/blog/entry/ en info@visitbgky.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-03T22:59:33+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/barren-river-imaginative-museum-of-science-coming-to-greenwood-mall-for-lim/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/barren-river-imaginative-museum-of-science-coming-to-greenwood-mall-for-lim/#When:21:59:33Z Exciting news for children all across the region as well as future generations was announced today! The Barren River Imaginative Museum of Science (BRIMS) is relocating for a limited time to Greenwood Mall while the organization seeks more permanent housing. After announcing they were closing last August, lots of people have stepped in to help find creative funding sources. We are so happy that this valuable community attraction is finding new life! While in the new location, BRIMS directors hope to receive community input and suggestions to lead them in their new direction. A lot will be kept while they are looking at how they can grow the learning opportunities they provide to thousands of regional children each year.  Learn more by reading the full press release here. Announcements, Attraction News 2012-02-03T21:59:33+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/first-hike-of-2012-at-shanty-hollow-lake/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/first-hike-of-2012-at-shanty-hollow-lake/#When:21:39:25Z Shanty Hollow is one of my all-time favorite places to hike. And I would have to consider the Smokies, Rockies, Tetons, Yellowstone and over a hundred other locations when saying that. Warren County and the surrounding area has a real natural showpiece nearby, yet most of its residents might dismiss it without even knowing what lies inside the woodland there. The karst topography blessing the triangular junction of Warren, Butler, and Edmonson County is no doubt “a land of a thousand waterfalls.” All but a few are on private land. However, one precious falls can be seen in due season as the pinnacle of a great hour of hiking. Shanty Hollow Lake is a national park style wilderness compacted into a four mile round trip hike. Come in the winter and see a lake frozen solid and an icicle display among the cliff line. Wait until spring and partake so many white blooms on the forest floor you would think it was still snowing. Summer provides a healthy lush green canopy that gives you a lost feeling—lost in the freedom only woodlands provide. And then there is the autumn of the year. Shanty Hollow in the fall is a bucket list must for any person that considers themselves outdoorsy. The colors of the trees under a crisp blue beyond are as vivid as our human eyesight will allow. Pause at the cliffs, admire the canyon, smile at the waterfall, and breathe in deep. If you live around Bowing Green or are just passing through, you share an awesome backyard for a moment in Shanty Hollow. Happy Hiking! Visit Cory’s website at http://www.CoryRamseyOutdoors.com to read about his other hikes and favorite trails in Kentucky. Just for Fun 2012-01-10T21:39:25+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/Give-the-gift-of-good-times/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/Give-the-gift-of-good-times/#When:21:33:12Z Unless you really have your stuff together and are finished with your holiday shopping, you may be looking for some last minute gift ideas.  As Bowling Green grows and the opportunity for great experiences explodes, why not give the gift of local leisure to be redeemed in 2012?!  Whether it’s tickets to a Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center show or a season pass to Beech Bend Park, a VIP tour of the National Corvette Museum and Corvette Plant or BG Hot Rods baseball game packs, the experience will stick with them longer than the latest gadget! SKyPAC individual tickets will go on sale in February, but they do have a “Pick Three” subscription available that is perfect for those who may not be committed to all the shows in one series.  For the young at heart, Beech Bend Amusement Park just announced the addition of a new ride in 2012… a 140-foot drop tower!  I imagine the view from up there will be breathtaking, not to mention the ride! With revolving exhibits in the new exhibit hall and new cars displayed regularly, the National Corvette Museum is constantly changing and worth a re-visit every once in a while.  Consider their latest offering as a gift for any Corvette enthusiast- a VIP tour for four people of the Museum and the Plant.  Meanwhile, the Bowling Green Hot Rods are offering up Holiday Packs including vouchers for any 2012 game and some cool team merchandise. Of course, if you are looking for that perfect ‘item’ to give, there are a ton of local options with all the great gift shops around town.  Lost River Cave recently expanded their gift shop, Wildflower Gifts, to be one of the finest in town.  Find beautiful decor, jewelry, and apparel in addition to cave-centric items and specialty food items.  