Country Adventure

Daviess County has a rich history with agriculture being one of our largest industries. Step into the countryside with us, pick your own produce and enjoy the simple things in life.

Experience the unique charm of Preservation Station during Holiday Market Day

Preservation Station’s One Day Holiday Market Day will take place on November 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., featuring over 100 vendors and a delicious restaurant buffet.First of all, Preservation Station is one of the coolest places in Daviess County because of the history behind its location. The 39,000 square foot building was formerly West Louisville Elementary School before the school relocated. If you walk around the back of the building, you can see where the old playground used to be!And the interior of Preservation Station reflects the building’s history as well. The bathrooms have been updated a little, but owner Jennifer Higdon kept the stalls, sinks and tiling the same as before. Even more, each classroom offers something different, and the gymnasium and stage have been converted into shopping areas too!With so much space to roam and such a unique landscape to do it in, shoppers will have a huge selection of antique, unique, boutique and handcrafted items to choose from during Market Day.Maybe we’re just hungry right now, but let’s talk about that buffet for a second because it sounds almost as good as the shopping selection. From 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Preservation Station will be serving hand-carved, oven-roasted turkey,…

Christmas in the Country

There are a ton of family-friendly holiday events happening on the outskirts of Owensboro city limits this year, so we put together a list of some of the best ways to spend Christmas in the Country. From Christmas light displays to parades to fresh-cut trees, Daviess County is throwing down this holiday season, and we are here for it!  Christmas at Panther Creek“Christmas at Panther Creek” has become one of Daviess County’s long-honored traditions, and there are plenty of good reasons for that. This driving tour features more than 700,000 lights across more than 50 holiday-themed displays, and it also serves a meaningful purpose.Located at Panther Creek Park (5160 Wayne Bridge Road), the cost to enter Christmas at Panther Creek is $5 per vehicle, and half of the total proceeds will go to five local nonprofits across Daviess County. This year’s nonprofits include Kentucky State Police Professional Association, Right to Life of Owensboro, St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter, 90.3 WKWC Kentucky Wesleyan College and United Way of the Ohio Valley.2020 was a record year for “Christmas at Panther Creek,” with the event bringing in around 10,000 vehicles and nearly $50,000.The lighted driving tour is 1.15 miles long and, yes, you can stop…

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

Christmas at Panther Creek Located off of Highway 81 at 5160 Wayne Bridge Road, Christmas at Panther Creek is a mesmerizing experience that everyone should experience this holiday season. This outdoor, lighted driving tour takes you on a journey through more than 700,000 Christmas lights and over 50 holiday displays! Visitors come from all over the state to enjoy this family-friendly event and to support five local nonprofits that half of the proceeds go to each year. The tour is 1.15 miles long, and you can get out of your car and take plenty of pictures along the way. Make sure to bring some cash with you as it costs $5 per vehicle to enter Christmas at Panther Creek. Hot Chocolate Bombs at The Cottage ‘Tis the season for all things sweet, and at the very top of our list are Hot Chocolate Bombs from The Cottage. Located at 6869 KY-56 in west Daviess County, The Cottage has homemade Hot Chocolate Bombs on sale for a limited time only! These delectable dessert drinks come in a variety of flavors including milk chocolate, white chocolate or a mix of both. You can get them for yourself or as a gift, and The Cottage will…

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…

Best places to sled in Owensboro

On the heels of our city’s first big snow event this year, we think it’s time to talk about sledding! Where to get your best sledding experience in Owensboro is something all the locals know about, but for visitors, it might be more challenging to find that perfect place to slide down the snow-covered grass. So we’re here to help! In the city, there’s no doubt that Chautauqua Park is the ultimate sledding site. By far the most popular and well known hills are located at 900 Baseline Road, where you can find families, friends and children of all ages whooshing down the slope that’s commonly referred to as “Chautauqua Hill.” This hill is wide enough to let several people sled at once, and it’s steep enough to give you top-notch speed on the way down. Generations of families have gone sledding at Chautauqua Park for the fun experience. But for those who want a little more space (as Chautauqua can get crowded when the snow’s just right), Ben Hawes State Park is where it’s at. Located just beyond the city limits on the west end of Daviess County, Ben Hawes has multiple hills at varying heights that are perfect for a good…

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…

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 MarketReid’s OrchardDalisha’s Bakery & CaféThe Cup CakeryGreat HarvestGreat American Cookie &…

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…

Trunnell’s throwing Adult Easter Egg Hunt in Owensboro

Who said Easter egg hunts were only for kids?!Trunnell’s Farm Market is breaking all the rules this year with an Easter Egg Hunt for ADULTS!At Cottontail & Cocktails, you can discover your inner child by chasing down eggs filled with prizes. And by prizes, we mean cold, hard cash.Trunnell’s is giving away over $3,500 in both cash and other prizes (including Smart LED TVs, Apple Watches, Bose speakers, Dinner in the Blooms tickets, gift baskets and more!) at this adult-only event.Head out to the Utica location and enjoy bonfires, live music, a bar and the Farm Grille from 6-10 p.m. on April 15. The Egg Hunt will take place at 7:30 p.m.According to those at Trunnell’s, this will be a “mad dash hunt,” and eggs will be hidden all over the farm. Each person can collect an unlimited number of eggs for 45 minutes. All eggs will either contain a number for a chance to win a prize, candy or gift cards/free appetizer cards. Once you’ve got your eggs, head to the pavilion any time after 7:30 to see if any of the numbers in your eggs are prize winners!It might get dark out there, so Trunnell’s recommends bringing some…

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…

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…

Spring Market to feature 70+ food, craft and wedding vendors to White Chateau

White Chateau—one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Daviess County—is throwing its Spring Market in April, and we. are. here for it.On April 23 and 24, you can find all the locally grown ferns and flowers your heart desires, as well as locally produced meats and delicious sweets. This event is all about supporting Daviess County’s local talent, including farmers, growers, crafters, business owners and food producers.“We love this opportunity to showcase so many hard-working small businesses from the region, and even as far as Nashville,” Suzanne Cecil White, owner of White Chateau says. And it gets even better, y’all.White Chateau is rolling out its beautiful green grass for some special guests, including Miss Kentucky’s Haley Wheeler! Even more, musical guests Hayley Payne and Shawn Brashear will be performing live music throughout both days.According to those at White Chateau, there will be tons of talented vendors at the farm, so be sure to bring your credit card or cash because you won’t want to miss the opportunity to buy from some of the best crafters, artists and food producers in the business.“This is exciting!” White said. “We’ve got NEW craftsmen/women, NEW artists, NEW boutiques, NEW food creatives and lots and…

Take a walk, ride or run on the Greenbelt when visiting Owensboro

With spring finally here, it’s time to talk about one of Owensboro’s hidden gems, and that’s the Greenbelt. The Adkisson Greenbelt Park, or just “The Greenbelt” as we call it here, is a 16.5-mile-long walking/running/biking trail that wraps around the entire city of Owensboro, linking together neighborhoods, business districts, parks and schools. Tying several different trails together through multiple entrances and exits along the way, the Greenbelt gives you the chance to hop on and off as you please, with parking spots located at many of the entry points! Even better, the Greenbelt’s 10-foot width is enough to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, and the asphalt surface also meets the standards set by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Written by local naturalist Obbie Todd, this trail guide can teach you a ton of cool stuff about the historic, natural, and informative aspects of the Greenbelt, including how it came to be, where each trail will take you, and what you’re seeing as you pass by. For those traveling to Owensboro, the Greenbelt is one of many parks we’re proud to show off here, and it’s a great way to get to know our city, while also enjoying the beauty of…

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…

Book a stay at Diamond Lake Resort for this awesome BBQ Cook-Off

One of Owensboro-Daviess County’s top-notch camping spots, Diamond Lake Resort, is hosting its annual Grillin & Chillin BBQ Cook-Off, kicking off this spring. And this year, the event is going to be bigger and better than ever. Grillin & Chillin is exactly as it sounds. You get to spend the day chillin’ outside, enjoying all the natural beauty Diamond Lake has to offer as you tend to the grill for the all-day cooking competition. But this year, the large-scale event will be expanded to more than the one-day event that’s been held in past seasons. There will now be three events taking place, with the first at Diamond Lake on April 22-23, and the grand finale returning to Diamond Lake on September 16-17. The Grillin & Chillin Cook-Off brings in over 40 teams from all over the Midwest to compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes. Teams can pass out some of their barbecue to those watching, so it’s a great chance to score some of the best barbecue in the country! 

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….

Find your favorite Kentucky golf course in Owensboro

With the 2022 Masters Tournament just days away from kicking off, it’s the perfect time to brag about the amazing golf courses you can play at across Owensboro-Daviess County. While Kentucky is known best for college basketball, our golf game in Owensboro is way above par, and here, that’s not a bad thing.Whether you’re in the city or the county, there’s plenty of places to play a round of golf while you’re in town. Each golf course is unique, but they are all beautiful and well maintained.If you’re in the city, you’ve got three options for golfing: Owensboro Country Club, Ben Hawes Municipal Golf Course and Hillcrest Golf Course.While you must be accompanied by a member of Owensboro Country Club to play there, both Ben Hawes and Hillcrest are maintained by the City of Owensboro, so you can pay to play anytime you want. These courses are known for their lush green grass, tree-lined parameters and rolling hills. Even though you’re technically in city territory, you’d never know it.Ben Hawes has an 18-hole regulation course and a nine-hole par 3 course. The front nine is built on hilly terrain and its back nine is built on flat terrain. This course…

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…

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

KY 2A Championships      You can catch some of the best high school athletes in Kentucky compete for a weekend of tournament play at the Kentucky 2A State Championships for both baseball and softball. Held at two different locations and featuring 16 teams from across the state, you can watch these athletes compete for the crown at Owensboro’s world-class sports complexes. Both tournaments will be held April 22-23 this year. The Girls’ Softball Championships will take place at Jack C. Fisher Park and the Boys’ Baseball Championships will be held at Jack Hicks Field. Darin & Brooke Aldridge Concert This husband-wife Bluegrass duo just released a new album that’s garnered critical acclaim, and together, Darin and Brooke Aldridge have won multiple music awards across multiple platforms. Natives of North Carolina, Darin earned the 2017 IBMA Mentor of the Year award, while Brooke won the IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year award FOUR CONSECUTIVE TIMES from 2017-2020. Their new album, “This Life We’re Livin’,” was #1 on the Billboard charts, proving that the duo’s music is only getting better over time. You can see them perform live on April 23 at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and tickets are $32…

Make Owensboro your next destination for fishing

Here in Owensboro, there are a ton of great fishing spots, and you can find them all over the city and county. While you can fish in the Ohio River with a license (and some pretty steep regulations) there are a number of other fishing sites in Owensboro that are perfect for a relaxing, outdoor experience.As part of the Fishing in the Neighborhoods (FINS) program, the lakes at both Panther Creek and Yellow Creek Parks are regularly stocked with catchable-size catfish up to four times a year.The three-acre lake at Yellow Creek (5710 KY-144) and the six-acre lake at Panther Creek (5160 Wayne Bridge Road) are also stocked with rainbow trout in the spring and fall. Largemouth bass and sunfish are regularly sampled and stocked, if necessary, as well. In fact, the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources added 750 rainbow trout to the lakes at both Panther Creek and Yellow Creek this year.According to County Parks & Recreation Director Ross Leigh, a trout permit is required in order to keep the trout you catch.“So if you are actually catfishing and were to catch a trout and release it, that’s fine. But if you are going to keep the…

Explore more than 25 parks across Owensboro-Daviess County

Our community has two amazing parks systems, which are reflected not only in the sheer number of parks we have across our city and county (28!), but in the beautification, acreage and athletic and leisure opportunities they provide for visitors.Whether it’s golf, disc golf, fishing, hiking or biking you’re looking to do in the great outdoors, Owensboro’s parks have you covered.You can find one of the prettiest golf courses in the area at Ben Hawes State Park.You can play some incredible games of disc golf at Yellow Creek and Panther Creek Parks.For those who want to cast their line in the lake, you can fish at Waymond Morris Park, Yewell Heritage Park, Yellow Creek Park, Panther Creek Park and Horse Fork Creek Park.Some of the best hiking and biking trails can be found at Ben Hawes. The Rudy Mines Mountain Bike Trails include 7.5 miles of easy-to-intermediate mountain bike trails within the 298-acre park. But you can also enjoy some easy-to-hike trails at Joe Ford Nature Park, the Adkisson Greenbelt, Yellow Creek Park, Panther Creek Park, Legion Park and Moreland Park.For those bringing their fur babies on the trip, a brand-new dog park at Legion Park is the perfect atmosphere…

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…

ROMP bringing amazing lineup of Bluegrass artists to Owensboro

“There’s just no other place like it” is a phrase we hear from ROMP-goers year after year. And this year, we expect to hear that very same sentiment.With tons of chart-topping headliners and enough musical talent to change the mind of almost any naysayer regarding Bluegrass music, we couldn’t be more excited for this year’s roots and branches music festival to kick off.Held on 152 acres of land at Yellow Creek Park, Owensboro’s 19th ROMP festival brings in visitors from all over the world (including all 50 states) each year. This year, ROMP will be held June 22-25 for four days of magical, eclectic, family- and pet-friendly fun in the beautiful outdoors.While you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more naturistic setting for a music fest, it’s the AMAZING lineup those at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum have put together that’s got us so pumped for ROMP 2022.Live music on Wednesday will happen at the Jagoe Homes After Party Stage, with Brennen Leigh and the Theo & Brenna Band kickin’ things off.On Thursday, we’ve got Grammy-winning band Punch Brothers taking the main stage, along with Leftover Salmon, Dan Tyminski (of O Brother, Where Art Thou? fame), multiple award-winning…

Visit Owensboro’s historic Rudy Mine Trails for hiking and biking

One of Owensboro’s most famous hiking and biking trails, the Rudy Mine Trails are also full of incredible, historic relevance. The parking lot and trailhead is located at the old George H. Rudy Mines and Saw Mill!Located in west Daviess County as part of Ben Hawes State Park, the Rudy Mine Trails for hiking are comprised of three looped trails that interconnect, giving hikers four miles of easy-to-moderate trails to explore.For mountain bikers, the Rudy Mine Trails are a little longer, and a little more difficult. Designed “by mountain bikers for mountain bikers,” these scenic trails are 8.2 miles long and comprised of amazing terrain.A 2012 revitalization project between the City of Owensboro, Owensboro Parks & Recreation, and the Kentucky Mountain Biking Association has been a major success for the Rudy Mines Trails.The entire family can enjoy a hike along the Yellow Trail – a safe pathway without big hills, but still adventurous enough for great speed and flow. With plenty of road connectors along the way, you can always exit the trail if needed, but the scenic beauty surrounding the trail makes it hard to bail.Beginning bikers can take the 2.5-mile Green Trail, and advanced bikers can take the…

Owensboro to host inaugural Strawberry Festival

A brand new festival is coming to Owensboro-Daviess County, and it’s already gotten the attention of thousands of people! The inaugural Strawberry Festival will be held at The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. June 11 and 12 this year, bringing you all the strawberry covered, flavored and themed treats you could ask for. We’re talking strawberry shortcakes, ice creams, smoothies, lattes, muffins, cheesecakes, preserves, salsas and, of course, good ole’ homegrown strawberries by the dozen. The Cottage will also have tons of fun stuff to do at this event! Your entire family can enjoy arts and crafts booths, games of Chance, live entertainment and a petting zoo. All game proceeds will go toward the Airport-Sorgho Fire Department Christmas Program. More than 80 vendors will be at The Cottage selling all kinds of treasures, including custom ID tags and collars for your pups. How cool is that?!This is guaranteed to garner a huge turnout and, if there’s one thing we know about The Cottage, this Strawberry Festival will be ripe with all kinds of delicious goodness. The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. is located on a beautiful piece of land right in west Daviess County at 6869 KY-56. The Strawberry Festival will run June…

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…

One Month Out From ROMP: What to Know

It’s time to start packin’ your best lounge chairs and tie-dyed shirts because we are only one month out from Owensboro’s biggest music festival of the year, ya’ll!  ROMP 2022 will be bringing you some of the best Bluegrass music in the world for four days on June 22-25. And when we say this year’s lineup is one of the best we’ve ever seen, that’s not an exaggeration.  Held at our gorgeous Yellow Creek Park, ROMP’s headliners include Punch Brothers, Leftover Salmon, Dan Tyminski Band, The Del McCoury Band, Rhiannon Giddens, Tommy Emmanuel, We Banjo 3, Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives, Steep Canyon Rangers and The Steeldrivers.  Whether or not you’re a fan of Bluegrass music, this lineup is something to get excited about. Full of multiple Grammy winners and world-renown entertainers, there’s never been a better time to check out Bluegrass music than at this year’s ROMP. For first-timers, there’s no experience in the world quite like ROMP. You can find people of all ages enjoying the naturistic beauty of Yellow Creek Park as the music plays all day and night.  You can shop from vendors and eat from food trucks, walk along light-adorned pathways, and bring your family and friends for an…

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 Building200-204 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 House630 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…

See ROMP’s amazing lineup from the skies in hot air balloon ride

It’s almost that time, folks! ROMP – Owensboro’s biggest Bluegrass music festival of the year – is just days away, and we have some extra special surprises in store for this year’s event. If you’re ready for an amazingly unique (and thrilling!) experience at this year’s ROMP (and who isn’t?) Don Moore Automotive is giving festival-goers the chance to ride in a hot air balloon! You can get the coolest views at the park by floating in a hot air balloon over the ROMP stage for half an hour. These hot air balloons will provide camera-ready backdrops for the festival throughout the day. And at night, they will LIGHT UP against the night sky for the coolest balloon glow show you’ve ever seen! Officials have also dropped the first look for this year’s ROMP festival t-shirt. This gray-blue shirt featuring the ROMP owl looks super cool, and there will be tons of other apparel available at the ROMP tent once you arrive, so be sure to bring your wallet! And FYI, you can pay via card, cash or Apple Pay at the ROMP tent. As if we haven’t bragged about this year’s ROMP lineup enough, we want to again remind everyone that you…

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…

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…

Best places to stargaze this summer

Stargazing is one of the great, naturistic pastimes that you just can’t get in a city. One of the great things about Owensboro, however, is that there are tons of great places to watch the stars in the night sky, and only a couple miles away from the heart of the city.  For your best stargazing locations, you’ll need to find a place that’s away from the city lights. And only three miles away from downtown Owensboro is Yellow Creek Park.  Though you’ll find a few rolling hills at Yellow Creek Park, much of the area is on the flatter side, making it the perfect place to see the vast night sky in all its glory. There are very few lights at Yellow Creek that would deter your vision as well. Panther Creek Park is another great option for stargazing. Located only about five miles away from the city, there’s plenty of acreage and wide open space to get your best views of the stars. Just bring a blanket and a flashlight to navigate your walk, and you’re set for a night of amazing star, planet and constellation sightings.  Ben Hawes Park is another great place to escape the city lights for a night…

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…

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…

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…

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.

