Kentucky.gov

Below you will find a list of press releases that are more than 180 days old.  To view a press release, click on the title.

• Discover Your Own Backyard: Wineries Spring Up Across Kentucky
  Monday, June 23, 2008
  Just six years after becoming a state in 1792, the first vineyard in Kentucky was planted and a new industry took off. By the late 1800s, Kentucky was a leading wine producer in this country.
• Stephen Foster Offers "Pay What You Want Night" June 26
  Tuesday, June 17, 2008
  Stephen Foster - The Musical is offering Kentucky residents a “Pay What You Want Night” to celebrate the anniversary of the musical’s first opening night 50 years ago.
• Discover Your Own Backyard: Kentucky's Many Regional Summer Theaters
  Tuesday, June 10, 2008
  From Prestonsburg to Bardstown to Gilbertsville, Kentucky is home to an exciting variety of summer theaters.
• Owensboro Alive with Music and Mystery in June
  Wednesday, May 28, 2008
  Music and mystery will be alive in Owensboro as the summer heats up in June.
• Discover Your Own Back Yard: Some Great Outdoor Events Across Ky. in June
  Thursday, May 22, 2008
  In 2004, by Presidential designation, June became Great Outdoors Month. Outdoor adventure is not new to Kentuckians. With summer unofficially here, what better time to head outdoors for some fun and a little exercise?
• Blackacre Preserve Comes Alive With Summer Programs
  Wednesday, May 21, 2008
  The next two weeks are going to be an especially busy time at the Blackacre Conservancy, a nature preserve and historic homestead located 20 minutes east of downtown Louisville.
• Brass Band Festival to Serenade Danville in June
  Tuesday, May 20, 2008
  An estimated 40,000 visitors are expected to converge on the 2008 Great American Brass Band Festival, set for June 12-15 on the campus of Centre College and in the streets and parks of Danville, Ky.
• Discover the Music in Your Own Backyard
  Thursday, May 08, 2008
  Kentucky is alive with music, particularly as the summer months heat up. From bluegrass and gospel to orchestral and rock ‘n roll, there is something for every taste offered within the commonwealth’s borders. To check out the variety of events log on to www.kentuckytourism.com and decide how you’d like to tune in.
• Discover Your Own Backyard and Win!
  Friday, May 02, 2008
  If rising gas prices aren’t enough to keep Kentuckians closer to home throughout the vacation season, perhaps winning a contest will sweeten the attraction.
• Derby Museum and Walking Tours Offer Insider's View of Churchill Downs
  Thursday, May 01, 2008
  With Kentucky Derby interest reaching fever pitch, the focus of millions of horse racing fans around the world is turning to Louisville’s storied Churchill Downs. What you may not know is that there is much more to Churchill Downs than Derby Day, and many more opportunities to experience the world of the famous race track than the first Saturday in May.
• Derby Breakfast Offers Traditional Southern Cuisine
  Monday, April 28, 2008
  The menu for the annual Governor’s Derby Breakfast will have a decidedly southern flair when thousands of visitors flock to the state capitol grounds the morning of May 3 for some pre-Kentucky Derby fun.
• Discover Your Own Backyard... Ky. Water Adventures
  Monday, April 14, 2008
  As the spring temperatures warm up across the state, many Kentuckians begin looking at the calendar to make plans for a trip or adventure that involves water.
• The Trains Are Coming to Estill County
  Monday, April 14, 2008
  As Estill County prepares to celebrate its bicentennial, brightly painted statues of railroad locomotives are cropping up around the eastern Kentucky communities of Irvine and Ravenna, which are about 20 minutes east of Richmond on KY 52.
• Discover Your Own Backyard: Kentucky's Spring Food Festivals
  Thursday, April 03, 2008
  From Bar-B-Q to burgoo, Kentucky is known for tasty food traditions that please the palates of residents and visitors alike. Add to the mix pleasant settings and the warmth of Kentucky’s late spring, and you have the makings of one of the commonwealth’s most popular pastimes – the outdoor food festival.
• MEDIA ADVISORY - Explore Country Music
  Wednesday, April 02, 2008
  On Friday April 4 and Saturday April 5, the U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum will stage educational programs on country music in conjunction with an ongoing exposition of the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit, “New Harmonies.”
• Wildflower Watch Provides Updates as Spring Blooms in Ky.
  Monday, March 31, 2008
  Spring is here, and the Kentucky Departments of Tourism and Parks are teaming up once again to provide travelers with tips for trips to state parks and nature preserves where the region’s wildflowers and trees are bursting forth in bloom.
• New Trail Guide Map and Web Site Promote Travel in Appalachians
  Thursday, March 20, 2008
  Kentucky has plenty of scenic beauty along its roads and highways and now some of the most beautiful areas are featured in a new trail guide map and website that promotes travel and tourism in the Appalachian region.
• Many Kinds of Horse Events and Activities Start in April Around Kentucky
  Monday, March 17, 2008
  Spring officially begins March 20, and Kentucky awakes to green fields, redbuds, dogwoods and horses! Horse lovers young and old will find activities coming in April that will entertain and educate right in your own back yard.
