate the holidays with your friends, the entire family, or just yourself at Home for the Holidays. Tickets are $44 each and the music begins at 7 p.m.

Goodwood Brewing to open this year on downtown riverfront

It's time to get excited, because Goodwood Brewing is coming to Owensboro!

Located at 101 Frederica Street on the Ohio River, Goodwood is going to soon become a hot spot in downtown Owensboro, and we are here for it.

The brewpub will be offering a variety of their specially-crafted beers all day and night, but Goodwood will also be serving a full menu of southern-focused food for brunch, lunch and dinner. Already, Goodwood has started posting photos of what its menu will include on Facebook and, all we can say is, the sooner they open, the better.

According to the team at Goodwood, they will be offering "brews, burgers and brunch" on the riverfront, along with "Owensboro-made beer, a long bourbon list, craft cocktails and weekend brunch." There will be outdoor dining available along with a "traditional, southern menu."

The brewpub will be opening its doors this year and will soon announce an official date. So be sure to follow them on Facebook and keep an eye out for more announcements!

Located right next to Smothers Park and the Owensboro Convention Center, we can't think of a better fit for Goodwood Brewing than downtown Owensboro, and we can't wait to see you there!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: November 4-6

Bela Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart

One of the most talented Bluegrass musicians around, Bela Fleck will perform “My Bluegrass Heart” at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 4. Joined by Stuart Duncan, Jacob Jolliff, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz and Bryan Sutton, Fleck’s first bluegrass tour in 24 years will show why this multi-Grammy-winning artist is worth watching live. Fleck’s band will spotlight a gamut of the best bluegrass players in the business. There aren’t many tickets left, but you can score some right here for $58.

Holiday Market

The Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market most-attended event of the year, the Holiday Market is the perfect way to transition from fall to winter with loads of fresh produce and meats, delicious sweets and Christmas decor on sale. Held on Saturday, November 5 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., there will be thousands of attendees getting in the holiday spirit for this one-day event! See why “fresh is best” at this family-friendly holiday extravaganza.

The Four Horsemen

This is a concert for all the Metallica fans out there! Held at the RiverPark Center on November 5, The Four Horsemen is the only album-quality tribute band dedicated to all things Metallica. Described as “the real deal,” The Four Horsemen delivers an unforgettable note-for-note experience of perfection for fans of the heavy metal rock band. Grab tickets before they sell out right here for $25 and enjoy the magic of of great music from 7-10 p.m.

Hops on the Ohio bringing good beer, music and food to the riverfront this summer

Hops on the Ohio is one of Owensboro’s biggest beer festivals of the year, bringing you all the craft beer, wine and spirits you could ask for at this all-day event. This year’s event will be held at RiverPark Center on Saturday, July 9 from 3-7 p.m.

Local and regional breweries will supply tons of craft beer while live music and food trucks will supply the good sounds and food.

Honestly, this beer festival is one of the best experiences you’ll have in Owensboro, standing outside on the beautiful patio, drink in hand, overlooking the Ohio River. Everything about Hops on the Ohio is executed well, from the venue, to the beer selection, to the music.

The festival has been a huge success in past years, bringing more than 600 people downtown in 2019. Hops on the Ohio serves as a fundraiser for RPC, with tickets covering the costs of the venue’s array of free educational programs for children.

The 2022 festival will include local breweries and distilleries such as Brew Bridge, Goodwood and Green River Distilling Company. But there will be tons of other breweries and wineries from the regional area offering tastes and pours, so you can sample all kinds of drinks while you’re there!

Hops on the Ohio co-founder Cody Anderson said his team is very excited to be back in Owensboro for the festival's third edition.

"Expect an afternoon full of brews, tunes and food trucks," Anderson said. "You can also expect a handful of other events before and after at surrounding bars and restaurants."

Tickets for Hops on the Ohio are $48 for general admission, and you can order them online right here!

Make Owensboro Your Next Food Truck Stop

Owensboro is home to a growing number of food trucks, and we are here for it!

Whether it’s seafood, chicken wings, vegan cuisine or coffee you’re craving, there is a food truck for everyone’s needs in our town. You can follow these food trucks on their social media pages to find out where they’ll be next, but it’s almost a guarantee you’ll run into them at one of Owensboro’s many downtown events held all year long!

Here’s a list of some of our favorite food trucks you should be checking out during your next visit:

Lure Smoke Shack

You can order some amazing barbecue from the Lure Smoke Shack at public events, but you can also use the shack for private events and catering as well! This brand-new food truck offers a mix of upscale and down-to-earth barbecue with everything from smoked bologna to prime rib and lobster.

J’s Good Grub

A fan favorite for everyone in Owensboro, you won’t find better buffalo chicken anywhere in the tristate. J’s famous cajun ranch fries are one of the best fried foods you’ll ever eat, and the family-owned food truck also serves a variety of delicious items that range from plant-based chicken sandwiches to chicken and waffle sandwiches.

Tri-R-Tips BBQ

This family-owned food truck has gained notoriety all over the country for its amazing Hawaiian-style barbecue. You can order everything from pulled pork nachos to tacos slathered in sweet barbecue sauce to glazed chicken topped with pineapple.

Fresh By Gene’s

One of the healthier food trucks you’ll find, the food from Gene’s is both unique and delicious. Their menu includes slow-smoked brisket grilled cheese, chipotle black bean bowls, smoked salmon tacos and smoked sweet potato salad. You can find vegan and vegetarian items, as well as grass-fed beef at this food truck.

Curbside Kitchenette

This food truck can be found at tons of local events, and it serves a huge menu with something for everyone! Run by Chef Jamon Taswell, you can order homemade paninis, melts, burgers, wraps and club sandwiches from this food truck.

Taqueria La Bendicion De Dios

Another family-owned food truck with a delicious menu, customers can get authentic Mexican food in the form of street tacos, fajita nachos and some of the best tortillas you’ll ever taste.

The Spot Coffee and Finery

Considered some of the best coffee in the area, The Spot uses organic coffee beans that are freshly roasted. You can find all your coffee-infused favorites at this food truck, whether it’s hot, cold or a shot of espresso.

Real Hacienda

You can order tons of delicious Mexican food at the Real Hacienda food truck, and it is commonly seen at local events all across the city! Everything from street tacos to taco salad to arroz con pollo can be ordered.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: January 13-15

Kentucky 2A Championships

If you want to see some of the best high school athletes in Kentucky compete for a state championship, then Owensboro should be on your radar. We’ve got the boys and girls 2A State Basketball Championships coming to the Owensboro Sportscenter January 13-15 for a weekend of top-notch competition. These players will be traveling from all across the state to fight for the championship trophy and earn the title of Kentucky 2A State Champion. Games run all day from 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and tickets are $14 for adults and children five and under get in free.

Tour at Green River Distilling Co.

At the westernmost point on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is Green River Distilling Co., and it is a trip that’s well worth your while. Green River is one of the oldest and most historic distilleries in the state of Kentucky, providing some of the best bourbon you’ll find anywhere in the world. Bourbon enthusiasts have even compared Green River’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey to the likes of Woodford Reserve and other top-notch bourbons. You can tour the facility and learn all the ins and outs of bourbon production Monday-Saturday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. You’ll get to taste three different bourbons as well, and all for only $20/person.

James Gregory

If you’d like to turn the clock back to a time when life was a little simpler, head to the Owensboro Convention Center on January 12 to see “The Funniest Man in America” live and in person for a night of hilarious story-telling. After more than 20 years in the business, Gregory continues to mesmerize audiences and make people laugh in a feel-good way that’s hard to find these days. Tickets to see Gregory are $40 apiece and the show kicks off at 7 p.m.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: May 20-22

Friday After 5

Friday After 5 is kickin’ off its summer concert series this weekend with TONS of amazing music, entertainment and food for the whole family to enjoy. This weekend’s theme is “City Night,” and all proceeds from the FA5 5K will go toward Brescia University’s Track & Field department. You can find live music at multiple venues across the downtown riverfront, including The Beatles Rock Band Show from 6-9:30 p.m., Disc Daddy’s from 4:30-7:30 p.m., Lillie May & Rische Family Circus from 7-10 p.m., Platinum 78 from 7-9 p.m. and Usual Suspects from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Score tons of treats from our amazing food trucks and enjoy a delicious drink from participating downtown restaurants and bars during the Cocktail/Mocktail Crawl. Friday After 5 runs from 5-midnight beginning May 20.

Owensboro Symphony

The Owensboro Symphony is pulling all the stops this Saturday with five-time Grammy nominated pianist and vocalist Michael Feinstein joining them as the featured artist. “One Fein Night” will hit the RiverPark Center stage on May 21 at 7 p.m., bringing you a night of music from some of the greatest Broadway and Hollywood classics to date. Feinstein himself performs over 200 shows a year, with performances at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, the Hollywood Bowl, the White House and Buckingham Palace. Need we say more?! You can score tickets for this show at $42.50 apiece.

The Nashville Songwriter

Enjoy a night of music and stories under the stars as the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame holds the Nashville Songwriter series on its outdoor stage on May 19. This series highlights the stories and lives of three artists working to create the soundtrack of America, featuring Nashville-based songwriters that offer the backstory on their work by sharing personal experiences that shaped their songs. You can hear from Derik Hultquist, Nick Donley and Jaida Dreyer this week, with the show kicking off at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, and guests should bring their own chairs for this outdoor concert.

Emmy-Nominated Gangstagrass Bringing Hip Hop and Bluegrass to Owensboro

Possibly one of the most ingenious and innovative music groups to come through Owensboro, Gangstagrass is coming to the RiverPark Center on February 11, and we’re going to break down the many reasons why you should treat yourself to this amazing show!

First of all, Gangstagrass combines two great American traditions into a perfectly blended musical genre of its own through bluegrass and hip hop. It might sound, well, different when you read it like that, but hearing and seeing this brand new genre is nothing short of spectacular. And being different is a good thing.

If you need any references, just know that Gangstagrass was nominated for an Emmy and was proclaimed “America’s Band” by Americana Highways magazine.

Not only that, but the group’s latest album, “No Time for Enemies,” climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard bluegrass charts, making them one of the most popular bluegrass bands on the market.

According to the RiverPark Center, Gangstagrass famously highlights the things that make our country so great – ingenuity, creativity, freedom, unity, individual strengths of the people and the struggles we all face – and distills them into a message of “common ground in the form of original songs that have everyone up and dancing.”

Tickets to see Gangstagrass start at $28.75 and the show kicks off at 7 p.m.

This is not the same Owensboro you visited before

Owensboro is not the same place you visited in the past. And for natives of Owensboro who’ve since relocated, this is a very different city than the one where you grew up.

While Owensboro remains a family-friendly place known for great parks, great food, and great people, a lot of aspects about our city have changed, and for the better! And we think that’s something to write home about.

You can see the growth and evolution of our northwestern Kentucky city all around you in the form of new development and businesses, yes, but you can also see it in the sheer volume of visitors we see traveling to Owensboro. We meet, get to know, and share stories with tourists from all over the world (as well as all 50 states) on a regular basis, and there’s good reason for that!

You can see the changes in the form our beautiful downtown riverfront, and in the world-renown playground at Smothers Park. You can see it in the lighted bridge in downtown Owensboro that changes colors at night.

You can see the changes in the form of new hotels being built across our city, with the newest one – a Home2 Suites by Hilton – currently being developed across from the Owensboro Convention Center and expected to take shape by late 2023.

The evolution of Owensboro’s growing business sector includes tons of new coffee and tattoo shops, boutiques, restaurants and skin, hair and cosmetic companies. The number of locally owned businesses owned and operated by minority groups has also grown exponentially – a testament to the progress Owensboro’s made in embracing its diversity.

Ellis Entertainment has begun work on opening a new historical racing machine (HRM) entertainment venue in Towne Square Mall, with over 60,000 square-feet of space to include a wide selection of HRMs, a simulcast betting and viewing area, and a new race and sports themed restaurant.

Here in Owensboro, artwork on buildings in the new beige. New murals are constantly being painted, public art is being placed, and world-renown artist Aaron Kizer is opening Owensboro’s first art gallery dedicated to local artists at our very own visitor center.

You can now take your fur babies with you to Castlen Dog Park, newly opened in 2020, and you can enjoy the first completely inclusive playground in Daviess County at Horse Fork Creek Park, where children of all abilities are able to play together.

Downtown Owensboro is also home to tons of new breweries and bars that are located within walking distance to the Ohio River and a number of entertainment venues.

“The District” was developed in 2020, allowing patrons to carry alcoholic beverages within its boundaries through downtown Owensboro. This open container policy has seen enormous success in bringing more visitors and locals out to enjoy themselves (responsibly) while they explore all our downtown has to offer.

On Highway 54, Gateway Commons features a state-of-the-art movie theater – Malco Owensboro Cinema Grill & MXT – complete with reclining seats, a restaurant, and a bar for those who like a beer or glass of wine with their movie. There’s also a ton of shopping opportunities at Gateway Commons, with more to come.

Newly opened selfie museums – Pose and 3DX Selfie Expressions – have given individuals, families and groups of friends the chance to take high-quality photographs in a fun, creative way thanks to some innovative business minds in Owensboro.

Escape rooms, axe throwing, and more than 50 arcade games can be enjoyed at Escape Today, while RiverPark Center’s brand new Downtown Live summer event series will coincide with Owensboro’s famous Friday After 5 outdoor concert series each Friday night.

Meanwhile, you can enjoy live music at new venues like Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville, Ten.O.Six., and Shiloh’s Lounge. You can catch year-round concerts from Grammy-winning artists at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and you can take in beautiful sounds, vibes and views at Live on the Banks each Saturday night on the riverfront.

Green River Distilling Co. has undergone a complete transformation to become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state (with one of the best new bourbons, as well), and the Daviess County Gun Club’s recent reopening has seen unprecedented success at its shooting range.

While this might be a longer blog than usual, it’s only because there has been so much growth, change and development across Owensboro-Daviess County. And because of that, there’s never been a better time to visit.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: August 19-21

HydroFair

It’s the time of year for loud boats ripping across the water, and the Owensboro HydroFair is here to deliver! Taking place August 19-21, the HydroFair will bring you a weekend of hydroplane racing like you’ve never seen before. More than 60 teams from across the US and Canada will compete for some exciting racing on the Ohio River, with boats topping speeds of 170 MPH. You can enjoy the Owensboro HydroFair for free or reserve a spot in the comfort of an air-conditioned space at the Owensboro Convention Center.

Apollo Summer Slam

One of Kentucky’s longest-running volleyball tournaments, the Apollo Summer Slam will feature amazing talent from some of the best high school volleyball teams in the state. Running for two days on August 19 and 20, the Apollo Summer Slam brings in teams – several of which will compete in the state tournament – from many different regions across Kentucky. Taking place at the Owensboro Convention Center, you can buy single day passes or weekend tickets right here!

Street Legends

The annual Street Legends Car Show is always a memorable event, and this year will be no different. In fact, it’s become one of the premiere automotive events in the Tri-State area! Classic cars of every kind will be displayed, and you can catch live entertainment both Friday and Saturday night. Held at Diamond Lake Resort, this event is celebrating its 16th anniversary this year. Enjoy food and car vendors, as well as a flea market at this weekend event. Admission is $5 per car and the show runs from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. August 19-20.

Can’t-Miss Brunch Spots in Owensboro

Despite what you may think, brunch is more than a trend brought back to life by millenials. Here in Owensboro, it’s been a way of life for a long time. And that’s because our city has so many great options to choose from for that specific meal that’s not quite breakfast, not quite lunch, but somewhere in between.

If you’re in the downtown area during your stay, you’ve got it made when it comes to brunch. Lure Seafood and Grille has an amazing brunch menu full of creative, delicious cuisine, and they even offer bottomless brunch drinks on occasion!

Also downtown, The Miller House is known for its southern-focused cuisine, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place for brunch. From shrimp and grits to steak and eggs benedict, every single menu item is made to perfection. With a full bar available, you can sip on a Bloody Mary or a mimosa while your food is prepared. You can also eat inside the restaurant or outdoors on the wraparound porch and patio when the weather is nice.

While brunch at the Famous Bistro is only offered on Saturdays, it’s one of the best options in the city of Owensboro. Literally everything on the menu tastes amazing, and you can find some of the best made brunch staples – such as eggs, bacon, sausage and biscuits and gravy – you’ll taste anywhere.

Brew Bridge offers a full-course brunch on weekends, and it’s also the perfect chance to try out some locally-brewed beer for an early afternoon of good food and great brews. And Ole South Barbecue has become famous for its delectable brunch menu made available on weekends. You can either order off the menu or try one of everything at Ole South’s breakfast and brunch buffet.

Newly opened, Windy Hollow Biscuit House has garnered wide acclaim for its brunch menu, and Burger Theory Owensboro serves a full lineup of amazing brunch items (including an amazing Bloody Mary) at its downtown location.

Owensboro Burger Week returning in a big way

After a very successful inaugural event in 2021, Owensboro Burger Week is back! And it’s already bigger and better this second time around, with over 30 different restaurants across Owensboro-Daviess County showcasing their best burger and selling it to customers for $7 March 1-5.

This year’s event is sponsored by the Kentucky Beef Council, Independence Bank, Hill View Farms Meats and Green River Appliance.

“With more than 11,000 burgers sold last year, we knew Burger Week needed to become a staple here in Owensboro, Daviess County. It brought so much joy to customers and a much needed boost to our local restaurants during the pandemic,” said Dave Kirk, Visit Owensboro Destination Management.

According to Tim Ross, the City of Owensboro’s Public Events Director, Burger Week was a “tremendous success” last year, setting an example of the Owensboro community coming together for a good cause.

“Thousands of people were able to enjoy some amazing burgers and they helped our restaurant owners during a much-needed time. We are excited about Burger Week 2022 and look forward to some more scrumptious creations from our restaurants,” Ross said.

During Owensboro Burger Week, each participating restaurant will sell a burger of their choosing for $7 including tax. Each restaurant will decide how large the burger will be and if it comes with any sides.

“We are so excited to be able to participate in Burger Week this year. Although every week is Burger Week at Wonder Whip, this event gives us an opportunity to think outside the box and create something special for our guests. Most importantly, Burger Week is the perfect event to showcase all the wonderful dining options in Owensboro,” said Seth Woodward, Owner at Wonder Whip.

A tasting panel of local celebrities and food critics will blindly judge all the burgers from each of the participating restaurants throughout the week without knowing which restaurant the burger came from.

Judges will tally all of the scores to select an overall winner who will receive a traveling trophy and bragging rights for the Burger of the Year. Last year’s winner was O’Bryan’s Bar & Grill. Burger Week will also have a contest featuring a fabulous prize for everyone who participates and shares their Burger Week experience on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #owensboroburgerweek.

For more information and a map of the participating restaurants once they are finalized, check out Owensboroburgerweek.com.

If your restaurant would like to participate, please email Dave Kirk at [email protected] to enter by February 5.

OMG!Con bringing cosplay, gaming and anime to Convention Center in June

OMG!Con is returning to the Owensboro Convention Center this summer, bringing you all the cosplay, gaming and nerding out you could ask for.

Running June 24-26 this year, OMG!Con has been held in Owensboro for the last several years, bringing a huge turnout of visitors to our area for previous conventions.

This year’s OMG!Con will include several special celebrity guests, including Greg Ayres, who has over 376 voice acting and production credits to his name. Director, actor, voice actor and scriptwriter Micahel Sinterniklaas will also make an in-person appearance at this year’s Con.

Other guests slated to appear at OMG!Con 2022 include Fighting Dreamers Production – a cosplay group from Vancouver, along with a number of other well-known cosplayers and actors.

New to this year’s convention, OMG!Con attendees will have the chance to check out an amazing lineup of Japanese video games that have never been sold in America. According to the organization’s Facebook page, some of the “best, worst and weirdest games Japan got that we didn’t” will be available to play at OMG!Con’s huge video game room.

Attendees can also enjoy outdoor boffer games, a weekend dance party, and tons of entertainment throughout the three-day event.

You can pre-register for OMG!Con 2022 right here! Tickets are $50 during renegotiation and $55 at the door.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: May 27-29

Memorial Day Rodeo and Terry Lee Ridley

Diamond Lake Resort will be celebrating Memorial Day weekend with a bang this year. On May 26, head to the beautiful outdoors for a touching flag-raising ceremony in front of the Pit Stop Grill at 11 a.m. before heading to the campground’s Golf Cart Rodeo in the afternoon. You can bring a golf cart of your own or rent one onsite! On May 28, you can catch Terry Lee Ridley & Million Dollar Band from 7:30-10:30 p.m. for a night of live music and fun entertainment. Campers can watch the show for $10 and the general public can see the band perform for $15 apiece.

Downtown Live

The RiverPark Center is hosting Downtown Live this weekend from 6-11 p.m., bringing you all kinds of exciting entertainment for the adults to enjoy. This weekend’s theme is “Race Into Summer,” and RPC is celebrating all the local educators out there! If you have a school ID, definitely bring it with you, because you can get a drink discount at the bar. You can also enjoy a selfie station in the lobby, the Community Jukebox at Truist Plaza, live music at the Atmos Courtyard from 6-8 p.m. and even a Drunk Spelling Bee at the GhostLight Lounge from 8 p.m.-midnight. Outdoors, RPC will be holding the Owensboro 500 Tricycle Race, where teams can win all kinds of awards for competing.

Live on the Banks

Owensboro is all about live music, and you can catch two performances this Saturday night at Live on the Banks! Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the downtown riverfront as you listen to the 101st Airborne Rock Band at the Overlook Stage, then swing over to the Allen Street Gazebo to hear Madeline Wilkerson perform. Both performances are free to the public and will be held from 7-9 p.m. at Smothers Park.

Check out the Lewis and Clark trail in Owensboro

Did you know the famous Lewis and Clark Trail runs through Owensboro?

In fact, the trail Meriweather Lewis and William Clark blazed two centuries ago was made along the Ohio River. The duo’s journey had to start in the Ohio River to begin the two-year trip to the Pacific Ocean and back.

On June 19, 1803, Lewis wrote that he planned to meet some “good hunters, stout, healthy, unmarried men accustomed to the woods, and capable of bearing bodily fatigue in a pretty considerable degree: should any young men answering this description be found in your neighborhood I would thank you to give information of them on my arrival at the falls of the Ohio.”

That message was actually written to Clark, who’d lived in Kentucky for nearly 20 years. Clark, of course, said yes, and word of the expedition traveled, bringing volunteers from all across Kentucky to help.

According to experts, Kentucky has about 660 miles of the eastern portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail – its entire border with the Ohio River.

“This gives Kentucky the longest section of the trail in the east and one of the longest overall, taken together with the 400-mile return route,” says James Holmberg, chair of the Kentucky Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission.

It’s believed that Owensboro was a stopping point for Lewis and Clark after they left Louisville. Whether or not they did is up for debate but, without a doubt, the pair definitely traveled through the bend in the Ohio River that lines Daviess County – and now, our downtown riverfront.

Taste Authentic Kentucky Cuisine at Sassafras in Owensboro

During your visit to Kentucky, you’ve gotta have some authentic Kentucky cuisine. And that’s why Sassafras should definitely be on your radar.

Newly opened in downtown Owensboro, Sassafras is a restaurant unlike any other in our area. Using locally sourced ingredients and all menu items deliciously made from scratch, you’ll find a long list of famous Kentucky and Appalachian staples at Sassafras.

Not only does the restaurant – owned by brothers Dennis and Matt Weafer – feature amazing food, but it is named after one of Owensboro’s most famous natural wonders: The tallest Sassafras Tree in the world. The combination of amazing history, amazing food and amazing local art makes eating at Sassafras a unique and special experience.

You’ll find a variety of top-notch appetizers ranging from smoked pimento cheese to Johnny Cakes and Hot Brown Fries, as well as dinner entrees that include short ribs and grits and sunflower trout.

You’ll also find an impressive collection of Kentucky cocktails on the Sassafras menu. Again using Kentucky as its compass, the team at Sassafras uses bourbon for many of its drinks, but they play with a number of ingredients to create cocktails with fun names like KY Weather, Bluegrass Margarita and Farmhouse Bee’s Knees.

Located at 420 Frederica Street, you can dine at Sassafras for both lunch and dinner. Check out their menu right here!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: August 26-28

River Valley Dog Show

This one’s for all the dog lovers out there! Each year, Owensboro welcomes hundreds of pups and their owners/trainers to compete in the River Valley Cluster Dog Show. This year’s show will be held August 25-28 at the Owensboro Convention Center. You’ll see tons of breeds participate and, even if you don’t have a dog competing in the show, you can enjoy over 500 feet of shopping space to satiate all your pup’s needs! Click here for a schedule of events.