All proceeds from Wildflower Gifts go towards the planned Nature Center at Lost River Cave. The Museum Store at the Kentucky Museum has a great array of fine gifts with Kentucky ties including collectible white squirrels, perfect for that old college roommate with whom you used to sit and count the cute critters.  At the Historic Railpark & Train Museum, find gifts for the little conductor in your family or give a glimpse of the past with nostalgic railroad items. Riverview at Hobson Grove has lovely merchandise in their quaint shop as does the South Union Shaker Village where you can purchase several hand made items like baskets, brooms and toys.  To give a truly unique Bowling Green gift, check out the ‘i love bg’ merchandise at BlueCotton Retail including the new Tervis Tumblers featuring the proud logo.  Other than a few things from Amazon and Zulilly, my money is staying local this year.  My husband requested a leather belt with our last name, so a quick trip to FleaLand for a local dealer and that item will be checked off the list.  We already have one thing under the tree… our ‘Pick Three’ subscription to SKyPAC’s inaugural season!  What experiences will you give to share in 2012? Just for Fun 2011-12-06T21:33:12+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/bowling-greens-bustling-holiday-scene/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/bowling-greens-bustling-holiday-scene/#When:14:40:52Z It’s still a few weeks away from ‘looking a lot like Christmas,’ but we have been busy collecting holiday event information for almost a month now!  We know the holidays mean lots of family and friends may be visiting Bowling Green, so we hope to help with the entertaining plans by providing a comprehensive list of activities for the whole family to enjoy.  For a quick glance, jump over to our Holiday microsite here or keep reading about why we love the holidays in BG! The first weekend in December is by far the best bet for a bustling few days of holiday fun.  There are a ton of events scheduled for December 2-4 and if the flexibility is there, this should be when you plan a visit or extend the invitation to guests.  From the annual Bowling Green Christmas Parade downtown and Christmas in Kentucky to the Festival of Trains and Candlelight Tours at Riverview at Hobson Grove, holiday cheer can be found all around town.  Mix in a couple of holiday performances like “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at the Phoenix Theatre, WKU’s WinterDance: A Holiday Extravaganza, or “Two From Galilee,” Rich Pond Baptist’s Christmas Musical, and you have the best of the season.  Be sure to visit Fountain Square Park in the evening to see the dazzling light displays and catch a horse-drawn Carriage Ride around our old-fashioned square. Another favorite of the season is just across the county line at the South Union Shaker Village, the Christmas at Shakertown Holiday Market, also on December 3.  For other shopping opportunities, don’t miss the BG Gallery Hop on Friday, December 2 to browse one-of-a-kind pieces.  Holiday tree exhibits at the Kentucky Museum and the Houchens Center plus the Landmark Association’s Christmas Tour of Homes round out a delightful weekend. With many of these events continuing throughout the month and several more additions in the following weeks, December is such a glorious time in Bowling Green, offering visitors a true taste of the town.  For me, I am looking forward to taking our 14-month-old to his first Christmas Parade, to see the model train displays at the Festival of Trains, and to have Breakfast with Santa at least once! Events, Just for Fun 2011-11-17T14:40:52+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/skypac-announces-its-inaugural-season-of-performances/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/skypac-announces-its-inaugural-season-of-performances/#When:15:00:46Z It was a very exciting morning for the cultural scene in Bowling Green as the new Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, opening in March 2012, announced its inaugural season.  From CATS and MAMMA MIA to Bowling Green native Sam Bush, Sesame Street Live, and Riverdance, the citizens of South Central Kentucky have over a dozen opportunities to experience outstanding performing arts in the short inaugural season of just three months.  Click here to view the lineup.  Subscription series tickets are available now by calling the ticket line at 270-904-1880. Series ticket prices range from $46 - $209 depending on the series and seating location.  There is even an “I Want Everything” ticket package that features twelve shows with prices that range from $280 - $396 per person.  Single event tickets will go on sale in February 2012 and prices will range from $11 - $65 per person. On hand at the news conference was Representative Jody Richards who said, “We see SKyPAC as an outstanding asset to our community and our entire region.  It will help transport the arts into every facet of business and industry as its programs delight, entertain and inform this generation and all future generations.”  Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon echoed that sentiment by stating what an important part SKyPAC will be in the education of our region’s children, helping to broaden their horizons. Our Executive Director, Vicki Fitch, gave her thoughts on how this new facility will create a ripple effect on tourism, attracting patrons who are ready for an ‘evening out’ complete with babysitter, dinner, possibly shopping and maybe an after-show drink or dessert.  The Convention & Visitors Bureau will use SKyPAC as another layer in its efforts to attract new meeting, convention and leisure traveler business in Bowling Green.  For my husband and I, we’re heading to Sam Bush, Leon Russell and CATS… my first Broadway show was CATS when I was 14, so I couldn’t pass it up, and Sam and Leon are sure to be fabulous shows!  Of course, with a one-year-old, hitting up more than three shows would just be too much.  But then, the in-laws did get the ‘I Want It All’ package, so here’s hoping we get a few extra opportunities to hire that babysitter! See our full listing for the SKyPAC here or visit them online at http://www.theskypac.com.  For general questions, call 270-390-0080.  Events, Announcements, Attraction News 2011-11-01T15:00:46+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/geaux-toppers-wku-homecoming-2011/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/geaux-toppers-wku-homecoming-2011/#When:20:07:35Z Here in Bowling Green, October means more than leaves changing, pumpkin hunting, and haunted houses; it means it is time for WKU Homecoming! Homecoming is a special occasion for WKU alumni, friends, and family to reunite. Sharing their memories of college years and reliving the WKU spirit by cheering on the Toppers at the football game, many alumni look forward to this day all year. This year’s Homecoming Cajun-inspired theme is “Geaux Toppers!” Festivities begin on Tuesday, October 18th in Glasgow at 11 am for a Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally.  Events through the week include the 2011 Summit Awards, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni Induction Ceremony, Big Red’s Roar, and Concert in the Park! Saturday is always an exciting and eventful day for Homecoming attendees! From many department and organization reunions in the morning to the Homecoming Step Show in the evening – and with football all day in between – it is a fun-filled day for students and alumni.  The annual homecoming football game kicks-off Saturday at 3 pm against the Louisiana-Lafeyette Ragin’ Cajuns at Houchens Industries L.T. Smith Stadium. Be sure to bring your red towel! Bowling Green loves WKU Homecoming too! During the downtown parade Friday night, many restaurants and businesses are offering discounts when you mention “WKU Homecoming.” Visit http://www.alumni.wku.edu/homecoming for a full list of events, tailgating recipes, and a list of business sponsors! The WKU Alumni Association looks forward to seeing you on the hill! Events, Just for Fun 2011-10-11T20:07:35+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/when-the-civil-war-came-to-bowling-green/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/when-the-civil-war-came-to-bowling-green/#When:19:02:09Z Events that took place 150 years ago will be the focus of a community-wide commemoration Saturday, September 17, as the city of Bowling Green remembers the Civil War.  Every 50 years, the nation strives to remind the current generation about the sacrifices so many of our ancestors made when the War Between the States split our country in two.  We have a lot to learn from visiting the country’s significant Civil War sites, but this is an opportunity to see re-enactors, view exhibits, hear from experts, watch living historians, and go on special tours right here in our back yard! Activities begin at 8 a.m. at the Historic Railpark & Train Museum when the South Union Regiment will reenact the Confederate arrival in Bowling Green followed by a presentation by Dr. Michael Trapasso, a local historian.  The Railpark’s brand new exhibit, “Civil War and the Railroad,” will open at 10 a.m. as well as an outdoor living history village with period craft demonstrations that continues until 4 p.m.  The re-enactors will march from the Railpark to nearby Riverview at Hobson Grove around 9:30 a.m. where they will continue with reenactments and activities at this historic home that was once used as munitions storage.  View a special juried art exhibit, hear Dr. Trapasso discuss “The Rise and Fall of a Confederate State Capital,” and learn about the woman’s role during the war inside the mansion. At the Kentucky Museum, children will delight in learning Civil War dances, trying on period clothing, practicing Civil War writing, and participating in Scavenger Hunts in the Civil War exhibit, “A Star in Each Flag: Conflict in Kentucky.”  In addition, there will be Collodion photography demonstrations, showings of “A Call to War,” and presentations from experts.   In downtown Bowling Green, self-guided architectural tours will begin at The Presbyterian Church on State St. and continue to numerous buildings where costumed interpreters will explain a little history and hearsay about the properties.  