National Corvette Homecoming a Top 10 Summer Event in KY

The Kentucky Tourism Council selected the 29th Annual National Corvette Homecoming as part of its 2010 Summer Top Ten Festivals & Events.

Held at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, July 16-18, say "Welcome Home" to America's favorite sports car and its enthusiasts while viewing row upon row of the sleek, shiny marvels of modern engineering both inside and outside. While Corvettes from all generations compete for awards and prizes, there will be vendors, crafts, an all-Corvette parade, an open cruise-in, seminars and many more fun activities throughout the weekend. For more information, go to http://www.corvettehomecoming.com/ or call 270-791-2117.

What's Happening in Bowling Green this Weekend?

Check out the Southern KY Model Aero Club's Bluegrass Jet Jam, the BG Gallery Hop, Tour de Cave Bike Ride, National Trails Day celebrations, plus the famous 400 Mile Sale this weekend!   Take a scenic trip across Kentucky from Paducah to Maysville and treasure hunt the whole way! Make a weekend out of exploring the rustic beauty of the state during the "Antiques, Collectibles and Stuff" 400 Mile Sale. Several sites around Bowling Green and Warren County will be participating all weekend including Rockfield Elementary School and Hillwood Estates. Then on Saturday, swing by The Houchens Center, L&N Depot and Vette City Antiques and check out their sales. Also take advantage of Smiths Grove's city- wide yard sale on Saturday. Call 270-781-6858 or visit the link below for more information about the 400 Mile Sale.

To see the full lineup of events this weekend, click here for the full What's Happening or check out our calendar at http://www.visitbgky.com/.

What's Happening in Bowling Green this Week

2010 KY Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Spring Fair   Looking to entertain company this weekend or searching for that one-of-a-kind decorative piece for your home or garden? Then come out to the Sloan Convention Center this weekend for the KY Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Spring Fair. Now in its 49th year, KGAC brings together some of the most talented people across Kentucky to provide an opportunity for art lovers to purchase some of the highest quality hand made products. The two-day event features live demonstrations, hands-on activities and quality pieces in glass, ironwork, jewelry, pottery, wood, and more. Admission is $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Visit http://www.kyguild.org/ or call 859-986-3192 for more information.


BG Hot Rods Home Stretch   Kick off the beginning of summer with the Bowling Green Hot Rods as they play thirteen consecutive home games beginning Tuesday! What better way to celebrate the season than with a cold drink, a tasty hot dog, great community friends, fun entertainment and the Americana of baseball? Enjoy promotions like Thirsty Thursdays, Friday Fireworks Extravaganza, Saturday Holley Hot Rod Parade, Super-Mega-Prize-A-Thon, and Ladies Night. On Memorial Day, the first 1,000 fans 17 and under will receive a special Hot Rods Skateboard Deck. Go to http://www.bghotrods.com/ or call 270-901-2121 for more details and a full schedule.

Check out the full What's Happening e-newsletter to see the full events calendar for the week here.

Happenings this Weekend

National Train Day 
Celebrate National Train Day this Saturday by visiting the Historic Railpark & Train Museum and enjoy special model train displays plus half-price admission for Warren County residents. Also, catch the new "All-Aboard" mini- series on KET featuring the Bowling Green Museum for in-depth, behind-the-scenes coverage of some of the vintage railcars there on display. Episode 2 airs this Sunday at 9:30 p.m. with Episode 3 airing next Sunday, May 16.  Call 270-745-7317 or visit the website for more information.

BiG Cruise
Classics, customs, muscle cars, and street rods will be rolling in Bowling Green this weekend as the first BiG Cruise of the season takes place Saturday evening out at the National Corvette Museum. This series of free summer cruise-ins features live music, games, vendors and of course, tons of camaraderie!  Purchase $5 raffle tickets for a chance to win a custom-built 1952 Chevy Pickup and a trailer, both to be given away at the season finale on September 25 with all proceeds going to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. To learn more, call 270-392-0288 or visit the BiG Cruise website here.

Beech Bend Amuseument Park is scheduled to open this Friday and Saturday, but due to heavy flooding in the area, they are taking it one day at a time.  Be sure to call ahead at 270-781-7634 if you are planning a thrill-filled trip to the park this weekend.

