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!

What's Happening in Bowling Green this Week?

N-Tense Sports Indoor Paintball Tournament
Who says the recreational fun has to stop when the days turn shorter? Come out and watch the big kids 'play with paint' at NTense Sports' 2009 Indoor Paintball Tournament at the WKU Ag Expo Center. For only $5 per day or $10 for the entire weekend, you can see teams of 3 or 5 people splatter the competition in beginner, novice and amateur categories. Call 270-796-4120 or visit www.ntensesports.com to learn more.

Sunbelt Conference Volleyball Championship
The WKU volleyball wrapped up the 2009 regular season this past weekend by sweeping South Alabama to finish the season 24-8 overall and 13-4 in the Sunbelt Conference. Then the team learned Sunday of their 3-seed placement going into this week's Championship taking place right here on the Hill. Quarterfinals begin Thursday at noon, but WKU faces No. 6 seed Denver later in the day at 5 pm. On Friday, the Semifinal games take place at 5 and 7:30 pm before Saturday's Championship match at 3 pm. Adult 3-day passes are just $20 or single day tickets are $10 and youth (2-13) prices are $15 and $7 respectively. Visit www.wkusports.com or call 1-800-5-BIG-RED (244733) for more information.

Look at our full online events calendar at www.visitbgky.com for more things to do in Southern Kentucky.

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!

What's Happening this Week in Bowling Green?

28th Annual National Corvette Homecoming
Rolling into Bowling Green this weekend is the National Corvette Homecoming, the celebration that began with the GM Assembly Plant's arrival back in 1981. Cruise into the Sloan Convention Center for a weekend of Corvette camaraderie, swap meets, seminars, car corrals, marketplace, and show competition! Admission is only $10 and kids under 12 are FREE.

On Saturday, spectators will enjoy Car Shows beginning at 12:15 pm and the All Corvette Parade at 6 pm. Leaving from Hobby Lobby, the parade travels through town back to the Convention Center for fun and live music from Blue Light Special. Then on Sunday, don't miss the Reunion Show featuring '59, '69, '79 and '89 model Corvettes along with a Muscle Show at 12:15 pm followed by the Awards Presentations at 4 pm. Call 270-791-117 for more information. You can also download a poster for your business window HERE!

Heroes and Legends
Orchestra Kentucky makes history when it performs the first concert at the Bowling Green Ballpark, Heroes and Legends, on Saturday. This event kicks off Orchestra Kentucky's newest series, Young at Art. Heroes and Legends is a concert designed to be an engaging family event that celebrates American movie legends, military heroes, and sports icons with musical selections including the unforgettable themes from Superman, The Lone Ranger, Spider-man, and Indiana Jones, a medley of military anthems and the ever popular "Casey at the Bat." Tickets to this concert are just $7.00 each. Call 270-846-2426 to order your tickets today!

To see more events happening this week, go here!

101 Things to do in South Central Kentucky - Historic Railpark

The following blog is re-posted with permission from Galen Smith, a Bowling Green resident who loves exploring the area and writing about his adventures.

101 Things To Do In Southcentral Kentucky: Visit The Historic Railpark
By Galen A. Smith Sr.Friday, June 27, 2008 5:04 PM CDT
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I remember as a young child growing up in East Memphis, Tenn., hearing the trains whistling as they traveled past our part of the city on quiet early Saturday mornings. Usually I was just waking up getting ready to go watch cartoons, bowl of cereal in hand. Nowadays as an adult and as a resident of Bowling Green, I can still hear trains whistle all hours of the day and night, as I just live right down the street from the CSX railroad tracks. The train whistles have become a part of my life so I hardly even notice them anymore. But on a recent Saturday afternoon, I decided to pay a visit to The Historic Railpark and Train Museum and L&N Depot located at 401 Kentucky Street.

You can't miss the museum because it is a large, beautiful white limestone building which sits off the street next to the CSX railroad tracks. There's a large parking lot where you can park at no charge. I have been to the L&N Depot many times in the past as this was once a branch of the Bowling Green Library before it moved out on Scottsville Road in the former Iron Skillet Restaurant building. But I knew that this trip would be special because I was going to a real museum to take a step back in time.

When I entered the building from the rear, I was greeted by Depot Coordinator Sharon Tabor. Ms. Tabor explained to me a little about the museum and then I took a tour of some real train passenger cars outside of the building led by a volunteer by the name of Mary Travelstead. I toured the Little Red Caboose, an authentic Pullman Sleeper car, the Famous Diner Car which is named "Duncan Hines" (I wonder why, huh?) and RR Presidential Office Car. Also, there's even a 1921 Railroad Post Office car that is currently being restored on the premise. The museum is also waiting for their streamlined EMD E8 Diesel 796 Engine to arrive.

After walking back inside the Depot, I noticed a gift shop which offered books and coffee mugs among other nice items. Then, Ms. Tabor showed an enormous working model railroad layout which replicates Bowling Green and other parts of Southcentral Kentucky. The little miniature buildings, trees and hills took hundreds of painstaking man hours to produce. Then, it was on to the interactive exhibits. I had the opportunity to see a short video of Alfred Owens, a Pullman Porter who went to work for the railroad in 1926. He talked about "hauling Mrs. Roosevelt." I was able to hear the sounds of different types of train engines and I heard the distinctive sound of the old Pan American speeding down the tracks as recorded by the WSM Radio station in 1934. These are just a few of the "Touch & Listen" exhibits.

My favorite part of the museum tour was was the wide screen L&N Theater located upstairs. Here I was able to take a few minutes and relax in plush, first class seats while watching an assortment of entertaining railroad films and classic news reels. When I arrived back downstairs, I entered the gift shop and purchased a Historic Railpark magnet for my wife, an avid magnet collector. She gladly added the magnet to her myriad collection which is displayed on the family refrigerator.

All in all, I was very impressed with The Historic Railpark, Train Museum and L&N Depot. It is a massive asset to Bowling Green and Southcentral Kentucky. We should be proud of this particular destination and of the people who have worked hard to get the railpark, museum and depot where it is today. I highly recommend a visit there as soon as possible and you won't be disappointed especially if you're a lover of trains.(Directions: If you are traveling from Interstate 65, you take Exit 26 west onto Cemetery Road and follow Cemetery Road three miles as it becomes 8th Avenue and turn right onto Kentucky Street. Then turn left into the museum parking lot. Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Phone: (270) 745-7317 Web-site, http://www.historicrailpark.com/

Learn about author Galen Smith at www.myspace.com/galenasmithsr and http://www.galensmithjr.blogspot.com./

CVB note: The Railpark and Train Museum has a new exhibit, "Lincoln and the Railroads," which will be on display through February of 2010.