• International Mystery Writers Festival Seeks Local Talent to Fill Roles
  Monday, February 18, 2008
  The International Mystery Writers’ Festival will produce multiple performances of six new full-length plays and at least six new screenplays. There are approximately 50 roles to fill locally for the festival in June 2008 in Owensboro.
• Ashland Events Mark Black History Month and Lincoln Bicentennial
  Friday, February 08, 2008
  The Ashland area is marking Black History Month and the Abraham Lincoln Birth Bicentennial this month with several events scheduled to take place at the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center and the historic Paramount Arts Center.
• Ky. Chautauqua Presents Anna Mac Clarke for Black History Month at Greenbo State Park
  Friday, February 01, 2008
  GREENUP, Ky. -- Anna Mac Clarke (1919-1944) didn’t put up with second-class treatment from anybody, including the U.S. Army. By insisting on fair treatment and becoming the first black Woman’s Army Corps officer to command a white unit, the young Kentucky native struck a powerful blow for racial equality in the military.
• Elizabethtown to Host Lincoln Events in February
  Friday, February 01, 2008
  Hardin County will be hosting a variety of cultural events in February in connection with the kickoff of the Abraham Lincoln bicentennial birthday celebration.
• Breathitt Co. Museum Is Seeking to Expand
  Tuesday, January 22, 2008
  The Breathitt County Museum is seeking to raise several hundred thousand dollars to complete renovation of the old county jail to provide more museum space and serve as a welcome center.
• "Little Colonel" Weekend Will Bring Oldham Co. Characters to Life
  Monday, January 14, 2008
  One of Kentucky’s most popular writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries will be the focus of a weekend of activities next month in the Oldham County town that served as the setting for most of her fiction.
• Poetry and Tapas at Holly Hill Inn Jan. 29
  Wednesday, January 09, 2008
  Four Kentucky poets will read from their work at the first Tapas Tuesday of 2008 at Holly Hill Inn in Midway.
• Henderson's Cultural Calendar Is Brimming in January
  Wednesday, January 02, 2008
  From children’s art to oral histories of African-American residents, Henderson County will be brimming with cultural exhibits and activities during January.
• "Scuba Santa" Pays Return Visit to Newport Aquarium
  Monday, December 17, 2007
  The popular “Scuba Santa” is paying a visit to the Newport Aquarium for the fifth year. Diving daily with the sharks through Jan. 1, Scuba Santa will take off only one day to rest, Tuesday Dec. 25.
• Beech Bend Park Becomes Holiday Wonderland
  Monday, December 03, 2007
  For the first time, the home of the Kentucky Rumbler rollercoaster and a nationally known race track has transformed its grounds into a twinkling holiday experience for the whole family.
• Harlan County to Celebrate Mountain Heritage
  Thursday, November 15, 2007
  For the 23rd year, arts and crafts lovers will be heading to the Kentucky hills the day after Thanksgiving for Harlan’s Festival of the Mountain Masters, a two-day celebration of Appalachian heritage on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23–24.
• Frazier Museum to Feature Dramas, Lectures on Lincoln
  Thursday, November 08, 2007
  The Frazier International History Museum has scheduled a full slate of lectures and presentations related to Abraham Lincoln as the bicentennial celebration of Lincoln’s birth nears its debut next February 11-12 in Louisville and Hodgenville, Ky.
• 'Starparty' to Lure Stargazers to Gravel Switch Nov. 3
  Tuesday, October 30, 2007
  The beauty of the starry Kentucky night sky will be the focus of a “Starparty” set for Saturday Nov. 3 at historic Penn’s Store near Gravel Switch in Marion County.
• What Is Your Favorite Ky. Adventure Travel Site?
  Thursday, October 25, 2007
  FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Is it climbing Natural Bridge, hiking between Land Between the Lakes, spelunking through Mammoth Cave or trekking down the trails on an ATV? Is your favorite adventure spot a less-traveled destination? We want to hear from you!
• 'Quilt Trail' Emerging on Barns in Eastern Kentucky
  Wednesday, October 24, 2007
  Kentucky has long been known as a center for the sewing of colorful quilts in many patterns and designs. But over the past several years, painted quilt patterns on the sides of barns in Kentucky have emerged as a new form of self-expression and cultural pride for rural residents.
• Ky. Adventure Travel Venues to Be Cataloged
  Wednesday, October 17, 2007
  Kentucky Tourism Commissioner Randy Fiveash has announced an effort to collect and list all adventure travel venues in Kentucky.
• Lincoln Presenters Are in Demand as Bicentennial Approaches
  Tuesday, October 16, 2007
  In the land of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial, the lanky, bearded man is king. Or at least very much in demand, as the bicentennial of the 16th president’s birth approaches.
• Poets to Read at Holly Hill Inn Lunch
  Friday, October 12, 2007
  Kentucky poet laureate Jane Gentry Vance and other Kentucky poets will read from their work Wednesday, Oct. 24, as part of the At Home with Holly Hill Inn Fall Lunch Series.