Concert on the Lawn

Grab your lawn chairs and picnic blankets for this annual event held on the Kentucky Wesleyan College lawn! On August 27, US Bank and the Owensboro Symphony will bring “Concert on the Lawn” to life, featuring musical selections from The Little Mermaid, Enchanted, Mulan, Hook, Pirates of the Caribbean and Aladdin. Tables, chairs and dinner for up to eight people can be reserved for $150, while individual meals can be reserved at $25/person. Call 270-684-0661 (Ext. 113) for availability. The show runs from 6-10 p.m.

Beer Tasting

If you’re into craft beer and breweries, then we’ve got the perfect place for you to check out this weekend! Head downtown to Owensboro’s Brew Bridge – the first local brewery to open in Owensboro over the last 100 years – to taste all kinds of delicious craft beer! The staff at Brew Bridge is always creating new and innovative beers, and you can try everything from a Vienna Lager to a dark lager to hazy New England-style Double IPA. There’s truly a beer for everyone at Brew Bridge.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: February 4-6

East Nash Grass

Dubbed the “hottest young band of pickers” in the entire city of Nashville is pretty cool, and that’s why East Nash Grass is blowing up all across the country right now. And their backstory—being founded in 2017 as a part-time pickup gig band—makes them even cooler, if that’s possible. East Nash Grass has a unique sound that includes banjo riffs and dobro slides coupled with a warm and stable low-end, giving their music a tender touch not often heard in traditional Bluegrass music. The band will play at Owensboro’s Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on February 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are only $20, so grab them while you can!

Champions of Magic

Who doesn’t love a night of good magic? On Monday, February 7, you can treat yourself to a super unique event at Owensboro’s RiverPark Center with Champions of Magic taking the stage at 7 p.m. First of all, this group is known as the only team of musicians in the entire world. Secondly, they’ve sold out shows across the entire globe and have been featured on every major TV network in the nation. Thirdly, the Champions of Magic cast presents an incredible variety of interactive magic, along with levitation, escapes from a water torture cell and mind-blowing predictions. It can’t get more exciting than that! Tickets for this family-friendly event are $35.

Dinosaur World Live

If you love all things Jurassic, we’ve got the show for you this weekend. Dinosaur World Live will hit the RiverPark Center stage on February 8 at 7 p.m. for a night of fascination and exploration that includes these massively impressive creatures. These dinosaurs are remarkably life-like, and you can see all of your favorites, from the legendary Tyrannosaurus Rex to the Microraptor. A special meet-and-greet after the show gives you the chance to meet the dinos too! Tickets for Dinosaur World Live are only $13!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 25-27

Red Hot Chili Pipers

A little background story: The Red Hot Chili Pipers are a Celtic rock band from Scotland. Formed in 2002, the group gained international popularity after winning the BBC talent show, “When Will I Be Famous?” The band’s lineup features three highland bagpipers and traditional marching snare, backed by a five- to seven-piece band consisting of guitars, drums and keyboards. Shows also include impressive vocal performances and highland dancing! The band performs a fusion of traditional pipe tunes and contemporary pieces, so there’s a little bit of music for everybody here. Notable covers performed by the Chili Pipers include “We Will Rock You,” “Clocks” “Smoke on the Water” and “Don’t Stop Believing.” The group even appeared on the How to Train Your Dragon 2 soundtrack! This Scottish bagrock band will perform at the RiverPark Center on March 25 from 8-10 p.m. and tickets are only $19, so get them while you can!

Diamond Lake Easter Egg Hunt

Campers, grab your camping gear—and your Easter baskets--because Diamond Lake Resort is throwing its annual Easter Eggstravaganza! Not only will the kids get to participate in a massive Easter Egg hunt, but the ADULTS will get to this year as well! Diamond Lake will be throwing down Easter-style March 25-27, April 8-10 and April 15-17, so you’ve got plenty of chances to register and experience the fun. Aside from the egg hunts, you can participate in egg coloring, Easter movies, Bunny Games in the field, Free Friday Night S’mores for the kiddos, and a flashlight Easter Egg hunt. This event is only open to those camping at Diamond Lake, so if you’ve never booked a stay at this fantastic resort, now’s the time!

Murder at the Abbey

As part of an interactive Murder Mystery Dinner series being held at the Owensboro Convention Center, “Murder at the Abbey” will be the latest installment on March 25. A cocktail hour and first course will be followed up by an interactive murder mystery before the rest of the dinner is served. Guests can dress up in their best Edwardian attire for this murder investigation, and the doors open up at 6 p.m. Tickets are $69 per person or $120 for two adults. Children can also attend for $49. Reservations are required, so be sure to book your seat today!

Jewelry, flowers, candy and more: Where to shop for your Valentine in Owensboro

Valentine’s Day comes but once a year, and those who celebrate it (willingly or not) know that, usually, the big V-Day comes with a price tag. And that’s OK because, here in Owensboro, we have you covered on gifts for that special someone. From chocolates and flowers to jewelry and champagne, our city has everything you need to make your Valentine feel all the love this holiday season.

First off, it’s time to start thinking about flowers. There’s nothing more hectic than Valentine’s Day for florists, so getting those orders in ahead of time is key. Some of the best florists in the business can help you design the perfect bouquet at Welborn Floral, Gary’s Fleur De Lis, Ivy Trellis Floral, Petal & Pine and Whitesville Florist.

But, hey, not everyone is a flowers person. Some people prefer the sweeter things in life, and how can we not support a holiday that supports chocolate?

Here in Owensboro-Daviess County, there are tons of bakeries and sweet shops where you can find everything from chocolate-covered strawberries to rose-covered red velvet cakes. Here’s a list of some of the best local spots for sweets:

Trunnell’s Farm Market

Reid’s Orchard

Dalisha’s Bakery & Café

The Cup Cakery

Great Harvest

Great American Cookie & Marble Slab Creamery

Koehler’s Bakery

Rolling Pin Pastry Shop

The Crème Coffee House

Molly’s Mixins

The Family Bakery

Maggie’s Cakes & More

The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Company

There are a ton of great shopping opportunities in Owensboro, but let’s be honest. Valentine’s Day is all about the jewelry.

Some of our favorite places to shop rings, necklaces, and all things sparkly include Nick T. Arnold Jewelers, M & M Jewelers, Lance & Co. Jewelers, Ultra Gems, Riley & Co. Jewelers, HorseFeathers Gifts and Lodan Jewelry Design Studio.

And finally, you can’t forget the drinks. Whether it’s wine, beer or champagne you’re sippin’ on, Owensboro has an amazing variety to choose from sold by local retailers.

At SIP Wine Room, all the wines available for tastings are also available for retail sale! So you can drop in the riverfront venue and purchase a bottle for your loved one. The venue has an extensive wine list too, so if you’re not exactly sure which one to pick, grab two!

And for the beer drinkers out there, Brew Bridge sells their craft beer and cocktails packaged and ready to take home. You can purchase single servings, Growlers and four-packs of beer, wine and cocktails! The local brewery is even hosting a Valentine's-themed Silent Disco on Saturday, Feb. 12, which is open to anyone and everyone, whether you're single, engaged or married. Tickets are $10 at the door for couples and $5 for singles.

And for those who appreciate the wonderful female friends in their life, Brasher's Lil' Nashville is hosting "50 Shades of Pink Galentine's Day" on Sunday, February 13 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Featuring local female-owned businesses such as Grindstone Trading Co., M. Porium and Hampton & Co. Designs, this event has all the bottomless mimosas you could want. Wear as much pink as possible and enjoy balloons and decorations for days!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: February 11-13

Green River Bourbon Launch

After more than five years in the making, Green River Distilling Co. is launching its Green River Straight Bourbon Whiskey at the distillery on February 10 and available for purchase beginning Feb. 11. The 90-proof bourbon has been aged for over 5 years in Owensboro, is rich in color with an amber hue, and made with all Kentucky-grown corn, mostly from Daviess County. With an aroma comprised of warming spice notes, cinnamon, dried cherries and light leather and tasting notes of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel and chocolate mint, this is expected to be a bourbon to brag about for the long haul. The distillery will be open on Feb. 11 with a celebration of Bluegrass, BBQ and Bourbon from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. You can expect to see Green River Straight Bourbon Whiskey at select retailers in Kentucky after Feb. 11 and at select retailers in Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana and northwest Florida in the coming months.

Aaron Lewis Live

Aaron Lewis will be hitting the RiverPark Center stage on Friday, Feb. 11 for his “Frayed at Both Ends” tour. Lewis boasts an impressive music career and is known best as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and founding member of the rock band Staind, with whom he released seven different albums. Lewis has pursued a successful solo career in country music with his debut “EP Town Line,” which was released in 2011. Lewis’ “Frayed at Both Ends” acoustic tour has played all across the country, and this is a great chance to see this famous musician play some of his newest hits, all of which are streaming on multiple platforms right now. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets for this show are almost sold out, so grab them while you have the chance!

The Kody Norris Show

A blend of retro, hillbilly, bluegrass and rockabilly, The Kody Norris Show is bringing you all the live music and entertainment you could ask for on February 12 at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Deeply rooted in North American folk music, Norris has crafted a performance that harkens back and tips a hat to the traditions created by Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin’s showmanship, the Stanley Brothers’ harmonies, performances of the Grand Ole Opry and a bit of Vaudeville. Expect to see top-notch picking coupled with humor and visual flash, including colorful, tailored suites adorned with rhinestones, ties, classic hats and ornate boots. Tickets for The Kody Norris Show are $20, so grab your best hat and a pair of boots, and head on down to Owensboro for a good time.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: January 21-23

Dolly Parton's Birthday Celebration

Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville is celebrating Dolly Parton’s birthday in style this year! Head to downtown Owensboro on January 19 for a night of all things Dolly. There will be a look-alike contest, drink specials, and karaoke, so you can sing your heart out to all your favorite songs. The country music singer and philanthropist is turning 77 this year, and Brasher’s “In Dolly We Trust” party is going to be one for the books! Bring some cash for a cover charge at this 21-and-older event.

STOMP

An explosive, inventive and utterly unique night awaits you at the RiverPark Center, where Broadway production STOMP will be taking the stage! See this eight-member troupe use everything EXCEPT conventional percussion instruments to create a magical musical experience. There will be brooms, matchboxes, wooden poles, hubcaps, trashcans, Zippo lighters, and all sorts of creative props to create this electrifying show. STOMP will take place at RPC on January 17 and tickets are $35.

Micro Wrestling

The Micro Wrestling Federation is a full-scale WWE-type event with one twist: All of the wrestlers are under five feet tall. You’ll get a night full of body slams, headlocks and nonstop action at this event! There will be two single matches, a micro brawl and a micro rumble, where the Micro Superstars face off for the main event and a chance at the belt. Advance tickets are $23.99 and the event takes place at the Owensboro Convention Center on January 21 at 8 p.m.

10 Insta-Worthy Spots in Owensboro

In today’s modern world, part of traveling includes finding the perfect setting for our Instagram pics. We’ve broken down the Top 10 Insta-Worthy Spots in Owensboro to make your search for that perfect picture a little easier!

In no particular order, here are 10 spots that showcase the beauty, history and geography of our northwestern Kentucky city.

Overlook Stage bordering the Ohio River

This spot gives you water views, and a cool awning that lights up at night. We recommend heading to Smothers Park in the evening for some of the prettiest views of the sunset glimmering over the water.

Kentucky Mosaic Mural

This mural was completely reconstructed by local artist Gary Bielefeld. It’s comprised of thousands of reflective mirror pieces and is bordered by lights at night. Each region of Kentucky is showcased in this mural, and you can even see exactly where Owensboro is!

Owensboro Mural

This large mural can be found right across the street from the Kentucky Mosaic Mural on the east-facing side of the Visitor Center.

Banjo Picking Parlor

You can show off on Instagram with photos or videos of you trying your hand at the banjo and mandolin! There are two picking parlors in Owensboro that are great for photos: One is located at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the other is located at Visit Owensboro’s Visitor Center.

Lazy Days Playground

Named one of the top playgrounds in the world, you can take so many different photos at this awesome playground and park. Even better, you have views of the Ohio River in the background!

Color-Changing Bridge

Owensboro’s downtown bridge got a major makeover in 2021, and it makes the perfect background for night time pictures. With color-changing lights, you can stand almost anywhere along the riverfront and get an amazing backdrop of the bridge behind you.

Trunnell’s Farm Market

This setting is always beautiful, but if you visit Trunnell’s in the fall, you can take tons of amazing pictures in the blooming sunflower fields. There are over a million sunflowers that bloom each year!

Second Street

With two rows of historical buildings lining downtown Second Street, there are tons of opportunities for great Insta-worthy pics.

Johnny Depp Mural

For those who don’t know, actor Johnny Depp is from Owensboro! And, of course, we have a mural depicting many of the movies and roles he became so famous for.

Nicky Hayden Memorial

Located right in front of the Owensboro Convention Center, this memorial was created to honor “The Kentucky Kid” – one of the greatest motorsports athletes of our time.

Owensboro Symphony’s ‘Night at the Museum’ an Action-Packed Concert for All Ages

We always love a good chance to brag on the Owensboro Symphony, and this upcoming concert is one for listeners of all ages!

On Saturday, March 4, the Owensboro Symphony will present “A Night at the Museum” at RiverPark Center. This is a show where music and art come together for a night of action-packed history on stage!

You’ll be delighted as the Owensboro Symphony brings an exciting lineup of music from some of the greatest films of our time. You’ll hear sounds and scores from Indiana Jones, The Mummy, Night at the Museum and more!

The Owensboro Symphony will also perform an illuminating rendition of Modest Mussorgky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, giving you all the cool museum vibes you could possibly ask for.

Tickets to see “A Night at the Museum” are $44 and the show begins at 7 p.m.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 3-5

Downtown Car Show

Sunset Cruisers is hosting an excellent car show in Owensboro this weekend at the Downtown Cruise In. On Saturday, June 4, you can check out the coolest makes and models from General Motors from 4-8 p.m. While the cars will be the highlight of the show, guests can also enjoy a variety of door prizes (and it’s only for the ladies this round!), a GM Recognition Award, and all of the restaurants, bars and boutiques spread across downtown Owensboro. You can enter the Downtown Cruise In at 3rd and Daviess Streets.

Live on the Banks

You can catch, not one, but two live musical performances in downtown Owensboro this Saturday at Live on the Banks! Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the riverfront and take in the melodic sounds from some of the tri-state’s most talented performers at this event. This weekend, you can hear Rufus & Julia Trio play live at the Overlook Stage, while Skylar Cain will perform at the Allen Street Gazebo. Live on the Banks will take place on June 4, and this free outdoor concert series runs from 7-9 p.m.

Friday After 5

This weekend’s Friday After 5 is going to be absolutely incredible! This free outdoor concert series will take place in downtown Owensboro on June 3 from 5-midnight, bringing you live music from tons of talented artists. Tailgate will perform a blend of country and rock from the Atmos Amphitheater from 5:30-7:30 p.m., while country music stars The Hobbs Sisters will play from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Jagoe Homes Riverfront stage. You can also enjoy classic 70s rock from 8 Track at the Romain Subaru Overlook Stage from 7-9 p.m. and soul music from Tony & The Tan Lines at the Ruoff Party Stage from 8:30-11:30 p.m.

Go Back in Time Visiting Our Historic Buildings

Owensboro is a city full of historic relevance. Founded in 1817, our city has a ton of structures and buildings that date back to the 1800s, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

So if you’re one of the many travelers seeking out historic places for your next destination, we’ve got you covered right here. From churches to houses to pioneer villages, Owensboro is a fascinating place to travel back in time.

Odd Fellows Building

200-204 West Third Street

Built in 1895, the Odd Fellows Building served historically as a professional building, a clubhouse, and a specialty store. At three stories high, the Odd Fellows Building represents the Renaissance Revival and Italian Renaissance Revival architectural styles, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also been deemed one of the most architecturally complex buildings in downtown Owensboro.

The Yewell House

630 Clay Street

The Yewell House, built in 1894, represents the Queen Anne architectural style. It was deemed significant in 1986 as “an outstanding example of Queen Anne style of architecture.” It was built by wealthy tobacco farmer Franklin Yewell, who constructed the house when he was 70 years old. It remained in the Yewell family for 72 years and is now used as a multi-family residence. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Temple Adath Israel

429 Daviess Street

This synagogue in Owensboro was built in 1877 and is the longest-running synagogue in the entire state of Kentucky, and one of the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States. The Moorish Revival facade of the building features a gothic-arched door flanked by a pair of gothic-arched windows punctuated by four pilasters. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, you can see the inside of the building on Thursday nights, when services are held weekly.

Trinity Episcopal Church

403 West Fifth Street

The Trinity Episcopal Church was built in 1875 and is deemed “a good example of the English influence on early church architecture in the United States.” The church was in regular use until 1964, when the parish built a new building due to overcrowding. The old church serves as an example of 13th century Lancet-style architecture and is laid out in the Classic Anglican design of a nave, chancel and sanctuary. It is now used by Theatre Workshop of Owensboro and, rumor has it, it’s also haunted. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Union Station

1039 Frederica Street

This historic railroad station was built in 1905 and represents the Victorian architectural style. At its height in the 1920s, the station served 18 passenger trains. In 1958, the station stopped being used for passenger traffic as the L&N trains claimed annual losses of $130,000 for continuing passenger service. Since then, it’s been used as a disco, a pizza parlor, an architectural design group, a preschool, an adult daycare and a Hilliard Lyons office. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Le Vega Clements House

1500 North Highland Avenue

This home was built in 1894, and was constructed in the Queen Anne style of architectural design. It is a two-story, double-pile brick house with a projecting three-story hexagonal tower. It was deemed notable as “the finest example of Queen Anne domestic architecture in Owensboro.” The house was named “Highlands” by its builder because of the commanding position on a hill overlooking the Ohio River. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Callas Sweet Shop

420 Frederica Street

This building was built in 1921 in the Beaux Arts style. The National Register nomination deemed it “elegant,” adding that “the buff color terra cotta and tile decorative elements, such as brackets, shields and cornices created a simple, classical appearance.” The word CALLAS is carved into terra cotta panels directly above the storefront. It was also deemed significant for having the only surviving example of complete terracotta tile fronts in downtown Owensboro. The original owner was typical of European immigrants’ families who came to Owensboro and operated small businesses. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and will soon be home to Sassafras – a local restaurant serving a variety of Appalachian- and Kentucky-focused dishes.

St. Stephen Cathedral

610 Locust Street

The seat of the Diocese of Owensboro, St. Stephen was built in 1926. The same year that St. Stephen’s became a cathedral – 1939 – its first parish school opened on Frederica Street with five grades. St. Stephen is built in the Italianate architectural style and also serves as a Roman Catholic Church.

Jim Lambert Pioneer Village

Yellow Creek Park

Located in the back section of Yellow Creek Park, the Pioneer Village is designed to look like a frontier community around 1890-1910. The Friends of Pioneer Village have added a gardening project highlighting historically correct plants like flax and cotton. The foundation for Pioneer Village was laid decades ago, when Rosenwald Schoolhouse, a one-room school that served Black students at Pleasant Ridge from 1909 to 1936, was moved to the nature center in the back of the park in 1992. You can find the Jesse Jones house – a log cabin made of 15-by-15 inch square poplar logs, original clay caulking mixed with horse and pig hair, and the fireplaces made of original brick fired on the property – at the site. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Fourth Street Baptist Church

821 West Fourth Street

Recently designated a Kentucky Historical Marker, Fourth Street Baptist Church celebrated its 190th anniversary in 2020, and is considered the oldest Black church in Owensboro and the surrounding area. The primarily Black congregation was once part of First Baptist Church before being given their own church to practice their faith. According to former City Commissioner Pam Smith-Wright, “The slave owners would bring their slaves to First Baptist, and the slaves had to sit in the balcony. After a while, the slaves started to outnumber the members, so they gave them their own church.”

These are just a few of Owensboro's many historical locations to check out, but a great way to get started.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: April 1-3

Artrageous

Imagine watching an artist create a masterpiece (in only a few minutes!) before your eyes. For those who love art and entertainment, Artrageous is the show for you. Held at the RiverPark Center on April 2 from 7-9 p.m., Artrageous captivates audiences by combining impressive vocals, intricate choreography and exciting audience interaction with beautiful artwork, taking you on a unique, visual journey that you won’t find anywhere else. This one-of-a-kind crossover experience is guaranteed to awe and inspire, so make sure to grab your tickets before they sell out! At only $12 apiece, you won’t find a better deal for a fun night out.

Downtown Cruise-In

Get excited because it’s officially car show season in the Boro again! It’s time to plan your schedules accordingly because downtown Owensboro will soon be hosting the first Downtown Cruise-In of the year. Held by Sunset Cruisers on April 2, this car show will feature trucks from 3-7 p.m. You’ll have the chance to see some of the coolest classic, vintage and tricked-out trucks ever made along with live music, tons of giveaways and great restaurants and bars in the area to keep the party going afterward. This event is free to the public! Once you’ve parked, head to the corner of 3rd and Daviess streets for entry.

Showdown in the Bluegrass

This youth volleyball tournament will bring in hundreds of players from dozens of travel volleyball teams from all over for two days of competitive tournament play. Held at the Owensboro Convention Center on April 2-3, you can head downtown to see one of the very first volleyball tournaments to be held using the Convention Center’s brand new sports floor! The tournament is hosted by by the Audubon Volleyball Association, and each team is guaranteed five games, with pool play on Saturday and bracket play on Sunday.

Owensboro’s public art tour one of the best in the Midwest

Owensboro has been a city focused on the arts for decades, and the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art has rolled out a new method of making sure that reputation sticks.

Highlighting the 21 different public art displays across downtown Owensboro and beyond, the OMFA’s River Artes tour brochure provides photos, maps and information about each and every statue and sculpture that’s been erected to enhance the community through artistic expression.

The brochure takes visitors and locals alike on a visual journey through Owensboro-Daviess County’s outdoor public art installations. With an easy-to-use legend numbering each piece, you can use the brochure to hunt down each individual work of art through a 1-21 numbering system that’s reflected on a detailed map.

According to officials who put the brochure together, River Artes is a public art collection acquired for the City of Owensboro by the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.

This public art collection is “designed to celebrate the vitality of the City; complement its create placemaking efforts; enhance its cultural tourism image and enrich the lives of its residents and visitors,” OMFA states in their brochure.

“This visual additive creates an atmosphere of community pride, excitement and celebration for this culturally progressive community,” the museum adds.

One of the coolest things about River Artes—an outreach program of the OMFA designed to broaden the scope of the community’s access to the visual arts--is that the city’s municipal art collection features some of the best artists in the business. These monumental works of outdoor art in bronze, stone, aluminum, steel and glass were made by nationally- and internationally-recognized artists.

Since River Artes’ inception, the program has acquired 11 works of public art.

These artists have entered proposals in biennial exhibitions sponsored by Owensboro Health Regional Hospital (where one of the sculptures is located!) at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art from 2014 to 2020.

The River Artes brochure features famous works of art created by the Lundeen Family, such as “Lincoln” by Mark Lundeen and “Nicky Hayden” and “Hometown” by George Lundeen. Other well-known works include “Strength of the Maker” and “White Deer of Autumn” by Denny Haskew, “Celebration” by Gary Alsum, “Meadowlands Pair” and “Into the Wind” by T.D. Kelsey and “Beside Still Waters” by Owensboro’s very own Bill Kolok.

And to make things even more exciting, OMFA Director Mary Bryan Hood and Director of Operations Jason Hayden said, "The River Artes V is going to take place in 2022, and the community will once again have the opportunity to choose a work of public art to be added to the collection."

These works of public art can be found from the Owensboro riverfront to West 12^th Street, from East Parrish Avenue to Frederica Street. Pick up a copy of the River Artes brochure at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art or at our Visit Owensboro office and take a journey on one of the best tours of public art in the Midwest.

Experience the beauty of spring at Owensboro’s Dogwood-Azalea Trail

Starting in mid to late April each year, Owensboro-Daviess County becomes a sea of white and pink. The Dogwood trees begin sprouting beautiful flowers, and the blooms take over the entire area for at least a month.

In fact, Owensboro’s Dogwood trees have become so popular with tourists and locals, an entire trail throughout the city has become dedicated to them. Owensboro’s Dogwood-Azalea Trail brings the splashes of spring color that you’ve only ever seen in movies and photographs.

Though the trail meanders through much of the neighborhood off Griffith Avenue, some people say you can see the heart of the Dogwood-Azalea Trail on Littlewood Drive—a curvy road with beautiful homes and a grass-covered median that boasts dozens of Dogwoods and Azalea bushes along the way.

Other streets where you can see intense colors from the Dogwoods and Azaleas is between Frederica Street and Robin Road, Lexington Avenue and Miller Court.