Enjoy millions of sunflowers, live music at Sunflower Music Fest

Bringing together two of the very best things about Owensboro, the Sunflower Music Festival will highlight the talent of local and regional musicians, as well as Daviess County’s flourishing agritourism industry.  Held for three days at Trunnell’s Farm Market on September 23-25, the Sunflower Music Festival is a chance to enjoy over a MILLION gorgeous sunflowers (and tons of varieties!) during the peak blooming season, all while listening to amazing live music and exploring more than 35 different attractions.  Guests will have so much fun (and lots of Instagram-worthy opportunities) as they graze through the sunflower fields, taking in a brilliant variety of colors, shapes and sizes in their search for the perfect sunflower to take home.  Musicians will play live music for two full days, and you can also camp at this year’s Sunflower Music Fest! You can choose between camping at the Trunnell’s Farm Experience or staying at one of several hotels in Owensboro, only seven miles away from the farm.  You’ll hear music from the Josh Merritt Band, Cynthia Murray & The End Times, Dustin Taylor on the Rocks, Andy Brasher Band, Jerrett Davis and Colt Rickard, Elliott Sublett, Troy Miller, Uncharted, Nick Cheek & The Golden Hour, Skylar Cain, Dakota…

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…

Take Your Next Guys Trip to Owensboro

Whether you’re married, single, engaged or somewhere in between, every man knows that, sometimes, you just need to kick it with your boys.  A guy’s trip is something you grow to appreciate more and more as you get older. And in a city known for bourbon, bluegrass, barbecue and the beauty of nature, there’s no better place than Owensboro for a fun-fueled getaway for the guys.  If you’re into bourbon, you can take the entire group – whether big or small – to Green River Distilling Co. for an amazing tour of the historic facility. Ranked in the Top 5 Best Bourbon Tours in Kentucky, Green River Distilling Co. is the westernmost spot on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Also, you’ll get to close the tour by tasting three different bourbons produced at the distillery, all for only $20/person.  And while you’re in a city known for its bourbon, you should definitely check out The Miller House’s basement bar, Spirits – known for one of the largest collections of bourbon in the country.  It’s hard to find a guy who doesn’t like barbecue, and there’s no better place to grab lunch or dinner than at one of Owensboro’s famous barbecue restaurants. You can check out…

Kick off the Fall season at Hayden Farms Fall Market

For those who love everything related to Fall, a fan-favorite event is returning to Owensboro-Daviess County in September!  The Hayden Farms Fall Farm Market will be held September 18 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. This family-friendly festival is the perfect chance to get in your first sip of apple cider or your first shopping trip for Fall decor as the upcoming season begins to unfold.  More than a thousand people attend the Fall Farm Market each year and 2022 is expected to be no different! The only cost to attendees is $5 for parking.  With vendors ranging from local sweets shops to regional flower arrangement businesses, you can shop for dozens of treats, gifts and farm-grown pumpkins at the Fall Farm Market. New events at this year’s festival include hay rides, a flower patch and Fall photo opps!  This event is the best way to say, “See ya later, Summer” and “Hello” to Fall, and we hope to see you out there enjoying every moment of it.  

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…

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…

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…

See Country Star Cole Swindell Perform Live in Owensboro

We’ve got a MAJOR concert coming to our city for all the country music fans out there!  Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Cole Swindell is bringing his “Down To The Bar Tour” to Owensboro on Friday, October 14. Held at the Owensboro Sportscenter, Swindell will be performing with special guests Ashley Cooke and Dylan Marlow for an exciting night of live entertainment.  Swindell’s newest album, Stereotype, is full of amazing songs, including his newest single, “Down to the Bar.” Other notable songs include “She Had Me At Heads Carolina,” “Every Beer,” “How Is She,” “Some Habits” and “Miss Whatever.”  Having written songs for some of Nashville’s biggest stars – Thomas Rhett, Scotty McCreery and Luke Bryan, to name a few – Swindell is one of the best songwriters in the game right now. He’s had eight singles reach No. 1 on the Hot Country Charts and three more that have reached the Top 10. He also won New Artist of the Year at Academy of Country Music Awards in 2015!  So if you want tickets for this show, you better get to steppin’ because they’re expected to sell out fast! Tickets to see Cole Swindell start at $36.50 and are on sale now! 

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…

Kick Off the Fall Season at Owensboro’s Amazing Orchards

Whether you’re on the hunt for decorative pumpkins, in desperate need of an apple cider, or itching to take the family on a hayride, our local orchards have everything you’re looking for during this beautiful Fall season.  Trunnell’s Farm Market is famous for its sunflower fields, where you can enjoy over a million different blooms and more than 65 varieties! From September 3-30, you can head out to Trunnell’s for its Sunflower Experience. Explore the sunflowers, take tons of pics, and enjoy over 30 different attractions that make this family-run farm such an amazing place to play, eat and shop.  As part of the Sunflower Experience, Trunnell’s will host several special events throughout the month of September, including Dinner in the Blooms (Sept. 3 and 10), Sips-n-Sunflowers (Sept. 9, 16 and 17) and the Sunflower Music Fest (Sept. 23 and 24).  And if you’re planning an October trip to Owensboro, you can’t miss one of the most looked-forward-to events of the year: Reid’s Orchard Orchard Apple Festival!  Held for two days on October 22 and 23, the Apple Fest brings thousands of people to Daviess County each for some of the best food, shopping, carnival rides and apple cider slushies in the Tri-State.  But even…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: September 9-11

Nashville Songwriter      The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing you live music, stories and great musicians to Owensboro with another round of the Nashville Songwriter! Held on September 8 at 7 p.m., you can enjoy a night of music under the stars at the outdoor stage. Nashville musicians performing at this week’s series include Adam James, Kimberly Kelly and Chancie Neal. Tickets for this family-friendly event are only $10. Oak Ridge Boys       Grammy-winning country music band The Oak Ridge Boys will perform live at RiverPark Center on September 9 from 7-9 p.m. This group has garnered worldwide fame and a multi-generational fan base over their decades of making music together. With dozens of country hits under their belts and an energy onstage that’s never died down, there’s never been a better time to see the Oak Ridge Boys. Tickets are selling fast at $43 apiece, so grab them while you can!Fall Market at Preservation Station     One of the long-awaited events of the year, Preservation Station is hosting its Fall Market Day on September 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This event brings thousands of visitors out to shop from hundreds of different vendors selling…

Pumpkins and Mums: Where to Find the Best Fall Staples in Owensboro

Here in Owensboro, nothing screams “Fall” more than a front porch beautifully decorated with pumpkins and mums. And because these autumn staples are so beloved in our area, visitors won’t have any trouble finding that perfect Fall combo.  You can find mums in every color imaginable at Owensboro-Daviess County’s local orchards. Both Reid’s Orchard and Trunnell’s Farm Market sell these beautiful flowers during the entire Fall season. Whether you’re on the search for the traditional yellow and orange mums or looking for some white and purple mums to brighten things up, both locations carry these flowers in a variety of colors and sizes.  You can also find an amazing assortment of pumpkins at Reid’s and Trunnell’s. From the tiny decorative gourds that sit on your mantle to the Cinderella-style pumpkins to the big orange jack-o-lanterns, these orchards have it all.  Another great place to shop for mums and pumpkins is Cecil Farms Produce. With a huge greenhouse that carries a ton of different plants and flowers, you can find all the mums your heart desires, among a variety of other seasonal blooms!  The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. has all the pumpkins your Fall-loving heart desires, as well as a huge sunflower field…

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…

A List of Fall Events in Owensboro

Here in Owensboro, we celebrate Fall in all the best ways. Whether it’s a festival, trick-or-treating, or a day spent among the sunflowers, we’ve got it all. And here’s a list of what you can look forward to!  Reid’s Orchard Apple Festival  The Apple Festival will run for two days this year on October 22 and 23 at Reid’s Orchard. You can go pumpkin picking, enjoy rides at the carnival, eat all the apple-flavored treats you can imagine, and shop from tons of vendors at this family-friendly event. The only cost to attendees is $5 for parking.  Reidland Play Area Also held at Reid’s Orchard, the Reidland Play Area is a great way for families and kiddos to celebrate fall in all its beautiful glory. You can enjoy a corn maze, the famous Apple Slider slide, duck races, Bella’s Barnyard, inflatables, train rides on the Apple Express and even go apple and pumpkin picking at this venue.  Sunflower Experience Trunnell’s Farm Market is hosting its annual Sunflower Experience for all ages through the month of September. You can graze through a field of more than one million sunflowers, pick from the pumpkin patch, enjoy over 35 different attractions, visit the animal barnyard and eat delicious apple…

See Beautiful Fall Foliage in Owensboro

Owensboro is one of the best places in the state to view the color-changing leaves of fall. With more than 25 parks spread across the city and county, you’ve got tons of options for leaf-peeping.  Experts say the best time to view fall foliage in western Kentucky starts in mid-to-late October and lasts through the beginning of November, so there’s plenty of time to plan a trip to see it in all its beautiful glory.  World’s Largest Sassafras Tree First off, you’ve got to start your fall foliage journey by checking out the largest known sassafras tree in the world! Located at 2100 Frederica Street, this tree measures over 100 feet tall and 21 feet in circumference. The average sassafras is only 30 to 50 feet tall, if that gives you an idea as to how big this tree is. Even better, sassafras trees boast some amazing colors during fall, with leaves turning bright yellow, orange, red and even pink.  Ben Hawes Park  This 300-acre park contains a golf course, shelters, a playground and the famous Rudy Mine biking and hiking trails, but it’s also recognized for its gorgeous fall foliage. You can play a game of golf while being surrounded by thousands of color-changing…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.BlOktoberfestCelebrate 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…

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…

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!…

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 & BarclaySimply Chic Home AccentsEden LivingLove Yourself BoutiquePeachtree Antique GalleryWillow and Pine MarketLil Bit SassyGhostly Productions Halloween StoreHorseFeathers GiftsA Repeat BoutiqueHidden Treasures Wesleyan Park Plaza Bella Ragazza BoutiqueExcursionsThe EarleLance & Co. JewelersLegends OwensboroJulep Home and Gift Midtown Meta Crystal ShopSamantha’s ClosetEmbellishMoonbow Apothecary & EmporiumCrazy Me Gifts & ApparelCome-hitherRobin’s Resale BoutiqueKidstop Children’s BoutiqueSwaim & Sparrows VintageTD’s Tuff DecisionsAdornSwank Style & BoutiqueThe Spot Coffee and FineryKiwi VintageBlitz Boutique Salon and Spa Highway 54 Peacocks and PearlsBoutique 54J.J. FostersA Monogram BoutiqueRebecca’s Gift Gallery West Parrish Avenue  Preservation StationThe Sturdy Hinge

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…

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…

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…

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. 

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…

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!

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…

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…

ROMP 2023 Bringing Amazing Lineup to Owensboro

In what is being described by many Bluegrass music fans as the best ROMP lineup yet, we can’t wait to break down the final musical lineup for Owensboro-Daviess County’s outdoor Bluegrass music festival.  To kick off ROMP’s 20th year, those at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum went all out on putting together an out-of-this-world lineup. Headliners for ROMP 2023 include Greensky Bluegrass, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and Rhonda Vincent taking the stage on Thursday. On Friday, headliners will include Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, The Infamous Stringdusters and Tuba Skinny. And then Saturday will bring us Old Crow Medicine Show, Sam Bush and Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band.  But that’s far from where the fun ends for this four-day music fest. The rest of ROMP’s lineup is just as stellar with a ton of fan favorites and nationally-recognized Bluegrass artists.  Thursday will also feature Kitchen Dwellers and Rick Faris, while Slocan Ramblers, The Purple Hulls and Bill & The Belles will take the main stage on Friday. On Saturday, you’ll get sets from The McCrary Sisters, John R. Miller, David Peterson & 1946 and Kentucky Shine.  And if you thought that was enough, we’ve got even more artists to announce!  On the…

Fun Events at ROMP (Aside From the Music)

While the music at ROMP is the obvious attention-getter of Bluegrass music fans everywhere, this four-day concert packs quite the punch when it comes to other forms of entertainment as well!  Throughout the four-day festival there are all kinds of fun things attendees can see, taste and experience. Yellow Creek Park’s 150-acre facility provides a number of excellent walking paths that serve as great nature trails. With winding creeks and a fishing lake to boot, you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities at your own leisure.  You can also have your own personal Bluegrass music experience with a lineup of artist-led instrument workshops. This is a super cool opportunity to learn from the ROMP entertainers themselves. Workshops range from songwriting, clogging, flat-foot dancing, yoga and Bluegrass jamming 101.  For the foodies out there, ROMP will have food trucks, organic and farm-to-table vendors, as well as craft vendors featuring Kentucky Proud products. There will also be art installations and professionally-led children’s activities to enjoy throughout the four days.  Attendees can bring their own instruments and jam out all day and night and spend the night under the stars at the onsite campgrounds. ROMP is an event for outdoor, art, food and music enthusiasts alike.

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…

Easter Events in Owensboro

Easter is right around the corner so we’re here to break down all of the fun Easter events going on in Owensboro-Daviess County! From egg hunts to Easter Bunny appearances, we’ve got it all:  –Easter Adventure at Reid’s Orchard will be held on Saturday, April 1 from noon-5 p.m. You can bring the kids out to enjoy the Reidland Play Area, a scavenger hunt, the animal barnyard, appearances from the Easter Bunny and egg picking. The cost is $10 per child and adults get in free.  –The Egg-Ceptional Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Fun at Trunnell’s Farm Market will be held for two days on Saturday, April 1 and Saturday, April 8 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This event will feature nonstop egg hunts with prize packs for kids from the Easter Bunny, who will also be making an appearance. You can play with baby animals and enjoy Easter face painting as well. Each child will also get a free prize bag from Texas Roadhouse. Tickets are $19.99 per child and $14.99 per adult.  –Easter Egg Adventure on the Farm will be held at Cecil Farms Produce on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. At only $5 per child…

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…

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…

Daviess County to Hold Strawberry Festival in June

The Cottage Farm Stand saw major success with its first-ever Strawberry Festival last year, so they are bringing it back for a second time this summer!  Held for two days on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11, this is an event for people of all ages, including anyone and everyone who loves strawberries!  While The Cottage will have plenty of fresh, homegrown strawberries to taste and purchase at this festival, there will also be tons of strawberry-flavored treats to try. Vendors will be set up outside so that attendees can peruse the grounds for items ranging from strawberry ice-cream to strawberry donuts and drinks.  Whether it’s a strawberry pie, a strawberry cake pop or strawberry muffins you’re in the mood for, The Cottage will have something to satiate your sweet tooth.  You can also shop from various vendors during the festival, and there will plenty of activities for the kiddos! Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event! The Strawberry Festival will run 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on June 10 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 11.

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…

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…

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…

BBQ and Barrels Bridging Two Owensboro Staples for One Fun Weekend

A longtime Owensboro tradition will be revitalized this year with BBQ and Barrels – a new take on two of our city’s greatest culinary staples: Unique barbecue and historic bourbon.  BBQ and Barrels will be held for two days this year on May 12 and 13 in downtown Owensboro.  While those who love the International Bar-B-Q Festival will still be able to score their favorite items from local restaurants and cooking teams, the addition to this event will be in the form of a ticketed bourbon element at the Owensboro Convention Center. Already, 35 different distilleries have signed up. Bourbon classes and a sit-down dinner will be offered at Green River Distilling Co. as well.  And that’s not all! BBQ and Barrels will also feature a carnival for kids, a 5K event, and a number of craft vendors to shop from.  Things will kick off on Friday, May 12 at noon with barbecue from local church cooking teams and food vendors, carnival rides and live music. You can see the full music lineup right here!  The fun continues on Saturday with a BBQ 5K, Backyard BBQ Cook-off and bourbon-tasting events inside the Owensboro Convention Center.  You can purchase tickets for the bourbon-tasting portion of the event…

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.

