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.

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.

Bowling Green declared the official Home of Newgrass Music

We just heard from our friends at the Daily News that a state bill submitted by Rep. Jim DeCesare that officially declares Bowling Green as the birthplace of Newgrass music has passed!  Sam Bush, one of the founding members of 70's band New Grass Revival and the father of Newgrass, is from Bowling Green and the band used to practice just up the road in Temple Hill.  In 2009, the first International Newgrass Festival was held here at Ballance Farms just north of town and the response was extremely positive.  Year Two of the three-day music festival is in the works for August 20-22, 2010 with The John Cowan Band headlining Friday night and Sam Bush Band on Saturday night. So now we are ready to be known as the home of the Corvette, Duncan Hines, Sam Bush and Newgrass Music!

For more details on the Newgrass Festival, go to http://www.newgrassfestival.com/.  Definitely get your tickets now if you have the slightest interest in this progressive genre of music... Year One was incredible!

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.