But even if you don’t drive or walk the Dogwood-Azalea Trail while you’re here, there is a 100% guarantee you will see tons of pink and white Dogwood lining city sidewalks, county roads and neighborhoods all throughout the Greater Owensboro area. It’s truly a sight unlike anything you’ve seen before, so be sure to book a trip during the peak blooming season from April to early May.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 10-12

Strawberry Festival

This is a festival for all the strawberry connoisseurs out there! Held at the Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. on June 11 and 12, Owensboro’s first-ever Strawberry Festival has already gotten the attention of thousands of people and is guaranteed to be a huge hit. Celebrate the great outdoors and strawberry-flavored everything from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at one of the prettiest places in west Daviess County at this two-day event. We’re talking strawberry shortcakes, ice creams, smoothies, lattes, muffins, cheesecakes, preserves, salsas and, of course, good ole’ fashion homegrown strawberries. There will be activities for the kiddos and live music as well!

Nicky Hayden Day at FA5

Friday After 5 is dedicating an entire night to commemorating the life of one of Owensboro’s hometown heroes. Nicky Hayden, “The Kentucky Kid,” will be honored with a night celebrating all the things Nicky loved – kids, giving to others and bikes. You can donate to the Nicky Hayden Foundation and enjoy live music from bands Fat Box and Insulated, as well as Karaoke Night at VFW Post 696. Friday After 5 will run from 5 p.m.-midnight on June 10.

PorchFest

This annual outdoor music festival is incredibly unique, bringing you a day and night of free live entertainment from the front porches of some of the most beautiful homes in Owensboro! Spend the day listening to the music from over 40 different bands, enjoying refreshments from a variety of food trucks, and walking along Owensboro’s famous Griffith Avenue corridor. PorchFest will be held on June 11 from 3 p.m.-11 p.m. This family-friendly event will showcase the best musicians in the tri-state, so be sure to move around and take it all in!

See Aaron Kizer Art Gallery at Visit Owensboro’s Headquarters

You may not know it, but at Visit Owensboro’s very own headquarters is our city's first art gallery dedicated entirely to local artists!

The Aaron Kizer Art Gallery was developed and designed by the artist himself and it currently showcases a number of the famous artist’s pieces. It was implemented as a part of Visit Owensboro’s recent remodel, with the intention of highlighting our city’s rich artistic history along with our core staples of bluegrass, bourbon and barbecue.

Kizer has become famous across the nation for his innovative artistic style, and he plans to showcase other local artists in the future by curating a rotating gallery that features their works as well.

You can visit our office to see Kizer’s art gallery Monday-Friday from 8:30-4 p.m. Visit Owensboro is located at 215 East 2nd Street.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: November 26-28

Shop Owensboro

Powered by Independence Bank, Shop Owensboro is kicking off this weekend on Saturday, November 27. However, the event--which focuses on supporting local businesses--will run through December 4 for a full week! The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has pulled all the stops to make the event fun and festive. On Saturday at 9 a.m., head to the Owensboro Convention Center to pick up your FREE shopping bag full of goodies that include a map of all participating stores, Shop Owensboro BINGO cards and coupons and special offers. These offers are valid the entire week. Bags are limited to 500, so get ready early that day to ensure you get one!

My Bluegrass Heart

My Bluegrass Heart is a can’t miss concert featuring the best musicians Bluegrass music has to offer, including Bela Fleck, one of the best banjo players in the world. Joining Fleck for two concerts different performances of My Bluegrass Heart on November 26 will be Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton. Fleck, who has won 15 Grammys across a number of musical genres, is returning to his Bluegrass roots for these shows, so you won’t want to miss this historic moment in his long-running musical career. The first show will kick off at 5 p.m. and the second one at 8 p.m. at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Get your tickets now before they sell out!

Energy on Ice

Get ready to lace up those skates because Energy on Ice is making its winter debut this weekend! This portable ice rink will be installed on the Kentucky Legend Pier behind the Owensboro Convention Center the entire weekend, starting on Friday, November 26 from 6-10 p.m. This outdoor skating experience includes festive holiday lighting, music, food and drink concessions, skate rentals and outdoor seating for spectators. Admission is $10 including skate rental or $8 if you bring your own skates. All tickets must be purchased at the venue. Energy on Ice will be a recurring event on weekends through December 17, after which it will be open daily (except for December 24 and 25) until January 3. Hours of operation will be Sunday-Thursday from 2-7 p.m., Fridays from 6-10 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-9 p.m.

Where to find healthy food options in Owensboro

Healthy food options can be difficult to find, but here in Owensboro, we’re home to a lot of restaurants focused on the greener things in life.

From homegrown vegetables to salads to juices that help you detox, you can find anything and everything in our city to live a healthy lifestyle.

One of the original health food stores in Owensboro, Gene’s Health Food offers a ton of natural supplements, organic produce and fresh, healthy food. You can order everything from their famous tuna sandwich to Curry Chicken Salad to homemade peanut butter. And if you’re looking for a fresh veggie or fruit juice to drink, Gene’s has it all.

The Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market is another great way to pick up some healthy food during your stay. You can shop from dozens of vendors each Saturday and Tuesday from 8 a.m.-noon through September. Not only can you find all the fresh fruit and veggies you could ask for, but you can find prepackaged healthy food items and farm-raised meats as well.

A new health food restaurant in Owensboro, The Boro Nutrition offers herbal teas, metabolism boosting drinks, healthy shakes and even “Aloe Shots” that help support healthy digestion and nutrition absorption.

Another great place to pick up a healthy drink is Wheatgrass Juice Bar, where all products are made-to-order from fresh ingredients. This restaurant offers chef-crafted soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps along with a variety of juices, smoothies and wheatgrass and ginger shots.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: January 28-30

Wedding Show

Whether you’re starting to plan your wedding or are dreaming of that special day in your future, the Owensboro Convention Center has everything you’ll need for your future wedding this weekend! The “Your Perfect Day Wedding Show” will feature trusted area wedding professionals displaying popular trends and unique offerings for your big day. You can also win door prizes and, if you pre register by Jan. 27, you could win a $100 Visa gift card! The event will be held on Sunday, Jan. 29 from noon-4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and children 12 and under get in free.

Owensboro Symphony: Cinematic Romance

With Valentine’s Day only weeks away, the Owensboro Symphony’s “Cinematic Romance” concert is the perfect chance to get an early start on the holiday celebrating love. Enjoy an evening of Hollywood’s most romantic movie scores with music from Gone with the Wind, Romeo and Juliet and Casablanca. Violin soloist Sandy Cameron will also be there to perform a selection of beautiful songs. Cinematic Romance will take place at RiverPark Center on January 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $44.

Escape Rooms

If you’re looking for something fun to do with your friends or loved ones, Owensboro has some of the best escape rooms in the state! Escape Today has three different escape rooms to choose from: Harry Potter: The Last Remnant, Kidnapped Part 3 and Get A Clue (Murder Mystery). These rooms are appropriate for anyone 10 years old and up and come with a FREE hour in Escape Today’s arcade room – complete with more than 50 arcade games! Book an appointment right here!

Green River boasts historic DSP-KY-10 title

Green River Distilling Company is one of the most historical landmarks on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Established in 1885, Green River holds the title of DSP-KY-10, meaning it is literally the 10^th oldest registered distillery in the entire state of Kentucky.

That includes all the distilleries that have ever been registered in the state, including those which have come and gone over the years, smaller-scale distilleries and all the well-known brands that continue to thrive across the Bluegrass State.

Owensboro’s DSP-KY-10 went through fire, Prohibition, multiple owners, abandonment, and a long period of dormancy before being revitalized in 2014. Two years of renovation and modernization later, the distillery was back up and running, producing more than 90,000 barrels of bourbon and rye a year.

With that much history comes a lot of pride, which is why eighth-generation Master Distiller Jacob Call and his team have spent the last five-plus years creating a bourbon whiskey that supersedes even their own expectations.

Travel to Owensboro for the Great American Bluegrass Jam

Owensboro is doing big things when it comes to Bluegrass music, y’all. And this year, we’ve got a brand new event dedicated to all things bluegrass with The Great American Bluegrass Jam!

This weekend-long festival will take place in downtown Owensboro March 17-19 with TONS of different events for all bluegrass fans to enjoy:

–The Kentucky Fried Pickin’ Hotel Jam will happen at the Holiday Inn Downtown Riverfront. Guests will pick and play alongside other musicians from across the country. Anyone is able to see these around-the-clock jam sessions.

–The Kentucky State Fiddle Championships will be held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Areas of competition include flatpick guitar, fiddle, mandolin, dulcimer, old-time banjo, old-time singing, Bluegrass banjo, dancing and the Championship Fiddle-Off. There is no fee to enter and pre-registration is open right now!

–Guests can sign up for an excursion to see the birthplace of the “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe. The journey will also take you to Monroe’s beloved Uncle Pen’s cabin, as well as the Rosine Cemetery, the Rosine Barn for lunch and music, and the new Bill Monroe Museum.

–King's Highway will perform on the lobby stage at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum at 6 p.m. on March 17, followed by The Earls of Leicester, who will play a live concert at the Hall of Fame and Museum at 7 p.m.

–Trips to Green River Distilling Co. will be scheduled with transportation from the Holiday Inn. Downtown businesses will be spotlighted and guests will be given a full map and listings guide for ongoing events, live music, specials and more.

If you've been looking for a reason to visit the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World, this is it! Be sure to make your hotel reservations ASAP to score your spot!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: September 2-4

Panther Creek Park Fireworks

Dubbed “The Unofficial End of Summer,” the Independence Bank Fireworks Festival is the perfect way to kick off the Fall season in style! Located at Panther Creek Park on September 3, you can bring the whole family out to enjoy food trucks and inflatables starting at 5 p.m., followed by live music from 6-8:15 p.m. The fireworks will hit the sky at 8:15. Attendees should bring their own chairs to this event.

Sunflower Experience

Trunnell’s Farm Market is bringing back a fan favorite in the form of millions of beautiful sunflowers and multiple chances to see, pick and smell them throughout the month of September. You can enjoy Trunnell’s Sunflower Experience from September 1-30 (excluding Tuesdays). With over 65 varieties planted, you’ll have a blast choosing the perfect one to take home with you. You can also spend the day enjoying the 30-plus attractions Trunnell’s has available!

Live on the Banks

Downtown Owensboro’s live music scene will continue to impress with this weekend’s Live on the Banks. Featuring Blackford Creek at the Overlook Stage and Tom Small at the Allen Street Gazebo, you can spend one of the final nights of summer strolling along our downtown riverwalk and listening to amazing local talent. Live on the Banks is free to the public and runs from 7-9 p.m.

Celebrate the Holidays at ‘Christmas at the Inn’

It’s the time of year to start celebrating all things Christmas, and downtown Owensboro has a series of holiday-themed events with all the bells and whistles coming to you in December!

Friday After 5 and the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront will kick off “Christmas at the Inn” for the first three Fridays in December: December 2, 9 and 16. This holiday extravaganza will take place at the hotel and its surrounding area, bringing you all the music, cheer and warm, fuzzy charm of Christmas.

Live music will be a big draw this year, as Matchbox Twenty’s Adam Gaynor will perform live on Dec. 9, followed by a unique style of Christmas music from Steve Bridgmom on Dec. 16.

Not only will there be amazing live music, but a ton of other fun events to look forward to! Attendees can enjoy an outdoor igloo, activities for kids, carolers, and an entire winter wonderland experience for everyone to enjoy.

You can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, sip on hot chocolate and, with snow predicted for each of the three Fridays, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the North Pole.

Christmas at the Inn will run from 6-8 p.m. each Friday.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 17-19

Dazzling Daylilies Festival

This five-day festival celebrates one of the prettiest flowers in Kentucky with live music, family fun and, best of all, the chance to take home your own daylilies from Western Kentucky Botanical Garden. Running June 13-18 this year, the Dazzling Daylilies Festival will feature a Lunch, Listen, Learn event on the 14th, where you can learn all about daylilies from an expert. Bourbon Revival will perform live Bluegrass music on June 16, complete with a cash bar for food and drinks, while a Family Fun Day will be held at the garden on June 18, bringing you a petting zoo, food trucks, a magician, face painting and a kid’s hike.

Live on the Banks

This free outdoor concert series will bring you live music from the banks of the Ohio River on Saturday night at two different locations. You can enjoy drinks, food and the sounds of great music at the Overlook Stage, where singer-songwriter Carly Moffa (of American Idol fame) will perform alongside Rockturnal Emissions at the Allen Street Gazebo. Both performances will be held on June 18 from 7-9 p.m. and are free to the public.

Games on the River

If you’re looking for the perfect family-friendly outing this weekend, Games on the River is definitely the place to be! From noon-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, you can enjoy free GIANT games of checkers, Jenga, Connect 4 and more. Held at Smothers Park on the beautiful Ohio RIver each weekend through September 4, Games on the River is hosted by Owensboro Parks & Recreation.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: November 11-13

Jake Owen

One of the greatest country music artists out there, you can see Jake Owen perform live at the Owensboro Sportscenter on November 10. The “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” singer will be joined by guest Mackenzie Carpenter for a night of country croonin’ right here in the heart of the city. This multiple chart-topping singer.songwriter will perform new singles and classic hits alike at this concert, and you won’t want to miss the chance to see Owen up close and personal. Tickets start at $39.50 and can be purchased right here.

Kraftucky Arts & Crafts Expo

The 9th Annual Kraftucky Arts & Crafts Expo is kicking off this weekend at the Owensboro Convention Center. Held for three days on November 11-13, you can shop from local and regional artisans and crafters for a weekend full of handmade holiday magic. Whether it’s woodcrafts, furniture, holiday decor, jewelry, floral arrangements, paintings, pottery or embroidery you’re looking for, Kraftucky has it all, and then some! Show times are Nov. 11 from 2-7 p.m., Nov. 12 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Nov. 13 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $3 per day for adults and children 12 and under get in free! Attendees pay at the door.

Holiday Market

This weekend is all about getting a head start on your holiday shopping, and you can do that very thing at Preservation Station’s Holiday Market on November 12 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Shop from antique, unique, vintage, handcrafted, shabby chic and boutique items galore at this amazing event. You can also enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving Holiday Buffet at Preservation Station’s Family Restaurant from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. There is no admission fee for this event, so bring all your favorite people with you for a fun day of shopping!

Beat the Cold with Indoor Fun in Owensboro

Here in Kentucky, the last thing we’re able to predict is the weather. But we do know that it can get cold around here during winter. But that shouldn’t stop you from having fun!

It’s easy to just hunker down and stay home when the days are short and the skies are gray, but Owensboro has a TON of indoor activities for you to enjoy during these winter months.

We’re breaking down a list of some of the most unique ways to stay warm–and have fun–while in Owensboro:

Museums

We’ve got three museums in downtown Owensboro that make for great indoor experiences. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History and the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.

Escape Rooms

Escape Today is a gem in our city, and they currently have three different escape rooms to choose from! Never tried an escape room before? This is the best place for your first experience. They also have an indoor arcade room featuring over 50 different games!

Indoor Golf

While it’s tough to get a good outdoor game going in this weather, Par 3 Indoor Golf is the perfect chance to practice your swing in the off-season. You can golf individually or in groups and have a beer or two while you’re at it!

Bowling

Owensboro has three different places to bowl, and each one of them is top-notch! If you want a little something extra, check out Southern Lanes on East 14th Street, where you can ride bumper cars, play laser tag and arcade games, and sip on some adult beverages as well.

Elite Air

This indoor trampoline park has over 50 different trampolines where you can bounce wall-to-wall!

Coffee

And while you’re trying to warm up against the frosty winds out there, be sure to grab a coffee at one of our many local coffee shops! Each of these is super cool in its own way, but some that top our list are: The Creme Coffee House, The Spot Coffee and Finery, Niko’s Bakery & Cafe, Gramps Coffee & Donuts, Libertalia Coffee Co., Red Swing Coffee and Kahawa Java.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: April 28-30

Visit Owensboro Wedding Sampler

Visit Owensboro has created a brand-new event for all the brides and grooms out there planning their big day! The Wedding Sampler will give you the chance to check out a number of different venues at NO cost all in one single day. Held on April 30 from noon-6 p.m., you can speak with wedding photographers, caterers, indoor and outdoor venue owners and more. Pick up a punch-card at our visitor center on April 28 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and turn it back in on May 1 for the chance to win some cool prizes!

Blue Bridge Battle

Owensboro will be hosting a huge volleyball tournament this weekend with the 2023 AAU Blue Bridge Super Regional. Held for two days on April 29 and 30 at the Owensboro Convention Center, this tournament will feature boys’ and girls’ teams fighting it out at the net for a chance to win free entry into the AAU National Championship in Orlando, Florida. Admission is $15 for adults or $20 for a weekend pass. Children five and under get in free!

Target Shooting in Owensboro

Located just minutes from downtown Owensboro, the Mattingly Target Shooting Range offers all kinds of opportunities for shooters of all experience levels. This membership-free, shotgun-only complex offers skeet, trap and sporting clays on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Located at 7740 KY 2830, you can spend an entire day out here enjoying the beautiful views and the top-notch facilities. The shooting range is open Friday from noon-6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Friday After 5 Preview for Summer 2023

The summer season will be here before you know it, which means it’s the perfect time to preview this season’s Friday After 5 outdoor music fest! This 16-week, summer-long, award-winning series of free outdoor concerts is held on our stunningly beautiful riverfront, and we’ve got an amazing lineup of artists to brag about!

Friday After 5 will kick off on Friday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. with “City Night.” Owensboro’s first-ever Jeeps and Jams Expo will be celebrated that night with live music coming from The U.S. Stones, Sugar Lime Blue, Happiness Jones and Lilly May.

On Friday, May 25, FA5 will host a special edition event celebrating the National GeoWoodstock event in town – the largest geocaching event in the world! You’ll hear live music from the Michael Gough Group, Stackin’ Eight’s, Josh Martin & Anthony Adams and The Thing with Feathers.

On Friday, June 2 we will be celebrating MotorSports week with the RiverCity Bike Expo in town, the first round of WBKR Friday Night Fight Night Auditions, and during this historic night, you will enjoy music from The Owensboro Symphony with Troy Quinn and Rockapella, Al Green & The Hard Times, First & Main and Cam Thompson & Kalico.

On Friday, June 9, FA5 will celebrate the life of the world-famous 'Kentucky Kid', Nicky Hayden, as the annual motorcycle ride finishes at the Street Fair. The stages will be filled with music by Funky Luck, Retro Shock, Flat Stanley, Jr. and Fat Box. On June 16, a special night of entertainment will bring you a talent show with the ICMA, bringing Todd Tilghman – the winner of Season 18’s “The Voice", as the headliner, & Steve Bridgemon. You will hear 8 Track and the Jim Gustin Band and, back by popular demand, Vinyl Radio,

June 23rd will bring Soul Kitchen to party the night away, with a special Grand Prize giveaway to be announced, so stay tuned! FA5 will celebrate the 4th of July on June 30 with music from the 202nd Concert Army Band, Blackstone Rock, the Hobbs Sisters and Descent. July 7th 'Goes to the Dogs' with some fun activities for your pets and you’ll hear music from 2 Miles Back, feat. Tommy Stillwell, First Fridays in the backyard of the Bluegrass Museum and Brass Pack will have you walking on sunshine.

Caribou, a parade and Andy Brasher will fill the night on July 14 and Juice Box Heroes, Brothers Smith and Ariel & The High Wheels will play on July 21 during Farm-to-Table night complete with a hot air balloon. On July 28, it’ll be a tribute band kinda night, with A Rod Stewart Experience and Doorways–The Best of the Doors playing live, along with Bourbon Legend, formerly Usual Suspects.

Celebrate with DJ Shay, the WBKR finals, First Fridays, LaTasha Shemwell and the Velvet Bombers on Aug 4th, then escape to Hawaii for the night on August 11 with Hawaiian Luau Night. Live music from The Pits, Hide Your Mamas and Bobby Clark will make for a fun night. On August 18, we’re celebrating the new Bluegrass Legends Car, Truck and Motorcycle event with music from Rubbing Alcoholics, Shaun Murphy and Lew Jetton & 61 South.

But wait--what a night when FA5 brings you Madmen Across the Water Tributes: Billy Joel opening for Elton John on May 25th, along with That’s What She Said and Big Al & The Heavyweights. Closing night on Sept 1st is going to be a fun filled night to be announced soon!

Hundreds of firefighters to visit Owensboro in February

Owensboro will welcome hundreds of Kentucky firefighters to the area February 25-27 for the Bryant Stiles Officers School, hosted by the Green River Firefighters Association.

This weekend event will create a huge economic impact for Owensboro-Daviess County as these first responders dine in local restaurants, stay in our hotels and hold workshops and training courses at our very own Owensboro Convention Center.

The Green River Firefighters Assoc. has held its annual conference in Owensboro since 2015. In fact, they were the very first organization to book the Owensboro Convention Center for a conference! And they've come back every year since.

Back in 2015, president of the Green River Firefighters Assoc. Ricky King said, "This type of event is precisely why Owensboro is building this first-class facility, to host these types of positive economic events in the community, We are thrilled to have our first signed convention contract and look forward to many more as we move closer to the 2013 opening."

Before the convention center opened, the GRFA held its annual conference at the downtown Executive Inn. When that closed in 2009, the school was relocated to Lexington. However, King said the GRFA never wanted to hold its event anywhere other than Owensboro.

"We never wanted the officers school to move from Owensboro in the first place," he said.

The Bryant Stiles Officers School will include tons of firefighter-related training and education courses, ranging from active shooter response training, to "Preparing for the Big One," to leading and managing your fire department.

Visit Owensboro is so excited to see GRFA back in our city, and be sure to thank a firefighter for their service if you see them out!

Head to Owensboro For All Your Holiday Shopping

The holidays are right around the corner, and that means it’s officially shopping season, y’all! And there’s no better place to get that Christmas shopping started than right here in Owensboro.

With more than 45 locally-owned boutiques, gift shops and antique stores to shop from, there are literally places all across Owensboro-Daviess County to shop for your loved ones (or yourself!)

And while you're at it, be sure to check out the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce's Shop Owensboro event, running November 26-December 3.

Downtown

Byron & Barclay

Simply Chic Home Accents

Eden Living

Love Yourself Boutique

Peachtree Antique Gallery

Willow and Pine Market

Lil Bit Sassy

Ghostly Productions Halloween Store

HorseFeathers Gifts

A Repeat Boutique

Hidden Treasures

Wesleyan Park Plaza

Bella Ragazza Boutique

Excursions

The Earle

Lance & Co. Jewelers

Legends Owensboro

Julep Home and Gift

Midtown

Meta Crystal Shop

Samantha’s Closet

Embellish

Moonbow Apothecary & Emporium

Crazy Me Gifts & Apparel

Come-hither

Robin’s Resale Boutique

Kidstop Children’s Boutique

Swaim & Sparrows Vintage

TD’s Tuff Decisions

Adorn

Swank Style & Boutique

The Spot Coffee and Finery

Kiwi Vintage

Blitz Boutique Salon and Spa

Highway 54

Peacocks and Pearls

Boutique 54

J.J. Fosters

A Monogram Boutique

Rebecca’s Gift Gallery

West Parrish Avenue

Preservation Station

The Sturdy Hinge

Haunted places to explore in Owensboro

For those who love being scared and exploring the paranormal, Owensboro is the place to be. There are more than a dozen locations throughout the city and county that have sparked hundreds of ghost sighting reports over the years and, to be honest, the stories are pretty creepy.

From stories of a ghost that pushes people down the basement stairs to the mysterious “Lady in White” that haunts the RiverPark Center, there are a lot of spooky places to check out around here. That is, if you believe in ghosts enough to go for it. And if you don’t, well, you have nothing to worry about. Right?

Haunts of Owensboro Walking Tours

“That second floor is so haunted, literally, they could put it on a movie or a documentary itself,” he’s said.

Other haunted places on Wolfe’s tour were the front lawn of the Daviess County Courthouse and the Famous Bistro on 2^nd Street.

Theatre Workshop of Owensboro

Daviess County Middle School

The sounds of screams and slamming doors are enough to scare anyone, but reports of a dark figure that roams the premises makes DCMS as haunted as it gets.

Ben Hawes State Park

Civil War site in Deanefield near the Daviess/Ohio County line

Owensboro Catholic Middle School

The Turley Building

Even better, RPC is hosting “Terror at the Turley” throughout the month of October. The “PG-13” haunted house opens on Friday, October 15 from 7:30-10:30 p.m., and it will also be open on Oct. 22, 23, 30 and 31. Admission is $12 per person.

According to Jorn, “I wouldn’t bring small children.”

The RiverPark Center

The Miller House

Celebrate the Best of 80s Rock Music with Snake Oil

One of the greatest cover bands of our time, Snake Oil is known for its impeccable ability to impersonate rock stars from the 1980s and 90s. And even better, the band will be heading to Owensboro in October for a night of live rock ‘n roll music!