What to Pack for ROMP

ROMP 2023 is right around the corner, so there’s a lot to get excited about! And while you’re making your plans for this four-day outdoor Bluegrass festival, we wanted to break down a list of some of the must-haves you’ll need when it comes to packing and preparing for it. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, ROMP will be held right when the weather starts to really get warm – June 21-24. That means you should pack lots and lots of water. Whether it’s bottled water, water by the gallon, or water in your tumbler, staying hydrated is one of the keys to keeping your spirits up during those hot summer days. Speaking of summer, be sure to pack sunscreen and chapstick with SPF protection. Trust us, the days will be mostly sunny and even if you don’t feel like you’re getting a sunburn out there, you’ll feel it later. The area in front of the stage doesn’t provide a whole lot of shade, so it’s important to protect yourself. We also suggest wearing a hat when you can. And if you don’t bring your own, you can buy one at the ROMP merch tent! Bring cash for food trucks and other activities…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 9-11

Strawberry Festival     The 2nd Annual Strawberry Festival is back this summer, and it’s going to be even bigger and better than before! Held on June 10 and 11 at The Cottage Farmstand & Baking Co., this festival will feature over 115 different vendors selling everything from homemade jewelry to amazing artwork to home decor. And you can taste ALL the strawberry-flavored treats and pick up some fresh, homegrown strawberries while you’re there! The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. 4 p.m. on Sunday.PorchFest   It’s time to get ready for one of Owensboro’s coolest music events of the year! PorchFest 2023 will be held along our famous Griffith Avenue corridor on June 10, featuring dozens of talented artists who will be playing on the front porches, or “stages,” of some of the most beautiful homes in Owensboro. A variety of genres, including rock, jazz, soul, folk and bluegrass, will be played throughout the day. Food trucks will be offering delicious food and drinks, so come hungry! Music will be played from 3-10 p.m. and the event is free to the public! Nicky Hayden Ride  We are celebrating one of our hometown heroes…

Kick Off Summer with a Trip to Holiday World

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is one of the coolest theme parks and water parks in the country, and they are officially open for their summer season! Located only 20 minutes away from Owensboro, Holiday World is perfect if you want to spend the day at the park and stay in Owensboro for the night without having to drive a long way. And it’s got plenty of activities for visitors of all ages, making it the perfect family-friendly park for those who love an exciting thrill along with those who prefer to stay away from roller coasters.  Speaking of roller coasters, Holiday World has three award-winning wooden coasters: The Raven, The Legend and The Voyage. Even better, Holiday World has the world’s ONLY launched wing roller coaster–The Thunderbird!  But that’s not all. At Splashin’ Safari, which is attached to Holiday World in a separate portion of the park, you can ride Mammoth, which is the LONGEST water coaster in the world! And Mammoth provides, not one, but two water coasters!  Like we said, there’s lots of exciting rides at Holiday World, but there’s also plenty of fun for the little ones. Click here to see a full list of rides, water park features and…

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

Crawfish Boil at Trunnell’s    You can treat yourself to a Cajun dinner party this weekend at a Crawfish and Shrimp Low Country Boil! Held at Trunnell’s Farm Market on Saturday, June 17, this boil will feature delicious food, live music, a full bar and fancy funnel cakes for dessert. You can bring a date, your friends or even take your dad out for Father’s Day! This is an 18-and-older event and will be held from 5-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $39. Nashville Talent at Friday After 5   The Inspirational Country Music Association (ICMA) is making a stop in Owensboro to host a MAJOR talent competition for the chance to perform at the Grand Ole Opry and record your own music! On Friday, June 16, you can join Steve Bridgmon, Andrew Marshall and The Voice Season 18 Winner Todd Tilghman after the competition as they headline Friday After 5 for a blend of country, gospel, worship and classic rock music. They will perform at the Atmos Amphitheater at McConnell Plaza from 7-10 p.m.MMA at The Sportscenter Kicking off their debut in the state of Kentucky, Legacy Fighting Alliance is bringing a professional mixed martial arts promotion and top-level feeder league for the…

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

ROMP We are officially heading into ROMP weekend, y’all! Held June 21-24 at Yellow Creek Park, this outdoor Bluegrass music festival is going to bring thousands of people together for four days of live jammin’, delicious food and amazing vibes. With a lineup that includes Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent and Old Crow Medicine Show (among many others), you’re in for a treat whether you’re a first-timer or a ROMP veteran. Get tickets here and be part of ROMP’s 20th anniversary this year! ROMP Bourbon Barrel Release You’ll have the chance to get your hands on a special-edition ROMP bourbon for the first time this week! On June 20 from 4:30-6:30 p.m., head over to Green River Distilling Co. to purchase a bottle of the first-ever ROMP single barrel to celebrate its 20th anniversary in style. ROMP attendees who signed the initial barrel at the 2018 festival will have the chance to taste the bourbon that was aged inside it over the last five years. The bourbon is presented at full-proof, 110-proof and will be on sale for $59.99.Events at Bluegrass Hall of Fame With the focus being Bluegrass music this week, now is the perfect time to check out the world famous…

Cool Off at These Amazing Spray Parks in Owensboro

It’s officially summer, which means it’s time to talk about all the spray parks we offer here!  Owensboro has several spray parks located across our city and county that are free to the public. So if you need a good, affordable place to take the kids on those hot summer days, we’ve got you covered (and cooled off).  Smothers Park offers a huge, award-winning playground (Lazy Dayz) for the kids, as well as a splash pad and spray park! The spray park is open through Labor Day weekend from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and has space for dozens of kids to play at a time!  Horse Fork Creek Park offers a pretty large spray park and is free fun for kids of all ages! It features tons of water features, including a giant bucket of water that hangs above and spills over onto the ground when filled. Horse Fork Creek Park also includes an all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities. You can visit the park and playground from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.  At Legion Park, located right in the center of the city, you can spend the entire day at the playground and spray park! Featuring a zero-depth spray ground where kids can interact through…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 30-July 2

Hayden Farms Our friends at Hayden Farms are hosting an event this weekend for those seeking a fun shopping spree in a beautiful country setting! The Hayden Farms & Friends Pop-Up Shop will feature a selection of local beef along with crafts and other specialty goods handmade by eight small businesses in the area. You can grab dinner, plants and more at this family-friendly event, which will be held on Friday, June 30 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Hayden Farms is located at 1195 New Cut Road in Whitesville. Kid’s CarnivalIn the heart of downtown Owensboro, you can spend the evening treating your kiddos to a Kid’s Carnival! RiverPark Center is hosting a carnival-themed night that’s gonna be jam-packed with awesome stuff to keep the kiddos entertained, including carnival games, face-painting, balloon art and free interactive performances. Held on June 30 from 6-11 p.m., you can play games for $1 apiece or buy an unlimited armband for $15 that includes free popcorn and soda!Daylilies at Western KY Botanical Garden  One of nature’s best showoffs of the year can be enjoyed in all its splendor this weekend at Western Kentucky Botanical Garden! The daylilies are in full bloom and are a marvel to experience as you…

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

Pinta Replica on the River     This weekend will be super special in that our lucky guests will have the chance to see a real-life replica of the historic “Pinta” Portuguese Caravel used by Columbus and many early explorers! This floating museum will open for dockside educational tours at English Park July 7-16. Self-guided tours will be held each day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and no reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased at the ship for $8/adult and $6/child, while children four and under get in free.Four Horsemen  This amazing Metallica tribute band will perform live at the RiverPark Center on Friday, July 7! This is RPC’s first free concert as part of its Summer Event Series, so you can rock out to this heavy metal music all night at no cost! Focusing on Metallica’s first five albums, you can relive the 80s and 90s with this high-energy show and crowd-engaging experience. The show kicks off at 7 p.m.Sunflower Market Day  We’ve got a brand new and super exciting event coming for ya this weekend! Reid’s Orchard will host its first-ever Sunset Flower Market Day on July 9 from 4-8 p.m. You can taste some of the most delicious food from…

Summer Events for the Whole Family

If you’re looking for some summer fun for the entire family to enjoy, Owensboro is the place to be! We’ve put together a list of some of the festivals, concerts, events and experiences that are family-friendly for people of all ages: Tour a Replica Pinta ShipTake your family to English Park to see a replica of the Portuguese Caravel used by Columbus and other explorers! Check out this “floating museum” for self-guided educational tours July 7-16 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Tickets are purchased at the ship for $8/adult and $6 for children, while kids four and under get in free. Peaches at Reid’s Orchard Head over to historic Reid’s Orchard to snag a whole heaping of fresh, homegrown peaches. Right now, peaches are in season, and Reid’s has them by the basketful. Click here to see more details.  Daviess County Lion’s Club FairThis fair is full of entertainment, and you can enjoy everything from Monster Truck Shows to carnival rides to live music and pony rides. Click here to check out the full schedule for this event, which will be held at 6191 KY 54 on July 14-22. Admission is $15/adult and $10 for kids 5-12 years old. First FridaysKick back and enjoy some amazing…

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

Daviess County Fair      You can spend the whole week at the Daviess County Lions Club Fair this week! Held July 14-22 in Philpot, this county fair is full of delicious food and tons of fun for people of all ages. They’ll have everything from Monster Truck Shows to carnival rides to vender booths and petting zoos and pony rides, and PLENTY more in between. Click here to see a full schedule for the fair. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children 5-12 years of age. Kids five and under get in free.Owensboro Artifact Show   The Owensboro Convention Center is bringing back a super cool event this year! If you’re into Native American artifacts and history, the Owensboro Artifact Show is the perfect place to view and purchase all types of amazing relics. Artifacts from all over the country will be on display, with items ranging from coins and knives to fossils and jewelry. The show will be held on July 21 from 2-8 p.m. and July 22 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $20 on July 21 and free on July 22.Gene Watson We’ve got one of the greatest country singers in history playing a live show for…

Beat the Heat With Locally-Made Ice Cream in Owensboro

Well, guys, if there’s one thing we know for sure right now…it’s hot outside. But, instead of focusing on the negatives that come with all that heat and humidity, we’re gonna focus on one of the positives: This is your chance to eat all the ice cream you want without feeling any guilt.Summer is the time to treat yourself to the dessert that’s best served cold. We’ve got tons of amazing places you can visit for a delicious ice cream cone, and we’re gonna break down a list of some of our local ice cream spots below!Lic’s Deli & Ice CreamThis local chain features homemade ice cream along with a variety of burgers and other food. But the ice cream is what it’s famous for. Lic’s has made its own ice cream since 1950, and you can try everything from chocolate-dipped cones to ice cream floats and banana splits.Marble Slab CreameryImagination has no limits at Marble Slab Creamery, so you can find a ton of creative ice cream flavors here. From chocolate caramel butter pecan to cotton candy carnival, you can buy ice cream by the cup, pint or quart, and you can even create your own personalized ice cream cake!Wonder WhipEveryone in Owensboro loves Wonder Whip. With an old-school aesthetic that takes you all the way back to the 1950s, Wonder Whip serves delicious hot food along with some of the…

The Perfect Festivals to Close Out Summer

Well, folks, it’s officially August. Which means we are nearing the end of summer and, soon, we’ll be heading into Fall. Before you know it, we’ll be carving pumpkins for Halloween and trading in our T-shirts for hoodies.But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. There’s still several weeks of summer to go, so we put together a list of warm-weather events that you and your loved ones can enjoy before this season ends and the next one begins. If you want to keep the party going for as long as possible, check out these various festivals you can attend to close out Summer 2023!Reid’s Orchard Peach BlissAt our historic Reid’s Orchard facility, you can spend the afternoon enjoying live music, food and craft vendors, fresh, homegrown peaches and quality time with your family and friends. Peach Bliss will be held on August 8 from 4-8 p.m.Sunflower ExperienceWho doesn’t love a festival full of sunflowers and summer fun? At Trunnell’s Farm Market, you can check out two different events during the month of September. Sips & Sunflowers will be held September 8 and 15, while Dinner in the Blooms will be held September 2 and 9.Multicultural FestivalThe 2023 Owensboro…

Owensboro Hosting World Championships Racing Event

If you’re into competitive racing and loud engines, it’s time to get pumped! Owensboro is hosting the 2023 dBDRA Drag Racing World Finals this fall, and you can learn all about it right here!The dB Drag Racing World Finals will take place at four venues across the world, and Owensboro is proud to be one of them. These pre-qualified contestants will compete for Regional Championship honors and a shot at the World Championship title!You’re going to see a full competition at each location. The formats include dB Drag Racing; Bass Race; Psychlone; Top Dog; and Freestyle. Click here to learn more about what each format entails.These races are gonna get loud! In fact, the two loudest competitors in each dB Drag Racing class will go head-to-head to determine the World Champion. The winner of each Bass Race class at each location will compete in a new contest to determine the World Champion, while winners at each location in the Top Dog category will compete in a new contest to determine the World Champion.For the Psychlone and Freestyle categories, all of the scores will be combined onsite, and the scores from each of the four locations will determine the World Champion…

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

Hall of Fame Weekend       If you’re looking for a night to celebrate all things Bluegrass, head to Owensboro this weekend for the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Hall of Fame Homecoming Weekend! Held September 1 and 2, you’ll get an all-star lineup of live shows from Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers on Sept. 1 and Del McCoury and Paul Williams on Sept. 2. Tickets are $45 and the shows start at 7 p.m. both nights. Sunflower Experience  Grab your flower-lovin’ friends for this one! Trunnell’s Farm Market is bringing its 6th Annual Sunflower Experience back to the farm, where you can see over ONE MILLION beautiful sunflower blooms up close and personal! With one of the best U-Pick Sunflower Fields in Kentucky, you’ll find sunflowers of all shapes, colors and varieties at this venue. This is the perfect transition between summer and fall, so make the most of it and grab your tickets right here! The Sunflower Experience is held September 2-24.Apple Season at Reid’s OrchardIt’s officially apple-pickin’ season! And at our very own Reid’s Orchard, you can enjoy apple-flavored everything this weekend. Reid’s has apple-flavored slushies, apple-flavored candy and all the varieties of fresh homegrown apple…

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

Bumps & Bundles       Here’s an event for all the current or expecting parents out there! The Bumps & Bundles Baby Expo will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center on September 9, where you can learn everything there is to know about having a baby in one setting. They’ll cover topics such as businesses and services geared toward pregnancy, birth and postpartum care in the Owensboro area. You can win prizes and all proceeds will benefit Hope’s Embrace to ensure birth support is accessible to all. The event runs from noon-4 p.m.Night, Mother at Theatre Workshop Our very own Theatre Workshop of Owensboro is kicking the fall season off with an award-winning production of Night, Mother, held September 8-17. This play was written by Kentucky native Marsha Norman and it features a mother-daughter duo who must confront the issues of their past in order to accept the present. The play will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. You can get tickets online right here or by calling 270-683-5333.Market Day at Preservation StationOur famous historic school-turned-shopping center is back with another big event! Preservation Station’s Market Day will feature over 100 vendors and…

See Justin Moore Live in Owensboro!

One of the biggest country music artists in the game is headlining a concert in Owensboro, and we’ve got all the details for ya right here!Justin Moore is performing at the Owensboro Sportscenter on September 28. Moore has built his reputation on being a dynamic live performer who invokes amazingly energetic atmospheres at his concerts. This is the place to show off your best cowboy boots and your biggest silver belt buckles!A multi-platinum hit-maker, Moore has climbed the country radio charts with his current single, “With A Woman You Love.” Along with his 10th No. 1 hit “We Didn’t Have Much,” Moore has topped the charts with singles such as “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home,” “Point At You,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll” and “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” as well as many others.Moore’s extremely successful career has led him to multiple ACM, ACA and ACC Award nominations, including an ACM Award win. He’s shared the stage with many country music legends—Brad Paisley, Hank Williams, Jr. and Miranda Lambert, to name a few.You’ll hear some of Moore’s greatest hits on this tour, as well as songs from his newest album, Stray Dog. And you’ll also get to hear…

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

Owensboro Air Show       One of the most exciting times of the year is officially upon us, friends, as the Owensboro Air Show takes to the sky this weekend in downtown Owensboro. We’re expecting thousands of visitors for this incredible two-day performance featuring some of the world’s greatest pilots. This year, you’ll see the USAF Thunderbirds zip, flip and soar through the sky along with awe-inspiring performers from vintage warbirds and aerobatic demonstrations from a slew of military jets. Held September 16 and 17, the Owensboro Air Show is free to the public, but those wanting front row access through reserved seating can purchase tickets right here. On September 15, head to the Owensboro Regional Airport to see a wide range of aircraft up close and personal and meet some of the pilots! Tickets are $5 each and the event runs from 4:30-8 p.m. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band  If you want to make the most out of your Owensboro Air Show experience, make plans for an after party! On September 16, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum will host Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for an Air Show After Party on the outdoor stage. Just bring a chair or blanket…

Go Ahead and Makes Plans for a Magical Autumn in Owensboro

Summer, you had a good run. But on September 21, we’re trading in our frozen lemonades for pumpkin-spiced coffee, because it is officially fall, y’all!We know it’s just the beginning of the season, but fall is a pretty big deal around here. We’ve got amazing weather, beautiful orchards, the best local coffee shops and breathtaking fall foliage. Now, we’ve got a while before the leaves change colors but, still, we’re gonna go ahead and break down a list of some fall activities and events that you can check out right here in Owensboro!Girl’s Day OutThis shopping event brings a variety of great vendors to Owensboro. Grab your friends and family and head to the Owensboro Convention Center on October 28 for Girl’s Day Out. You can win door prizes and eat a fantastic lunch at the onsite café while spending the day at our world-class convention center in downtown Owensboro.Fall Farm MarketThe 5th Annual Fall Farm Market at Hayden Farms is the perfect way to celebrate all things fall. There will be tons of vendors available to shop from and you can enjoy a delicious lunch while you’re there too! Stock up on fall décor, enjoy yard games with your family…

Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Kentucky this October

Fall in Kentucky is simply magical. Once October comes around the leaves change from green to orange, red and yellow. The sunflowers, zinnias and mums are in full bloom, and the weather is *chef’s kiss* perfection. Honestly, there’s no better place to be than Kentucky.And while you’re planning out your trips for the fall season, we wanted to make a list of upcoming outdoor events held here in October. From corn mazes to apple picking to cider sipping, Owensboro has it all!Reid’s OrchardYou can spend the entire day at Reid’s Orchard and get a wonderful fall experience in the great outdoors. You can pick your own apples, eat some apple dumplings and treat yourself to some warm (or cold) apple cider. Hit up the pumpkin patch and buy some gorgeous mums while you’re at it! And the kiddos will have a blast at the Reidland Play Area, which includes tons of fun activities and three different farm mazes.Wine Your Way OutTrunnell’s Farm Market is holding its annual Wine Your Way Out festival on October 6. This event is all about celebrating the beauty of fall and sippin’ a little wine while you’re at it. There will be wine, beer and…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: September 29-October 1

Groovin’ On The Green       This outdoor music fest is bringing all the blues, jazz, funk and rhythm and blues to Owensboro! Groovin’ On The Green will be held at Moneta Sleet, Jr. Park on September 30, and this event will feature the Sheryl Rouse Band, Monte Skelton on the saxophone and Higher Ground from 4-10 p.m. You’ll wanna bring your chairs and blankets to this one so you can sit comfortably, and come hungry because there will be plenty of food trucks onsite! Even better, this concert is FREE to the public!Drag Racing World Finals The 26th Annual dB Drag Racing World Finals will be rockin’ Owensboro this weekend! Held September 30 and October 1 at the Owensboro Convention Center, this aftermarket car audio competition will feature some of the loudest stereo systems on the planet. Spectators can win free prizes throughout the weekend and enjoy a car show and vendor expo on top of it. Show hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sept. 30 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on October 1. Admission is $10 per person.Fall Market at Hayden FarmsIf you love all things fall, we’ve got the perfect festival for you this weekend! Hayden Farms is throwing its…

Check Out Owensboro’s Famous Racing Professionals

Did you know Owensboro is famous for being home to a ton of famous athletes? It’s really astounding how many professional motorsports athletes hail from right here in Owensboro!Whether it’s NASCAR or MotoGP, we’re a city who takes our racing seriously, and we just wanted to highlight some of Owensboro’s many accomplished competitors in the world of motorsports.Nicky HaydenKnown to the world as “The Kentucky Kid,” Hayden was a professional motorcycle racer and the 2006 MotoGP World Champion. He was declared AMA’s Athlete of the year in 1999. Sadly, the racer who sported the No. 69 jersey died in 2017, but there are tons of local events and even a monument dedicated to Hayden’s legacy.David GreenThe oldest of the Green Brothers (as they’re known in the racing world), David Green won the 1994 NASCAR Busch Series Gran National Division title. Green qualified in the Top 10 four times in 16 starts during the 1998 season.Mark GreenThe middle Green Brother finished second in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Division point standings in 1999. And from 1999-2001, Green dominated the Busch Series with 72 Top 10s, 56 Top 5s and 13 wins.Jeff GreenThe youngest Green Brother competed in the Busch Series and…

Kick Off Fall at Pumpkin & Pickle Fest

If you’re one of the people who lives for pickles, this event MUST be on your radar! The Cottage Farm Stand is holding its annual Pumpkin and Pickle Festival on October 21 and 22, so you’ll have two whole days to stock up on all the pickle- and pumpkin-flavored treats you could dream of!But that’s not all. If you’re wanting to stock up on fall décor, cute gifts and tons of handmade items, The Cottage will have more than EIGHTY vendors onsite, so this is the perfect opportunity to shop ‘til you drop and enjoy the great outdoors while doing it.And if you need some Halloween pumpkins to carve and decorate with, check out The Cottage’s pick-your-own pumpkin patch. This is great for adults and kids! And don’t forget about your mums because The Cottage will have plenty of them too.Oh, and did we mention the food? Aside from all the pickle- and pumpkin-flavored goodies, there will be more than 10 different food trucks parked at The Cottage, so you’ll definitely wanna come hungry!The Pumpkin and Pickle Fest is great for adults and kids of all ages. There will be entertainment all day long, activities and crafts for all the…

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

Tales & Trails at Joe Ford Nature Center       If you’re in the market for something spooky and naturistic, you can enjoy stories of the supernatural, ghostly phenomena, tragedy (and a little humor) all rolled into one at the Joe Ford Nature Center! The 2nd Annual Tales & Trails event will be held October 12, 13, 19 and 20. These tales will center on the people and places of our area, so it’s a great way to get to know all the creepy history surrounding Owensboro-Daviess County! Tickets are $15 and shows run each day at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sierra Hull This singer-songwriter has achieved so much success in such a short time, it’s kinda hard to list it all! After making her Grand Ole Opry debut at only 10 years old, Sierra Hull has gone on to release four albums, win Mandolin Player of the Year at the IBMAs five times (2016-2018; 2021; and 2022), tour with icons such as Garth Brooks and Indigo Girls, and launch her newest album—25 Trips—this year. And the best part is, you can hear her play live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 13! Tickets…

Get Spooked at These Haunted Sites in Owensboro

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, there are some things that just can’t be explained. This is when we start to look at the possibility of paranormal activity and hauntings. With Halloween just a couple weeks away, now is the time to plan your next haunted excursion.Owensboro has more than a dozen locations that have been documented as “haunted” by witnesses and paranormal experts. You could spend an entire weekend visiting these places that are scattered throughout the city and county.From stories of a ghost that pushes people down the basement stairs to the mysterious “Lady in White” that haunts the RiverPark Center, we’re not saying Owensboro is the most haunted place in Kentucky—but it’s definitely one of the creepiest!Haunts of Owensboro Walking ToursOwner 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…

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

Take A Kid Camping      If you’re looking for the perfect family-friendly adventure, you’ve come to the right place! The Kids Outdoor Adventures series is continuing this weekend with “Take A Kid Camping at Panther Creek Park” on Friday, October 20. Campsites will be available around the lake for the overnight stay, and activities will include bingo (with prizes), s’mores and one community campfire for all to enjoy. Just bring your own camping supplies and register ahead of time by calling the Daviess County Conservation District at 270-685-1707, Ext. 3. This event is free!Pumpkin and Pickle FestThe Cottage will be holding its Pumpkin and Pickle Festival this weekend, so if you’re a fan of pumpkins, pickles, shopping and all things fall, this is the perfect event! Held October 21 and 22, you can stock up on fall décor, cute gifts and tons of homemade items and treats from over 80 different vendors. If you need some Halloween pumpkins, check out The Cottage’s Pick-Your-Own pumpkin patch. There will be more than 10 different food trucks onsite, so come hungry! The Pumpkin and Pickle Fest will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.BlocktoberfestYou don’t have to travel to Germany to celebrate…

Head to Owensboro For The Best Fall Foliage Experience

Owensboro is one of the best places in the state to experience fall in all its natural beauty. With more than 25 parks spread across the city and county, you’ve got tons of options for leaf-peeping. Or you can take a drive through some of these areas and explore the varieties of trees bursting with shades of yellow, orange, red and even purple leaves.  Experts say the best time to view fall foliage in western Kentucky starts in mid-to-late October and lasts through the beginning of November, so there’s plenty of time to plan a trip to see why Owensboro is one of the most beautiful places in the country.  World’s Largest Sassafras TreeFirst off, you’ve got to start your fall foliage journey by checking out the largest known sassafras tree in the world! Located at 2100 Frederica Street, this tree measures over 100 feet tall and 21 feet in circumference. The average sassafras is only 30 to 50 feet tall, if that gives you an idea as to how big this tree is. Even better, sassafras trees boast some amazing colors during fall, with leaves turning bright yellow, orange, red and even pink. Smothers ParkYou not only get gorgeous waterfront views…

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

Rocky Horror Picture Show       It’s officially spooky season, which means it’s time to head over to RiverPark Center for the annual viewing of Rocky Horror Picture Show! This cult classic musical-comedy tells the story of Brad and Janet, who find themselves seeking refuge from a storm in a mysterious castle owned by the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter. The film has a unique participatory nature where viewers often attend midnight screenings dressed as characters, shouting callbacks and interacting with the movie in a fun manner, transforming the film into a cultural phenomenon. You can experience it for yourself on October 28! Call the RPC Box Office for tickets at 270-687-2770.Pigtails and Cowlicks  This annual sale is designed to stretch your budget! Pigtails and Cowlicks will feature more than 500 families selling new or gently used children’s items at amazing prices! You can find clothing, toys, furniture, books, baby gear, shoes, hair bows, boutique items and more. And this consignment sale is for kids of ALL ages—from babies to teenagers! There is no admission to shop and cash and credit/debit cards are accepted. Pigtails and Cowlicks will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center on October 27 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.John Lanham…

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

Kraftucky        Shop all the homemade crafts you can imagine at Kraftucky 2023! Guests can shop from over 200 booths featuring amazing works of art. Whether it’s woodcrafts, home décor, quilts, candles, holiday decorations, custom foods, paintings, pottery, embroidery, floral arrangements or jewelry, Kraftucky has it all. The first 100 shoppers each day will receive a FREE Kraftucky tote bag! Show hours are November 10 from 2-7 p.m., November 11 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and November 12 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $3 per day for adults or $5 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and under get in free.Chainsaw CarvingThe Bluegrass Chainsaw Showdown is coming to Owensboro! Come out and watch the sawdust fly as contestants display their best carving skills to create striking works of art. This show features 11 of the most masterful chainsaw carvers from different states across the US. The carvers must interpret an 8-foot-log into something amazing, and they only have a limited time to do it! The Showdown will be held at the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront on November 10 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with an auction to sell the items kicking off at 6 p.m. The Showdown continues November 11…

Capture the Perfect Holiday Photo in Owensboro

Everybody needs a good place to take holiday photos with their family and friends. But you can’t go just anywhere for that perfect shot—you need a place that screams Christmas!Whether you want to travel out to the county or stay in city limits, we’ve got you covered with a handful of places that we think make the best spot for that frame-worthy holiday photo.Panther Creek ParkWhether it’s daytime or nighttime, Panther Creek Park is perfect for photos as they decorate much of the park in Christmas décor and thousands of twinkling Christmas lights. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, you can bring your family to one of the many locations throughout the park and get tons of good shots.Christmas Tree at Smothers ParkTake your family downtown for a photo in front of the giant Christmas tree! In the daytime, the tree is covered in beautiful red ribbons while, at night, it lights up the entire area.Downtown Smothers ParkAside from the tree, there’s a ton of other places downtown that would make a great holiday photo! The Dancing Lights could provide some fun, colorful backdrops as your family stands amongst the many decorations. Or, find a place with the Ohio River and our…

Holiday Events for the Whole Family

It is officially December, folks! And that means it’s time to break down a list of all our favorite holiday-themed activities that are taking place in Owensboro this season. All of these are family-friendly and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. So if you’ve been searching for a magical place to experience Christmas, look no further, because we’ve got it all!The City of Owensboro’s Hometown Christmas experience lasts the entire month of December. Head downtown to see the Dancing Lights transform Smothers Park into an interactive holiday lightshow! Every 15 minutes, the lights will dance to a different Christmas song. And you can also see our huge Christmas Tree downtown, as well as our new Bourbon Barrel Tree! The Dancing Lights can be seen from 5-9 p.m. each night.For the kiddos, take them to Symphony Storytime at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History on December 19. This event features a reading of The Nutcracker with musical interludes from Tchaikovsky’s famous work, so it’s fun and educational! Children can ask questions about the symphony and spend the day getting all the warm, holiday feels. This event is designed for kids five and under, and admission is only $5….

See these Amazing Holiday Lights in Owensboro

If you’re anything like us, you love a good holiday light display! And Owensboro is home to TONS of creative, grandiose and sparkly Christmas light exhibits that make for wonderful family outings.From gigantic Christmas trees strewn in multi-colored lights to a house that would give Clark Griswold a run for his money, here’s a list of some of the best places to see Christmas Lights in Owensboro.–Owensboro Christmas Lights at StonegateHop in the car and head to the Stonegate neighborhood to see one of the most decorated houses in the state of Kentucky! While the biggest display is located at 4567 Indian Creek Loop, you’ll find dozens of other houses showing their holiday spirit throughout the neighborhood as well. The cost to see these lights is free, but they do take donations at the entrance. You can get out of the car and walk through the display or simply drive through it. These lights can be viewed through December 26.–Christmas at Panther CreekWith more than 700,000 lights and 50 displays, Christmas at Panther Creek is the gift the keeps on giving year after year. You and your family can drive through this 1.15-mile long holiday display that keeps you awe-inspired…

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

Try A New Beer at Brew Bridge     One of our city’s coolest hangout spots, Brew Bridge is constantly working and innovating to keep its brewpub and restaurant a top-notch beer destination for all our visitors. While they continually rotate its taps to drop new beers all the time, the brewery just did a double drop this month that sound perfect for the holiday season! First up is a delicious double chocolate oatmeal stout that was brewed with maple syrup and coffee (courtesy of Stave Coffee Company). You can also try a brand new coconut milkshake IPA brewed with pale malt, fluffy oats and vanilla. You can score both of these either on tap or in a four-pack of cans!Stock Up on Christmas Cookies    Christmas is the time of year when everyone gets to enjoy sweets without counting calories, and Owensboro has a ton of amazing bakeries that produce some of the cutest and tastiest holiday cookies! Over at the Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co., you can find snowflake-shaped sugar cookies, oreo balls drizzled in icing and sprinkled with red and green sprinkles, and everything from oatmeal raisin to chocolate chip that can be purchased individually or on a…

Check Out Initial ROMP Lineup Right Here!

Alrighty, friends–we’ve got our first look at next year’s ROMP lineup and we are ready to talk about it! Bringing thousands of visitors to Owensboro-Daviess County, ROMP is a four-day music festival featuring some of the best Bluegrass artists in the world. And, as per usual, Chris Joslin and his team at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum have put together an amazing initial lineup, with more artists to be announced over the coming months. Starting with the 2024 ROMP headliner, we’ve got country music legend and 14-time Grammy nominee Dierks Bentley making the trip to Yellow Creek Park to showcase an impressive catalog of #1 hits. Some of his most popular songs include “What Was I Thinkin’”, “Come A Little Closer”, “Settle for a Slowdown” and “Every Mile a Memory,” but there are more than a dozen others that make the list! In recent years, Bentley has been adding more Bluegrass to his music, with his newest album, Gravel and Gold, being released this year. An album he calls “my best,” Bentley’s newest music has that same country commercial feel that’s worked for him for so many years, while also leaning into the organic bluegrass roots that…

Festivals to Look Forward to in 2024

As we make our way into the new year, we wanted to bring your attention to some of the big events our visitors have to look forward to in 2024! Owensboro is a festival city, and we have an awesome lineup of festivals coming your way. From music to barbecue to bourbon and bluegrass, we’ve got something for everybody to celebrate. We’re gonna kick off our list with a brand new festival happening this year! Rock the Boro is a rock music fest being held in Owensboro August 23 and 24. Hosted by LS Music Productions, this festival will feature a mix of national, regional and local musicians. More than 100 bands have applied to perform, and the event will be held at the Daviess County Lions Club Fairgrounds. For more info, head over to www.rocktheborofest.com. We’re also bringing the Jeeps and Jamz Expo back this year for two days of Jeeps, live music and off-roading experiences. This year’s Jeeps and Jamz will be held June 7 and 8 at the Owensboro Convention Center. There’ll be a huge kickoff party, an expo with Jeep vendors, a Jeep obstacle course, Jeep convoy, a trail ride and more! Of course we’re bringing back…

Get To Know Owensboro With These Fun Facts

–Owensboro is the fourth-largest city in the state of Kentucky, and it is the second-largest city in the Tri-State region of Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky. Owensboro has a great position, geographically, as it is located only two hours away from Nashville, two hours from Louisville, three hours from St. Louis, and 3.5 hours from Cincinnati.  –Owensboro has an incredible riverfront that provides a majestic backdrop to our revitalized downtown! You can catch spectacular views of the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro. Some of our amazing entertainment venues and hotels provide waterfront views. These include the Owensboro Convention Center, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the RiverPark Center, the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront and the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront.  The Lewis and Clark Expedition wintered at what is today known as Owensboro–but then, it was known as Yellow Banks. Lewis and Clark stayed in Owensboro prior to departing on their famous expedition. The city changed its name in 1817.  The cultural and entertainment hub of western Kentucky, Owensboro is home to one of the best symphonies in the country (Owensboro Symphony) and has been declared the Bluegrass Capital of the World. Owensboro is also home to one of the…

Your Guide to Owensboro Burger Week 2024

It’s time to get excited because Owensboro Burger Week is returning with a bang this year, friends! And this time, it’s gonna be even bigger and better than ever before! Burger Week 2024 is expanding its timeline this year to give customers NINE days of burger-eating joy. Held March 1-9, you’ll have plenty of time to taste all the beefy goodness Owensboro has to offer.  This event is meant to be enjoyed by anyone and everyone, and you’ll taste some of the most creative burgers you can imagine during Owensboro Burger Week. From Mexican food-style burgers to barbecue-slathered burgers to breakfast burgers, you’ll get the chance to try a little bit of everything.  One of the best things about Owensboro Burger Week is the price! All of these burgers are only $7. All you have to do is show up to one of the restaurants on the list and ask for their Burger Week burger.  And, as always, Visit Owensboro will be holding its annual Burger Week contest, where a distinguished panel of self-proclaimed burger experts will do a blind taste test to determine the Burger Week Champion.  Since Burger Week 2024 is expected to make things a little busier for restaurants, please remember to…