Tours are available from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. with maps provided at the starting location. If you are lucky enough to snag a spot, Lost River Cave & Valley is offering limited Smoke writing Tours into areas of the cave not open to the public.  This practice was common as soldiers hiding or camping out held flames to the cave’s ceiling to leave their mark.  Fountain Square Players will be presenting another type of tour Saturday evening, the “Spirits of the Civil War” tour where four ‘ghostly perspectives’ will be shared with the group as they walk to different locations around the Railpark.  Find a full schedule of events, visit our Civil War Sesquicentennial page here or give us a call at 270-782-0800.  These attractions and organizations have been planning a long time for this commemoration.  We are very fortunate to have such rich history in our area and even luckier to have passionate people who want to help keep that history alive, no matter how ugly it may have been.  Events 2011-09-08T19:02:09+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/live-shows-at-beech-bend-pack-the-parks-entertainment-value/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/live-shows-at-beech-bend-pack-the-parks-entertainment-value/#When:19:57:52Z There are only four weekends left to enjoy the rides and slides at Beech Bend Park and Splash Lagoon as the season winds down and cooler temperatures arrive.  Each year, the folks at Beech Bend try to make a couple of additions or improvements to keep customers coming back for more. The recent construction of the covered IGA Amphitheater allowed for more live shows, giving visitors a chance to rest while being entertained by some great performers. If you’ve been lucky enough this season to catch a performance of the new show, Kentucky Calling, then you will agree that Kentucky’s got talent!  The five performers sing the songs of famous vocalists who call Kentucky home from Muhlenberg County’s Everly Brothers to Danville’s Montgomery Gentry and Pikeville’s Dwight Yoakum.  The show gives viewers a chance to learn about Kentucky’s contributions to the entertainment industry, hearing songs like “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Bye, Bye Love,” “When You Say Nothing at All,” “Achey Breaky Heart,” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Complementing the songs is a back drop of barn doors, an old fashioned radio and rocking chairs, making you feel as though you were transported in time to simpler days when families gathered around the radio listening to the Grand Ole Opry all the way from Nashville, TN.  One of the performers, Todd Elliot, also wows everyone with his skills on the fiddle and the choreography is perfect during the square dance segments. The show concludes with an original song titled “We Are Kentucky” that highlights all the great aspects of the Bluegrass state.  The thirty-minute show was performed six days a week during the summer season, but you can still catch it on Saturdays at 11:45 am, 2:00 and 4:30 pm and on Sundays at 12:30, 3:15 and 5 pm.  Another blockbuster show on the IGA stage returned for its third year in 2011, Beech Bend Superstar.  A singing competition for amateur performers, Superstar contests are held weekly on Saturday afternoons at 2:45 pm with the grand finale scheduled for Saturday, September 3, when winners from each week’s show will return to compete for the grand prize: - 2 VIP tickets to the Grand Ole Opry - Autographed guitar donated by PCG Nashville - 3-day scholarship to the Nashville Music Business Camp (PCG Nashville) - Free Artist Development CD with Jonell Polanski - Show performance at Beech Bend Amusement Park in 2012 - An opening act performance for a 2012 IGA, Beech Bend Park and WGGC 95Live Summer Concert - Free $150.00 membership in the Nashville Songwriter’s Association, Inc. in addition to 2 free one-hour mentoring sessions Superstar has had regional Colgate Country Showdown winners, state and local fair winners, and other local and state competition winners.  Beech Bend Super Star is a serious singing competition open to all ages.  This year, Beech Bend partnered with WGGC-FM to host each event. Included with regular admission, Kentucky Calling and Beech Bend Superstar add great entertainment value to the Beech Bend experience.  Make sure to pick up the park’s Map and Show Guide so you don’t miss a chance to tap your toes, clap your hands and cheer on Kentucky’s talent! Events, Attraction News 2011-08-23T19:57:52+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/getting-giddy-for-year-three-of-international-newgrass-festival/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/getting-giddy-for-year-three-of-international-newgrass-festival/#When:13:59:48Z I have the New Grass Revival station blasting on Pandora as I’m getting ready for next weekend’s premiere music festival, Year Three of the Newgrass Festival out at Ballance Farms in Oakland!  While the artists are pickin’, I’m definitely grinnin’!  Let me tell you folks, if you haven’t had the chance to experience the talent at this three-day music event, you really must check it out.  This is not country music.  This is not your typical bluegrass music either.  