Snake Oil will perform at the RiverPark Center on Oct. 28, taking on some of the most famous larger-than-life personas to ever grace the stage. The band plays characters that portray real rock stars, including Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Stanley and David Lee Roth.

If you find yourself missing the era of 80s metal hair bands, this is the show for you. Snake Oil puts on a performance you won’t find anywhere in today’s world, complete with costumes, props, special effects and humor.

You’ll hear a lineup that includes songs from KISS, The Scorpions, Poison, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, Van Halen and Quiet Riot.

These lifelong musicians are ready to bring all the glitz, glam – and maybe even a little bit of goth – to Owensboro for a night you’ll never forget, and to pay homage to some of the greatest rock stars in history. You can score tickets right here for $25, and the show kicks off at 7 p.m.

Check Out These Black-Owned Businesses in Owensboro

With Owensboro continuing to expand and evolve, we wanted to highlight some of our local Black-owned businesses that serve some of the best food, drinks, entertainment venues and products in the city!

From live shows to delicious dining to coffee and sweets, Owensboro’s Black community is doing amazing things here, and we hope you’re sure to check them out next time you’re in town.

Shiloh’s Lounge offers an awesome breakfast, lunch and dinner menu along with tons of live entertainment on select nights.

J’s Good Grub is considered one of the best food trucks in Owensboro, serving everything from chicken wings to cajun fries to several vegan options!

Try amazing, authentic Jamaican food at Jamaican Yard Vibes.

You can enjoy your favorite childhood slushies with an adult twist at The Frozen Lounge.

The Party Space Place is perfect for showers, parties and other festivities with your family and friends.

A hotspot in Owensboro, Pinky’s SnowCones & Snacks offers snowcones, cakes, cookies, brownies and more!

Mechanicsville Neighborhood Kitchen has a full breakfast and lunch items ranging from delicious omelettes to chicken and waffles to burgers.

If you want the kind of pizza everyone brags about, PeezO’s Pizza is the place. They also serve a variety of sandwiches, salads and wings.

Ever since Kahawa Java opened, customers have been praising the business for its wonderful coffee, atmosphere and aesthetic.

JB Sweets has all the cookies, cake pops, cupcakes and cheesecakes you could want. Have you ever had a stuffed cupcake before?!

You can get ALL the charcuterie boards and other delicious foods at Nona’s Market. A great option for catering!

The bakers are super talented at MK’s Cakes. Just take a look at their Facebook page to see what they can do!

McHenry’s Event Planning has you covered for so many fun events! Luxury picnics, brunch with friends, birthday celebrations–these chefs do it all!

Out of town and need a new vape? Head over to Essential Smoke Shop for a huge variety of smoking-related products and services. This store is really cool!

Need a good yoga or pilates class to kick off your day? Check out Just Breath Luv, which promotes self care through body toning and energy boosting exercise classes.

Hart and Soul Beverages offers a huge variety of plant-based drinks that are designed to help you relax and conquer your day!

A sports bar and grill located right next to downtown Owensboro, Banky’s Sports Bar & Grill also offers a great nightlife experience!

Who doesn’t want a massage when they’re on a trip? Serene Relief Wellness offers a variety of massages and spa treatments ranging from seaweed wraps to body polishes to hot stone therapy.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: April 8-10

Dwight Yoakam

Kick your weekend off a day early by seeing country music legend Dwight Yoakam perform live at the Owensboro Sportscenter on Thursday, April 7! Yoakam, a 21-time Grammy winner, has sold over 25 million albums worldwide, and his legacy over the last three decades includes 10 gold, platinum or triple platinum albums. The artist also boasts 14 Top 10 Billboard hits, including “Streets of Bakersfield,” “Ain’t That Lonely Yet,” “Honky Tonk Man” and “Fast as You.” This is going to be a concert to remember, so treat yourself to a night out in Owensboro and score tickets for this show at $100 a pop.

Easter Scavenger Hunt & Petting Zoo

Spring Break is the perfect time to check out an Easter Scavenger Hunt & Petting Zoo that will be a blast for children and adults alike. Held at Cecil Farms Produce for two days on April 8 and 9, this event gives you a great reason to get out of the house after a long winter and enjoy the beauty of spring! Explore the farm with an Easter-themed scavenger hunt, pet and feed the farm animals, then head to the greenhouse to pick out your favorite ferns and plants. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. both days and the cost is $5 per person.

Boro Brawl Nationals

The Boro Brawl Nationals is pretty much exactly as it sounds. It’s a national wrestling competition that’s bringing in more than 100 student athletes from seven different states to duke it out on the mat for a day of physical skill and strength. This tournament gives wrestlers the chance to compete in more than two matches apiece, using pool play and brackets to place wrestlers at the end. The Boro Brawl will feature both boys and girls and will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center on April 9. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and free to those five and under.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: February 3-5

Frank and Friends

Owensboro’s very own Franklin Embry is returning to the stage for a night of amazing hip hop music! Embry, an Owensboro native, has spent the last eight years touring the country and opening up for some huge names in hip hop, including Jelly Roll, Upchurch, The Lacs, Struggle Jennings, Big Smo, Rehab and Nappy Roots. Embry blends hip hop with country and rock music, so you’ll get a little bit of everything at this concert! The show will take place at the RiverPark Center on February 3 and tickets are $25.

Owensboro Museum of Science and History

There’s a lot of exciting stuff happening at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History! You can spend an entire day checking out the museum’s exhibits and galleries, which include the Ford Government Gallery, the Origins Natural History Gallery, the Impact 100 Cave, The Coal Mine Gallery and the First People of Yellow Banks: Native American Gallery. The museum also includes a PlayZeum for children, a SpeedZeum for motosports and race car fans, and two new exhibits – Little Tots Farm Gallery and A-MAZing Airways – will open to the public on February 28! You can visit the museum at $5/person and members get in free.

Elite Air

Winter is the perfect time for some indoor fun, and Elite Air is where it’s at! You can take your kids to this indoor trampoline park for some wall-to-wall excitement. There are more than 75 trampolines at Elite Air, so there’s plenty of space for everyone to jump! With a main court, a trampoline dodgeball area, Elite Airbags and a Junior Ninja Warrior Course, this is the best place in town to burn some energy. You can find out more about Elite Air, including hours and prices of admission, right here.

Help RPC celebrate its 30th Birthday in August

The RiverPark Center will be celebrating a big birthday this summer, and it’s the perfect opportunity to swing by and show our downtown performing arts center some love! RPC will be turning the big 3-0 in August, and Downtown Live will be honoring that birthday with a night full of festivities.

On August 5, you can head to RPC’s 21-and-older entertainment complex to commemorate its 30th birthday from 6-11 p.m.

Have you or your loved ones ever been in a play held at RPC? You’ll have the chance to relive those memories by enjoying a lobby stocked with RPC memories from years past, celebrating the plays, events, dances and shows from the last 30 years.

In the Truist Plaza, you can enjoy a community jukebox, while The Forgotten Tree will play live music at the Atmos Courtyard from 6-8 p.m.

Inside the Jody Berry Theatre, you can rent a pair of light-up headphones and dance to your own beat with a silent disco, while the GhostLight Lounge next door will host karaoke from 8:30 p.m.-midnight.

This is a night to celebrate all the amazing things RPC has provided our community with over the last 30 years, and a perfect opportunity to have a fun night out while doing it.

Trace Adkins to perform live in Owensboro

If you’re looking for some high-quality country music to get your spring and summer started, there’s no better place to find it than the upcoming Trace Adkins concert in Owensboro. Adkins will perform live at the RiverPark Center on April 28 at 7 p.m.

With 11 million albums sold across the world since his debut in 1996, it’s fair to say Adkins has a huge following already, but his most recent album, “The Way I Wanna Go,” showcases the multi-Platinum country star’s newfound freedom in the country music business.

“I am at the top of my game right now,” Adkins said. “I’m better at this than I’ve ever been in my life, and I like the way my voice sounds better than 25 years ago…I’ve got to the point where it’s all up to me now. I can do whatever I want. And that’s a beautiful place to be.”

Adkins’s illustrious career includes 14 singles that have earned their place on the shelves of the Billboard’s Top 10. With two billion streams to his name, it’s no wonder his “fiery live performances” have garnered millions of fans over the course of his 25-year career.

In fact, Adkins’ latest album contains 25 brand new tracks that pay homage to the 25^th anniversary of his “Dreamin’ Out Loud” debut. The newest album is also steeped in the culture and history of the musician’s Louisiana upbringing.

According to those at RPC, “The Way I Wanna Go finds him leaning into a lone-wolf spirit, and continuing down the road which made him a shapeshifting member of the Grand Ole Opry.”

This album features some amazing collaborations between Adkins and a number of high-profile artists, including Luke Bryan, Melissa Etheridge, Snoop Dog, Pitbull, Blake Shelton, and Stevie Wonder on the harmonica. I mean, does it really get better than that?

Tickets for this performance are selling quickly at $53 apiece, so be sure to grab them while you can!

Owensboro to Host World’s Largest Geocaching Event in May

The largest geocaching event in the WORLD is coming to our city this spring, and that’s something to get excited about!

GeoWoodstock XIX will be held in Owensboro over Memorial Day weekend this year, May 22-28. This large-scale event is expected to bring in more than 3,000 visitors to experience our city, taste our food, hear our music and see what our northwestern Kentucky city is all about.

For those who may not know, geocaching is a recreational activity where participants use an app on their phones to search for hidden containers – also called “geocaches” – throughout the city. It’s an event that brings together people of all ages, ethnicities, races and experience levels.

GeoWoodstock began in 2003 and has thus far been held in cities that include Nashville, Dallas, Raleigh, Seattle and, most recently, British Columbia.

This high-tech treasure hunt is not only a great hobby, but an amazing way to meet other people from all over the country.

As stated by Visit Owensboro President & CEO Mark Calitri, this event puts Owensboro on a national stage.

“The bid process was extremely competitive and involved over four years of hard work to earn the business,” he said. “Our team stayed strong after it and never gave up.”

All of that hard work will soon come to fruition as Owensboro welcomes thousands of GeoWoodstock participants to our city in late May. For those planning to attend, check out all of our amazing hotel options right here!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: February 18-20

KY State Archery Championships

Archery—both indoor and outdoor—is a sport that’s quickly gaining popularity across the country, and Owensboro will be hosting the 2022 KY S3DA Indoor State Championship Feb. 18-20 at the Owensboro Convention Center. The S3DA program’s mission is to foster, educate and guide youth in the areas of indoor target, 3-D and outdoor target archery as well as safe, ethical bowhunting practices. Whether you’re a longtime archery enthusiast or a newbie who wants to learn more, this is a great chance to see some of the best kids in the state of Kentucky shoot for the title! Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for those under 18.

Green River Distilling Tour

After launching its first self-branded bourbon in over a century last week, there is no better time to visit and tour Green River Distilling Co. than right now! Even better, the distillery’s Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is available for purchase at the site. This bourbon whiskey is 90-proof, with a rich, amber hue and a mash bill made up of 70% Kentucky-grown corn, 21% winter rye and 9% malted two and six-row barley. You can smell and taste notes of cinnamon, dried cherry, light leather, vanilla, caramel and chocolate mint which, to be honest, sounds a little bit like heaven. You can take a $15 tour of the historic property and participate in a bourbon tasting Monday-Saturday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Art from the Heart

This art exhibit features some of the most prominent artists of the mid to late 20^th century and celebrates the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art’s collection as an important documentary on this aspect of American art. The collection is great for professional and rookie artists alike as it showcases the diversity of creativity expressed by contemporary artists and craftsmen working outside the academic tradition. You can find and explore innovative styles, techniques and nontraditional media used by these artists—from woodcarving, to painted wood construction, to gourd and polychromed carving. The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is open Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 24-26

ROMP

Owensboro’s biggest Bluegrass music festival of the year is happening THIS WEEK, y'all! If you haven’t already bought your tickets, now’s the time, and if you’re interested in hearing music from some of the greatest Bluegrass musicians on the planet, this is the place. Held at Yellow Creek Park on June 22-25, you can bring the entire family (and your fur babies!) to this outdoor music fest. Check out the full concert lineup right here!

OMGCon!

This is a convention for anyone and everyone who enjoys anime, cosplay and gaming. Held at the Owensboro Convention Center on June 24-26, attendees at OMGCon! will have the chance to meet actors, voice actors and famous cosplayers at this three-day event. There will be plenty of dancing, gaming and outdoor activities to enjoy at this family-friendly con as well. You can register for a weekend pass right here!

Green River Distilling Co. Tour

There’s never been a better time to check out Green River Distilling Co. After releasing their Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (and receiving amazing reviews for it) just a few months ago, people are lining up to check out this historic facility to see how some of the best bourbon in Kentucky is made. You can learn the ins and outs of the bourbon production industry along with Green River’s rich, fascinating history on a one-hour tour. After that, you’ll get to taste three different bourbons produced at the distillery. For only $20, you can book a tour Tuesday-Saturday at 10 a.m., noon or 2 p.m.

Our Guide to an Affordable Date Night in Owensboro

We’re going to let you all in on a little secret: Date nights don’t always have to be expensive.

It’s getting close to Valentine’s Day, which means a lot of you are probably making plans for a big night out. But if you happen to be working on a tight budget, we’ve got plenty of affordable options for your next date night!

Not only is a tour at Green River Distilling Co. affordable at only $20 per person, but you get to taste three different bourbons while you’re there! This would make a great daytime date as tours run Monday-Saturday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Theatre Workshop of Owensboro is holding an event in February called “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” where you get, not only a meal provided by local restaurant Sassafras, but an entire performance following it! These dinner previews are some of TWO’s most popular events of the year and will be held February 17, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at only $40/person.

You can enjoy an entire night of live music at Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville in downtown Owensboro and, most nights, all you have to pay is a cover charge of $10!

Check out the GhostLight Lounge on Facebook to see upcoming events. Located next to the RiverPark Center, they often hold comedy nights, karaoke and other live music events without a cover charge. They also have a full bar inside.

For those who love the arts, the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is the perfect place for an affordable date, featuring a handful of galleries and a wide range of artistic styles. While touring an art museum can be pricey in some cities, you can tour OMFA for free here in Owensboro (though donations are always appreciated). This would be more of an early evening date, as the museum’s gallery hours run from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Sweetest Places to Grab an Ice Cream in Owensboro

Is there anything better than a cold ice cream cone on a hot summer day?

With the heat ticking up a few notches over the last couple weeks, we wanted to highlight all of the amazing ice cream options available to you in Owensboro.

Whether it’s vanilla covered in sprinkles or chocolate drizzled in chocolate syrup, there’s no wrong way to enjoy your favorite ice cream, and Owensboro has you covered with some amazing local options you just can’t find anywhere else.

At the Big Dipper, you can find ice cream cones, sundaes and a variety of flavored milkshakes to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Lic’s Deli & Ice Cream is known for providing some great frozen treats. Not only can you buy ice cream there, but they have a ton of flavors for those who like to mix it up! Lic’s Ice Cream menu includes over 20 different flavors, such as cappuccino, buttered pecan, Dutch chocolate, fresh coconut, fresh strawberry and birthday cake batter.

Wonder Whip also makes the list for a great ice cream selection. You can snag a soft serve cone or cup, sundae, banana split or ice cream float at Wonder Whip, with flavors ranging from chocolate and vanilla to pineapple and butterscotch.

Fun fact: Owensboro is home to the only two Ritzy’s in the country. How cool is that?! Ritzy’s is an ice cream haven, where you can get single scoops, double scoots and even a whole pint of ice cream to take home with you. Flavors at Ritzy’s range from Wild Mountain Blackberry to Amaretto Cherry to Mint Chocolate Chunk, with everything you can imagine in between.

If you’re in the mood for a snowcone, check out Pinky’s SnowCones & Snacks, where you can choose from over 20 snowcone flavors for one of the best drinks in town to cool you down.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: May 5-7

Alison Brown

Bluegrass fans, you’re not gonna want to miss this one! Grammy-winning musician Alison Brown is hitting the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 6 for a night from one of the most forward-thinking banjo players in the industry. Brown blends bluegrass music with jazz for a sound that’s earned praise from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, NPR and USA Today. Her newest album includes special guests such as Steve Martin, Kronos Quartet, Sierra Hull and Stuart Duncan. Tickets are $22 and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Brasher's Derby Party

You need a place to celebrate the Kentucky Derby? We’ve got you covered. Brasher’s Little Nashville is hosting a Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday, May 6, so you can drink all the Mint Juleps you want while watching the race live from the bar. A number of drink specials will be available and live music will be played by Matt Morris at 6 p.m. followed by Whiskey Row at 9:30 p.m. Brasher’s will open at noon that day so you can get an early start!

American Junior Golf

Visit Owensboro is hosting the Ninja Junior All-Star Series Golf Tournament this weekend at the Owensboro Country Club! Held May 4-7, this golf tournament will feature over 90 golfers in both boys and girls divisions (ages 12-15). This 54-hole format will showcase some of the best young golfers in the Midwest, so be sure to swing by and check it out!

Visit Owensboro launches Santa’s List

As a part of the City of Owensboro’s 12 Days of Christmas events, Visit Owensboro is launching Santa’s List. The list which is a 4x6 card has all of the events which are a part of the 12 Days of Christmas. Not only does it serve as a list of the events, you also can take the card and get it stamped when you attend an event on one of the 12 Days of Christmas.

“Everyone loves a good scavenger hunt and we wanted a way to help track how many people are participating in the 12 Days of Christmas and what events are the most popular. We thought a fun Santa’s list would be the perfect way to gather that information,” said Dave Kirk, Visit Owensboro Destination Management.

The lists can be picked up at four locations. The Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Owensboro Convention Center, the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront and the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Waterfront. The two hotel locations offer 24/7 pickup. There are two versions of Santa’s list. One for locals where you must attend an event six out of 12 Days of Christmas and one for visitors where you must attend one out of 12 days and stay in a downtown hotel.

“Each of the participating locations in the 12 Days of Christmas have been given stamps so just tell them you want your list stamped when you attend the event. Of course there are multiple options for getting your stamp for Energy on Ice as it’s open multiple times during the 12 Days of Christmas,” added Kirk.

Once you’ve completed Santa’s List, you must write your name and phone number on the back of the list and drop it off at either the Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Owensboro Convention Center, the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront or the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Waterfront. Completed lists will be entered in a drawing for a gift basket featuring an array of Owensboro items.

“The Christmas season will be coming to life in downtown Owensboro with a wide range of activities for all ages as part of our 12 Days of Christmas. We are excited to be highlighting so many different types of activities for both locals and visitors to enjoy this holiday,” said Tim Ross, City of Owensboro Public Events Director.

If you have any questions, please contact the CVB at (270) 926-1100 or by email at [email protected]

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: February 10-12

Lorrie Morgan in Concert

Country music superstar Lorrie Morgan is performing live in Owensboro this weekend at the RiverPark Center! Morgan, who’s been in the country music business since age 13, has had more than 40 chart entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs including three No. 1 singles: “Five Minutes,” “What Part of No” and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” Morgan will take the RPC stage on February 10 at 7 p.m. and tickets are $34.

Gangstagrass

This Emmy-nominated band combines two great American traditions (Bluegrass and Hip Hop) into a perfectly blended musical genre of its own. Gangstagrass has turned heads all over the country, even being proclaimed “America’s Band” by Americana Highways Magazine. Their latest album, “No Time For Enemies,” climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard bluegrass charts, so there’s never been a better time to see this innovative group of musicians! The show will take place at the RiverPark Center on February 11 and tickets are on sale for $28.75.

AAU Super Regionals

If you want to see some fierce athletic competition up close and personal, the Owensboro Convention Center will be hosting a weekend-long volleyball tournament February 11 and 12. The AAU Blue Bridge Super Regional will bring some of the best volleyball players in the region together for two days of competitive play. Winners receive a free entry into the AAU National Championships! Admission costs $12 for one day or $18 for a weekend pass.

Head to Owensboro for FREE Symphony Concert

We are super excited to announce that the Owensboro Symphony is returning to downtown Owensboro this summer for its Summer Salute concert!

The Summer Salute will feature both the Owensboro Symphony and special guest Rockapella for a night of amazing music. Songs will be performed from Shambala, Philadelphia Freedom, Rock the Boat and more!

For those who don’t know, Rockapella became hugely successful after achieving fame in the early 90s for its TV performances on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Since then, they’ve gone on to tour the globe to provide some funky soundtracks to generations of music fans. Their music spans a variety of genres, including pop and soul.

One of the best things about Summer Salute is that it’s absolutely free to everyone! Thanks to sponsorships from Daviess County Fiscal Court, the City of Owensboro and Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, you’ll get to see one of the best symphonies in the country perform at no cost. Just bring your lawn chairs and a blanket and find a spot at the Atmos Amphitheater on McConnell Plaza to enjoy!

Those who want a VIP experience can purchase tickets for the Conductor’s Circle or special Reserved Seating tickets right here.

The Summer Salute will be held on June 2 at 7 p.m. at McConnell Plaza.

Head to Owensboro for Burger Week 2023

One of Owensboro’s most-loved traditions is coming back in a big way this year! Owensboro Burger Week will span NINE days this year, allowing you to purchase delicious burgers from dozens of different restaurants at only $7 apiece from March 3-11.

Burger Week has gained a huge following since its inception in 2021, bringing thousands of people out to explore a variety of local restaurants across Owensboro-Daviess County. By charging only $7 per burger, this gives you the chance to try as many burgers as possible–many from restaurants that don’t typically sell burgers!

In previous years, we’ve seen everything from pork belly burgers to mac-and-cheese burgers to breakfast-style burgers topped in layers of egg, bacon, and hashbrowns. Owensboro is known for its barbecue, of course, and you can score some of the tastiest burgers you’ll ever find at our world-renowned BBQ establishments!

As always, a distinguished panel of self-proclaimed burger experts will do a blind tasting of these burgers to determine the Burger Week Champion. Stay tuned for a social media contest during Owensboro Burger Week as well.

Hint: The more burgers you eat, the better your chance of winning a prize!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: April 15-17

Owensboro Symphony: Superheroes

Superhero fans, this is your time, because Troy Quinn and the Owensboro Symphony are taking you on a visual and auditory journey this weekend with their latest concert, “Superheroes: Avengers, Superman, Mahler, and More.” The Symphony will perform heroic selections from some of your favorite superhero films, from Batman to The Avengers. This is a great opportunity to introduce your kiddos to the Owensboro Symphony, as they will probably recognize several of these songs and scores! Tickets are $42.50 each and the show will be held at the RiverPark Center on April 16 at 7 p.m.

Trunnell's Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Fun

What’s a better combo than an Easter Egg Hunt and real, live bunnies to play with?! Trunnell’s will have it all this weekend with their “Egg-Ceptional Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Fun” event at the Utica location. The egg hunt will feature non-stop egg hunts with prize packs for kiddos, a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny (plus photo opps), and all the adorable little bunny cuddles you could ask for. This family-friendly event will be held on April 16 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and tickets are $14.99 for those 13 months-17 years of age. Don’t forget your camera and Easter basket!

Loose Wheel at Lil' Nashville

Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville is continuing to pull all the stops with another great round of live music this weekend. Head to downtown Owensboro to catch Loose Wheel perform their blend of country, blues and rock music on Saturday, April 16 at 9 p.m. Before Loose Wheel takes the stage, you can see Madeline Wilkerson perform at 2 p.m., followed by Drew Aud at 6 p.m. There is a minimal cover charge at the door, so be sure to bring some cash and plan for a fun night out!

Check Out These Unique Options for Valentine’s Day

While it’s normal to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the go-to dinner and a movie, we’re breaking down some of the unique ways you can spend the holiday of romance with your loved one. And we’re breaking them all down right here!

The Pub On Second will celebrate Valentine’s Day with Valentine’s At The Pub, where you can enjoy a pop-up dinner that includes a four-course dinner and one specialty cocktail. Cam Cook 4 U will be catering with a menu featuring crab and lobster cakes, sea bass, locally-produced filets and chocolate cake. You can text or call 270-315-3787 for tickets, and the event kicks off at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14.

At the Owensboro Convention Center, you and your loved one can celebrate Valentine’s Day with Cork & Cuisine: Love Bites. You’ll be treated with a five-course dinner and wine/cocktail pairing, and you can even win some cool giveaways! This event is for those 21-and-older only, and tickets are $75/person or $130 per couple. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14.

If you want to create your own dinner for V-Day, head to Joy’s Cooking Classes and More at 6:30 p.m. for two different Adult Night Valentine’s Specials. You’ll be cooking up some homemade pasta and Tuscan chicken with bananas foster flambe on Feb. 10 and cast iron ribeye and risotto on Feb. 11. You can even bring your own adult drinks to this event!