Get A Jumpstart on Spring at Owensboro’s Plant Shops

Anytime someone mentions a plant store in town, our ears immediately perk up. Indoor plants have become the new household staple, and there is nothing like finding the perfect spot in your home for your newest plant to grow and thrive.  So that’s why we got excited when Ivy Trellis Floral & Gift announced they were now selling indoor plants at their flower shop! Ivy Trellis already made beautiful bouquets, but now you can stop in their store and find the newest addition to your indoor plant family.  If you’re new to the plant life, no worries! The team at Ivy Trellis is well-versed on all these different plants and are more than happy to help you find the right plant for you and your lifestyle. These indoor plants are well cared for by the staff upon buying and look absolutely gorgeous and healthy.  Plants from Welborn’s Floral Company make long-lasting and affordable gifts for any occasion! Welborn’s offers a wide variety of gorgeous indoor plants. You can find Peace Lilies, Cat Palms and Emerald Greens. They can even deliver your house plant right to you!  Another amazing place to get your next house plant is Integrity Nursery & Outdoor Living! This store not…

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

Aaron Lewis In Concert   This rocker-turned-country artist is heading to Owensboro for a live show you won’t wanna miss! Aaron Lewis, founding member of multi-platinum band Staind, is bringing The American Patriot tour to the Owensboro Sportscenter on Thursday, February 22. This acoustic tour follows Lewis’ recent musical collaborations with some of the greats, including George Jones, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill–and it shows the country star at his most personal, intimate and unplugged. Tickets to see Aaron Lewis can be purchased right here for $25 and the show starts at 7 p.m.The Johnny Cash Experience      You’ll hear songs and stories from the “Man in Black” in a way that audiences haven’t seen nor heard before at Johnny Cash–The Official Concert Experience. With videos of Cash from episodes of The Johnny Cash Show projected on a screen above the stage, a live band and singers will accompany him in perfect sync. This show highlights Cash’s iconic performances, including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire” and “I Walk the Line.” The music never stops at this incredible event, and you can see the show yourself at the RiverPark Center on February 22. Tickets are $35 and…

The Great American Bluegrass Jam: Everything You Need to Know

Did somebody say they needed three days of bluegrass? Because we’ve got the perfect event for you comin’ up in March!  The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing together some of the best in the business to create a weekend experience for any and all bluegrass fans. The Great American Bluegrass Jam is taking over downtown Owensboro March 15-17! There will be bluegrass-themed events, legendary concerts, historic sightseeing trips and even a little bourbon packed into this weekend adventure.  The Kentucky Fried Pickin’ Hotel Jam will be set up at the Holiday Inn Riverfront in downtown Owensboro, bringing hundreds of strummers and pickers together. Guests will get the chance to pick with others from across the country and open jam sessions will be held around the clock.  The hotel is completely sold out but you can still get a room just a few steps away at the Hampton Inn & Suites Waterfront  Just down the street at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Kentucky State Fiddle Championship will be held March 16 and 17. With multiple categories and prizes, this will bring out some of the best fiddlers in the country. Spectators can get tickets at $10 apiece…

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

Great American Bluegrass Jam  The Great American Bluegrass Jam is taking over downtown Owensboro for a weekend of live music, bluegrass history and good old fashioned banjo pickin’. The event will feature the Kentucky Fried Pickin’ Hotel Jam, the Kentucky State Fiddle Championships, excursions to both Green River Distilling Company and the Bill Monroe Homeplace in Rosine, KY and much more in collaboration with downtown businesses. These events will take place March 15-17 and you can find more information right here! Shamrock Bash      The luck of the Irish is back this year at the Owensboro Convention Center! The Shamrock Bash is a 21-and-over event featuring all things St. Patrick’s Day, including live music, tasty food and plenty of drinks. The Celtic band Scythian is taking the stage to play roots music from Celtic, Eastern Europe and Appalachia with thunderous energy and powerful storytelling and songwriting. This band provides a true Irish experience for everyone! Concessions and a full bar will be available, including the celebratory green beer. You may even find a pot o’ gold while you’re there! General Admission tickets are $20 and the event will be held from 8-midnight on March 15. St. Patrick’s Day at Grand Stables  The Grand Stables…

Shop Vintage and More at These Amazing Thrift Stores in Owensboro

Thrift stores have been around for a long time, but there’s definitely been an uptick in thrift store shopping over the last couple years. As vintage clothing and old-school aesthetics continue to soar in popularity, we get more and more excited about all the amazing vintage shops Owensboro has to offer!  If you’re looking for furniture, Owensboro Trading Post is one of the best places in the tri-state area for finding all things vintage. You can also find a huge variety of antiques, collectibles, tools, knick knacks and “projects” that you can give a little love and refurbish. This store has some really cool signs, clocks, kitchenware and old paintings too!  New Life Thrift has a little bit of everything, but this is one of the best places to find vintage clothing. If you’re into the 70s aesthetic, they’ve usually got a velvet couch, floral lamps and embroidered pillows. But you can also find everything from shoes to guitars to home decor here. This shop is so cute, and they have so many amazing deals. Plus, the revenue generated by New Life Thrift is invested back into the local community.  Old paintings and prints, home decor and so, so, so many clothing items…

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Owensboro for Spring Break

As we near the end of winter, it’s time to look forward to springtime in Kentucky! And if you’re looking for a city with all the bells and whistles but with a friendly, small town vibe, Owensboro is the perfect place to travel for your upcoming Spring Break.  First off, spring in Owensboro is absolutely GORGEOUS. We have an entire season and area dedicated to the thousands of pink and white dogwood trees and vibrant azaleas that bloom throughout the month of April. You could literally spend an entire weekend exploring the dogwoods and azaleas that bloom throughout the city and county.  And speaking of flowers, Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is THE place to be this spring as the 12-acre facility blooms into a luscious garden filled with plants and flowers that represent all the colors of the rainbow, and then some. You can enjoy walking paths throughout the humongous garden, sit on a bench and watch the butterflies and admire all things naturistic and nurturing. Even better, WKBG offers free admission on the first Saturday of each month!  On April 8, head over to the Owensboro Museum of Science and History for their Total Solar Eclipse Experience! Thanks to a partnership between…

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

50 Years at Cecil Farms  Cecil Farms is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a bang this year! And this event is gonna highlight all of the things that Owensboro’s known for with a little bourbon, barbecue and bluegrass music. White Chateau at Cecil Farms is hosting a Seasonal Dinner Series farm-to-table style by collaborating with Chef Matt Weafer for a sunset dinner experience on the rolling hills of western Kentucky. Dinners will include a salad, main course, desserts and beverages. Whether it’s a date night or dinner with friends, you can hang out and enjoy live music as you take in the beautiful landscape around you. Tickets are $55 per person and the event will be held on March 21 from 6-8 p.m. Comedy Crawl       A Comedy Crawl is coming to downtown Owensboro this weekend, where you can see a lineup of comedians from Theatre Workshop of Owensboro perform at different spots across the city. Shows will be held at Lure Seafood and Grille, SIP Owensboro, Goodwood, Brasher’s Little Nashville, The Pub on Second and Brew Bridge. The Comedy Crawl will be held on March 23 from noon-4:45 p.m.Wendell Foster Half Marathon   The Wendell Foster Half Marathon and 5K will…

Hometown Celebrity Jon Brennan Shares Updates On Country Music Career, The Real World and More

Anytime we get the chance to catch up with one of our hometown celebrities, we take it! Visit Owensboro was so excited to chat with singer/songwriter/reality TV star Jon Brennan about his country music career, his experiences as a cast member on The Real World, and how the city of Owensboro shaped his successful path.  Brennan’s fame came early in life, as he made history starring as one of the cast members of MTV’s “The Real World: Los Angeles” at only 18. The success of that season would make The Real World one of the most popular reality shows ever created, earning Brennan subsequent appearances on a host of other MTV shows, such as “Road Rules All-Stars,” “The Challenge Inferno 2” and “The Real World Homecoming: Los Angeles,” which aired in 2021.  From a young age, Brennan had a dream of becoming a country music artist. After his experience on The Real World, Brennan toured extensively and made many appearances across the nation, garnering thousands of fans along the way. He opened for some of the biggest acts in the business–Alabama, Tim McGraw and George Jones, to name a few!  To this day, Brennan is making country music, and he released his new…

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

Easter Egg Hunt at Yellow Creek Park    A brand new Easter Egg Hunt is happening at Owensboro’s gorgeous Yellow Creek Park, and we’ve got all the info about it right here! This is gonna be a HUGE Easter Egg Hunt, with more than 8,000 eggs stuffed with candy and prizes. And, yep, there will be a few golden eggs in there as well. You can enjoy a photo booth with the Easter Bunny at no cost, crafts and games for the entire family, vendors, food trucks and inflatables at this incredible event. So head over to the Jim Lambert Pioneer Village at Yellow Creek Park on March 30 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Age divisions for the Egg Hunt are as follows: 11:45 a.m. – Ages 1 to 5. 12:30 p.m. – Ages 6 to 9. 1:15 p.m. – Ages 10 to 12. Jerry Garcia Exhibit: Opening Weekend     The moment we’ve all been waiting for is taking place this weekend! The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is celebrating its brand new Jerry Garcia exhibit all weekend long with live music from Leftover Salmon, Sam Grisman Project and a ton of special appearances from some of the top artists in…

Your Guide to a Great Summer in Owensboro

It might seem a little early to start talking summer, but we’re only a couple months away from those long days, sunny skies and warm breezes! And if you’re anything like us, you try to plan ahead for summer as much as you possibly can. Which is why we created a Summer Guide for Owensboro in 2024, where you can check out this list of upcoming events being held June-August.  Starting off strong, Owensboro’s free, award-winning summer-long music festival is returning to downtown Owensboro May 17 and will feature different bands and musicians every Friday all summer long! Be sure to follow Friday After 5 on Facebook for more info about dates, times and lineups.  We’re bringing the Jeeps and Jamz Expo back to the Owensboro Convention Center June 7 and 8 this year! Enjoy an awesome kickoff party, an expo full of Jeep vendors, a Jeep obstacle course, Jeep convoy, a trail ride and more at this exciting weekend event.  Porch Fest 2024 is returning as well this year, bringing dozens of amazing artists to Griffith Avenue to perform from the front porches of some of the most beautiful homes in Owensboro. You’ll hear all kinds of musical genres at this event–everything…

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

Live on Second   Head to downtown Owensboro this weekend to experience Live on 2nd–a brand new event hosted by Owensboro Music Business Expo that brings together live musicians and local businesses for two days of entertainment, food and fun! Held on April 19 and 20, you can enjoy free live music as we kick off the Spring season at Willow & Pine; Kingdom Cords; Don Mario’s; Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville; Pub on 2nd; Mellow Mushroom; The Creme; and The Crown. Bring the family! Bring your friends! Grab a bite to eat and spend the weekend at our amazing downtown riverfront. Live on 2nd will be held from 6-10 p.m. both nights. Touch-A-Truck     This is a free event for children of all ages! Touch-A-Truck is all about learning the ins and outs of trucks, equipment and vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Held at Panther Creek Park on Saturday, April 20, kids will be allowed to climb aboard, take pictures and ask questions in a safe environment as they explore a variety of vehicles and heavy equipment. They’ll also get to meet the people who protect and serve our community! The event will also have free inflatables, food vendors, a petting zoo…

All The Parks Where You Can Fish & Play in Owensboro

Owensboro is home to so many beautiful parks, we just had to write a feature on them! With more than 25 parks spread out across our city and county, there’s no end to the number of places you can spend in the great outdoors.  Today, we’re breaking down a list of parks where you can fish and find a playground! Some of these parks will be on both lists.  Fishing You can fish on the Ohio River with a license and some pretty steep regulations.  Panther Creek Park is part of the FINS (Fishing in the Neighborhoods) program. There is a lake onsite for fishing and is regularly stocked with catfish and rainbow trout, while largemouth bass and sunfish are regularly stocked and sampled. This six-acre lake is located at 5160 Wayne Bridge Road.  Yellow Creek Park is another great site for fishing. Located at 5710 KY-144, this three-acre lake is also stocked with catfish and rainbow trout. For both lakes, there are daily catch limits in place through the FINS program. You can catch up to five rainbow trout, four catfish, one largemouth bass and 15 bluegill or sunfish per day. To keep the trout, you need a trout permit.  Diamond Lake Resort offers a…

Summer Events NOT To Miss In June

We are ready for summer over here!! And to kick things off the right way, we’re gonna focus on the first month of summer and all the exciting things we have going on here in Owensboro during the month of June!  June is kinda perfect in Kentucky, really. Not too hot, not too humid. The sun is shinin’, the grass is green and the daylilies are in full bloom. It’s one of the best times to check out Owensboro and all it has to offer!  First up, if you’re the proud owner of a Jeep, you need to schedule the Jeeps and Jamz Expo into your Google calendar right now. This event will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center June 7 and 8. You’ll be treated to an awesome kickoff party at Friday After 5, an expo full of Jeep vendors, a Jeep obstacle course, a Jeep Trail Ride, after parties, citywide discounts and deals, and the Blessing of the Jeep Church. You can find more info right here.  One of the biggest music fests of the year will be held June 8 as Owensboro Porch Fest brings some of the best musicians around to gather for a day of live music….

Explore These (Easy) Hiking Trails in Owensboro

Hiking is a huge aspect of tourism and travel, and Owensboro has tons of gorgeous places to do it! And if you’re staying here for a convention, ball tournament or concert, you may not have much time for a strenuous hiking experience. And that’s why we’re highlighting some of the beautiful places in our city and county where visitors can enjoy an easy hike in a picturesque setting.  The Joe Ford Nature Park is located right in the heart of Owensboro, but you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the center of Narnia. This 15-acre woodland park has a number of hiking trails within it complete with signs and directions to make for easy navigation. The five different trails range from 0.1 miles to 0.6 miles, and there are open 365 days of the year!  While it’s 16.5 miles in length, you can stop and start anywhere on the Adkisson Greenbelt Trail for a quick, easy hike. This trail is designed to encircle the city and link neighborhoods, business districts, parks and schools. The trails that make up the Greenbelt offer a 10-foot wide asphalt surface that provides plenty of room for walkers, runners and cyclists. Click here to see where you…

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

Dog Grooming/Training Expo    We’ve got a unique event for all our proud pet parents out there! May 17-19, the RW GroomX Grooming Competition & Expo will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center. But this is more than just a grooming contest–it’s an entire weekend filled with activities for dog lovers. The RW GroomX will include educational workshops led by industry professionals from around the world sharing their knowledge about subjects ranging from grooming to handling difficult dogs to geriatric dog care. You’ll learn about grooming tools and, if you’re the owner of a grooming company, how to build your business. There will be interactive exhibits where visitors can meet with manufacturers and vendors offering pet supplies, pet products and other additional services. You can click here to see the competition schedule, full list of events, and registration sign-up.  Cricket Tournament and Cultural Celebration    The Owensboro Cricket Association is hosting a tournament at Panther Creek Park this weekend to celebrate Indian culture! This event will feature authentic Indian cuisine, a number of amazing vendors, a kite festival, live music, games and more! The celebration begins May 17 at McConnell Plaza from 6-9 p.m. with DJ Blaze playing Indian music while attendees…

Experience Record-Breaking Jeeps and Jamz Expo in June!

You can be part of the Midwest’s biggest Jeep gathering at Owensboro’s Jeeps and Jamz Expo! If you’re the proud owner of a Jeep, this weekend-long festivity is full of exciting riding events, live music, and an amazing expo complete with vendors for decking out your Jeep.  The city is gonna be overrun with Jeeps for this event, which is hosted by our friends at Owensboro Off-Road Jeepers and The City of Owensboro. Held for two days on June 7 and Saturday, June 8, here’s everything you need to know!  The kickoff party will begin a day early on Thursday with a Hawaiian Luau Kickoff Party from 6-10 p.m. at HIS Church. On Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., you can check out a variety of vendors and Jeep displays. There will also be VIP Shopping, Hungry Hungry Jeepers Food Truck Area, an obstacle course and a Kids Zone.  On Saturday, you can enjoy more VIP Shopping, the Jeeps and Jamz Expo from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., a Show And Shine from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., an obstacle course, a Die Cast Car Drag Race, the 2nd Annual Jeep Convoy that’ll hit the road at 6 p.m., a Kids Zone, and a Closing Party from 6-10…

Taste Fresh Berries & Shop from 150 Vendors at Strawberry Fest!

If you love strawberries, shopping and live music, listen up! We’ve got the absolute perfect event for you coming up in a few weeks!  Coming back even bigger and better for its third year, the Strawberry Festival is for all the people who love summer and a good farmer’s market! Held June 8 and 9 at The Cottage Farm Stand and Baking Company, here’s everything you need to know.  First off, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views at this adorable cottage-style bakery and coffee shop, which is located about five miles outside of Owensboro city limits. Second of all, you’ll find so many strawberry-flavored items at this festival, it’s hard to name them all! Some of the treats include muffins, ice cream, smoothies, cake pops, gourmet cotton candy, milkshakes and, of course, delicious homegrown strawberries off the vine.  But that’s not all! There will be over 150 different vendors at this year’s Strawberry Festival. They’ll be selling the cutest homemade decor, trinkets, essential oils, clothing, candles, pet items, door signs and jewelry you can imagine.  New to this year’s event will be a car show! The first annual car show will be held on Saturday only, so be sure to make it out for…

One Month Out From ROMP: What To Know!