Instead, the artists at this festival represent the cutting edge of bluegrass instrumentation while mixing in tons of funk, blues, rock, and jazz… genres we all know and love. The setting is purely and simply stunning with rolling hills and farmland surrounding the site that sits about 13 miles north of Bowling Green on Louisville Road.  A permanent stage was added last year and a professional company from Nashville will handle all the technicals this year, promising quality sound and lighting.  Kids and families spread out on blankets, fans in row after row of lawn chairs, local food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and on-site RV and tent camping complete the scene. As for the musicians, their awards and national recognition speak volumes for them.  With over 150 bands requesting to be a part of Year Three, the stage was narrowed to 15 truly talented and gifted groups including the Father of Newgrass, Sam Bush, and Curtis Burch, also a founding member of New Grass Revival in the ‘70s. But the true story lies in the young musicians who will be sharing the stage with the founders and are now following in their footsteps by pushing the boundaries of what can be done with stringed instruments.  “Rocking out” and “jam sessions” are not typical phrases used to describe mandolin, banjo, violin and upright bass players, but that’s just what these Newgrass artists specialize in, bringing the crowds to their feet!  Taking a traditional, American folk-style of music and making it current and relevant to today’s society is just genius in my opinion. We’ll have our 11-month old son with us this year and could not think of a better ‘first concert’ for him.  The lyrics are clean (not that he understands them, but for the older kids, that’s a plus!), the artists demonstrate great self-respect and are good examples, the patrons are fun-loving and laid back, the scenery is amazing, and the organizers are overly hospitable.  Take a look at the full schedule here and get your tickets today!  It is well worth the $80 weekend pass, or just see the headliners on either Friday or Saturday.  Sunday promises to be a relaxing, easy-going day with great acoustic sets planned.  I’ll be the redhead dancing with the babe and smiling all weekend!  Events, Just for Fun 2011-08-11T13:59:48+00:00 http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/local-radio-stations-bringing-home-top-honors/ http://www.visitbgky.com/blog/entry/local-radio-stations-bringing-home-top-honors/#When:17:08:42Z From bringing home the NAB Crystal Radio Award to winning more Kentucky AP Awards than any other station in the state, Bowling Green radio personalities and programming are raking in top honors and making a name for our town.  Congratulations to local stations WKLX 100.7 FM and WKYU 88.9 FM on some very significant recognition recently.  Visitors may be surprised to learn there is more to the radio scene in Bowling Green than country and bluegrass… even though WKYU’s ‘Barren River Breakdown’ offers some of the finest hours on radio in my opinion!  If you’re in the area and looking to hear a mix of classic rock and pop from the past few decades, SAM 100.7 is a great station with a highly entertaining morning DJ, Tony Rose.  But spinning tunes and keeping the a.m. commute lively is only half of the job. From on-court entertainment at the WKU Hilltopper basketball games to emceeing and participating in tons of community fundraising events, residents see Tony all over the place.  Most significant, for the past five years, Tony and the staff at SAM have organized an event called ‘Stuff the Bus’ where Tony camps out in a school bus 24 hours a day until it is FULL of school supplies for the upcoming year.  In 2010, it took 99 hours to fill with six tons of materials, enough to fill a second bus! So it came as no surprise when the station was selected as one of 50 finalists and ultimately the recipient of a National Association of Broadcasters 2011 Crystal Radio Award.  Only ten are given each year to recognize outstanding year-round commitment to community service and only one has been given to a Kentucky station since their inception in 1987.  As Tony put it, this is the “Oscar of radio,” and the award is now proudly displayed in their studio lobby. When it comes to covering local issues, no one does it quite like WKU Public Radio, and the station not only earned more Associated Press awards than any other Kentucky radio station this year, but they also received more first place awards than any other station.  Categories in which the staff was honored for excellence include Best Political Coverage, Best Hard News, Best Sports Special, Best Continuing Coverage, Best Series, and Best Light News Feature.  In addition to the eight first place awards, WKU Public Radio won nine second place awards and three honorable mentions!  So let your MP3 player charge a while and check out our award-winning radio while you’re cruising around the Bowling Green area!  There’s something for most every taste, but most importantly, these folks are committed to our community. Just for Fun 2011-06-08T17:08:42+00:00