And for you and all your female friends, Puzzle Pieces will be hosting a Galentine’s Day Bunco Night on Feb. 15 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Travel to Owensboro for Amazing Broadway Shows

Owensboro has an amazing lineup of world famous Broadway shows coming to you this year as part of our “Broadway in Owensboro at RiverPark Center” series. RPC has scored some amazing talent for four different shows that include some of the biggest names in the game, so you won’t want to miss it!

The series will kick off with “Anastasia” on November 10, followed by “STOMP” on January 17, “The Simon & Garfunkel Story” on February 28 and “Jesus Christ Superstar” on April 16.

Anastasia is inspired by the film and comes from Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic, Ragtime. The story is set in Russia and Paris as a young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. An epic adventure leads to a story about home, love and family.

Next up is STOMP – an explosive, inventive, provocative and unique experience for audiences of all ages. An international percussion sensation, this Broadway show has garnered tons of awards and rave reviews as the eight-member troupe uses everything except conventional instruments to fill the stage with music.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story uses huge projection photos and original film footage along with a live band performing all the famous band’s hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Homeward Bound.” This concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo.

And finally – one of the most famous Broadway shows of our generation – Jesus Christ Superstar will hit the RPC stage on April 16, bringing the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival winner to our very own theater. With lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Chris Superstar is set against the backdrop of extraordinary events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of Judas.

You can score season passes to these Broadway shows by calling 270-687-2770 or checking out RPC’s website.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: February 17-19

Indoor Archery

Held for three days (Feb. 17-19) at the Owensboro Convention Center, the 2023 Kentucky S3DA Indoor State Championship will bring the best indoor archers in the state to our city for some competitive play. This will be a great opportunity to see indoor archery in-person and experience 3D and indoor target shooting up close.

Dance Battle Extravaganza

This fundraiser for Owensboro Dance Theatre will showcase a variety of dancers from trained professionals to local community members. Held on February 18 at the RiverPark Center, Dance Battle Extravaganza will feature Giordano Dance Chicago for the first act and our very own local talent in the second act. Tickets start at $15 and every dollar raised provides free trinkets to performances and community outreach programs.

Audio Tours at Bluegrass Museum

Great stories are at the heart of great Bluegrass music, and you can hear all the sounds and stories at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Through small, handheld devices, you can take an audio tour through the Bluegrass Museum that brings those stores to life in a fun and interactive way. The tour is narrated by Kyle Cantrell, who has worked with and met several of the artists featured on the tour. Head to the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and ask about audio tours when stopping by.

Owensboro restaurants serving food from all over the world

Owensboro is undergoing an evolution in the restaurant industry, and that is something to get very excited about. While Owensboro has always been known for its impressive lineup of culinary treasures, the growing diversification of restaurants and food options in our city is something that should definitely be on your radar when planning your trip.

It wasn’t until recently that the first Thai restaurant opened in Owensboro, and it didn’t take long to become one of the local favorites around here. Thai Food Owensboro has a wide range of dishes to choose from and a frequently changing menu, so you always have the chance to try something new! From their Thai Noodle Soup to their Chicken Curry entree, you can find the sweet, the spicy, and the savory on this delicious menu.

The Gyro House is another new restaurant offering a diverse menu in Owensboro, and it’s received rave reviews from almost everybody who’s tried it. The Gyro House is a Mediterranean restaurant that serves falafels, gyro, beef and chicken platters, and something called a Tornado Potato, which, let’s be honest, sounds like a lot more fun than french fries!

A few miles beyond Owensboro city limits is yet another new restaurant that’s making waves–both with its food and its backstory. Owensboro Karen Restaurant serves Burmese and Thai cuisine and was opened by chef Hser Wah. She and her family are members of the Karen (KAH-ren) ethnic group of Myanmar, which was called Burma until 1989.

Hser Wah and her sister Tee Moo resettled in Owensboro in 2010 before opening their restaurant, which serves dishes ranging from Pad Thai, to noodle stir fry, to tea leaf salad, making it the perfect place to try some authentic recipes from the Southeastern Asian country.

Owensboro is also home to dozens of authentic Mexican restaurants that can be found all over the city and county, with dishes ranging from street tacos, to enchiladas, to homemade soups. You can also find a handful of traditional Japanese and Chinese eateries that offer everything from sushi to hibachi.

But since we’re focusing on some of the newer restaurants in our city, Bubba Gandy Seafood Cajun Market makes the list of diverse food options as well. Serving a wide variety of fresh seafood, prepared foods, Cajun seasonings, homemade dips and boiled platters, you can also find some of the best jambalaya, chicken and sausage gumbo, dirty rice and crawfish cornbread dressing in the state at this amazing seafood establishment.

As Owensboro's only location for authentic Caribbean cuisine, Jamaican Yard Vibes offers tons of Jamaican dishes, including jerk chicken, curry goat and mutton, stewed chicken, rasta pasta and more.

Spend a summer weekend in Owensboro at the HydroFair

If you’re in the market for some loud, exciting action on the riverfront this summer, the Owensboro Hydrofair should definitely be on your radar.

This year’s event will take place August 19-21 in downtown Owensboro, bringing you a weekend of hydroplane racing that will be bigger and better than ever before. More than 60 teams from across the US and Canada will be making the trek to Owensboro to compete for three days of high-speed hydroplaning on the water.

These boats are fast, powerful and loud. With speeds topping 170 MPH, they’ll spray water high into the air as they rip through the Ohio River.

For those who’ve never attended the Owensboro HydroFair, the 60 teams competing are separated into seven classes in which they compete for titles. Each race takes place on an oval-shaped track that spans 1.25 miles across the river, with the start and finish set up in front of the Owensboro Convention Center.

This incredibly exciting event will be accompanied by a number of other downtown activities that will take place over the weekend, including Friday After 5 on Aug. 19, Owensboro Bridge Day on Aug. 20 and Lights on the Ohio – which features a pyromusical performance of synchronized lighting on the Blue Bridge, music and a fireworks display – on Aug. 20 at 8:15 p.m.

Hydroplane testing will kick off Friday from 1-5 p.m., followed by races on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

When it comes to the Owensboro HydroFair, words really can’t do this exciting event justice. If you really want to experience the thrill of seeing these boats fly through the water, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience you just have to see for yourself.

Reserved seating tickets are located in several different areas at the Owensboro Convention Center and have several price points for spectators to choose the level of amenity they would like, including:

food & drinks
banquet tables
shaded areas
access to indoor restrooms
extra space to spread-out and experience all the racing action

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: September 16-18

James Gregory

The Funniest Man in America is making a return to Owensboro! It’s been several years since his last visit, but James Gregory still has all the jokes and stories to entertain audiences across the country. The comedic genius will delight you with his blue shirt untucked as he takes you down a carefree, hilarious storytelling experience with whimsical reflections on life from the front porch. You can see Gregory live at the Owensboro Convention Center on September 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $40.

Bret Michaels

Bret Michael is coming to you live from the RiverPark Center on September 15! The Poison band member has gone on to become a multi platinum global superstar who’s achieved fame through reality TV and record-breaking touring sales. Michaels has sold more than 32 million albums and is celebrated by three generations of loyal fans, so you won’t want to miss the chance to see him perform live! The show kicks off at 7 p.m. and tickets are $65.

Sips and Sunflowers

Head on down to Trunnell’s Farm Market to see over a million sunflowers in bloom, all while getting to sip on your favorite beer, wine and cocktails! Held on September 16 and 17 this year, Sips and Sunflowers provides wagon rides to the sunflower fields, where you can enjoy delicious food, live music, bonfires and gorgeous evening views. The event runs from 6-10 p.m. and tickets are $24.99.

Hundreds of archers from across country heading to Owensboro for national championship

Some of the best youth archers in the country will come together for a one-of-a-kind event that will bring hundreds of archers and their families to Owensboro. The Scholastic 3-D Archery (S3DA) organization is holding its 7^th annual S3DA Eastern Indoor National Championship at the Owensboro Convention Center March 3-6 for some exciting tournament play.

Students will compete against S3DA members from across the country for the title of “National Indoor Champion” in their respective divisions.

This competition is “NFAA Five-Spot Style,” which includes two rounds of 30 arrows and six shooting ends of five arrows each. These shots will be contested over a two-day period.

The S3DA program is super beneficial to youth who have an interest in indoor target, 3D and outdoor target archery. The program also fosters, educates and guides youth on ethical bowhunting practices.

According to officials with S3DA, participation for this growing sport is expected to increase even more than it already has.

“We provide an effective after-school archery program, focusing on indoor five-spot, 3D and outdoor target archery, and the certification and tools to deliver the instructions to youth,” the organization says. “As a result, S3DA expects to see increased participation in 3D and target archery by youth and parent archers using compound bows and traditional archery equipment, while also helping to increase participation at the local, state and national archery events.”

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come out and see this archers compete! Competitions will run all day from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: July 1-3

First Fridays

The first concert series of its kind in Owensboro, you can catch some of the biggest names in contemporary Christian music at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s outdoor stage on the first Friday of each month. On Friday, July 1, you’ll hear from Cochren & Co. on the Michael E. Horn Family stage from 5-8 p.m. This free event will feature a lineup of food trucks and activities for the kiddos as well! All you need to bring is a chair or blanket to this family-friendly concert for people of all ages.

Downtown Cruise-In

This weekend’s downtown car show will be nothing short of spectacular. Held on Saturday, July 2 from 4-8 p.m., the upcoming Downtown Cruise-In will feature modern muscle cars. The Sunset Cruisers always puts on a great show, and this free event is guaranteed to bring out some of the coolest cars you’ve ever seen. There will be ladies-only door prizes, awards and tons of makes and models to scope out. All you have to do is head downtown and find the entrance at 3rd and Daviess streets, and you’re set for a family-friendly night out.

4th of July Fireworks

One of the biggest events of the year (and one of the best fireworks shows you’ve ever seen) will be held in Owensboro on Monday, July 4 from 5-10 p.m. The All-American Fourth of July Fireworks will feature, not one, but four different fireworks shows spanning the city of Owensboro. You can see fireworks light up the night sky from every direction, and it’s a unique opportunity to be surrounded by the sights and sounds of freedom on Independence Day. Live music will be played at Smothers Park starting at 5 p.m. and a 15-minute fireworks show will kick off at 9:15 p.m.

Head to Owensboro for your next cozy date night

Owensboro is famous for a lot of things, but one thing on our radar this week is what a great place it is for a cozy date night. And because it’s still cold outside, cozy—for now—means indoors.

But being cozy is about more than escaping the frigid wind. It’s about ambience, the soft glow of a flickering candle, comfortable booths and chairs where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy spending time with your loved one.

While The Miller House is famous for its food and three-story dining experience, it’s also famous for its super cozy basement. On the bottom floor, there’s just enough tables to keep your conversations from being overheard while also giving you the space and privacy you hope for when out with your loved one. With low lighting and over 700 different bourbons to choose from, you’ll find yourself warmer and cozier than you ever thought possible in a basement.

There are several other restaurants that provide that warm and fuzzy atmosphere by dimming the lights and lighting the candles, including Niko’s Italian Restaurant, Famous Bistro and, for those who’ve mastered the art of watching the game on TV when their significant other isn’t looking, Bar Louie and Drake’s.

After dinner, you might want to grab drinks at a bar. But for a cozy date night, you’re not looking for loud music and crowded dance floors, right?

Right.

No worries, because you can cuddle up in comfortable booths and enjoy an inviting, intimate atmosphere at the Pub on Second (as well as amazing, handcrafted martinis and all the craft beer you could ask for).

And at SIP Wine Room, you can enjoy each other while overlooking the Ohio River. They also offer a variety of beer and mixed drinks. If you’re in the market for locally-crafted beer, The Brew Bridge has all of that and more, as well as private, outdoor seating areas that are heated.

Malco Owensboro Cinema Grill & MXT is the perfect place for a cozy date night, with comfortable, reclining chairs, an impressive food and drink menu, and an ever-changing lineup of amazing movies to watch on the big screen.

And for those who appreciate the arts, Owensboro has date night covered. Theatre Workshop of Owensboro (TWO) puts on some of the best local plays in Kentucky, and you can see that for yourself at either the Trinity Centre or TWO’s Empress Theatre—both of which are cozy, intimate places to catch a show.

Owensboro’s Bronze Buffalo Statues Hold Historic Significance

Owensboro is a well-renowned arts city, and one of the best gifts we give to our visitors are our amazing displays of public art. Most of these are spread throughout downtown Owensboro (and some beyond) and all are free to the public.

One of our most famous public art displays features three different bronze sculptures that include two bronze buffalo statues and one Native American hunter. We like to call the three-piece display the “Bronze Buffalo Statues” and, together, they tell a historic story about Owensboro’s roots.

Located at Frederica and 10th Streets in the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art’s Sculpture Park, these sculptures reflect our city’s history as a buffalo trace for early settlers. In fact, what is now Frederica Street was traveled by buffalo many years ago.

Buffalo herds opened the first road in the wilderness to present the site of Owensboro (called Yellow Banks during that time). In 1797, Bill Smothers followed the trail from Rough Creek to the Ohio River and built a cabin at the end of the road near where the sculptures are located today. Old court records even say that the “Buffalo Road” was a place of “great resort for that kind of game.”

The three statues located at the outdoor park include “Strength of the Maker,” “Meadowlands Pair” and “Into the Wind.” Together, they tell an incredible story about Owensboro’s origins and are available to be viewed publicly throughout the entire year.

Celebrate the Holidays with Outdoor Ice Skating

One of the prettiest places you’ll ever ice skate at is right here in Owensboro, and you’ll have the chance to glide across the ice on the downtown riverfront! You’ll have several different chances to get your skate on at the outdoor skating rink, beginning in late November and running through January 1.

Energy on Ice will kick off its outdoor skating season November 25-27. On Friday, November 25, you can skate from 5-9 p.m. The skating rink is located behind the Owensboro Convention Center and is great fun for people of all ages!

Energy on Ice will also be hosting a Glow Party at its outdoor skating rink on Saturday, November 26 from 2-9 p.m. You can “get your glow on” by wearing your best white, neon and fluorescent clothing as you and your favorite people skate across a synthetic ice rink located at the Owensboro Convention Center.

You can also head to Energy on Ice on Sunday, November 27 from 2-7 p.m.

Other days to enjoy Energy on Ice include: December 2 (5-9 p.m.), December 3 (2-9 p.m.), December 4 (2-7 p.m.), December 9 (5-9 p.m.), December 10 (2-9 p.m.), December 11 (2-7 p.m.), December 16 (5-9 p.m.), December 17 (2-9 p.m.), December 18 (2-7 p.m.), December 19-22 (2-7 p.m.), December 30 (5-9 p.m.), December 31 (2-9 p.m.) and January 1 (2-7 p.m.)

The cost of admission is $10 if you want to rent skates, and $8 if you bring your own pair. Tickets are sold at the event!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: November 18-20

Bill Engvall

This Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and comedian is heading to Owensboro for a night of great laughs. On Friday, November 18, you can catch Bill Engvall at the RiverPark Center at TWO different times: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Engvall has garnered worldwide fame for his FOX sitcom Last Man Standing and was named “Casino Comedian of the Year” at the 2019 Casino Entertainment Awards in Vegas. Tickets to see this comedic legend are going for $59 and selling fast, so get yours today!

Christmas Parade

One of the greatest Christmas parades in the Midwest is coming to downtown Owensboro on Saturday, November 19 at 4:30 p.m. Bring all your favorite people to our city to enjoy over a hundred different floats bedazzled in lights, marching bands, Christmas music blasting from windows and character appearances galore! This hour-long parade will also feature the man himself – Santa – as he closes the parade with a grand finale. The Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade is free to the public and runs along 2nd Street from Pearl Street to Locust Street.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

You’ll have the chance to see one of the greatest country music bands in history this weekend as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band takes the stage at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This concert features a refreshed lineup and newfound energy following an extended 50th Anniversary tour which, to be honest, is an amazing feat on its own! You won’t want to miss this performance, which will be held on November 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $58.

Experience Diverse Lineup of Live Music in Owensboro this Winter

Just because winter is coming doesn’t mean the fun stops in Owensboro! In fact, we’ve got an amazing lineup of live music coming to you from several different venues this holiday season. You can find everything from rock to bluegrass to symphony music over the next few months!

Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville has released its lineup for the month of November, and there are some really great shows to look forward to, including:

Music City Dueling Pianos November 18 and 19 at 9 p.m. and November 20 at noon.

Blackford Creek November 25 at 9:30 p.m.

Whiskey Row December 2 at 9:30 p.m.

Being the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World, Owensboro’s also got some concerts happening at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, including:

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on November 19 at 7 p.m.

Lanham Brothers Jamboree Christmas Show on December 3 at 7 p.m.

Jimmy Fortune on December 15 at 7 p.m.

The RiverPark Center also has a packed calendar of events this winter, including lots of live music:

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical on December 7 at 7 p.m.

The Prophecy Show on December 8 at 7 p.m.

Owensboro Symphony: Home for the Holidays on December 10 at 7 p.m.

WAR on January 7 at 7 p.m.

STOMP on January 17 at 7 p.m.

Owensboro Symphony: Cinematic Romance on January 28 at 7 p.m.

Lorrie Morgan on February 10 at 7 p.m.

Gangstagrass on February 11 at 7 p.m.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story on February 28 at 7 p.m.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to Perform Live in Owensboro

You can see world class musicians Nitty Gritty Dirt Band perform live in Owensboro on November 19! With a refreshed lineup and more energy than ever before, this is the perfect time to hear the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

The six-member band will hit the stage at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum at 7 p.m. for a night of country-rock music to give decades of loyal fans a night they’ll never forget.

Formed in Long Beach, California in 1966, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has garnered worldwide acclaim for hits you’ve heard at all the best country parties, including “Fishin’ in the Dark,” “An American Dream,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “Long Hard Road” and “Dance Little Jean.”

This worldwide tour gives fans the chance to see Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter, Jim Photoglo, Jaime Hanna, Ross Homes and Jeff Hanna carry on a country music tradition that remains one of the longest-running in history.

Tickets to see Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in Owensboro are $58.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: October 29-31

OMG!con Halloween Party

The team at OMG!con is bringing one of the biggest parties in town to Owensboro during Halloween weekend from October 30-31 at the Owensboro Convention Center. The organization’s first mini-con event will feature tons of video gaming, costume and cosplay contests and an OMG! Halloween Ball like no other. There will be drinks, food and music playing all night. A trolley will be provided Saturday and Sunday to carry passengers to and from TownePlace Suites, to the Convention Center, to The Brew Bridge. Owensboro’s Ghostly Productions will have the Con decorated for Halloween, so be prepared for some major spook vibes and a whole lot of fun! On Saturday the event runs from 10 a.m.-midnight and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Go ahead and get your tickets ahead of time!

Steeldrivers

This is a show for those who appreciate good, quality music, because that’s exactly what the Steeldrivers deliver. The Grammy-winning band is an absolute superstar in the Americana/Bluegrass music world, with their “The Muscle Shoals Recordings” album reaching the #1 spot on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts in 2015. The group made history in 2018 at the Grand Ole Opry as they performed alongside Bluegrass legends John Prine and Bill Murray, and the band’s music was recently featured on the hit TV series Yellowstone. You can see the Steeldrivers perform live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.

Terror at the Turley

The Turley building, located at the corner of 2^nd and Daviess streets, used to house the International Bluegrass Music Museum. Now, it’s rumored to house ghosts. The Turley building was built in 1873 and RiverPark Center Executive Director Rich Jorn told the Messenger-Inquirer that it’s one of the five most haunted buildings in Owensboro. Even better, RPC is hosting “Terror at the Turley” throughout the month of October. The “PG-13” haunted house opens on Friday, October 15 from 7:30-10:30 p.m., and it will also be open on Oct. 22, 23, 30 and 31. Admission is $12 per person.

According to Jorn, “I wouldn’t bring small children.”

WAR Spreading Positive Message with Concert in Owensboro

The country’s “original street band” is coming to Owensboro, and this concert is going to be one for the books, y’all.

WAR, a band known worldwide for spreading its message of brotherhood and harmony, has been touring and making music for FOUR decades and, now, it’s taking stage at the RiverPark Center in Owensboro.

On January 7, you can see WAR perform live at RPC! You’ll get to hear hits from this timeless band, including “Low Rider,” “The World Is A Ghetto” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends” at this up-close-and-personal concert.

Honored by the likes of President Barack Obama and the city of Los Angeles, WAR has gained recognition for making positive contributions to society. LA Weekly even put WAR on its Top 10 Concerts of 2018!

With over 50 million records sold and countless samples and nods from artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Flo-Rida, Tupac, Smash Mouth, Dave Matthews, Korn and Janet Jackson, there’s no better band to see perform live. WAR’s music and message is both classic and timeless, and tickets to see them live are only $39, so grab them while you can.

Moneta Sleet Festival

This festival will honor one of Owensboro’s most treasured icons. “Through Sleet’s Eyes” will honor the late Moneta Sleet Jr. – the first Black person to win a Pulitzer Prize for Journalism. Through art and education, this festival will create a meaningful experience for the community and beyond, with the intent of inspiring hope. Enjoy seeing Sleet’s most prolific photographs, a documentary about Sleet’s life, community engagement talks and musical performances. This festival will be held at the RiverPark Center on Feb. 25 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

See Two Amazing Drone Shows in Owensboro

Visit Owensboro is constantly creating new events for our out-of-towners to enjoy, so the first-ever Owensboro Drone Show should definitely be on your radar!

The Drone Show will be held on downtown Owensboro’s riverfront on May 17 and 19. And this event is going to be absolutely bonkers with 300 different drones lighting up the night sky for something truly spectacular.

You’re going to see these drones create tons of different formations in the sky using a variety of colors. To make it even cooler, the drone show will be accompanied by an awesome musical soundtrack.

Visit Owensboro is teaming up with the City of Owensboro, German American Bank and Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

One of the best parts is, you’ll get two different chances to see the Owensboro Drone Show! The same show will be held on Wednesday, May 17 and Friday, May 19. There will be a lot of activity surrounding the Drone Show on Friday with Friday After 5’s Opening Night and Owensboro’s Jeeps and Jamz Expo kicking off on the same day.

This free event will be held at 8:30 p.m. both nights.

Kentucky Fried Pickin’ bringing hundreds of musicians to downtown Owensboro

One of the biggest Bluegrass jam sessions in the state is making its way back to Owensboro this year for the fifth time since its inception. Kentucky Fried Pickin’ will bring in Bluegrass pickers and strummers from all over for a weekend of live music at the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront.

Kentucky Fried Pickin’ will be held May 12-14. According to Mark Hargis, founder and creator of the Bluegrass music festival, the 12^th will serve as “Early Bird Pickin’” for anyone and everyone who wants to come out and bring their instruments for a day of play.

“We’ll have a huge group that day for a big, community pickin’ event,” Hargis said.

Those who participate May 13-14 have rented rooms to play in at the Holiday Inn, where anyone interested in listening to the musicians can hang out and travel room-to-room to get the full Kentucky Fried Pickin’ experience.

“There’s three to four pickin’ floors at the Holiday Inn,” Hargis said. “You can pick outside too. Last year we had 200-300 people pickin’ outside when the weather was good.”

Hargis said he expects a huge crowd of pickers for this year’s event – anywhere between 1,000 and 1,500. With the event taking place on the same weekend as the Bar-B-Q Block Party, this year’s event has the potential to bring in tons of spectators.

“We had a fantastic turnout last year, and I think this year will top that,” Hargis said. “The restaurant at the hotel – Burger Theory – will be serving specials throughout the weekend for those in attendance. We call this event a big together – a big Bluegrass family reunion.”

There are still a few rooms left at the Holiday Inn for those who want to participate! Use Holiday Inn code "KFP" or call 1-270-683-1111 to book your room now.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: November 25-27

Shop Owensboro

When it comes to shopping for your loved ones, Owensboro has tons of amazing, locally-owned stores that make it easy to find anything and everything you could possibly find on a Christmas List. Powered by Independence Bank and hosted by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, you’ll have the chance to shop locally and score great deals for an entire week with Shop Owensboro, running November 26-December 3 this year. Head to Independence Bank Frederica Street for Shop Owensboro bags with coupons and great deals on November 26 at 9 a.m. at Independence Bank!

Holiday Market at Brasher's Lil' Nashville

Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville is hosting a super cool shopping event on Saturday, November 26 with its inaugural Holiday Market! Kicking off at 9 a.m., the Holiday Market will feature local businesses Hampton & Co. Designs, Molly’s Mixins, The Long Dog Dog Boutique, Throwback Brand and M. Porium Jewelry & Art for an event filled with art, sweet treats and awesome gifts for your favorite fur baby! You can also score some tasty drinks at a Bloody Mary & Mimosa bar.