Since we are officially ONE MONTH out from ROMP–one of the biggest bluegrass and roots festivals of the year–it’s time to get preppin’ and learn everything you can right here! Let’s start with the basics. The 21st Annual ROMP music fest will be held June 26-29 at our gorgeous Yellow Creek Park. You can buy single-day tickets if there’s one specific artist you want to see, or you can buy an entire weekend pass to see live music all four days. You can stay in one of our beautiful hotels and take provided transportation to and from the venue, or you can camp in tents or RVs during your stay. You can look at all the ticket price points right here!  Now, for the music. ROMP has featured some of the very best musicians in the bluegrass and country music genres for years, and this year is no different!  On Wednesday, June 26, you’ll get nighttime jams on the Jagoe Homes After Party Stage from Vickie Vaughn at 8 p.m. and Lillie Mae at 9:30 p.m. This is basically a first-class kickoff concert for the rest of the weekend! On Thursday, June 27, the main ROMP stage will start with music from Rick Faris…

From Waterfront Views to Southern Classics, Here’s Where to Brunch in Owensboro

Here at Visit Owensboro, we’re of the belief that brunch is a year-round sport. So while there may not be a specific season for brunching with your besties, there’s something about eggs benedict and mimosas on a warm summer day that has a nice ring to it.  Luckily for you, Owensboro has an awesome lineup of brunch spots. We’ve got cozy indoor spaces, outdoor patios, waterfront views, outdoor patios with waterfront views. We’ve got restaurants with specially crafted cocktails and mocktails for brunch, and even a local spot that serves up one of the best brunches you’ll find anywhere in Kentucky. So keep on readin’ if you’ve been in the market for a new place to taste some delicious food!  First up, we’ll start with a place where you’ll need to plan ahead for brunch as they only serve it once a week. Famous Bistro is indeed famous for its Saturday morning brunch, and this local restaurant is somewhat of a hidden gem for out-of-towners who aren’t familiar with the restaurant’s incredible breakfast food. You’ll find everything from steak and eggs to crab cake hollandaise to Greek omelets on the menu here. You can dine inside or order pickup, but it’s best…

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

Jeeps and Jamz Expo       For two days, it’s gonna be all about the Jeeps as Owensboro’s annual Jeeps and Jamz Expo kicks off summer the right way at the Owensboro Convention Center. This expo is gonna have amazing Jeep vendors and decked-out Jeeps and exclusive merch you can only find right here! The weekend will also include a Jeep Obstacle Course at Windy Hollow Speedway, held by Owensboro Off-Road Jeepers, an amazing outdoor music fest on the riverfront held by Friday After 5, a Jeep convoy (last year’s won the Kentucky state record for longest Jeep convoy!), car drag racing, guided trail rides, and a huge closing party to celebrate all things Jeep! Jeeps and Jamz will be held June 7 and 8. PorchFest 2024   PorchFest 2024 is gonna bring nearly 40 musical acts on 12 different stages to our famous Griffith Avenue corridor this year! This is a free, outdoor music fest that recognizes some of the best local and regional talent in Kentucky. All you have to do is park your car along one of the side streets (or grab a Lyft or cab to drop you off), bring a lawn chair, and sit back and enjoy…

From 5Ks To Half Marathons: All The Races Coming Up in Owensboro

If you’re into competitive running, you KNOW you’re always on the lookout for a good road race. And part of the fun when it comes to these road races is getting to travel to new places. So if you’re a runner who’s never been to Owensboro before, keep reading!  Owensboro hosts a variety of competitive road races throughout the year. Some of them are located downtown in the city, while others take place in the county–but no matter which of these races you choose, you’re gonna be met with incredible views, friendly competitors and amazing race organizers.  Because many runners carefully plan their races in advance, we’re gonna break down the list of competitive races being held in Owensboro over the next several months. From 5Ks to half marathons, our city has a little bit of everything for runners at every level.  The Freedom 5K  This 3.1-mile race will be held on July 13, 2024. This is a fun and fast 5K course for you to achieve with your running and/or walking goals. This is a race the entire family can enjoy, as well as racers of all ages and levels of experience. You can register online until June 30 for $25/person or July…

Visit Owensboro For The BEST 4th of July Fireworks!

The best Fourth of July fireworks shows in the state of Kentucky are coming up soon, so here’s everything you need to know!  First up, we’ve got 4th Fest at the Owensboro Convention Center on Thursday, July 4, and this Independence Day celebration’s got all the bells and whistles for a memorable night out.  This family-friendly event has fun activities for everyone, including a variety of options inside the exhibit halls on the first floor for kiddos. Younger kids will love the Bouncer Maze, Bucky’s Pirate ship and games like Duck Pond! Older kids can climb a rock wall or scale a spider climb. There will also be a Toxic Warrior Jump and Extreme Chaos Obstacle Course.  As for the fireworks, the Convention Center is where you’re gonna get the best views of the multi-colored explosions over the Ohio River. Tickets start at $10 and include early access to the inflatables and activities from 4-6 p.m. The exhibit hall will be free and open to the public from 6-9 p.m., with the fireworks show kicking off at 9:15 p.m. There will also be live music with opening acts starting at 5 p.m.  There will be delicious food and drinks onsite for all guests. There…

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

ROMP      This weekend is all about the music and, specifically, bluegrass music! Presenting the best in bluegrass and roots music each year, the ROMP music fest is taking over the city of Owensboro by bringing thousands of fans to Yellow Creek Park June 26-29 for four days of nonstop bluegrass. You’ll get live performances from Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway; Leftover Salmon; Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives; The Travelin’ McCourys; Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band; Dierks Bentley and many more! There will be tons of food trucks and arts and crafts vendors, lighted pathways through a beautiful forest, a Kids Zone filled with activities for children and lots of merch available onsite. You can still purchase tickets right here! ROMP & Roll Record Show    You can collect records, posters and tons of music memorabilia at Owensboro’s first-ever ROMP & Roll Record Show! Held at the Owensboro Convention Center June 28-30, those who are traveling here for ROMP can also score access to this brand new add-on. ROMP & Roll will feature a hundred different tables filled with a selection of music items. Think of it like an organized yard sale for music fans. Crate diggers will find new and pre-loved…

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

4th of July Fireworks        One of the best fireworks shows in Kentucky is being held in Owensboro to celebrate the 4th of July! You’ll get, not one, but four different fireworks displays going off at the same time all across the city. And if you want the best views (and an indoor space to cool down), the Owensboro Convention Center is hosting its 4th Fest that night, so you can see one of the fireworks performances over the Ohio River. Tickets start at $10 and include early access (4-6 p.m.) to inflatables, indoor games, and a climbing rock wall for children. There are other packages available for those who want even more perks, and you can learn more about the price points right here. If you decide to make downtown Owensboro your site for this event, enjoy live music starting at 5 p.m., family-friendly activities inside the convention center from 6-9 p.m., and fireworks all across the city will be going off at 9:15 p.m. This event will be held July 4. Independence Day Fireworks: Part 2   And you know what? We’re just gonna keep the Independence Day momentum going for a second round of fireworks and fun! On…

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

Kidd G and The Crashers at Friday After 5       We’ve got a huge night of music comin’ your way at Friday After 5 this weekend! On July 19, you’ll get live performances from Kidd G and The Crashers for one of the most exciting FA5 events of the season! Kidd G will take the Romain Cadillac Stage on the front lawn of the Owensboro Convention Center, bringing a masterful blend of rap and country music to his audience. The Crashers are gonna bring all the good energy and vibes to to McConnell Plaza. Friday After 5 is free to attend and runs from 5-11:30 p.m. Bellamy Brothers at Bluegrass Hall of Fame  You can see this chart-topping duo perform live this weekend in downtown Owensboro! The Bellamy Brothers–Howard and David–stand as pillars of country music with their careers marked by an impressive array of accomplishments. Their music journey spans over four decades, and they have garnered one of the most loyal fanbases in the business. The Bellamy Brothers have won numerous awards and Grammy nominations over the years–a testament to their enduring relevance and unwavering passion for country music. The show will be held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of…

Where to Swim While You’re in Owensboro!

So you’re looking for a place to cool off and swim while you’re visiting Owensboro, eh? Well, look no further because we have it covered right here, y’all!  First off, Owensboro has an amazing swim club located right in the city. At Atlantis Swim Club, you don’t need a membership or any kind of pass to spend the day swimming, lounging and relaxing here. You can just show up to the front gate and pay $17 if you’re an adult, and $12 for your kiddos 12 years old and younger, which is pretty sweet!  Atlantis offers three different pools–including an amazing wave pool–a water slide and a diving board at its facility. There is a baby pool for the little ones, as well as a full-sized swimming pool you can swim laps or play around in! Lifeguards are staffed at all times at each pool aside from the baby pool.  Atlantis also offers a concession stand serving all your favorite summertime snacks at affordable prices. From delicious slushies to nachos to cheeseburgers and pizza, they’ve got it all! There are also plenty of shaded spaces, lounge chairs and umbrellas across the swim club that are open to the public.  And if you’re looking for…

Enjoy Flowers, Sunsets, Food And Music At This Orchard Fest

Is there anything more blissfully summer than picking gorgeous flowers with the sunset as a backdrop? This is why you should be at Reid’s Orchard on July 21 for their Sunset Flower Market Day! From 4-8 p.m., you can head over to beautiful Reid’s Orchard to pick fresh-cut flowers from Katie’s U-Pick Flower Fields. You can literally create your own bouquets with friends, family or by yourself!  Katie’s U-Pick Flower Garden is filled with a variety of seasonal blooms that can be bundled to form colorful, whimsical centerpieces for your home. Swing by the store first to grab what you need for cutting the stems.  And along with the flower picking, treat yourself to some live music from Mitchell Douglas from 5-8 p.m. And come hungry because Basil’s Food Truck and J’s Good Grub are gonna be onsite as well!  While you’re at Reid’s, stop inside the store to shop for freshly picked homegrown peaches, tomatoes, yellow sweet corn, nectarines, green beans, apples, blueberries, blackberries, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, cabbage, watermelon and cantaloupe! Cool off with one of their famous, frozen apple slushies.

Take a Weekend Road Trip to Owensboro for BBQ, Bourbon & Bluegrass

One of the best things about a weekend road trip is getting to check out a place you’ve never been before! And if you’re looking for a fun city with good food, vibes and music, you’ve gotta put Owensboro, Kentucky on your list.  If you’re only here for two days, then there are two things Owensboro is famous for that you absolutely need to experience: Our world-famous barbecue and our world-class bourbon!  You can kick the first day off with one of the best brunch buffets in the state at Ole South Barbecue. Not only will you get to try tons of delicious breakfast items, but you can also taste the restaurant’s famous barbecue. And don’t forget to make yourself a bowl of burgoo while you’re there!  Next up, head to downtown Owensboro for a tour of Green River Distilling Company. Kentucky is famous for its bourbon production, and you can take one of the top-ranked tours in the entire state at Green River! Tours are roughly an hour long, and this gorgeous distillery, coupled with its fascinating history, is one of the coolest things you’ll ever do in the Bluegrass State. You’ll even get to taste three different bourbons at the end!  While…

State’s Sport Shooting Championships Coming to Owensboro!

You’ll get the chance to see one of the coolest sport shooting competitions in the country right here in Owensboro! Yep–the 2024 Kentucky State Sporting Clays Championship is gonna be held for three days at the Mattingly Target Shooting Range in Daviess County, Kentucky. Held August 23-25, this tournament will feature competitive shooting along with a variety of live entertainment and family-friendly activities to do as well. The competition includes Sub Gauge, Super Sporting, FITASC and the “Walker 100.” Sub Gauge, Super Sporting and FITASC will be shot all three days of the event, and pre-registration and deposits are required for FITASC. Walk-ins are welcome for the other events, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged! Saturday, August 24 will feature the first 100 of the 200 target main events, followed by an amazing dinner at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Owensboro. On Sunday, the competition will conclude with the remaining 100 targets of the main event. For ties, money is split and the trophies go to the in-state winner. As for the shoot rules, all events will be governed by official NSCA rules. Sporting clays targets will be registered for existing NSCA members only. Juniors can shoot for $79; Sub-Juniors…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: August 9-11

Lanham Brothers Jamboree        One of the most fun bluegrass festivals of the year is coming up, and here are all the details! The Lanham Brothers Jamboree–hosted by brothers Barry and Randy–is taking the stage at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on August 10. The duo will perform and be recorded for broadcast on KET. The Lanham Bros. are bringing several guest stars to the stage with them this year–Joe Christian, Jade Hagan, Elijah & Ansley Christian, Erica Roberts, Jeff Hardesty, and The Footstompin’ Express Cloggers. This show is family-friendly with music, dances, comedy skits and crowd interaction! The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $37. Peach Bliss   Head out to beautiful Reid’s Orchard for a day of peaches, vendors and delicious food! Peach Bliss will be held on August 11 from 4-8 p.m. You can bring friends, family or spend a solo day exploring the gorgeous landscape that Reid’s Orchard offers, while also shopping from the cutest vendors onsite and tasting all kinds of food from a variety of food trucks. These peaches are perfectly ripe and ready for the eating, and this event is free to the public! Tour At Western KY Botanical Garden  It’s…

Holiday World: One of The BEST Theme Parks in America

So you wanna experience the magic of an amazing amusement park, but you don’t quite have the budget for a trip to Orlando? Well, we’re here to stop gatekeeping one of the BEST theme parks in the country and, even better, it’s located only 20 minutes away from Owensboro.  Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is a holiday-themed amusement park and water park that’s perfect for families and has all the bells and whistles of some of the most notoriously expensive parks in the United States.  Jumping right into the roller coaster side of things, Holiday World has several of them, including three award-winning wooden coasters: The Raven, The Legend, and The Voyage. Just as cool, the theme park has the world’s ONLY launched wing roller coaster–The Thunderbird!  New to Holiday World is Good Gravy! This roller coaster is the theme park’s first family coaster, measuring in at 1,500 feet and with an agenda to save Thanksgiving dinner! You’ll travel forward up to a seven-stories tall spike, then backward to make more gravy, then complete the ride by saving the Thanksgiving dinner.  Holiday World is also packed with tons of holiday-themed games and other rides, including the HallowSwings, bumper cars, Frightful Falls, the Howler, spinning…

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

Bluegrass Legends Experience       Owensboro is hosting a MASSIVE car show complete with tons of entertainment August 16-18, and here’s everything you need to know! The Bluegrass Legends Experience will be held at Moreland Park and the Owensboro Sportscenter for three days, bringing a huge variety of cars, trucks, rat rods and motorcycles. This isn’t just about the vehicles, however, as there will be more than 25 food trucks, a beer garden, quality family entertainment and vendors packing this weekend-long event. It’s free to all spectators, and the Bluegrass Legends Experience raises money for the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Bluegrass Legends will kick off on Friday, August 16 at 5 p.m. with a cruise-in atmosphere at Moreland Park. Inside the Sportscenter, an amazing Evel Knievel display will blow your mind! There is onsite truck/trailer/RV parking with 24-hour security and there is a $25 entry free to register your vehicle for the show and prizes. Owensboro Multicultural Fest   One of the coolest events of the year, the Owensboro Multicultural Festival celebrates the food, music, art and people from all across our incredibly diverse planet. Held at First Presbyterian Church on August 17, this free event is for the…

J’s Good Grub Opens NEW Restaurant at Windridge!

We LOVE when new restaurants open up in town and, this time, we’re extra excited because one of the most popular food trucks in Owensboro is taking things to the next level with a brand new brick and mortar location, and a second food truck!   That’s right–J’s Good Grub has expanded its business to include a new spot at Windridge Country Club. Important to know–you do NOT need a membership of any kind to eat here! Open to the public, J’s offer a dine-in experience for fans of southern comfort and soul food. This is a casual restaurant with a chill atmosphere, so you can come as you are when dining here.   Aside from famous fried chicken, shrimp, burgers and french fries doused in cajun seasoning, ranch and buffalo sauce, J’s also offers barbecue, fried fish, deviled egg potato salad, cheese grits, mac and cheese, collard greens, seafood alfredo, Louisiana Seafood Po’ Boys, crawfish, oysters, catfish, tacos and more at this new spot!   J’s is open Wednesday-Friday from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. at Windridge. Not only will you get an incredible meal, but J’s includes fun, themed events to make the experience even more exciting! Follow J’s…

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

Bluegrass Century       An amazing event for cyclists is coming to Owensboro this weekend! Bluegrass Century is a charity event hosted by Bicycle Owensboro that benefits YoungLife of Owensboro, Kentucky. This event brings in cyclists from all over to race for a good cause. There are three different course lengths: A 67-mile; a 100-mile and a 32-mile race will be held concurrently but will deviate to different courses along the way. All riders will roll out at 7 a.m. CST start, and riders will be welcomed with fully stocked rest stops along the route. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to riders and there will even be live entertainment periodically throughout the afternoon for you to enjoy! Bluegrass Century will take place on August 26 at Crosspointe Baptist Church. You can register right here. Concert On The Lawn    You’ll get to enjoy a FREE symphony concert here in Owensboro, so pack a picnic and grab your lawn chairs for an amazing night of music in the great outdoors. Concert On The Lawn will be held at Kentucky Wesleyan College on August 24. The Owensboro Symphony is presenting a variety of songs from your favorite classic TV shows, including “The…

Enjoy All The Movie Magic At Holiday Drive-In; An Historic Experience

We’ve still got plenty of summer left and, right here in the Owensboro area, we have one of the coolest hidden gems that’ll transport you back in time in the very best way.  How long has it been since you’ve packed up the car and taken a trip to a drive-in movie theater? Right across the bridge in Reo, Indiana is Holiday Drive-In, one of the longest-running drive-ins in the country! Originally opened in 1955, Holiday Drive-In has grown from one single screen to six different screens over the decades.  These six different screens feature 12 different movies, so you and your group can enjoy two different films at the price of one ticket! And one of the coolest things about Holiday Drive-In is that they always offer brand new releases, whereas many outdoor drive-ins only feature films from the past.  Holiday Drive-In is such a cute and family-friendly venue, maybe this is an unforgettable outdoor experience. They’ve got old-school concession stands beaming with white and red lights, the smell of popcorn floating through the air, and plenty of space for you to park your car, open the hatch and spread out on blankets or lawn chairs.  Right now, Holiday-Drive In is showing some…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: August 30-September 1

Emergency Services Gala: Masquerade      We’re celebrating our hometown heroes this weekend with the 9th Annual Emergency Services Gala at the Owensboro Convention Center. Held on August 31, this event honors the men and women who work in first response and emergency services, keeping our city and county safe and protected. This year’s theme is “Masquerade,” so bring your masks and come dressed to impress! The doors open at 6 p.m. and last call will be at midnight. There will also be plenty of dancing, dining and door prizes! Hall of Fame Weekend    Experience a full weekend of amazing bluegrass music at the Bluegrass Museum’s Hall of Fame Homecoming Weekend! Held for two days on August 30 and 31, you’ll get two nights of music from some legendary artists. On Friday, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Doyle Lawson and Paul Williams will treat you to a night of gospel. And the fun continues into Saturday with performances from Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers–an IBMA Album of the Year winner. Tickets to this event can be purchased individually or bundled using the code HOFBUNDLE at checkout. Sunflower Experience at Trunnell’s Get all the sunflowers you could dream of and MORE at Trunnell’s…

Check Out These Disc Golf Courses in Owensboro!