Happenings this Weekend

Southern Kentucky Book Fest 
Game Day and God, The Cake Mix Doctor Returns, Small Town Sexy and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight... these are just a few of the titles you can learn more about at this Saturday's 12th Annual Southern Kentucky Book Fest. Join WKU Libraries, Barnes & Noble and the Warren County Public Library at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center where you can meet with authors, restock your library and generally share the love of reading at this free event.  Headlining authors include legal thriller writer Lisa Scottoline, children's author Laura Numeroff, and the voice of the Kentucky Wildcats, Tom Leach .  Visit http://www.sokybookfest.org/ or call 270-745- 5016 for more information.
 Steel Magnolias  
Revolving around Truvy's Beauty Parlor, Steel Magnolias is the story of a close-knit circle of friends whose lives come together there. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser; an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn.  Filled with hilarious repartee the story moves toward tragedy when the sudden realization of their mortality affects their lives, but also draws on their underlying strength and love. Performances run from April 15- May 5 at The Phoenix Theatre each Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday- Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Go to http://www.ptkbg.org/ or call 270-781-6233 to learn more.

81-Year-Old Dragster Named Grand Marshal of Hot Rod Reunion

Now, I've heard of a lot of seniors continuing to do the things they love, defying the odds both physically and mentally. Take Bowling Green native Duncan Hines, for example. He didn't begin endorsing products, the thing that continues to make him a household name today, until he was 70. But check this out... the Grand Marshal of this year's 8th Annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion is 81 years old and still races his 7,000-horsepower Top Fuel Dragster! Read all about Chris "The Greek" Karamesines here on the NHRA Motorsports Museum's website.


The NHRA Reunion returns to the historic stands at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green this Father's Day Weekend, June 18-20. Purchase your three-day spectator credentials including a pit pass for just $55 by calling 1-800-884-NHRA (6472) or on the NHRA Museum's website here. Individual day passes will be available at the event. It should be a perfect weekend for the kids to test the waters of the huge Splash Lagoon waterpark expansion next door while dad is wandering among thousands of hot rods!

Things to do in BG This Weekend

KAPOS State Cheerleading Championships
See if you have what it takes to cheer on the squads in Saturday's KAPOS State At-Large Competition at WKU Diddle Arena. For the third year in a row, Bowling Green has hosted the best cheer teams across the state as they compete for the state title in small, medium, large, or super varsity (females only); small or large coed; and traditional competition. Performances begin at 8 a.m. and tickets for spectators are only $7 per person, children in kindergarten and younger are free. Visit the www.kapos.org for a tentative schedule or for more information.

Hospice Chocolate Festival
Calling all Chocolate Lovers! Make sure you get by the Sloan Convention Center this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. for the annual Hospice Chocolate Festival! There will be over 35 restaurants and caterers at this fundraising event, a silent auction and a celebrity cookie eating contest just for fun. Tickets for the Chocolate Festival are $10 for adults, $5 for 6-12, 5 and under are free. Visit www.hospicesoky.org or call 800-844-9479 for more info.

For a look at more things to do this week, follow the title link to the full What's Happening This Week or go to www.visitbgky.com for the full calendar.

Things to do in BG Valentine's Day weekend

Lone Star Championship Rodeo Slip on the boots, kick up your heels, and head to the WKU Ag Expo Center this weekend for the Lone Star Championship Rodeo! These cowboys and cowgirls put on a show the whole family will enjoy with bareback and saddleback riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, plus plenty more in the Wild West tradition. Visit the Lone Star Rodeo Company website to learn more or call 270-745-2578 for tickets, starting at just $14.

Trance of Romance Treat your sweetheart to a getaway this Valentine’s Day at one of our area hotels, then spend some time hand in hand strolling Fountain Square Park, hiking the valley at Lost River Cave, or exploring Mammoth Cave on Sunday with a free guided Mammoth Passage Tour. Be mesmerized by comic hypnotist Rich Guzzi Friday and Saturday at The Sloan Convention Center. Then Sunday night, attend the WKU Faculty Recital Love Changes Everything at the Fine Arts Center. Learn more about some of the area's special offers here.

Sights, Sounds and Scents of Christmas in Bowling Green

Just stepping near a live Christmas tree puts many of us in a dreamy holiday trance from the aroma, remembering cherished mornings and loved ones. Visit the Eloise B. Houchens Center, an enchanting historic home, and see many trees beautifully decorated by civic groups, non-profits, and others. Enjoy a special Shopping Day this Friday from 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. where local artists and crafters will have specialty gifts available, and shoppers can even delight in a sack lunch full of homemade goodies. Simply order in advance by calling 270-842-6761 or place your order, shop, and pick it up afterward. View the trees through December 20 weekdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Entertainment will be provided on Sunday afternoons.

Christmas Candlelight Tours
Experience the sights, sounds and scents of a Victorian Christmas at another of Bowling Green's historic homes this weekend as you tour Riverview at Hobson Grove by candlelight and lamp light. This truly extraordinary experience should not be missed! See how our ancestors celebrated the season by adorning their trees with handmade designs. Witness a Victorian dining table set for formal service. Imagine the laughter as children swung at the Christmas pinata hanging from the cupola. Refreshments will be provided and there is no need for reservations for this special event. Call 270-843- 5565 or visit www.bgky.org/riverview for more information.