Brew Bridge

November is “Turkey Month” at Brew Bridge–where you can score craft beer and delicious drinks from Owensboro’s hometown brewery ALONG with delicious food. Where else can you order home-brewed beer and slow-smoked turkey?! You can taste the turkey via entree or platter sample and ask the experts there for some amazing drinks to pair it with. Ask the team there for a flight of locally-crafted beer while you’re at it!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: May 12-14

Nashville Songwriter

The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is kicking things up a notch with its Nashville Songwriter Series this year! This year’s HITMAKERS edition will kick off on May 11 on the outdoor stage. You’ll get to hear the stories behind the songs from professional songwriters based in Nashville. You’ll want to bring your own chair for this event! The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $20.

BBQ and Barrels

You’ll get to taste two of Owensboro’s greatest staples this weekend at BBQ and Barrels–a revitalization and rebirth of our International Bar-B-Q Fest with an added bourbon element for those who want the chance to try bourbon from over 30 different distilleries. Head to downtown Owensboro for our famous barbecue from over 20 cooking teams (including church teams and familiar favorites) and vendors, carnival rides, craft vendors and live music. Food sales begin at noon on Friday, May 12 while the bourbon events will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center on Saturday, May 13, along with the Backyard BBQ Cook-Off.

Mother's Day Brunch

What better way to honor your mom than with a Mother’s Day Brunch? Leave the cooking (and cleaning) to the Owensboro Convention Center as they host a full-scale brunch in celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A buffet will include belgian waffles, biscuits and gravy, roasted turkey and tons of desserts while you can win some awesome prizes and have fun with a photo booth. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12.50 for kids 6-12 years of age.

Owensboro home to longest-running synagogue in KY

The Temple Adath Israel is a gorgeous structure that serves Owensboro’s Jewish community, and it’s also one of the most historic sites in the entire state of Kentucky. Constructed in 1877, the synagogue of Temple Adath Israel is one of the oldest American synagogues in use today. It is the 13th longest-running synagogue in the entire country, and holds the No. 1 spot for oldest synagogue still being used in the entire state.

"It's been there since the late 1800s," said local Lay leader Stuart Spindel. "So we've been in there for 140 years."

The synagogue, located at Fifth and Daviess streets in downtown Owensboro, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, providing sanctuary for generations of Jewish families and housing the light of Torah for the entire community.

The historical relevance of Adath Israel goes back to 1858, when it was established as one of Kentucky’s earliest Jewish congregations and a charter member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Adath Israel’s founders were mostly immigrants from the German states of central Europe.

When Owensboro’s Jewish community reached over 200 members, a house of worship was erected and, to this day, there it stands.

According to Spindel, the Temple was in some ways built similarly to other houses of worship, but there were distinctive features that made it stand out. Moorish domes that graced the top of the building “evoke the Near Eastern origins of Judaism and also bring to mind the medieval ‘golden age’ in Spain."

For those first several decades, the Jewish community in Owensboro thrived.

At the beginning of the 20^th century, the community supported not only a rabbi but also a synagogue school with four classes, a Jewish social club and a chapter of B’nai B’rith.

As the years progressed, however, the Owensboro Jewish community went into decline, with the Temple citing better opportunities (both educationally and professionally) elsewhere that led to more and more young adults leaving. After World War II, the Temple writes, shopping malls, expressways and chain stores led heavily to the demise of the downtown businesses the Jewish community had leaned on economically.

However, there are still families of the Jewish faith that call Owensboro home, and those who belong to the Temple Adath Israel congregation are very open and welcoming of visitors and newcomers. Every Thursday night at 6:30, a Torah, or Bible Study, is held, and Spindel said he encounters visitors and locals from a variety of different backgrounds and religious beliefs.

“It would be correct to assume that everyone who visits is more than welcome,” Spindel said. “The first Friday evening of the month is a simple Shabbat service. "More than half of the people who come aren't Jewish, and that's OK. Everyone is welcome."

Visit Owensboro for World’s Largest Geocaching Event

The largest Geocaching event in the world is about to kick off, and this year’s GeoWoodstock is right here in Owensboro!

GeoWoodstock is a massive, annual geocaching event held each year in a different place across North America. Owensboro is expected to see more than 3,000 visitors attend this large-scale event, held May 22-28.

While the main geocaching event will be held on May 27, Visit Owensboro has teamed up with our tourism partners to bring you an entire week of fun, family-friendly activities that will keep you busy for days on end.

Head on over to Brew Bridge on Tuesday, May 23 for a night of ax-throwing, escape rooms, vintage arcade games and some awesome locally-brewed beer. On Wednesday, May 24, you can spend the day at Daviess County’s historic Reid’s Orchard for a day of amazing food, live animals and an entire play area for the kids.

On Thursday, head on over to one of the prettiest places in Owensboro for a “Venti Cinco de Mayo” event at Western Kentucky Botanical Garden for food trucks, fresh margaritas, cold beer and fun, festive photo opps.

And Friday will really start to kick things off with Friday After 5, an award-winning outdoor music festival held in downtown Owensboro.

Owensboro Hosting Massive Car Show in August

It's time to get excited because Owensboro has a brand new car show coming to you this August! And it's going to be massive and packed with fun.

The Bluegrass Legends Experience will be held at Moreland Park and the Owensboro Sportscenter on August 19 and 20, 2023.

Whether you enter your vehicle in the show or are simply a fan of car shows, this large-scale event has a TON of things to do during this two-day festival. You’ll get to experience a wide variety of cars, trucks and more displayed throughout the park along with an action-packed weekend of fun.

Some of the weekend festivities will include musical performances in the park, an indoor exposition and vendor show, a large food truck rally, a swap meet, and a beer garden.

The experience will actually kick off a day earlier on Friday, Aug. 18 at Friday After 5! You’ll find custom cars displayed across the waterfront with a special musical guest on the Ruoff Party Pier. On Saturday, you can try food from over 30 different food trucks and even take your vehicle out to Windy Hollow Speedway for a test run on the dragstrip from 6-11 p.m. under the WDRA sanctioning body.

Sunday will include an open-air church service at 10 a.m. at Moreland Park, followed by the car show awards ceremony at 1 p.m. with over 200 prizes. National Evangelist Alan Brock with Road Riders for Jesus International Ministry will be there.

Explore the Evolution of Downtown Owensboro

It wasn’t too long ago that Owensboro’s downtown riverfront wasn’t much more than a grassy bank dotted with park benches and one boat dock. But these days, visitors are getting an entirely new experience when they travel to Owensboro, and our downtown riverfront is one of the top attractions visitors seek out.

And that’s for good reason. After years in development, downtown Owensboro received a makeover several years ago in the form of a six-acre project that included waterfront views and updated sidewalks, multiple fountains, speakers playing music along light-adorned pathways, and one of the most famous playgrounds in the world at Smothers Park.

Between 2008 and 2013, those investments generated a $1 billion economic impact for the City of Owensboro.

But that’s not all that’s happened over the last few years. Downtown Owensboro also built the Owensboro Convention Center, which has garnered nationwide fame for both its incredible architecture and world-class facilities.

On top of that, downtown Owensboro added two – and soon to be three – riverfront hotels that not only made it possible to have large-scale conventions in our city, but gave tourists beautiful waterfront views from their hotel rooms. The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront and Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront are two of the nicest, most modern hotels you’ll find in the state of Kentucky and have supported our local tourism industry in immeasurable ways.

Top all of that off with a Owensboro’s first local brewery in over 100 years (The Brew Bridge), countless new restaurants, bars and shops, and amazing music venues such as the RiverPark Center and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and you’ve got a downtown that any tourist would be excited to visit – all right here in Owensboro.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 3-5

Night at the Museum

This is going to be an action-packed night for music enthusiasts of all ages! Owensboro Symphony’s “Night at the Museum” will bring you a concert full of songs and scores from some of the greatest adventure films in history. You’ll hear music from Indiana Jones, The Mummy, Night at the Museum and more! The show will be held at the RiverPark Center on March 4 at 7 p.m. and tickets are $44.

Science Museum: New Exhibits

The Owensboro Museum of Science and History is showcasing, not one, but TWO new exhibits that are guaranteed to be showstoppers! Head to downtown Owensboro with your little ones for OMSH’s brand new “Little Tots Farm Gallery,” as well as their new “A-MAZing Airways” exhibit. These long-awaited installations can be found on the museum’s second floor and will give everyone a whole new reason to visit one of Owensboro’s top-notch facilities. Members can tour the exhibits for free and it’s only $5 per person for non-members.

Burger Week

It’s back and better than ever this year! Burger Week 2023 is going to be a mouth-watering experience for visitors and locals alike as dozens of local restaurants showcase their creative and delicious talents for a full NINE days this year! Held March 3-11, Burger Week will bring you an incredible variety of burgers that have everything from mac-and-cheese to pork belly to coleslaw between the buns. At only $7 apiece, these high-quality burgers are a steal, and you’ll have more time to try as many out as possible.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: December 2-4

The Nutcracker

If you want to spend the weekend enjoying the arts AND Christmas, there’s no better show to see than The German American Bank Nutcracker, held for two days at RiverPark Center on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. This stage production is loosely adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s original story when, on Christmas Eve, Marie falls asleep after a party at her house and dreams herself into a fantastic world where toys become larger than life. Owensboro Dance Theater always puts on an amazing show, and tickets are only $17!

Dancing Lights in Downtown Owensboro

Head to downtown Owensboro for your own Hallmark Christmas movie! Every night from 5-9 p.m., downtown will become aglow with tons of dancing lights that spectacularly light up the whole area! The lights will change colors every 15 minutes along with each Christmas song that plays. These lights will be strung all across downtown, including a giant Christmas tree right in the middle of Smothers Park! You won’t want to miss this riverfront holiday experience as part of Owensboro’s 2022 Hometown Christmas, and it’s free to the public through Dec. 31.

SIP Owensboro

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and SIP Owensboro gives you just that in the form of amazing wine and spirits! You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cooler wine shop anywhere, and this riverfront location offers beautiful views along with a delicious assortment of wine – straight from a cooling wine station! You can also enjoy charcuterie boards, mixed drinks and a variety of beer at SIP.

Bar-B-Q Block Party bringing music, rides and delicious fun to downtown Owensboro in May

Visitors far and wide have traveled to Owensboro for the annual International Bar-B-Q Festival for decades. Following a decision to scale down the Bar-B-Q Festival last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Owensboro’s first-ever Bar-B-Q Block Party turned out to be a major success and, in the future, it’s expected to evolve into something bigger and better than ever before.

This year’s Bar-B-Q Block Party will be both similar to, and different from, last year’s event. Running for two days on May 13 and 14, this festival will be heavily focused on good old-fashioned barbecue, the way the original Bar-B-Q Festival was designed to be.

The block party will include your favorite Bar-B-Q Festival elements from years past, such as the church cooking teams, and the Backyard Cooking Competition presented by Kentucky Legend.

More than 30 cooking teams will compete for pride and prizes in the Backyard Cooking Competition. They’ll apply their home-grown skills to cook up some of the best beef, chicken and pork you’ll ever taste. Awards are presented in each category and an overall Backyard Cook Grand Champion gets to take home the biggest prize of all.

New to this year’s festival, live music will be played both days on the front lawn of the Owensboro Convention Center! You can catch performances on the stage in front of the building on Friday, May 13 from 5-9 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

The 2022 Bar-B-Q Block Party will also have fun stuff for the kiddos to do, including a carnival and midway games. The Block Party will also be adding a dozen more Bar-B-Q food trucks and vendors to 2^nd Street this year, giving those who attend the chance to try tons of different recipes, styles and flavors from a variety of creative culinary talent.

This family-friendly event will include seating in the form of picnic tables placed all along 2^nd Street, as well as side streets that surround the area, so you’ll have plenty of room to hang out with your family and friends and sit down to eat all the amazing food and drinks that are offered.

World Champion Eater Joey Chestnut will be back in Owensboro for the Bar-B-Q Block Party on Saturday from noon-1 p.m. for a “Meet & Greet” presented by Kentucky Legend! You can find Chestnut at the Kentucky Legend sampling tent on 2^nd Street and snag an autograph and photo with the legendary eater. Chestnut will also be a celebrity judge for the Backyard Cooking Competition.

And if you’re in the market for a good run before you eat all that delicious food, you can sign up for the BBQ 5K! This road race will kick off on Saturday at 8 a.m. and proceeds will support Owensboro’s local YMCA.

The Bar-B-Q Block Party will take place on Friday, May 13 from noon-9 p.m. and on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. in downtown Owensboro.

Owensboro’s ‘Dancing Lights’ Gives All the Fun Holiday Feels

If you’re in the fairly large subgroup of people that LOVES a good Hallmark Christmas movie, then Owensboro is the perfect place to plan your next holiday trip.

You will be blown away by how beautifully decorated our downtown riverfront looks during the holidays. All those scenes from Hallmark movies that get you into the Christmas spirit – you know, where the characters explore the snow-topped, light-adorned winter wonderland setting around them – can be found right here in Owensboro, Kentucky.

As part of the City of Owensboro’s 2022 Hometown Christmas event, our city has decked out our downtown with thousands of lights that have been wrapped around almost every tree and building in Smothers Park.

But these aren’t your ordinary Christmas lights. Presented by Big Rivers Electric Corp. and Visit Owensboro, these “Dancing Lights” come in every color imaginable, and they’re part of an interactive light show that kicks off every 15 minutes. So not only do you get to watch in amazement as the lights change color, but they’re also programmed to synchronize with a lineup of classic holiday songs you can hear from speakers all across the riverfront.

This spectacle wouldn’t be complete without a giant Christmas tree in the center of downtown Owensboro to top it all off. And our downtown bridge lights change colors too, and you won’t want to miss them beautifully reflected across the water at nighttime.

The Dancing Lights can be explored at your own pace, and the event is free to the public through December 31 from 5-9 p.m.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 10-12

Home Expo

Held for two days on March 11 and 12, the Owensboro Home Expo will bring you the best of everything related to home ownership. There will be experts and vendors there to talk about building, remodeling and outdoor living, so this is the perfect chance to get started on your spring and summer homebuilding plans! Show hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on March 11 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 12. Tickets are $5.

Spring Market Day

This large-scale shopping event will bring dozens of vendors together for one huge day of fun! Preservation Station’s historic location provides the perfect venue for this once-a-year shopping extravaganza, presented as Spring Market Day. You can find the eclectic, vintage, boutique and antique at Preservation Station, and Spring Market Day will be held on March 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kentucky Headhunters & Confederate Railroad

The Kentucky Headhunters are famous for creating a hybrid of honky tonk, blues and southern rock that appeals to fans of both country and rock music. You can see this band perform live with Confederate Railroad, who first rolled onto the national country music scene in the early 90s–on March 11 at the RiverPark Center. Tickets are $24.

Take Your Pups to Our Amazing Dog Park During Visit

For a lot of visitors out there, bringing your pets with you on trips is a must. And luckily for them, Owensboro has a super cool place to take your dogs when they need a good place to release some energy!

Located within the larger Legion Park area is Castlen Dog Park, which was created specifically as a place for dogs to play and run in a safe, enclosed space. Gated all the way around, this dog park is split into four different sections–two for small dogs and two for large dogs.

The dog park is a great area for your canines as it’s so spacious, but it also provides a lot of shade due to the large trees that surround the area. Plus, you can walk your dog with a leash around the rest of Legion Park as well!

So when your traveling with dogs and need a place to let them off the leash, bring them over to this amazing facility! Castlen Dog Park is open from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Coffey Anderson headlining FA5 on July 29

Friday After 5 has long been known for bringing amazing, unique talent to Owensboro, and the free outdoor concert series is doing it again this year with a performance from Coffey Anderson!

For those who don’t know, Anderson is a Texas-born singer/songwriter who mixes mainstream country music with pop, R&B and hip-hop beats. He came to fame through his YouTube videos and has released eight albums over the course of his career.

You may know Anderson best for some of his hit songs, which include “Mr. Red, White, And Blue,” “Better Today,” “Bud Light Blue” and Blessed.”

Anderson just released a new album, “Come On With It,” in June, so he’s going to have a whole lineup of new songs to mix into some of his greatest hits for this event. Coffey himself has said that this album is “me, 100%.”

“I want a singalong,” he said. “I tell anyone, ‘If you want to hear a Coffey song, think of the male Shania.’ We’re talking about big fiddles, big guitars, loud drums – stadium country.”

This is going to be a show for anyone and everyone who enjoys innovative country music, and we cannot wait to see you there.

You can see Anderson perform live at FA5 on July 29 from 7-10 p.m. at the Jagoe Stage in McConnell Plaza.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: July 8-10

Downtown Live

This weekend’s Downtown Live will be focused on all things beer! RiverPark Center will host a “Beer Snobs”-themed event at its 21-and-older entertainment complex on Friday, July 8 from 6-11 p.m. A “Know Your Hops” Beer Competition will be held in the lobby, while beer pong, giant Jenga and other bar games will be played in the Jody Berry Theatre. Cornhole and DJ2Smuve will play all evening in Truist Plaza and Latasha Shemwell will perform from 6-8 p.m. at the Atmos Courtyard. To add to all the fun, the Chicago Improv Group will be taking the stage at the GhostLight Lounge, so be prepared to drink, laugh and dance all night!

Hops on the Ohio

In alignment with a beer-themed weekend at RPC, Hops on the Ohio will be bringing you all the craft beer and bourbon you could ask for on Saturday, July 9 from 3-7 p.m. Hundreds of people are expected to attend this fan-favorite event, described as a “four-hour tour of local Kentucky breweries and an exploration of the nation’s favorite brands.” You can expect an afternoon of brews, tunes and great vibes at this indoor/outdoor event, and tickets can be purchased right here!

Battle of the Blue Bridge

Held at the Owensboro Convention Center on July 9 and 10, Battle of the Blue Bridge will bring you an amazing basketball tournament like you’ve never before seen in Owensboro! Featuring both boys and girls divisions, players range from 3rd to 12th grade for this tournament. With tons of teams from across a variety of states expected to play, this is a great chance to check out the indoor sports floor at the Owensboro Convention Center and see some of the best student athletes in the region perform as well. Click here to check out the tournament schedule.

Owensboro to Host American Cornhole Organization World Championships

This summer, Owensboro will be hosting the American Cornhole Organization (ACO) as some of the best players from across the globe gather for one of the biggest events of the year – the 18th Annual World Championships.

This event is expected to bring enormous turnout as visitors travel to Owensboro to participate in the cornhole tournament. It’s estimated that more than 800 people (ages 12 to 80) in the form of athletes, organizers and fans will be staying in Owensboro July 25-29.

That enormous turnout will also produce an estimated economic impact of more than $1 million – and that’s just over a five-day period.

Owensboro hosted the ACO World Championships for the first time in 2012, and this will be the second time the city has landed the exciting event.

Hosting a tournament of this size and scale is a big deal in many ways. Not only will it keep our hotels full for the week, but it will bring visitors from all over the world to our local restaurants, bars and shops. Out-of-towners will get a full view of Owensboro and all its potential, and since the tournament will be streamed online, our city will gain even more exposure across the globe.

Athletes will be competing for a $75,000 guaranteed purse and the title of Cornhole King or Queen, also known as the best cornhole player in the United States.

The ACO World Cornhole Championships will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center and admission is free to the public.

And for those who are interested, Owensboro will host the ACO Owensboro Major with Pro Series Event at the Owensboro Convention Center January 6-7.

Owensboro: Home of ‘The Kentucky Kid’

One of our most treasured hometown heroes, Nicky Hayden – who was also known as “The Kentucky Kid” in the motosports world – was born and raised right here in Owensboro.

The racing world lost one of its greatest athletes when Hayden was killed in a bicycle crash in Italy in 2017. Hayden had risen to fame after winning his first Grand National Championship in 1999 and being named Rookie of the Year.

In 2002, Hayden set a record in becoming the youngest rider to become an AMA Superbike Champion and was immediately propelled into the Moto GP circuit’s premier league.

As if Hayden wasn’t already impressive enough, he joined the Repsol Honda Team in 2003, where he earned Rookie of the Year accolades for Moto GP and, in 2006, he won the Moto GP Championship.

He was the last American to do so.

Here in Owensboro, we celebrate Nicky Hayden all the time. Not only was he a great racer, but a great person who cared deeply about others. The Nicky Hayden Apartments were built in 2020 to serve as temporary housing for those trying to better their lives after seeking rehabilitation for drugs and alcohol addiction. Owensboro celebrates Nicky Hayden Day every year with an event dedicated to Hayden on June 9, and many events are dedicated to and held by the Nicky Hayden Foundation – an organization with the goal of helping children in various ways.

And one of Owensboro’s most beautiful statues depicts both Hayden’s loving persona and love for racing. The Nicky Hayden Memorial was erected in front of the Owensboro Convention Center in 2018. Standing 10 feet tall, it is reminiscent of Hayden’s legendary win at Laguna Seca in 2005, and it’s the perfect way to remember and reflect back on everything “The Kentucky Kid” achieved as one of the greatest racers to hit the pavement.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: December 9-11

Hot Chocolate Hop

You can walk, skip or hop your way through this event but, however you end up traveling, you’ll score some great hot chocolate along the way. Celebrate the holidays with the Hot Chocolate Hop, held for two days on December 9 and 10 in downtown Owensboro.

The third annual event is going to be better than ever as local businesses sell a variety of specialty hot chocolate drinks. There will even be adult hot chocolate for those who want a little something extra in their drink!

Home for the Holidays

If you’ve never seen the Owensboro Symphony in action, then head to the RiverPark Center on December 10 for one of its cheeriest concerts of the year. “Home for the Holidays” is the best way to kick off your holiday season as you’ll hear a lineup of classic Christmas favorites, along with songs and scores from The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and Sleigh Ride. See why the Owensboro Symphony and Troy Quinn have been getting so much attention for their incredible talent by purchasing tickets right here for $44.

The Prophecy Show

The holiday fun continues all weekend long in downtown Owensboro, and The Prophecy Show is just another reason to make the trip to northwestern Kentucky. This award-winning musical experience from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is always a huge hit with audiences across the world, and this concert is dedicated entirely to the holidays! The show kicks off at 7 p.m. on December 8 and tickets can be purchased right here for $25.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: May 19-21

Josh Turner Concert

We’ve got a big weekend with lots of events coming up, so we’re going to kick things off by highlighting a Josh Turner concert at the RiverPark Center! Turner is a country music superstar who’s sold more than 6.5 million records and has reached 4.8 billion worldwide streams. You can see this hitmaker live in Owensboro on Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $39.

Owensboro Drone Show

The first-ever Owensboro Drone Show is hitting the downtown riverfront for two separate performances this week! This show will feature 300 LED-lit drones flying over the Ohio River for a spectacular performance. You’ll witness choreographed performances set to an amazing soundtrack. The Owensboro Drone Show will take place on Wednesday, May 17 and Friday, May 19 at 8:30 p.m. It is free to attend!

Jeeps and Jamz

We’ve got another big event this weekend to get excited about with the first-ever Jeeps and Jamz Expo hitting the Owensboro Convention Center! Held for two days on May 19 and 20, Jeeps and Jamz will bring together hundreds, if not thousands, of Jeep owners and enthusiasts for a weekend of live music, car shows, city-wide discounts, tons of vendors and off-roading events and after-parties. The Expo will be held at the Convention Center from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Best Spots in Owensboro for Your Holiday Photos

Everyone loves a good holiday picture. Whether it’s for Christmas cards, social media or even to hang on your wall, it can be tough to find that perfect setting that just perfectly captures the essence of the season.

However, Owensboro-Daviess County has so many cool places to use as a holiday backdrop, we’re going to break them down into a list!

Christmas at Stonegate is one of the best places in the area for big, bold lights. With houses decorated all throughout the neighborhood of Stonegate (off Highway 54), you can gather your loved ones around and capture the glow of Christmas all around you! The best part is, you can drive to Stonegate to see the lights Sunday-Thursday from 5-8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5-10 p.m. Donations at the entrance are collected for two local charities.

Downtown Owensboro is another great place for holiday photos. You can stand in front of the giant Christmas tree in Smothers Park, next to decorations hung along the Ohio River, or even pose for a photo with the lit-up bridge in the background! The Holiday Inn Downtown Riverfront also features an outdoor igloo that would make a pretty cool backdrop.

Another place that’s great for photos is Legion Park, located right in the center of Owensboro. There are lights and decorations set up all across the park, and you’ll have multiple places to pose next to or in front of for a great photo opp.

If you want a picture with Santa himself, there’s no better place than the Owensboro Convention Center to get your chance! The 5th annual Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 17 from 7:30-10 a.m. Not only will you get your photo opp, but you’ll score a delicious pancake breakfast to go with it! Tickets are only $10 in advance, or $12 at the door.