Today, we’re gonna talk a little disc golf, and where you can find places to play all across Owensboro/Daviess County.  If you didn’t already know, Owensboro is actually ranked in the Top 5 places for disc golf in the state of Kentucky. A huge reason for that is quality, because our city and county has AMAZING parks and recreation centers. But the other reason is quantity, as Owensboro has four different places to play!  Just an FYI, among the four courses, three of them have 18 holes or more.  So where can you play? First up is Yellow Creek Park. This 18-hole course is located on the east side of town and has concrete tees, plenty of sun and shade, and ChainStar targets. This course is widely recognized for being well-maintained and providing gorgeous, scenic views. There are even some pond and creek shots!  Next up, we have a fun urban course located right in the heart of the city! The course at Kentucky Wesleyan College runs through the entire campus. This is a course of mostly short, open holes with a few longer ones sprinkled in. This is a great spot for new players and quicker rounds. This course has 18 holes, mix…

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

Universal Clown Summit      The clowns are comin’ to town, y’all! That’s right–the Universal Clown Summit & Reunion is making its way to Owensboro for four days of fun and friendship at the Owensboro Convention Center. This is a gathering of clowns–and potential clowns!–dedicated to learning, growing and evolving in their respective industry. The event kicks off Wednesday and will continue into Thursday with a complete day of touring Owensboro’s greatest venues and museums. A two-day convention filled with balloon-making classes, joke writing rooms, advanced magic and theater workshops and full meals will take place Friday and Saturday. The Universal Clown Summit will be held September 4-7. So if you see a clown on the street, give them a wave! Special Olympics: Softball State Tournament Owensboro is proud to host the Kentucky Special Olympics for a weekend of exciting competitive play! Held September 6-8, the State Softball Tournament will take place at Jack C. Fisher Park for the first time since 2007! You’ll get to see 36 teams (separated into nine divisions) compete at the state tournament this year. This will also be the first time that the Team Skills Competition–comprised of teams that didn’t qualify for the state tournament–is held in…

See Dogs Perform Tricks at Pups In The Park

Owensboro is bringing the first event of its kind to our county parks, and this one is for all the dog lovers!!  Pups In The Park will be held at Panther Creek Park for two days, September 21 and 22, where you’ll find all kinds of pups showing off their best aquatic skills.  Yep, this world premiere event is a canine aquatics competition that features a dock diving competition and other American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctioned events. These include Fast CAT (Coursing Ability Test) Temperament Test and AKC Fetch, which will be super fun to watch!  But that’s not all. Pups In The Park goes beyond the competitions by hosting exciting events for kiddos, local rescue organizations, vendors, food trucks and more. For the first time ever, the spray park at Panther Creek Park will be open to all pups!  Shop for pet-specific items, and eat from a wide variety of food vendors that will be selling everything from barbecue to sweet treats to ice cream and snow cones.  The Big Air aquatics competition is basically the long jump of canine water sports. Taking place on a 36-foot dock and pool, the competing dog will run and jump into the water after a toy is…

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

2024 Owensboro Air Show       This weekend is all about the Owensboro Air Show, so here’s everything you need to know ahead of time! The Air Show will be held for three days, September 13-15, beginning with a unique static display on Friday at the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport. This is your chance to meet some of the pilots and see the aircraft up close and in person. This event will be held from 4-9 p.m. on Sept. 13 and admission is $5 per person (kids 12 and under get in free). And on Saturday and Sunday, all eyes will be on the sky over the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro as performers showcase vintage warbirds, aerobatic demonstrations and military jets, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The Air Show is free to the public and will start at 1 p.m. both days. You can also get reserved seating at the Owensboro Convention Center. Planes On The Plaza   Grab tickets now to enjoy special seating on the Truist Plaza at the RiverPark Center to see the Owensboro Air Show! You’ll bring your own chairs to Planes On The Plaza and have access to bars, concessions and restrooms, and you’ll also…

Enjoy Multiple Performers And All The Fall Things at Orchard Music Fest

We’re bringing the best of both worlds together with an event celebrating live music and our wonderful agricultural scene on the outskirts of the city!  The Orchard Music Fest is a collaboration between Reid’s Orchard and the creators of PorchFest Owensboro–one of the biggest live music events held in the city every year. This year’s Orchard Music Fest will take place at Reid’s Orchard on Saturday, September 28. And here’s what you need to know ahead of time!  With a gorgeous landscape in the background, this festival will include live music on a variety of stages set up across the grounds, much like PorchFest, but minus the porches. Six stages will feature a range of local, regional and even nationally-recognized artists from all over!  Headliners for this festival include Sonia Leigh, Old Hickory and Jerret Forrester. Other artists performing include Lowland Ramblers, Cam Thompson & Mitchell Douglas, Billy Shew Band, Honey Vines, Emma Grace Brown, Riley Station, Cory & CJ Jones, Miles Gee, Lucy Jagoe & Emmie Kate, and Larry Brey.  Aside from the music, you’ll be entertained with farm-related activities that both children and adults can enjoy. Several different food trucks will be onsite, along with a 21-and-older beer garden for the adults….

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

Mariachi Night at WKBG       It’s all about the margaritas and mariachi this weekend at Western Kentucky Botanical Garden! You can head over to one of the prettiest place in Kentucky on Thursday, September 19 for WKBG’s Mariachi Night, a fiesta filled with tacos, pinatas, food trucks, dancers and a live mariachi band to give you an authentic, Mexican-themed fiesta. Kids 12 and under get in free and are welcome to join their parents for this event, which costs $10/adult. Bring your lawn chairs and stay awhile as there will be a cash bar onsite and Mexican food trucks serving all your favorite dishes. Mariachi Night will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m.Groovin’ On The Green    You can take the night off and kick back to some amazing live music this weekend at Groovin’ On The Green, held at the Owensboro Convention Center on September 21. This outdoor event will feature live performances from three different artists–The Michael Gough Group; Unlimited Show Band; and Maestro J & Friends. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to this FREE concert, and come hungry because there will be food trucks and vendors available onsite! Kids can enjoy arts and crafts as well. Groovin’…

Check Out All These Fun, Fall Events in Owensboro!

We are officially in the season of hayrides, pumpkin spice and all things fall! And with the season change comes a lot of exciting, fall-themed events. So we’re here to break down a list of some of the amazing fall fun you and your entire family can enjoy in the upcoming month! Reid’s Orchard and the team that puts on Porch Fest are coming together to bring you the Orchard Music Fest on September 28. This festival will include multiple performers across different stages, food truck and shopping vendors, fun activities for kids and more! Head over to the orchard from 2-10 p.m.  The 2024 Fall Market at Hayden Farms is coming back this year with all the food and shopping vendors you could ask for! Pick out some pumpkins and grab some sweets while you’re there! The Fall Market will be held on September 22 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.  Pumpkins AND pickles?! Sign us up! Celebrate all things harvest and, of course, pickle-flavored at the Pumpkin & Pickle Festival at The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. on October 19 and 20. There will be tons of food, shopping vendors, pumpkins to pick and pickle-flavored everything! The event will be held from…

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

Roller Derby        A huge roller derby competition is coming to Owensboro this weekend! The Vette City Roller Derby–hosted by the Bowling Green-based women’s flat track roller derby league–is hosting its “Almost Home” competition for a quadruple-header that’s gonna be super exciting! The all-day event will take place on September 28 and will include two bouts of junior roller derby at 1 and 3p.m., followed by two adult bouts at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. This is a great chance to get out and see a really cool sport you may have never watched before! General admission tickets are $12 and kids 10 and under get in free. The roller derby will be held at the Owensboro Convention Center. Orchard Music Festival   This collaboration between Reid’s Orchard and those who put on the successful Porch Fest event is sure to give you all the fun, fall vibes to kick off the season! On Saturday, September 28, head over to Reid’s Orchard to experience a day of live music with a gorgeous landscape in the background. There will be multiple performers across different stages featuring a variety of local, regional and even nationally-recognized artists. You can also enjoy some farm-related activities while…

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

Owensboro Comic & Toy Con You can score two days of comic books, collector’s toys, anime, video games, cosplay and celebrity meet-and-greets and Owensboro’s Comic & Toy Convention! Held for two days on October 5 and 6 at the Owensboro Convention Center, you’ll find tons of vendors to shop from and plenty of actors, voice actors, wrestlers and comic creators to grab photos with and meet face to face! Tickets to the Owensboro Comic & Toy Convention start at $30 for a single-day ticket. But you can buy a weekend pass for $45 and a VIP weekend pass for $60. Don’t forget to dress up as your favorite character and have a blast at this family-friendly event. Green River Distilling Tour Explore 28 acres of bourbon whiskey production, barrel storage and AMAZING history by booking a tour at Green River Distilling Co. Named one of the top five bourbon tours in the state of Kentucky, this hour-long experience will teach you the ins and outs of the bourbon industry and take you on a journey through Green River’s intense and fascinating history as one of the longest-running distilleries in America. You can even taste some of the bourbon produced at…

Where to Pick Your Pumpkins in Owensboro!

This might be biased of us here at Visit Owensboro, but there are few things in life as wonderful as going pumpkin picking during fall. There are sooo many cute places in Owensboro/Daviess County to find your perfect pumpkin(s) that we decided we had to make our visitors a list of all the best places!  You will find the BEST assortment of pumpkins at Reid’s Orchard. Whether you’re looking to carve a jack-o-lantern or just want to decorate your front porch with multiple shapes and sizes, you’ll find it all at Reid’s! From tiny to gigantic, from Cinderella-style to warty. Reid’s also has tons of mums for sale, and you can take a hayride to the pumpkin patch yourself!  Over at Trunnell’s Farm Market, you can choose your very own pumpkins from a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch! Even cooler, Trunnell’s offers a nighttime fall experience with their “Pumpkin Glow” attraction, where different pumpkins are carved and lit from within. Trunnell’s also sells pumpkins that have already been plucked from the patch for you, so you can shop from the store onsite.  On weekends, you gotta head over to the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market for the best selection of pumpkins from local farmers! Each Saturday…

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

ROMPtober        Enjoy a bluegrass-themed Oktoberfest complete with craft beer, live bands, vendors and delicious food trucks at ROMPtober! This inaugural event is for those who love Owensboro’s annual ROMP music fest and want the perfect fall event to hold them over until next June. This two-day fest will be held October 11 and 12. On Friday, head to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame at 3 p.m. for craft beer tasting, a craft beer documentary and live music from Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass at 7 p.m., followed by Full Cord at 8 p.m. On Saturday, this fest will be held outside on the outdoor stage overlooking the riverfront. A jamming workshop will kick things off, followed by the Sullivan Sisters at 1:30 p.m., a craft beer workshop at 3 and Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle at 3:30. Enjoy an infused bourbon workshop and music from Damn Tall Buildings to close out the day. Tickets are $20 (Friday) or $29 (Saturday) or $39 for a weekend pass. Tattoo Expo    One hundred different tattoo artists are heading to Owensboro for one of the coolest events of the year! The Owensboro Tattoo Expo will feature artists from…

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

Pumpkin & Pickle Fest       Two days of pumpkins and pickles!? Say less. This weekend’s Pumpkin & Pickle Festival will be held October 19 and 20 at The Cottage Farm Stand where you can celebrate all things harvest and, of course, tons of pickle-flavored treats as well (including beer!). You’ll also find delicious Mac-n-cheese boats, Italian Ice, lots of sweet treats, tons of shopping vendors and live music from some super talented artists from all over the midwest and south! There will also be plenty of fall, farm activities for the whole family to enjoy, including a corn maze and pumpkin patch. The Pumpkin & Pickle Fest will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. The Issacs in Concert at Bluegrass Hall of Fame   A very cool experience is coming to Owensboro as The Isaacs take the stage at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 17. The Isaacs: A Tribute to The Grand Ole Opry celebrates this group’s origin story, which goes back decades. In fact, The Isaacs first began playing on the Grand Ole Opry stage 30 years ago. To this day, they are frequent guests on the weekly show. This award-winning group has…

Where to Trick-or-Treat in Owensboro!

In case you didn’t know, Owensboro is one of the best places in the state of Kentucky for trick-or-treating! There are always a ton of family-friendly events happening throughout the month of October. So from trunk-or-treating to Halloween in the park events, we wanted to break down a list of all the places you can dress up, grab some candy, and celebrate the beautiful fall season with your loved ones!  The City of Owensboro is hosting its annual Trail of Treats this year on Thursday, October 24 from 5:30-8 p.m. This event features over 60 booths sponsored by local businesses and organizations, where kids and families can trick-or-treat downtown while enjoying music and other fun festivities. This free event will run along West 2nd Street and Veterans Blvd. from Daviess to Frederica Streets.  On October 25, head over to Yellow Creek Park for their first-ever Halloween Hullaballoo! This event will feature a pumpkin patch, movie in the park, food vendors, games and crafts, wagon rides and, of course, trick-or-treating! There will also be a costume contest, so come all decked out for this one! This free event will run from 5-8 p.m.  Another fun event for all the ghosts and goblins out there…

Haunted Places to Visit in Owensboro (If You Dare…)

It’s not really Halloween if you don’t explore a haunted place (or more), right? Well, here in Owensboro, we’ve got an amazing lineup of haunted schools, auditoriums, battlefields, coffee shops…even a graveyard. These sights range from light-hearted fun to fairly scary, so if you want the more light-hearted experience, we’d recommend not venturing into any cemeteries at night. 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 fun places with storied pasts to explore if you’re into the supernatural or paranormal realm of things. Haunts of Owensboro Walking ToursOwner 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 walking tour. During this 1.5-hour tour, Wolfe engages his audience with not only stories, but enthusiasm. 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…

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

Witchy Weekend at The Lot        Get ready for a day full of magic and mysticism as The Lot Food Truck Park hosts its Witchy Weekend event this Saturday and Sunday! Held on October 26 and 27, The Lot has prepared two days full of Halloween fun for people of all ages. There will be a witch and wizard costume contest, a witchy movie marathon, a kids craft corner, witchy vendors and activities, themed food and beverages, games and prizes, and even trick-or-treating for your pets! This event will run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. both days, and you can come solo or bring your whole family to participate! Owensboro Symphony Halloween Spooktacular     Troy Quinn and the amazing Owensboro Symphony are kicking off their 59th season with an epic symphonic spectacular that’ll be filled with Halloween music! This enchanting lineup includes Mussorgsky’s eerie Night On Bald Mountain; Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice; and the mysterious shrieking strings in Herrmann’s Psycho Suite. This is an event for people of all ages. You can arrive early for a Behind the Music prologue at 6:15 p.m., or show up at 7 p.m. for the official concert to start! Tickets to see the Symphony…

Prettiest Fall Leaves in Kentucky? Head to Owensboro

Kentucky is, without a doubt, one of the best places in the COUNTRY to see amazing fall foliage in all its glory. And here at Visit Owensboro, we believe our city and surrounding county is the top notch place to travel to experience this once-a-year masterpiece from nature. From winding country roads to the 25-plus gorgeous parks to the waterfront views speckled with trees bursting with yellow, orange, red and purple leaves, Owensboro has so many places to get the best fall foliage experience of the season. According to experts, the best time to view fall foliage in northwestern Kentucky starts in mid-to-late October and lasts through the beginning of November. So there’s still plenty of time to plan a trip to see why Owensboro is one of the most beautiful places in the country, especially during fall. Below is a list of some of our favorite places to get started on your fall foliage experience in Owensboro-Daviess County: World’s Largest Sassafras Tree First off, you’ve got to start your fall foliage journey by checking out the largest known sassafras tree in the world! Located at 2100 Frederica Street, this tree measures over 100 feet tall and 21 feet in…

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

Terror In The Corn Maze         This weekend is all about celebrating Halloween in all its spooky, scary glory, and what better way to do that than with an old-school haunted corn maze?! Are you brave enough to take this frightful adventure that will include live actors, terrifying props and audio/visual effects to ensure a genuinely scary experience? Held at The Cottage Farm Stand, this maze lasts about 20-25 minutes and will be held for three days: October 26, October 27 and October 31. You can get tickets ahead of time right here! All proceeds from this haunted attraction will benefit Lighthouse Recovery Services.East Nash Grass at Bluegrass Hall of Fame      Celebrate Halloween with a bluegrass twist as East Nash Grass hosts a Halloween Party! Held on November 1 at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, show up dressed in your best costumes to see live performances from two amazing bluegrass bands. The evening starts at 6:45 p.m. with The Lowland Ramblers taking the stage, followed by East Nash Grass at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased right here for $22, while preferred seating costs $30/person. You can also get a discounted bundle by booking…

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

Kraftucky         It’s already that time of year! Yep, holiday shopping is upon us, and there’s no better way to kick off the season than to head over to the Owensboro Convention Center for the Kraftucky Arts & Crafts Expo. This shopping extravaganza is gonna give you all the fun holiday feels while also featuring a HUGE range of the cutest handmade items to shop from! Around 140 artists and crafters will be selling woodcrafts, holiday decorations, jewelry, candles, quilts, paintings, pottery, embroidery, specialty foods and so much more. You’ll have more than 200 booths to explore, so you can spend the whole day here! Show hours for Kraftucky are Friday, November 8 from 2 p.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, November 10 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults/day or $5 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and under get in free, and tickets will be admitted at the door.  Gold Star Hockey Tournament     Owensboro has an amazing athletic event going on this weekend that celebrates both our booming hockey league and one of our city’s fallen heroes. Specialist Brandon Mullins was a Specialist in the United States Military who…

Owensboro Restaurants Offering Full Thanksgiving Meals!