Take a look at the full 'What's Happening' e-blast here for more activities in the area.

What's Happening in Bowling Green this Week

Concert for Hope
Beech Bend Park invites you to attend its Concert for Hope Tuesday evening benefiting eight different charities and featuring Beech Bend Superstar winner Landri Taylor. What better way is there to hear some new musical talent than at a FREE concert right here in Bowling Green?! Backed by some of country's finest musicians including Josh Turner's drummer T.J. Wilder and Lori Anderson on background vocals, Landri is sure to entertain. Beginning at 5 pm, the opening act will be Kentucky-based band the Warrior Poetes. Other performers include Kyle Whitaker from Morgantown, Kentucky and Elena Korol from Portland, Tennessee who were the first and second-runners up. A donation of a canned good or other non-perishable item is appreciated. For more information, call 270-781-7634. To learn more about Landri, visit www.landritaylor.com.

The Crucible
What would you do if were accused of being a witch? The Capitol is proud to present its fall youth production, The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. This play recounts the historic evets that led to the Salem Witch Trials. Join guest director Carol Herin Jordana and a cast of 22 of Capitol Arts Youth Theater's finest actors as they take the stage this weekend for three performances. Tickets are $12 for Adults and $7 for Students and Seniors and are available by visiting the Capitol Arts webpage at www.capitolarts.com or by calling the box office at 270-782-2787. This show is most enjoyed by ages 12 and up. Come and see what happens because "We burn a hot fire here, it melts away all concealment."

What's Happening this Weekend in Bowling Green?

Goodguys 2nd Nostalgia Nationals
It's another jam-packed week in South Central Kentucky, and this weekend marks a newer event for Beech Bend Raceway as the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association brings its 2nd Nostalgia Nationals to town! The autumn leaves will be an awesome backdrop for the shiny, colorful hot rods both on display and burning up the strip. Swing by the Convention Center for the TGIF Party Friday night and see these beauties all lined up if you can't make it out to the Bend. Featuring over 1,000 Racecars, Hot rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars & Trick Trucks thru '72 vintage, you'll also be able to shop at 100's of vendor/exhibitor booths or take a trip to the Swap Meet for automotive related parts and Cars for sale. Gates open at 8 am and general admission is $20 each day, or $55 for the entire weekend. Kids 7-12 are $6 and free for 6 and under. Parking is FREE! Call 270-781-7634 or visit www.nostalgianats.com to learn more.

Civil War Living History Weekend
Bowling Green was the Confederate Capitol of Kentucky for a short while, and history buffs can even drive the Civil War Discovery Trial through town past forts, monuments, markers and attractions. One of those attractions is Lost River Cave & Valley, where thousands of soldiers camped and sought refuge from the heat near an ample fresh water supply. This weekend, you can experience what life was like for these soldiers at the 5th Annual Civil War Days. The Lincoln Mobile Museum will be there Saturday, joining the all-day camp life and period demonstrations. At 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, witness a battle/ skirmish reenactment, or participate in Saturday night's Cannon Night Fire at 6 p.m. before the Civil War Ball from 7 to 9 p.m. with music by Skip Jack. Special programs scheduled for this year include "Abe Lincoln: Gettysburg and Beyond" and music by the Lost River Dulcimers. Call 270-393-0077 or visit www.lostrivercave.com for more information.

What's Happening this Week in Bowling Green

Skeleton's Lair Haunted Woods & Hayride
The decorations are out and the candy aisles are stocked, so go ahead and get in the Halloween spirit this weekend at South Central Kentucky's best haunted attraction, Skeleton's Lair Haunted Woods & Hayride! Celebrating its 10th season of terror this year, Skeleton's Lair is a high energy, interactive Halloween attraction featuring a haunted woods, haunted hayride and 3D mystery maze. With 50 live actors, animation, fog, and special effects, thrill-seekers of all ages are sure to be entertained. Special guest star this weekend is Courtney Gains, the actor who played Malachi in the movie "Children of the Corn." The haunting begins at dusk every Friday and Saturday plus Sunday Oct. 25 and Thursday, Oct. 29. Admission is $18. Visit www.skeletonslair.com or call 270-622-8171 for other special celebrity guests and more info.