And if you’re in the market for a more picturesque setting for photos, head to Yellow Creek Park to visit the Lambert Pioneer Village toward the back of the park. The log cabins are decorated for Christmas, and you can get tons of beautiful photos at this location.

Check Out Large-Scale Ice-Skating Competition in Owensboro

Owensboro has one of only four ice-skating rinks in the state of Kentucky, which makes it the perfect place for a large-scale ice-skating competition this spring. The Edge Ice Center will hold the 10th Annual Living on the Edge ISI Invitational Team Competition March 24-26.

This competition will include a huge variety of ice-skating events, so it’s a great opportunity to see competitive ice-skating up close and personal. There will be solo events for preschool and tots, while stroking and freestyle competitions will be open to skaters along with rhythmic, theme spotlight, couples spotlight, ensemble team and jump and spin events.

If that isn’t cool enough, there will also be hockey-style competitions available to those who want to show their finesse with a stick and puck. Hockey shooting, hockey skating and hockey goalie competitions will determine who has the best shooting, speed and style on the ice.

The Edge Ice Center will be open to those who want to watch these events. With stands to sit in and a full concession stand onsite, there will be plenty of seating and warm food to keep you comfortable over the weekend.

Owensboro to host hundreds of visitors with city’s first Futsal tournament

In some big news for Owensboro’s sports tourism industry, the inaugural Bluegrass Futsal Cup is coming to the Owensboro Convention Center Dec. 17-19, marking the first use of the highly anticipated indoor sports flooring and the first tournament of its kind in Owensboro-Daviess County.

The three-day tournament is expected to bring in around 30 different teams from across the Midwest to Owensboro, including 300 athletes and 450-500 visitors in total.

Hosted by Owensboro’s SportsTutor Futsal Academy, this tournament should create an estimated $165,000 impact on the local economy.

Now what the heck is futsal?

Well, according the United States Youth Futsal program, “Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small-sided soccer game that is played across the world and is officially recognized by both FIFA and UEFA.”

Basically, futsal is indoor soccer with a few unique aspects of its own. It’s a five vs. five game played on a hardback, surfaced, basketball-sized court with a smaller, low bounce ball. The game is played with touchline boundaries and without walls.

“Futsal places a large emphasis on technical skill in high pressure situations, which can be translated into the outdoor game,” the USYF says. “The sport is a great skill developer as it demands quick reflexes, fast thinking and pin-point passing.”

According to Chris Gendek, Visit Owensboro’s director of destination development and sports management, the indoor sports flooring for this futsal tournament will be installed early this week.

“This indoor flooring allows us to extend our sports tourism beyond the warmer months, during what is typically a slower time of year for hotel room-producing athletic events,” Gendek said. “This opens the door for more opportunities, and a wider timeframe, to create an economic impact on our local economy.”

For the inaugural Bluegrass Futsal Cup, Gendek said there will be separate boys’ and girls’ tournaments in age divisions that range from U-8 to U-19.

Even if you don’t know much about the sport, this is the perfect opportunity to come see it in action! Tickets for the event are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 8 years of age.

As Gendek noted, this tournament is a huge opportunity for our community and, hopefully, this will be the first of many futsal events to come.

“Our restaurants win. Our shops win. Our hotels win,” Gendek said. “And when they all win, everyone wins.”

Make Owensboro your next destination for live music

Here at Visit Owensboro, we’re always looking forward to Spring.

The Dogwoods will start blooming all around town, the baseball and softball fields will start coming alive with tournament play, and live music will be played at outdoor venues all across the city.

And this year, we’ve got so many events to look forward to, we’re going to break them down by section. And this week, we're starting with live music.

Concerts:

Fusing rock with orchestra, “Stairway to Schumann” will have the Owensboro Symphony performing Led Zepplin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” Schumann’s Fourth Symphony, and many other breathtaking masterpieces. The show will be held at the RiverPark Center on March 5 at 7 p.m. and tickets are $42.50.
The Kentucky State Fiddle Championships will be held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on March 12. This competition will include players from all over the state and will be held all day.
Hot Brown Smackdown, a six-piece Newgrass-fusion ensemble from Louisville, will play at Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville on March 12 at 9 p.m.
We Banjo 3 will perform at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on March 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $38.
Country legends Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker will perform at the Owensboro Sportscenter on March 19. Tickets are $55.
Winning the 2017 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage will perform at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on March 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $38.
The Red Hot Chili Pipers will hit the RiverPark Center stage on March 25 at 7 p.m. and tickets are $19. This nine-piece ensemble is one of the most unique concerts you’ll find in Owensboro this year, consisting of bagpipes, guitarists, keyboards and drummers that have rocked stages from NYC to Beijing.
The Owensboro Symphony will hold its “Superheroes: Avengers, Superman, Mahler and More” concert at RiverPark Center on April 16. Tickets are $42.50 each and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Dailey & Vincent, five-time Grammy winners individually and three-time Grammy nominees collectively, will play at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40.50.
Fourteen-time Grammy winner Dan Tyminski will bring his band to play at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $34.
Kentucky Fried Pickin’ kicks off May 12 for a weekend of free Bluegrass jammin’ at the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront.
Five-time Grammy nominated pianist and vocalist Michael Feinstein will join the Owensboro Symphony for “One Fein Night” at the RiverPark Center on May 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42.50.
Friday After 5 is kicking off its 26^th riverfront festival season on May 20. There will be tons of live music in downtown Owensboro, as well as a 5K road race starting at 6:30 p.m.

Be sure to keep an eye and ear out for other live music performances at Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville, Shiloh’s Lounge, O’Bryan’s Bar & Grill, Lure Seafood and Grille, Ten O Six, Club Unks and Bar Louie. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more details!

Where to Karaoke in Owensboro

Summertime and karaoke are just a good mix. That’s why we’re highlighting some of the best places to check out for your next karaoke night in Owensboro!

Karaoke is the perfect way to blow some steam by belting out your favorite songs without judgment. As we head into summer, now’s the time to start making plans for a karaoke night at one of our amazing venues.

The GhostLight Lounge provides a perfect space to karaoke without breaking the budget. This 21-and-older facility gives you the opportunity to feel like a rock star for the night. They often host karaoke nights a few times a month, and you can check out their schedule right here!

Owensboro’s downtown brewery also hosts a lot of karaoke and open mic nights! Brew Bridge is an awesome place to let loose with your friends, and they have tons of craft beer, drink specials, delicious barbecue and outdoor patio space to explore as well!

If you want to take your crew out to the country for a night, head to O’Bryan’s Bar & Grill for your next karaoke night! O’Bryan’s hosts karaoke nights pretty often, and you can check out their Facebook page to get all the details about their next one!

Located right in the heart of downtown Owensboro, Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville hosts karaoke nights frequently as well. Just check them out on Facebook for details about the dates and times. This is a 21-and-older bar, so just bring your I.D. and sing the night away!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: February 25-27

Winter Dance Party

Let’s start off with this cool fact: John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party is the official live and authentic recreation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s final tour. What makes it even cooler, it’s the only show of its kind endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates. Each live concert includes over two hours of hit songs from the 1950s. We’re talking the likes of “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Oh, Boy,” “Rave On,” “La Bamba,” “Chantilly Lace,” and many, many more. The Winter Dance Party has performed in front of over 2 million people on national TV and toured extensively throughout the US and Canada. You can catch this critically-acclaimed concert at the RiverPark Center on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20, and this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity in Owensboro, so swing on by and join the fun!

Brennen Leigh Concert

An American songwriter, guitarist, mandolin player and singer whose “to-the-point” storytelling style has elevated her to cult icon status in Europe, Scandinavia, South America, the UK and the US (wow!), seeing Brennen Leigh perform live in Owensboro is a huge deal! Leigh’s songs have been recorded by some of the greats, including Lee Ann Womack, Rodney Crowell, Sunny Sweeney, Charley Crockett and many others. With writing described as “tender, violent, sentimental, foolish and wise,” Leigh has a lot to say, and right now’s a great time to hear it. Tickets are on sale for $20 and the show kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Mardi Gras Party

O’Bryan’s Bar & Grill is throwing down this weekend with its annual Mardi Gras Party! It doesn’t get more fun than this, with tons of drink specials and live music playing all night on Saturday, February 26. The band Kalico—featuring a blend of country and southern rock--will take the outdoor stage at 9 p.m. and the party continues until 2 a.m. A locally-owned bar and grill located about 10 miles outside of Owensboro city limits, O’Bryan’s offers a huge variety of amazing food and drink options. This party is strictly for the adults, and there is a $10 cover charge at the door.

SIP Wine Room: Amazing Drinks with Amazing Views

While Owensboro is widely recognized for its bourbon, our city has another trick up its sleeve when it comes to the fine spirits game.

SIP Wine Room is an absolute gem in our city. Not only is it Owensboro’s first wine room, but it offers a remarkably unique wine drinking experience for its patrons. SIP offers a variety of wine station machines that actually do the pouring for you! These machines chill and aerate the wine in a way you just can’t find anywhere else.

SIP offers a wonderful selection of rotating wines (that can also be hand-poured, if you’d rather go that route) that can be tasted by the bottle, glass, half-glass or ounce. And if you’re not a wine drinker, you can enjoy a huge selection of bourbon, cocktails and beer.

Even more, SIP provides a delicious assortment of appetizers and charcuterie boards with dishes ranging from buffalo chicken flatbread to hummus and beer cheese.

And while all of this spells out an amazing experience for anyone who enjoys a fun night out, SIP makes it even better by providing guests the perfect waterfront location to hang out, sip drinks and enjoy a view of the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro. You can sit indoors at the bar or in comfy booths or drink and dine outside on the patio.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: December 17-19

Santa's Sweets

This brand-new event is coming at you from downtown Owensboro, where local businesses and restaurants will be selling homemade holiday treats to satisfy your sweet tooth! As part of the 12 Days of Christmas, Santa’s Sweets is for the dessert lovers out there, and you will NOT be disappointed. They’ll have everything from fudge brownies, to sprinkled sugar cookies, to delicious pieces of pie. Find out which Santa’s Sweet (or Sweets!) is your favorite on Friday, Dec. 17 from 5-9 p.m. Participating locations include Byron & Barclay, Burger Theory, Pub on Second, Lure Seafood and Grille, Energy on Ice at the Owensboro Convention Center, Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville, Simply Chic Home Accents, Willow and Pine and Brew Bridge.

Ice Skating on the River

If you haven’t already tried out Energy on Ice, this weekend is the perfect chance to go for it. Lace up those skates and glide across the synthetic ice rink with your kids, friends or even by yourself! Located behind the Owensboro Convention Center on the Kentucky Legend Pier, Energy on Ice is all about the location, with dazzling Christmas lights overhead and the Ohio River surrounding you on three sides. And if you’re not into skating, that’s OK! Sit from the spectator’s area on Sunday, Dec. 19 to enjoy the featured film Polar Express on movie night. It will be playing on the big screen for all to enjoy. It costs $10 per person (including skate rental) and $8 per person if you bring your own skates.

Sanders Family Christmas

If you’re in the market for a fun, humorous Christmas play for the entire family to enjoy (and who isn’t?), then you’ll love the production, “Sanders Family Christmas.” Coming to a stage near you and presented by Owensboro’s very own Encore Musicals, this holiday show is a return of the beloved “Smoke on the Mountain” series and will run for three performances. Local audiences have come to love the music and delight in the Sanders’ down-home humor and “gospel sing” at the fictional Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, which sits in the shadow of the Mt. Pleasant Pickle Factory. You can catch the show at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18, as well as a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Dec. 19. All performances take place at Third Baptist Church in Owensboro.

Owensboro Burger Week featuring every burger imaginable March 1-5

Owensboro Burger Week is back, ya’ll! And this time, it’s bigger and better than ever, with more than 30 different restaurants selling their delicious burgers—many of which were created just for this event--for an entire week.

We’ve got every kind of burger on the list you can possibly imagine this year—and some you probably haven’t imagined, but should definitely try.

We’ve got a breakfast burger loaded with eggs and a French toast bun. We’ve got burgers dripping with sriracha, warm beer cheese and pickled carrots. We’ve got burgers stacked with fried pickles, jalapenos and crispy onion rings.

For the barbecue lovers out there (and who isn’t?), we’ve got burgers topped with pulled pork and braised pork belly, slathered in sauces ranging from Tomato Bourbon Jam to smoked paprika and homemade coleslaw.

We’ve got a pizza burger loaded with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and shiitake mushrooms, and we’ve got more varieties of bacon on this Burger Week lineup than you could hope for.

One exciting thing about this year is we’ve even got a couple of vegetarian burgers on the menu, and they look and sound AMAZING. A Greek Lentil Burger served with gochujang on Koulouri? Yep. We’ve got it.

Don’t forget to check out as many of these local restaurants as possible from March 1-5 during the 2^nd Annual Owensboro Burger Week! All burgers are $7 and, if we’re being honest, it’s impossible to know which burgers are taking home prizes this year. That’s how good they all sound!

Speaking of prizes, everyone who participates in Burger Week 2022 has the chance to win an awesome one! All you gotta do is take a photo of your burger at three different places (at least) and use the hashtag Owensboroburgerweek (#Owensboroburgerweek) to be entered into a drawing for a Mini Green Egg Max and wonderful meat package from Hill View Farms Meats.

You can see a full list of burgers and participating restaurants at owensboroburgerweek.com.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: May 26-28

Cork & Cuisine: Saddles and Spurs

All you Yellowstone fans, we’ve got an event designed specifically for you! Held at the Owensboro Convention Center on May 25, Cork & Cuisine: Saddles and Spurs will feature a five-course western-themed menu paired with wines and spirits all inspired by the popular TV show. Dress up as your favorite character and enjoy some Yellowstone trivia throughout the night! Tickets are $75/person or $130 for two people. Make reservations right here! This is a 21-and-older event and the evening kicks off at 6 p.m.

GeoWoodstock

The world’s LARGEST geocaching event is coming to Owensboro this weekend! GeoWoodstock 2023 will bring thousands of people to our city for an entire week full of fun festivities, with the big event being held on May 27. You can click here to read a description of events that will be held throughout the week (May 22-28), which will include our award-winning music festival, Friday After 5, along with tons of themed events for adults and families alike.

Strawberry Pickin' at Reid's

Did you know you can pick fresh strawberries right here in Owensboro? Head on over to Reid’s Orchard this weekend for an authentic strawberry-picking experience at one of the prettiest orchards in the Midwest. Homegrown right at the orchard, Reid’s has thousands of fresh strawberries available to choose from. Open seven days a week, all you have to do is head inside the store and ask for a basket, and then the strawberries are yours for the pickin’!

Sing your way back to the 1960s at Happy Together Tour

If you’re looking for a blast from the past that includes some great bands from the 60s and 70s, then the RiverPark Center has exactly what you need.

The Happy Together Tour will hit the RPC stage on August 13, bringing you a lineup of rock, folk and pop bands that’ll bring you some of the best feel-good music you’ll find anywhere.

This concert will feature Gary Puckett & The Union Gap – an American pop/rock group from the late 60s, along with The Turtles – an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965.

Joining those two groups will be Chuck Negron – known best as one of the three lead vocalists in Three Dog Night (formed in 1968)– and The Association, an American sunshine pop band formed in the 1960s.

As if it could get any better, the Happy Together Tour will also bring you 1960s rock group The Vogues and The Cowsills – known as a group of six siblings who harmonized together on tour beginning in 1965.

The Happy Together Tour travels across the country each year to bring fans from all over a dose of happiness in the form of reminiscent musical performances. But even if you didn’t hear these songs growing up, this concert is a great chance to get an authentic experience of a generation that created a brand new genre of rock, pop and folk music.

Tickets for the Happy Together Tour start out at $70, and the show kicks off at 8 p.m.

Head to Owensboro’s beautiful riverfront for Friday After 5

It’s Friday After 5 season, ya’ll!

For those who don’t know, Friday After 5 (FA5) is a multi-award-winning series of free outdoor concerts held every Friday for 16 weeks. It brings thousands of people to Owensboro each week to enjoy the sights and sounds of our beautiful downtown and includes live bands, family events, food trucks and a kid-friendly street fair with costumed characters running about.

You can find live entertainment across five different venues each week, as FA5 stretches across the riverfront on Veterans Boulevard from Frederica Street to the Holiday Inn Downtown Riverfront.

Friday After 5 will host several big-name performers this year, and we couldn’t be more excited to see them in-person!

On opening night (May 20), you can catch The Beatles Rock Band Show from 6-9:30 p.m. on the Jagoe Homes Riverfront Live stage. This group will perform a high energy, full-length rock show featuring hits from The Beatles, John Lennon and Paul McCartney for an experience you will never forget! This band has graced some of the biggest festival stages across the world and has scored countless TV and movie credits over the years, and they’ve sold millions of albums all over the world.

On May 27, local musician-turned-local celebrity Dakota Hayden will sing all the country music hits you could hope for from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Atmos Amphitheater at McConnell Plaza. This singer garnered fame for his performances on the most recent season of American Idol, where he earned the golden ticket to Hollywood!

Rising country music stars, The Hobbs Sisters, will perform live from the Jagoe Homes Riverfront Live stage on June 3 from 6-9:30 p.m.

You can catch another country music star on July 29 as Coffey Anderson takes the Jagoe Stage at the Atmos Amphitheater in McConnell Plaza from 7-10 p.m.

If you don’t know “The Git Up” song, you’ll know it after you see Blanco Brown perform it live at FA5. Brown, who has produced for celebrities such as Chris Brown and Pitbull and blurs the line between country music and hip-hop, will put on a show on the Owensboro Convention Center front lawn on August 19 from 7-10 p.m. for the “Git Up Challenge to Make a Difference.” It’s pretty much guaranteed that everyone in attendance will be doing the “two-step then cowboy boogie” by the end of the night. Or, at least attempting it.

And on Sept. 2, Grammy-winning band The Motels -- known for popular gold records and Top 10 singles "Only the Lonely" and "Suddenly Last Summer" -- will grace the stage with performer Bow Wow Wow -- famous for the songs "I Want Candy" and "When In Rome" -- taking you back to the 1980s for a night full of fun memories!

Friday After 5 will run May 20-September 2 this year, and it looks like it’s going to be a season for the books! Click here to see the full musical lineup, stage locations and events for each week.

Owensboro Symphony’s ‘Night at the Oscars’ featuring music from famous films

One of the things that makes a good movie GREAT is, of course, the music. And for one night only, you can have the chance to hear that music played live and in-person at the RiverPark Center.

The Owensboro Symphony will roll out the red carpet and transport you right onto Hollywood Boulevard as they perform songs from Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning movies on January 29.

This concert is going to have songs from SO many iconic films, including The Godfather, La La Land, Titanic and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, among many, many others.

Not only will you get to see OS Music Conductor Troy Quinn work his magic, but Eric Rigler – the world’s most recorded piper of all time – will be joining the symphony for this legendary concert as the featured soloist.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so make sure to grab your tickets before they sell out! The Owensboro Symphony takes the stage at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $50 to $42.50 each.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: July 15-17

Supporting Heroes Tribute Gala

This is a night dedicated entirely to celebrating the heroes in our lives. Whether you work in public safety, are the survivor of a fallen hero, or simply appreciate the service and sacrifice made by heroes on a daily basis, this is the perfect event for you to show your support. Held at the Owensboro Convention Center on July 16 at 6 p.m., doors will open and seating begins at 5:20 p.m. Seats can be purchased right here for $60 each. There is never a cost to immediate survivors of fallen heroes.

Friday After 5

Owensboro’s summer music series is supporting heroes as well this weekend. On Friday, July 15, you can head to the downtown riverfront to celebrate first responders from 5:30-11:30 p.m. A live music performance by The Consoulers will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Jagoe Homes Riverfront stage, while No Governor will perform from 7-9 p.m. at the ROMAIN SUBARU Overlook Stage. You can also enjoy food trucks, the second round of WBKR Fight Night auditions and even more live music from Tyrone Dunn & Kinfoke at the Ruoff Party Stage from 8:30-11:30 p.m.

Games on the River

Sunday is a great day for families and friends, and there’s no better way to spend time together than with a game night. But this is no ordinary set of checkers we’re talking about. Games on the River brings you a variety of FREE giant games the whole family can enjoy! From checkers to Connect Four to Jenga, you can play these larger-than-life games at Smothers Park from noon-8 p.m. on July 17.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 17-19

Great American Bluegrass Jam

The inaugural Great American Bluegrass Jam is coming to Owensboro this weekend! Held March 17-19, this event will feature the Kentucky Fried Pickin’ Hotel Jam, the Kentucky State Fiddle Championship, King’s Highway and The Earls of Leicester in concert at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum and excursions to both Green River Distilling Co. and the Bill Monroe Homeplace in Rosine, KY. This is an event for all fans of Bluegrass music!

Shamrock Bash

You can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a real party this year at the Shamrock Bash! Held on March 17 at the Owensboro Convention Center, this event will feature live music from The Crashers, all the green beer you could want, Pancake Shots made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, and plenty of tasty food to go with it all! Tickets are $12 for general admission and doors open at 7 p.m.

Better Together at RPC

You can catch an awesome show at the RiverPark Center with In Concert featuring Descendants…Better Together. Guest choreographers will utilize a variety of dance styles performed by Owensboro Dance Theatre’s company members, followed by a second act featuring ZFX Effects Flying that will draw you into a magical fairytale world full of fun and frolic. This will be a battle between the heroes and villains and, hopefully, good will prevail! Tickets are $15 and shows will be held on March 18 at 7 p.m. and March 19 at 3 p.m.

What to look forward to in 2022

With the new year coming in strong, there are a lot of reasons to look forward to what’s coming in 2022. Owensboro-Daviess County is producing more and more exciting reasons to visit our area each year, and we are absolutely pumped to see so many concerts, events and programs in the works for the year to come.

There are literally so many events going on this coming year that we can’t possibly name them all, but here’s a quick list to get you started on planning your next visit (or visits!) to Owensboro in 2022.

First off, Goodwood Brewing and Spirits is opening a new location in Owensboro, bringing you all the craft beer and cocktails you could ask for! The brand new brewpub will feature a full kitchen and brewery onsite with their award-winning beers and diverse, southern-focused food menu. A spacious patio (complete with a fireplace setting overlooking the Ohio River) will be everything you ever hoped for in a place to grab food and drinks. The brewpub will open at 101 Frederica Street in early 2022.

On the topic of good beer, Hops on the Ohio is coming back to Owensboro this year after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And we couldn’t be more excited! This indoor/outdoor beer festival will take place at the RiverPark Center on March 12, and you can snag TONS of craft beer, wine and spirits at this all-day event.

Now let’s touch on some of the amazing concerts Owensboro is hosting in 2022, beginning with ROMP. This Bluegrass Music festival will run June 22-25 at Yellow Creek Park and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum JUST dropped the initial lineup for this year’s event! Some of Bluegrass music’s biggest names will hit the outdoor stage, including Punch Brothers, The Del McCoury Band, Rhiannon Giddens, Tommy Emmanuel, We Banjo 3, The Gibson Brothers, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys and East Nash Grass. And there are still more artists to be added!

Make sure to keep an eye out for other amazing performances held locally at PorchFest 2022, Shiloh’s Lounge and Andy Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville in downtown Owensboro.

Other concerts we can’t wait for include Lonestar at the RiverPark Center on January 15, Rodney Dillard & The Dillards at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on January 15, Tracy Lawrence and Clay Walker at the Owensboro Sportscenter on March 19, Trace Adkins at RiverPark Center on April 28, One Fein Night featuring Michael Feinstein at RPC on May 21 and the Red Hot Chili Pipers at RPC on March 25.

As for Broadway shows, Owensboro has some amazing talent coming to our city in 2022. So far, we’re super excited to see Hairspray coming to RPC on March 10, Waitress at RPC on April 11 and Jersey Boys hitting the RPC stage on April 24. These award-winning Broadway shows are hugely popular and we could not be more pumped to see them live and in person!

We can also expect a record-breaking year at the Owensboro Convention Center, as well as the highly-anticipated launch of Green River Distilling Company's barrel-aged bourbon hitting shelves. With so much to look forward to, we're ready for one of the most exciting years to date in Owensboro!

Top 6 Destinations to Visit in Owensboro

Green River Distilling Co.

Enjoy and explore over 100 years of history at this newly renovated facility located on the Ohio River. After restoring the distillery to its original glory in 2014, Green River Distilling Co. has continued to impress and amaze visitors with one of the top-ranked bourbon tours in the state of Kentucky. Even better, Green River’s new Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has received amazing reviews since its launch in 2021, and you’ll get to taste the distillery’s name-brand bourbon at the end of your tour. You can schedule one-hour tours Tuesday-Saturday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. for $20.