This may be a hot take, but did you know that you actually don’t have to cook Thanksgiving dinner for your entire family? Okay, just hear us out for a second.  It’s not that we’re frowning on the concept of cooking your own Thanksgiving dinner. We’re just saying that Owensboro has options. In fact, there are three places in our city that offer the entire home cooked package, saving you a day of slaving away in the kitchen and easing the burden that comes with creating such a multifaceted meal.  Over at Moonlite Bar-B-Q, you can literally order your entire Thanksgiving meal ahead of time. The team at Moonlite does all the prep work, all the cooking, all the baking, and hands it to you packaged and organized upon pickup.  Moonlite offers two Thanksgiving Family Packs–one for families up to four people, and one for families up to six or eight people. You get your choice of meat (ham, turkey, bbq sliced or chopped pork), three sides of your choice, a bundle of cornbread or rolls, and an entire pie (pumpkin, pecan or lemon)! It’s enough to feed the entire family, and it’s also priced at a heck of a deal.  You can order…

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

Jerry Garcia Weekend          Fans of the iconic Jerry Garcia, listen up, because we’ve got a weekend packed with amazing events for you! Jerry Garcia: A Bluegrass Journey Weekend Celebration will be held November 22 and 23 with several top-tier bluegrass bands paying homage to the late Grateful Dead musician. This event will include performances from Kitchen Dwellers with special guest Linday Lou, Sam Grisman Project, Andy Falco & Travis Book playing two nights of Garcia classics and Fireside Collective presenting Fireside on the Mountain with Travis Book. Aside from these live performances, you’ll also be treated to exhibit tours, documentary film screenings and bluegrass instrument workshops! An After Party will be held from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. both nights with The Tennessee Warblers. Tickets are $99 for the whole weekend. Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade      One of the best Christmas Parades in the midwest is hitting the streets of downtown Owensboro this weekend! The 2024 Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade will be held on November 23 at 4:30 p.m., bringing you tons of beautifully-decorated floats, hot chocolate sold on the sidewalk and, best of all, an appearance from Santa Claus himself! Bring your own chairs to Second Street in downtown…

Support Local Businesses & Get Amazing Discounts at Shop Owensboro!

Black Friday? Never heard of her. Here in Owensboro, we’ve got an entire WEEK dedicated to holiday shopping and supporting local businesses.  Yup, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with Independence Bank to bring you an entire week of shopping deals for the dozens of small businesses that make Owensboro such a fun place to shop. This year’s Shop Owensboro will kick off on November 30–also known as Small Business Saturday–and run through December 7.  Owensboro has some of the cutest local shops in the state! You’ll find a huge variety of businesses participating in this event, and they sell everything from clothing, sports equipment and home decor to jewelry, candles and crystals. There are also lots of great spa and salon deals! And here’s the kicker. You can grab one of the coveted Shop Owensboro bags from Independence Bank on November 30 starting at 9 a.m. What do these bags contain? Oh, just some amazing deals and discounts for the local businesses you’ll be shopping at. AND some $25 gift certificates placed at random throughout the 500 bags available!  Just FYI, these bags go QUICKLY as this is one of the most popular shopping events in western Kentucky. So make…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: November 29-December 1

Shop Owensboro It’s time to get those shopping bags ready because the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Shop Owensboro event this weekend! Shop Owensboro is centered on supporting local and small businesses throughout the Greater Owensboro area for an entire week! The kickoff will be held on November 30 at Independence Bank, where you can grab a Shop Owensboro green bag full of coupons, discounts, and some lucky shoppers will even score some $25 gift cards! There are only 500 bags available, and they go fast, so be sure to arrive by 9 a.m. ready to go. Shop Owensboro will run through December 7 and there are a huge variety of boutiques, salons, sports equipment stores, restaurants, coffee shops and other amazing stores participating. See A Movie at Malco Owensboro ‘Tis the season for popcorn and movie watching, and Owensboro has one of the best movie theaters in the state of Kentucky! Malco Owensboro Cinema Grill & MXT offers 14 auditoriums and an MXT “Extreme Theatre,” so there’s always a huge variety of movies playing at any given time. Leather recliners, a full bar onsite and a grill that serves everything from chicken tenders to burgers…

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

Rhonda Vincent Christmas Show The best way to do the holidays in Kentucky is to kick off Christmas with a bluegrass twist! This weekend, the Rhonda Vincent Christmas Show is coming to town, and here’s everything you need to know. On December 5, multi-award winner Rhonda Vincent will be taking the stage at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum for a night of holiday classics performed by one of the biggest names in the music industry. So bring your Santa hats and get festive for this one! Vincent is a powerhouse vocalist who’s won a 2017 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, a 2001 Entertainer of the Year from the IBMA and an unprecedented SEVEN consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year awards from 2000-2006, with an eighth win in 2015. Tickets to see the Rhonda Vincent Christmas Show are $38 and the show starts at 7 p.m.  Live Reindeers at the Science Museum Have you ever seen a real reindeer?? One of the coolest events of the season is coming to the Owensboro Museum of Science and History this weekend as their annual Live Reindeer Experience is being held! Visitors will have the opportunity to have pictures made with…

Find Delicious Holiday-Themed Coffees in Owensboro!

If you’re on the hunt for a cute, local coffee shop serving up specialty, holiday-themed drinks, we’ve got you! In fact, we’ve got a listing of several different spots in Owensboro that have the sweetest, tastiest holiday coffees you’ve ever tried, so let’s break them all down, shall we?  If you’re staying in the downtown Owensboro area, we’ve got THREE different coffee shops in your area that you need to swing by for some of the best holiday-themed drinks in town.  Only a couple blocks away from our downtown riverfront hotels is The Creme, a locally-owned coffee and pastry shop. And they have an entire Christmas drink menu that includes both coffee and non-coffee specialty drinks. Try a Jack Frost (almond and vanilla latte), the Candy Cane (white chocolate and peppermint latte) or a Christmas Morning cup of joe complete with white chocolate and maple spice (add blueberry for the extra yum factor!) If you’re not feeling a coffee, try a Snow Creme white chocolate and vanilla frozen drink or a Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate, among many other creative drinks!  And just a couple blocks away, the pastries and coffees at Gramps Coffee and Donuts are hard to beat. Order a Winter Wonderland donut…

See Beautiful Christmas Lights All Across Owensboro!

It’s important to note that, aside from our gorgeous downtown Christmas displays, there are multiple Christmas-light-embellished winter wonderlands across the greater Owensboro area. And even better, they should all be on your list to visit this holiday season!  Christmas at Panther Creek  On the west end of town, Christmas at Panther Creek Park features more than 700,000 lights and 50 lighted displays that bring all the merry magic to you and your family. You don’t even have to get out of the car for this one as the endeavor includes a 1.25-mile drive-thru journey through the lighted park. The cost is only $5/vehicle, and the proceeds go toward a philanthropic cause each year. Christmas at Panther Creek will run nightly from 6-9 p.m. until January 1. Panther Creek Park is located at 5160 Wayne Bridge Road.  Holiday in the Park–Legion Park In the heart of the city, head to Legion Park for its annual Holiday in the Park light display! You can park your car and stretch your legs for this one, as the lighted displays are set up all around a large walking path that encircles the park. There is no cost to see these lights, and they will be available to the…

The Ultimate Sledding Spots in Owensboro!

We’ve already gotten our first snow of the season here in Owensboro, so it’s time to start talking about the best places to sled!  If your idea of Owensboro’s geography was that it’s flat, think again, because Owensboro is covered in rolling hills that make it a perfect place for sledding!  If you wanna stay in the city, head to Chautauqua Park for a hill of the perfect height and width for multiple families to use at once. Located at 900 Baseline Road, “Chautauqua Hill” has been hosting sledders for decades, and it’s wide enough to let several people sled, and steep enough that you get some pretty impressive speed on the way down!  And if you want a little more wiggle room, you can venture out to Ben Hawes Park on the west end of town for some incredible sledding hills! Ben Hawes has a variety of rolling hills that are perfect for a sledding adventure. And with slopes of all sizes, this is a great place for the entire family to enjoy.  And on the east end of town, Yellow Creek Park has a great hill for sledding that’s located a couple miles past the entryway. So once you drive in, just…

Visit these Unique Owensboro Stores for Last-Minute Holiday Shopping!

Whew, friends, it’s almost Christmas! This year has flown by, and we know things can get a little crazy during the holiday season, so if you’re anything like us and need a few “last minute places to shop” ideas, we’ve got ya covered.  Here in Owensboro, we pride ourselves on our variety of local boutiques, gift stores and stores, so here’s a quick list of some places you can shop at up until December 23.  Crazy Me Gifts & Apparel is a great place to find teachers’ gifts and stocking stuffers, but they also have wide selection of gifts and clothing items that make for unique and adorable Christmas presents for people of all ages! Crazy Me is open Monday-Thursday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.); Friday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.).  Confetti Boutique is a super cute store that has bright, cheerful clothes and, according to Google reviews, is described as the “happiest place on Earth.” You’ll find dresses, sweaters, jewelry, plus-size clothing, shirts and tops and even more inside! Confetti Boutique is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  And literally right behind Confetti Boutique is Hyacinth House, one of Owensboro’s coolest thrift shops. They sell a ton of vintage art, jewelry and…

Kick Off the New Year with Healthy Options in Owensboro!

Whether or not you’re a believer in New Year’s resolutions, it’s always a good idea to start a new year off on a healthy foot, right?  If you’re anything like us, you just finished up a holiday season coated in processed foods and too much sugar. Hey, and we’re not judging! But just in case you’re looking for some fresher, healthier alternatives as we enter 2025, we thought we’d break down a list of local places with healthy options.  We gotta start the list with Gene’s Health Food. Without a doubt, this is gonna be your go-to for all things natural, organic and cleansing. You’ll find a huge variety of vegetable and fruit juices, organic produce and delicious sandwiches, tacos and soups that contain superfoods, micro greens and all the vitamins. You can also find all the herbs and supplements you need to jumpstart your new year.  Next up, Great Harvest Bread Co. has you covered for breakfast and lunch with a menu that uses local produce and only the freshest ingredients. This bakery and restaurant has used healthy whole grains to create one-of-a-kind breads for 30 years, and they freshly mill their 100% whole grain flour every day! Their sandwiches are layered…

Top 3 Things to do in Owensboro This Weekend: July 18-20

Daviess County Fair The Daviess County Lions Club has been putting on the Lions Club Fair for over 50 years! This year is going to be the best one yet! You can expect a full schedule of things to do from July 15 – 19! There will be an FFA Feeder Calf Show, a Monster Truck Show, a Carnival, a Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Inflatables, Vendors, Food booths, Music, and so much more! Admission is $15 for adults, and ages 5-12 will be $10! The fair is located at 6191 KY-54, Philpot, known as Daviess County Fairgrounds! Yellow Creek Car Show Hosted by Corvette Lovers Vette Club, the Yellow Creek Park Car Show is coming to town! This event is open to all cars and trucks on Saturday, July 19. The car show registration opens at 8:00 AM, and awards will be given out at 2:00 PM! There are so many trophies to be earned, you will find custom award plaques as well! Door prizes and giveaways will also be there, and food will be catered by Ole South! Holiday WorldHoliday World is exactly what it sounds like! A festive theme park that celebrates holidays all year long!Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is a family-friendly theme…

Fall Fun at the Cottage Corn Maze!

Fall is here, and so are the activities that come along with it! From October 11 to November 1, you can explore The Cottage’s Corn Maze for just $5! The Corn Maze will be open from 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM Tuesday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday. Explore over 3 acres of twists and turns within the corn stalks. You can also look forward to a hidden game within the maze itself; there are 10 hidden mailboxes throughout! Pick up an answer sheet, fill it in as you go, and turn it in at the end for a prize, your choice of a seed packet or a free mini muffin! 

Pumpkin & Pickle Festival

It’s that time of year when the weather gets cooler and the Pumpkin and Pickle festival is in town! Mark your calendar! The Cottage Farm Stand will host the Pumpkin and Pickle Festival on October 25–26, open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Get into the spirit of the season at the perfect pre-Halloween festival! The Pumpkin and Pickle Festival will feature over 150 arts and crafts vendors offering everything from handcrafted decor to fresh local honey. Enjoy a full day of family-friendly entertainment, including pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, a corn maze, and so much more. Admission is free, and parking is just $5!

Creep it real, finding the best pumpkin patch!

Fall is here, and Halloween is just around the corner! Whether you are looking for a pumpkin for decoration or a nice, round pumpkin for jack-o-lantern carving, or even just going to the pumpkin patch for the fall experience, Owensboro has your back! Check out a couple of pumpkin patches in and around Owensboro!  Reid’s Orchard (4818 KY-144, Owensboro, KY 42303)Reid’s is a multi-generation family farm in Owensboro offering pumpkin picking, a corn maze, hay rides, and fall activities (in their “Reidland” area) during the autumn season. They also grow apples, mums, and operate a farm market selling produce, cider, and seasonal goods.Trunnell’s Fall Farm Experience (9255 U.S. Highway 431, Utica, Kentucky 42376)Trunnell’s is more than just a pumpkin-picking experience. They feature 35+ attractions like barnyard animals, a “Pumpkin Village,” corn maze, nighttime “Spooktacular Nights,” food & drink, etc. Pumpkin season runs roughly from September 20 to November 2. The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co. (6869 KY-56, Owensboro, KY 42301)While not primarily a u-pick pumpkin farm, during fall, you can pick up pumpkins there, along with seasonal treats, and experience events like the Pumpkin & Pickle festival or the Terror corn maze. Sasquash Pumpkin Farm (2927 State Route 142, Philpot, KY 42366) Sasquatch…

Owensboro Scoop: Strawberry Festival at The Cottage

The Cottage Farm Stand is offering a weekend of fun with their annual Strawberry Festival on June 13-14!  The festival will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Strawberry Festival is a perfect family fun event for the summer! There will be activities for children, including inflatables, face painting, a bubble area, and a treasure dig! There will also be lots of interactive activities like pony rides, a petting zoo, and “Truck Town”, an interactive display of large trucks and farm equipment! This year there will be vendors offering items like natural handmade soaps, fresh honey, handmade ceramics, and more! Food Trucks will also be offered with a wide variety of food for everyone. Let’s also not forget that this year’s event will include a car show with multiple categories and prizes. To register your car, CLICK HERE!  Live entertainment will be featured throughout the weekend, with performances from Annabel Whitledge, Cam Thompson, Dakota Hayden, Maggie Hollis, and The Lowland Rambler. This is a great opportunity to support local and growing artists in the area. Parking will be $5 per vehicle, with most activities included at no additional cost!  Vendor applications are currently being accepted, with…

Trunnels Farm Market and Family Fun Acre 9 a.m.

Start the day at Trunnels Farm Market and Family Fun Acre and don’t miss out on the apple or pumpkin donuts. Your kids will love all of the activities.

Preservation Station Market, Restaurant & Event Center 11 a.m.

Check out the one-of-a-kind Preservation Station Market, Restaurant, and Event Center housed in an old elementary school. Grab lunch in their restaurant which was once a school cafeteria and shop till you drop with each classroom featuring a different store.

Diamond Lake Resort 1 p.m.

It’s time to head out to Diamond Lake Resort for some putt-putt, fishing and drift cycle riding.

Reid’s Orchard 3 p.m.

It’s picking time at Reid’s Orchard. Check out what’s in season and pick your own fruit or take a pony ride. Our personal favorite are the strawberries in summer.

Hotels 4 p.m.

Check into hotel on the Southside with Hampton Inn South, Best Western Plus, Wingfield or the Comfort Inn and Suites.

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden 5 p.m.

Enjoy a stroll through the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, Owensboro Kentucky’s premier place for lovers of gardens and flowers!

BBQ Buffet 6 p.m.

Enjoy one of the best BBQ buffets around at either Moonlite BBQ, revered mainstay known for its smoked meats (including mutton) – named by Southern Living as Kentucky’s Best BBQ – or Ole South BBQ, Owensboro and Western Kentucky’s best kept BBQ secret featuring an incredible buffet with delicious pulled pork.