Shaker Farm Day
Have a refreshing venture in the country and step into South Union during the 1870 harvest season this weekend at the Shaker Museum's Shaker Farm Day. During this annual living history weekend, talk with some of Kentucky's most talented artisans as they demonstrate Shaker farm chores and craft making. See wool spun into yarn and woven into cloth, or pitch in with farm chores as you shell corn or make butter. Smell the smoke as meat is preserved and feel the warmth of bees wax as you dip candles. Hear the history of the Shakers, the songs of live musicians, and skillfully woven tales from a seasoned storyteller. Smile as you watch children playing games of old and enjoying wagon rides. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Visit www.shakermuseum.com or call 800-811-8379 for more information.

What's Happening this Week in Bowling Green?

The Wall That Heals
This half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be displayed at Aviation Heritage Park all weekend, 24 hours a day, beginning Thursday morning at 10 a.m. The Wall will be escorted into Bowling Green by the Kentucky Chapter of The Patriot Guard Riders in a parade leaving Smiths Grove at 11 a.m. Tuesday that will proceed South on I-65 exiting onto Cemetery Road, traveling around the square and out Scottsville Road.

On Friday morning, a special brick-laying ceremony will be held at the Warren County Courthouse to honor the Warren County veterans killed in action.Then on Sunday, the exhibit concludes with a closing ceremony featuring "Reflections at the Wall" by Bowling Green's Dr. Jerry Martin, a candlelight service and reading of the South Central Kentucky soldiers' names recorded on The Wall, a three-rifle volley, and the playing of Taps. For more information about The Wall's visit, call 270-842-4953 or visit www.aviationheritagepark.com.

Bowling Green International Festival
The Bowling Green International Festival reminds us we may live in "One World," but we have "Many Faces" as this annual celebration of cultural diversity for the entire family returns to Circus Square in downtown Bowling Green this Saturday. The all-day festival features a parade, bands, dancers, demonstrations, food, merchandise, activities, and cultural displays from around the world.

Many hands-on, edu-tainment activities for all ages will take place throughout the day! Try your luck with a pinata, compete in contests, workshops, or check out the passport program. Admission is $3 for ages 13 and up, but a $1 off coupon is available on the website or you may purchase a $5 Restaurant Discount Card and receive $1 admission. For more information, call 270-796- 2777 or visit www.bginternationalfest.com for a complete schedule, Festival map and discount coupon.

What's Happening this Week in Bowling Green

Balloons, Tunes & BBQ
After seeing all the beautiful Corvettes around town last weekend, look to the skies for color this weekend as the 2009 U.S. Bank Balloons, Tunes and BBQ kicks off Thursday evening at the BG/ WC Airport! This year's event is FREE with more entertainment than ever including tethered balloon rides, balloon glows at dusk, live music, and the SAM 100.7 BG Idol Contest.
Don't miss the Hare and Hound race at 5:15 pm Saturday and country-recording artist Justin Moore. Go to http://www.balloonstunesbbq.com/ to learn more or call 270-745- 7532.

Delafield Homecoming Festival
The community of Delafield, once a bustling area receiving shipments at Boatlanding Road's city wharf, will celebrate its heritage this Saturday with a second annual Homecoming. The day will consist of Bluegrass music, a car show, children's inflatables, dunking booth, silent auction, cake walk, raffles, and more! Proceeds from this event provide two students from Warren Central with a $1,000 scholarship. For more information, contact Executive Director Shirley York at 270-782-9671.

Take a look at all the great things happening around Southern Kentucky on the Visitors Bureau's calendar at http://www.visitbgky.com/.

What's Happening this Week in Bowling Green?

SOKY Fair
It's that time of year again! Time for funnel cakes, cotton candy and entertainment galore. The Southern Kentucky Fair Board, Inc., and the BG- WC Junior Chamber (Jaycees) are sponsoring the 58th Annual Southern Kentucky Fair at the Jaycee Fairgrounds in Lampkin Park all week long.  Just $10 a person covers all carnival rides plus stage and track events, or bring a canned good on Tuesday's Family Night and get in for only $8. For more information call the fair office at 270-842-7980 or visit http://www.sokyfair.org/.

United Way Day of Caring
A Day of Caring is a volunteer opportunity like no other! On Wednesday, volunteers from local businesses and organizations have the opportunity to prove once again that they care about our community by reporting to work sites at local nonprofit organizations and public schools to tackle meaningful volunteer projects! Projects include everything from painting houses to mentoring children and are available in all five United Way partner counties- Allen, Barren, Logan, Simpson, and Warren.
Join the kick-off party from 8-10 a.m. at Covington Woods Park then take time out of your day to make a difference! The impact is immediate, but the experience will last a lifetime. Call 270-843-3205 for details of service opportunites or visit http://www.uwsk.org/.

See a complete list of What's Happening here!