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Nowhere else in the world can you find a facility dedicated solely to Bluegrass music. After being declared the “Bluegrass Music Capital of the World” in 2021, there’s never been a better time to visit the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum at our city’s downtown waterfront location. You can play instruments at a pickin’ parlor, shop at an amazing gift shop and catch live performances from the best Bluegrass artists in the world at the facility’s indoor and outdoor theaters.

Smothers Park

Smothers Park has everything you could dream of in a world-class park, and then some. Stretching over a mile along the downtown riverfront, you can enjoy a nice walk with amazing sunset views, lit-up water fountains at night, and a color-changing lighted bridge that connects Owensboro to Indiana across the Ohio River. Even better, Lazy Days Playground was named one of the best parks in the world in 2015, so you don’t want to miss it. With a spray park and more slides than you count, we can’t recommend the playground enough to anyone traveling with kids.

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden

This 12-acre facility is located only minutes from downtown Owensboro, but you will feel like you’ve entered a whole new world once you arrive. With plenty of beautiful walkways, event spaces and, of course, gorgeous trees, flowers and plants, it’s hard to name a more beautiful place to explore. With a new entrance and visitor center located at the historic WeatherBerry house, you can tour the garden Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is super affordable too – $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and veterans, and only $1 for children.

Preservation Station

One of the coolest places to check out in the entire state of Kentucky, Preservation Station Market, Restaurant and Event Center is a 39,000 square-foot retail marketplace housed in a former elementary school. The school was converted to include more than 60 shops and a gymnasium that has all kinds of unique treasures inside. Preservation Station is open Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and a 100-seat restaurant serves southern favorites Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Barbecue

A barbecue-lovers paradise, Owensboro has long been famous for some of the best mutton, pork and other delicious dishes on the planet. You can visit historic barbecue restaurants like Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn and Old Hickory Bar-B-Q, or newer establishments like Ole South Barbecue, for a meal that you will never forget.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: December 31-January 2

Goldie's Final Reunion

If you want to celebrate a local legend and also hear a reality TV star sing live on stage, then Goldie’s Final Reunion is the place for you this New Year’s Eve. This show will take place on December 31 at the RiverPark Center from 8 p.m.-midnight. THe show will include Goldie, the guys and gals of the Backstage Band, backup singers and other “friends of the show.” Those friends will include Jon Brennan (who is currently starring on a Real World: Los Angeles Reunion season!), Katie Herron, Tara Estes, Travis Estes, Janie Jett Mason and many others. This will be Goldie’s final NYE Show in Owensboro, so make sure you make it to his historic event! Tickets are $30.

Glow Year's Eve Party

If you’ve never been to a glow party, now is the time to do it! You can get your glow on and celebrate the start of the new year at the Owensboro Convention Center’s Glow Year’s Eve Party on December 31. This party will have you dancing into 2022 with your favorite party anthems from Blue Line Entertainment. Grab your free glow swag and enjoy themed drink specials and concessions throughout the night! Live music runs from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., so be sure to wear your best “glow attire” (i.e. white, neon and fluorescents) and purchase your $20 tickets in advance!

NYE Bash at Shiloh's Lounge

This hot spot for big parties is ringing in the new year in style. Shiloh’s Lounge is hosting “the biggest NYE event in the Tri-State” with Sada Baby performing live in Owensboro! The Detroit native is gaining recognition across the country for his rap music, and this event at Shiloh’s Lounge is expected to bring in tons of fans from all over. Tickets for this New Year’s Eve Bash are $50 each and are expected to sell out, so grab them while you can! Doors for this event open at 9 p.m.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 4-6

Owensboro Burger Week

It’s finally here, and we hope you’re as ready as we are! This week, it’s all about the burgers. With over 30 different restaurants participating in this year’s Owensboro Burger Week, you’ve got more to try and taste than last year, and these burger choices are looking better than ever. From breakfast burgers, to pizza burgers, to barbecue-inspired burgers, to vegetarian burgers—we’ve got it all, and every burger is only $7 from March 1-5. Check out a list of participating restaurants at Owensboroburgerweek.com, and take at least three photos of different burgers using the hashtag Owensboroburgerweek to be entered to win some amazing prizes. If there’s ever been an excuse to eat as many burgers as possible, this is it, so come hungry!

Stairway to Schumann

You may have heard of a rock opera, but a rock symphony? Well, you’re about to. In one of the most unique performances of the year, the Owensboro Symphony will bring you “Stairway to Schumann,” fusing rock with orchestra to create an experience fused with inspiring and iconic music. Troy Quinn and his team of musicians will perform Led Zepplin’s masterpiece, “Stairway to Heaven,” along with Schumann’s legendary Fourth Symphony. Blending these two different styles of music is a feat in and of itself, and there’s no group better at exceeding challenges than the Owensboro Symphony. The show kicks off on March 5 at 7 p.m. and tickets are $42.

Jonah Leatherman Live

Musician Jonah Leatherman and his band are bringing all the rock music you could ask for to Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville on Saturday, March 5 from 9:30-midnight. Hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Jonah Leatherman band released its first album last year and has been heavily influenced by artists such as Tom Petty and the Black Crowes. Jonah Leatherman’s music is a blend of blues-based rock and roll, so be sure to head to downtown Owensboro this weekend to check them out!

Owensboro to Host Prelims for Major Talent Competition

Owensboro is about to host a super cool talent competition that could lead to a lucky singer/songwriter getting the chance to score a major music deal and a chance to perform at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville!

Held by the Inspirational Country Music Association, four different cities will hold preliminary talent competitions as part of the Nashville Talent Showcase. The cities include Fort Worth, Texas; Vicksburg, Mississippi; Jennings, Louisiana; and Owensboro, Kentucky.

Winners from each preliminary competition will be asked to perform in the finale during the Inspirational Country Music Association Awards pre-show. This platform will showcase your talent to a variety of top-notch artists, radio influences and some of Nashville’s elite power players!

Each contestant will send a video submission to some of Nashville’s top industry professionals to be critiqued. During the preliminary competitions, contestants will have five minutes to sing their heart out for the chance to move forward. Each state will select two competitors to move to the next round.

There are some top-notch prizes for first, second and third place winners, so this is not a competition to be taken lightly! You’ll have the chance to score song-writing sessions with some of Nashville’s best songwriters, along an EP recording of your music and radio releases!

Owensboro’s preliminary event will be held on the ICMA stage at McConnell Plaza on June 16, so be sure to check it out while you’re here! And if you’re interested in competing, click here for a complete list of rules, guidelines and information.

Red Hot Chili Pipers bringing unique blend of bagpipes and rock music to Owensboro

You’ve heard of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But…have you heard of the Red Hot Chili Pipers?

We know they’re not the band you grew up listening to and collecting posters of, but with tours stretching from NYC to Beijing, this band of pipers/rock stars sure is trying to get on your radar. And honestly, they’re a solid group of musicians with a really cool sound.

The band’s lineup features three highland bagpipers and traditional marching snare, backed by a five- to seven-piece band consisting of guitars, drums and keyboards. Shows also include impressive vocal performances and highland dancing!

Even better, the Red Hot Chili Pipers have used this blend of instruments and bagpipes to create a new sound called “bagrock.” First of all, cool move. Secondly, cool name.

The band performs a fusion of traditional pipe tunes and contemporary pieces, so there’s a little bit of music for everybody here. Notable covers performed by the Chili Pipers include “We Will Rock You” by Queen, “Clocks” by Coldplay, “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple and “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey.

The group even appeared on the How to Train Your Dragon 2 soundtrack!

So, if you’re in the market for something fun and different to listen to, the Red Hot Chili Pipers is a pretty sweet chance to expand your horizon and take a chance on something new. This Scottish bagrock band will perform at the RiverPark Center on March 25 from 8-10 p.m. and tickets are only $19, so get them while you can!

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: January 7-9

Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters will perform live at the Owensboro Sportscenter for their Spread Game Tour and slam dunk contest with the Generals on January 6 at 7 p.m.! Known for their unbelievable athleticism and funny personalities, seeing the Globetrotters in person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! What’s new about this year’s event? Well, the Globetrotters always rattle the rim with the best slam dunks in the country, but this year, they’ll face off against the Generals for a dunk contest. This year’s event also features a ton of LOL-worthy moments due to some extensive training the Globetrotters received from Broadways experts. After the game, fans get the chance to snag autographs from team members! Tickets are $23 and are available at the Owensboro Convention Center Box Office, by phone at 270-297-9932 or online.

Cornhole Tournament

The American Cornhole Organization (ACO) is the worldwide governing body for the sport of cornhole, and they will be in Owensboro this weekend to hold the ACO Owensboro Major as part of its 17^th season. The tournament will run January 7-8 from 9-6 p.m. for most events, featuring some of the country’s best cornhole players in womens’, seniors’, co-eds’ and juniors’ divisions. Over $5,000 guaranteed purse for majors means these players are competing for some big cash, so come out to see them play!

Downtown Pub Crawl

What better way to enjoy the weekend than grabbing a drink and supporting an amazing cause? Because that’s what the Downtown Pub Crawl is all about this Saturday, with all ticket sales going directly to Owensboro’s Puzzle Pieces, a nonprofit focused on providing a safe environment and promoting independence for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville, The Pub on Second, The Brew Bridge and Don Mario’s will all be participating in this event. Those who participate will get arm bands and a free koozie! The Downtown Pub Crawl kicks off January 8 from 4:30-11 p.m. To purchase tickets, simply Venmo $10 to @HoseHandlers.

Visit Owensboro reports: Convention center successfully operates with net profit

For the first time since being built in 2013, the Owensboro Convention Center broke records in Fiscal Year 2021 by finishing with a net profit.

Mark Calitri, president of Visit Owensboro credits this accomplishment to the teams at the center and cvb laser focusing on meetings, conventions, and maximizing new indoor sports events.

According to General Manager Jeff Esposito, the Convention Center outperformed its budget by $357,210.

2022 will set an all-time record for the number of hotel room nights generated, which doubled any of the previous years since the Owensboro Convention Center opened.

Visitors expressed positive reactions to Owensboro’s amazing riverfront scene, walkability to cool downtown restaurants and pubs, the vibrant music scene. Meeting planners pointed to safety as a key factor in choosing Owensboro to host their events.

Owensboro City Manager Nate Pagan said that through the combined efforts of Visit Owensboro and the Convention Center, the 2021 fiscal year marked the first time the operation of the Convention Center was in the black since it’s been built.

Visit Owensboro reports the future looks bright and sales efforts have well positioned 2023.

These results demonstrate that meetings, conventions, and indoor sports are the keys to creating an economic impact to Daviess County and financial success at the Owensboro Convention Center.

Owensboro to Honor Nicky Hayden with Summer Motorsports Festival

Owensboro celebrates one of its hometown heroes in a big way each year with Nicky Hayden Week honoring the life of “The Kentucky Kid” and world-famous racer.

Part of that celebration includes hosting one of the largest motorcycle and powersports shows in the state!

The River City Bike Expo will be held for two days this year on June 2 and 3 at the Owensboro Convention Center. This event will not only bring tons of visitors to our city but will kick off Owensboro’s Summer Motorsports Festival, held June 2-10.

With 43,000 square feet of space, the Owensboro Convention Center is the perfect place to host this large-scale event. Attendees can enjoy incredible custom builds, National Builders Manufacturing Displays & Vendors and a Motorcycle Audio Sound Warz Competition, among many other cool displays and events.

Even more, you can spend Friday night at Owensboro’s summer music festival, Friday After 5, for free! Everything is within walking distance to the convention center and both downtown hotels and there will be multiple bands and singers spread throughout downtown Owensboro.

There will be a downtown cruise-in on Saturday, June 3 from 4-7 p.m. and a NASCAR Truck Series Toyota 200 Watch Party at The Lot (900 East 4th Street) at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday is NASCAR Day, which will include a beer release and meet-and-greet with Darrell and Michael Waltrip in downtown Owensboro at 1 p.m. at The Pub on Second. There will also be a NASCAR Illinois 300 Watch Party at 2:30 p.m. and a dirt track racing event at Windy Hollow.

The rest of the week, you can celebrate Hayden’s life and motorsports by attending JEEP Night on Tuesday, Applebee’s Bike Night on Wednesday (6-9 p.m.) and Nicky Hayden Day on Friday, which will include a Nicky Hayden Memorial Ride and Nicky Hayden Night at Friday After 5. There will be a Weller Bottle Sale and Charity Auction to benefit the Nicky Hayden Memorial Foundation at Lure Seafood and Grille. On Saturday, there will be a Poker Run to benefit the foundation and WDRA Bracket Racing.

Be sure to check out the Nicky Hayden Memorial in front of the Owensboro Convention Center while you’re there to honor the life and legacy of the legendary rider. Additional information regarding this weeklong event will be available soon!

Green River Distilling Co. earns glowing reviews for newly released bourbon

Reviews for Green River Distilling Company’s new Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey are pouring in (we had to do it) from bourbon enthusiasts and experts all over. So far, we’re hearing words like “excellent,” “superb,” and “very, very good.”

And this is just the beginning.

To quote one of the most well-known bourbon reviewers and a tough critic, Fred Minnick said only one word after his first taste of the new Green River bourbon: “Wow.”

“My hat’s off,” Minnick said during his self-recorded review. “My hat’s absolutely off to Green River. To Jacob Call, the master distiller there, for putting out what is an excellent bourbon.”

As viewers watch Minnick throughout his four-point tasting process (smell, first taste, second taste, and finish), he recalls a variety of aromas and tasting notes he picks up along the way. Notes of cinnamon were strong on the nose, he said, and he commended the bourbon’s color and clarity as well.

“The color can be an indication of its time in the barrel,” he said. “What we have here—we have a really, really good-looking color there. Nice clarity. You can see there’s some oils still in there.

And it smells great,” he added. “This smells great.”

The 90-proof bourbon tasted better than expected, Minnick noted, saying he picked up a lot of spice and cinnamon on the first and second tastes.

Unlike a lot of 90-proof bourbons, the Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey didn’t feel watered down, Minnick said. It tasted like it was proofed “exactly where it needed to be.”

Notes of tapioca pudding, “chewing on straw,” black pepper and a subtle hint of vanilla icing were also mentioned during Minnick’s tasting process. And though the finish wasn’t quite as long as he’d expected, he said the bourbon’s “short-to-medium finish” was the only real critique he had based on first impressions.

Minnick, holding up the bottle he’d also complimented earlier (saying it was one of the prettiest bottles he’d ever seen) finished his review with nothing but good things to say about Green River Distilling Company’s new product.

“This is why you never give up tasting on a distillery. This is why you never give up on a distiller. Because people get better. Processes get better,” he said. “The tasting of this Green River right here is an example of a master distiller continuing their craft to the point where they can put out something that will probably be the likes of Woodford Reserve, probably be competitive with Knob Creek, Wild Turkey 101. It’s in that caliber of bourbon.”

Meanwhile, Bourbon & Banter put out its own glowing review of Green River’s new bourbon, describing it as “a bourbon made for drinking and sharing.”

“It’s been a long time since I could say without any reservation that a new release (not to mention a debut release) is worth the price,” they wrote. “With an MSRP of just $34.99, this is a bottle that everyone should be purchasing to add to their daily drinker lineup.”

Self-described as “hard to please” when it comes to overpriced and limited release bourbons, those at Bourbon & Banter said it took a very special whiskey to impress them upon a first release.

“I’m pleased to report that after scientifically tasting about half the bottle, I can confirm that it’s beyond good,” they wrote. “A nose of enticing, warm spices greet you, thanks to the high-rye mash bill, which is followed up by the standard trio of bourbon flavors (vanilla, caramel, and a hint of oak) with the addition of cinnamon and sweet, candied fruit. It’s a lighter bourbon, especially compared to what I normally drink, but the mouthfeel is luscious, and the finish is surprisingly long, warming and flavorful.”

Bourbon & Banter went on to say that the Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey would become a “must-have” in their daily drinker rotation.

“2022 has just begun, but Green River Bourbon is leading the pack when it comes to new releases that I’m willing to spend my hard-earned dollar on,” they wrote.

The Bar Belle (out of Louisville) echoed similar thoughts, with the reviewer saying she would “definitely” be adding Green River’s bourbon to its bar as a daily drinker instead of a bottle that collected dust on the shelf.

Calling the bourbon “refreshingly affordable,” The Bar Belle review highlighted the bourbon’s rich flavors of caramel, nutmeg and apricot.

“And the actual bottle design is super cool, rounded to match the horseshoe on the bottom,” she added.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: September 30-October 2

Drag Racing

The dB Drag Racing Association’s 25th Anniversary World Finals event will take place October 1 and 2 at the Owensboro Convention Center. Elite car-stereo competitors from across the country will participate in dB Drag Racing, Bass Race, Psychlone, Top Dog and Freestyle competition formats. You can enjoy the fun by purchasing a VIP All Access Pass for $75 or a Weekend Pass for $40 right here.

Pumpkin & Pickle Festival

One of the greatest combos you never knew existed until now, the Cottage Farm Stand’s Pumpkin & Pickle Festival will bring you a variety of pickle-flavored foods as well as tons of gorgeous pumpkins to shop from. You can even score a pickle-flavored craft beer from Brew Bridge! Held for two days on October 1 and 2, you can shop from tons of amazing vendors, meander through a corn maze and spend a day with the animals at the petting zoo. Bring $5 for parking and enjoy the festivities from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.

Halloweekends at Holiday World

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean the fun stops at Holiday World! This family-friendly special event includes all the rides you love at the amusement park, plus lots of Halloween-themed shows and fun. Experience a funhouse for all ages at SCAREbnb, Holidog’s 3D Halloween Adventure in the Holiday Theater, 12 acres of corn mazes and hayrides, Carnival Chaos and even trick-or-treating for children 12 years and younger. You can enjoy Halloweekends at Holiday World on Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Where to See the Flowers Bloom in Owensboro

Owensboro is an absolutely gorgeous city to visit in the springtime. We are famous for our pink and white dogwood trees you can find blooming all across the city. You’ll find hundreds and hundreds of beautifully bright azalea bushes, along with fields and sidewalks lined with daffodils. It’s truly a floral paradise here March through May.

Because of all that beauty, we created a list of some of the best places you can find the flowers blooming this year!

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is a top spot for viewing flowers in peak blooming season. There are so many different types of flowers, plants and trees in bloom at the Botanical Gardens that we couldn’t even begin to name them all–you just gotta trust us when we say, it’s worth it. Admission is free to members, $8 for adults and $2 for children.

Reid’s Orchard has its very own flower garden (Katie’s U-Pick Flower Garden) where you can pick your own flowers at a very affordable price. This garden is fully stocked each year with a gorgeous variety of zinnias, snapdragons, sunflowers and salvia, among many others.

Cecil Farms Produce has its own variety of flower gardens and it’s very own greenhouse to boot! Run by Katie Ann Flowers, you can not only see the flowers growing in their natural environment outside, but you can purchase many of the plants and flowers from the greenhouse!

You can find daffodils and other wildflowers bloom all spring at many of our parks, including Yellow Creek Park, Panther Creek Park and Ben Hawes Park.

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: March 24-26

Fear Expo Live

Fear Expo Live is the newest National Haunted Attraction Industry trade show, bringing together haunters and vendors from all over the country. The expo is dedicated to connecting attraction owners with the latest products and services from the industry’s leading vendors early in the year to ensure these products arrive on-time and ahead of schedule. Fear Expo Live will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center March 23-26.

Rhonda Vincent in Concert

One of Bluegrass music’s biggest stars will take the stage at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on March 24 at 7 p.m. Vincent is a firecracker of talent that powers one of the hottest bands in any genre of music out there! This multi-award winning artist took home a 2017 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, Entertainer of the Year in 2001, Song of the Year in 2004 and seven CONSECUTIVE Female Vocalist of the Year awards from the IBMA from 2000 to 2006. Tickets to see Rhona Vincent are $38.

Assisted Living: The Musical

“Assisted Living: The Musical” will hit the RiverPark Center stage on Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m. Everything Mamaw told you about aging? Forget it! From early retirement right up to the pulling of the plug, these 21st Century seniors are partying like it’s 1969. No work, no pregnancy and an array of Medicare-subsidized pharmaceuticals–it’s the Boomer dream! This show will feature 18 different characters played by two different actors. Tickets are $30.

Make Owensboro Your Next Girl’s Trip Destination

One of the best things about road tripping is checking out new places you may have never been to before. And when you just need a weekend away from the day-to-day activities that make up your life, Owensboro is the perfect place for a girl’s trip!

If you’re looking for a city with live music, delicious drinks, cute, crafty stores to check out and a great brunch — Owensboro is the place!

You can grab mimosas, blood marys, cocktails and TONS of chilled wine at SIP Wine Room. This high-end establishment is located right on the Ohio River, so you’ve also got beautiful waterfront views from SIP’s outdoor patio. Also peep SIP’s food menu for charcuterie boards and other dishes that are perfect for lunch or an early evening dinner.

If you’re wanting to primarily stay in the downtown area, some other great places for drinks and brunch are Burger Theory (more waterfront views!), Lure Seafood and Grille (again with the waterfront views), Brew Bridge and on Saturday mornings, Famous Bistro offers up a delicious breakfast menu.

If you’re looking for a fun night out, RiverPark Center holds concerts featuring major artists and other fun events all the time! You can check out a list of their events right here. And if you want to try something Owensboro is famous for, head to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum for a bluegrass concert! Both locations also have full bars.

Other great nightlife spots in the downtown area include: Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville, Pub on Second, Ten O Six, Brew Bridge and, soon to be opened right next to SIP, Goodwood Brewing Co. And if you’re looking for some daytime fun, you definitely schedule a tour at Green River Distilling Co. – it’s been ranked as one of the BEST bourbon tours in the entire state of Kentucky!

If you want to stretch your legs and see some beautiful sights, we suggest checking out Western Kentucky Botanical Garden for all the flowers and gorgeous walkways. Other amazing places to see include Reid’s Orchard (complete with an onsite store selling fresh veggies, sweets and tons of cute merchandise), Trunnel’s Farm Market and Preservation Station.

You can also click here to see a list of fun places to karaoke!

See hundreds of pups compete at Owensboro’s Dog Show

Each year, Owensboro welcomes hundreds of dogs and their owners/trainers to participate in the River Valley Cluster Dog Show, held at the Owensboro Convention Center this year on August 25-28.

The event is an amazing one to experience, especially for dog lovers, as you’ll see tons of different breeds spread throughout the Convention Center’s huge exhibition hall. Even if you don’t have a pup participating in the show, the event also includes over 500 feet of shopping space to satiate every dog lover’s needs!

Four AKC All Breed Shows will take place. Beginning on August 25, the Owensboro River City Kennel Club will host its show, followed by the Southern Indiana Kennel Club on August 26. The Owensboro River City Kennel Club will compete on August 27, and Southern Indiana will finish up the cluster of dog shows on August 28.

An AKC Accredited B Match will also be held on Saturday.

Local dog shows are a great way to meet various breeds of dog and learn more about dogs in general! And while you’re in town enjoying this year’s dog show, be sure to check out the amazing restaurants, shops and entertainment venues downtown Owensboro has to offer.

Click here to see the schedule of events for the River Valley Cluster Dog Show.

Owensboro Music Business Expo Bringing Big-Name Musicians, Producers to Event

The first-ever Owensboro Music Business Expo is getting closer and closer by the day, and we can’t wait to remind you why you should be a part of this up-close-and-personal musical experience!

The OMBE is an event for anyone IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS OR WANTING TO START THEIR CAREER IN MUSIC trying to TAKE THE NEXT STEP in the business. Held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum April 13-15, you will get firsthand knowledge about the ever-changing music industry from some of the best experts in the business!

The OMBE is being launched by musician and guitarist Adam Gaynor, formerly of Matchbox Twenty fame and his longtime industry friend Francine Marseille. Gaynor helped the band sell over 30 million albums, so he definitely knows the ins and outs of the music biz.

The Keynote Speaker will be none other than award-winning songwriter and producer Steve Levine, from Liverpool. Levine has won Grammys and other music awards over the years, and he even produced the Beach Boys! Levine will be joined by, Keynote speaker Rick Barker, Taylor Swift’s former manager!

Other notable names at the OMBE will be Emmy Award Winning Composer Jim Dooley, Nashville songwriting teacher Barbara Cloyd, Michael Elsner, whose songs have made it in over 800 TV episodes! Executive Producer & Founder of the Hollywood Music in Media Awards and Hollywood Independent Music Awards, LaTasha Lucinda Shemwell, Tommy Stillwell, among many others!

You can attend workshops and learn from the best songwriters, composers, singers and instrumentalists in the industry at this amazing event. Tickets start at $113 with all taxes and fees included.