• Springfield Area's Farming Heritage to Be on Display
  Friday, October 05, 2007
  The proud farming heritage of Washington County and its surrounding central Kentucky region will be the focus of the first annual Kentucky Crossroads Harvest Festival in Springfield, Friday and Saturday Oct. 12-13.
• Jug Bands to Perform in Louisville Area Oct. 12-14
  Monday, October 01, 2007
  Bands from six states will perform at the National Jug Band Jubilee in Louisville and in Crestwood, Ky. October 12-14.
• Pie Fest in Maysville Oct. 5-6
  Thursday, September 27, 2007
  Pie eating, tasting and baking contests will be among the most popular events at the Second Annual Transparent Pie and Folklife Days in Mason County Friday and Saturday Oct. 5-6.
• Bluegrass Museum to Offer Music Lessons
  Wednesday, September 19, 2007
  The International Bluegrass Music Museum is entering year #3 of its Saturday Lessons Program, providing group music lessons to anyone in this region interested in learning to play bluegrass. Lessons are provided for beginner and intermediate levels on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitar.
• ColorFall to Feature TV and Web Updates
  Tuesday, September 18, 2007
  The 2007 series of the ColorFall program will add video segments from around the state to be broadcast on local television stations along with a web site that alerts visitors of foliage color changes.
• Lincoln Days Set for Oct. 6-7 in Hodgenville
  Tuesday, September 18, 2007
  The 34th annual fall Lincoln Days celebration is expected to attract about 15,000 participants and spectators to Hodgenville Saturday and Sunday Oct. 6-7.
• London's World Chicken Festival Is a Culinary Feast
  Wednesday, September 12, 2007
  If you’re partial to fried chicken, you’d better not miss the Annual World Chicken Festival Sept. 27-30, 2007 in London, Ky.
• Bluegrass Indie Film Festival Celebrates Third Successful Year
  Tuesday, September 11, 2007
  The third annual Bluegrass Independent Film Festival featured nearly 80 films and an awards ceremony honoring the winners in 13 different categories of film.
• Kentucky Tourism Aggressively Seeks International Travelers
  Monday, September 10, 2007
  The Kentucky Department of Tourism has beefed up its recruitment of the international traveler with the addition of one overseas office and the expansion of another.
• Balloon Glow Promises to Light Up Bourbon Festival
  Friday, September 07, 2007
  It’s going to be bigger and brighter than ever before, and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival Inc. invites you to attend opening festivities of the 16th annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival at the Balloon Glow on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007 at the Nelson County Fairgrounds, US 31E in Bardstown, Ky.
• Grape and Cane Harvests Provide Agritourism Experiences in September
  Wednesday, September 05, 2007
  Two very different Kentucky agritourism enterprises will celebrate their annual harvests in September: the Mennonite Community in Allen County and the Chateau du Vieux Corbeau Winery at Danville in Boyle County.
• Monroe Mandolin Camp Faculty Concert Set for Sept. 8
  Friday, August 31, 2007
  The International Bluegrass Music Museum will present its annual Monroe-Style Mandolin Camp Faculty Concert on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 8:00 PM in The Owensboro Symphony Academy.
• Underground Railroad Conference at Georgetown Sept. 10-15
  Friday, August 31, 2007
  The Underground Railroad, the network of anti-slavery activists and sites that helped enslaved African Americans escape the South and the Caribbean prior to emancipation, will be the focus of a conference at Georgetown College Sept. 10-15, 2007.
• September Designated National Bourbon Heritage Month
  Wednesday, August 29, 2007
  September is shaping up as a busy month for Kentucky’s bourbon whiskey industry, as the U.S. Senate has declared it National Bourbon Heritage Month and the celebration of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown will mark its 16th year.
• International Climbing Event Coming to Red River Gorge
  Wednesday, August 15, 2007
  More than 800 rock-climbing enthusiasts are expected to participate in the Petzl Roc Trip at Rocktoberfest Oct. 12-14, 2007, as local climbers join with international athletes to draw attention to preservation of climbing areas in the Red River Gorge area of eastern Kentucky.
• Lake Cumberland Vacation Is Prize in Canadian Sweepstakes
  Tuesday, August 14, 2007
  Beach balls, tubes and towels will spell fun for the Canadian winners of a houseboat vacation at Kentucky’s Lake Cumberland in Travel South USA’s Discover the Southern Way Vacation Sweepstakes.
• Mary Todd Lincoln House Seeks Funds to Prepare for Bicentennial
  Thursday, August 09, 2007
  Directors of the Mary Todd Lincoln House are seeking to raise funds to refurbish the structure and catalog its collection of artifacts in time for observance of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, which begins next February.
• There'll Be Pickin' and Pedalin' in Henderson Aug. 11
  Wednesday, August 01, 2007
  Bicycle riders who are also fans of bluegrass music will find a lot to like at the 4th Annual Pickin’ & Pedalin’ Bike Tour to be held in Henderson Saturday Aug. 11.
• KET to Rebroadcast Rolex Equestrian Event Aug. 12
  Tuesday, July 31, 2007
  Each year, one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Highlights from the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which brings together some of the greatest horses and riders from around the world, are presented in Rolex Equestrian Championships, airing Sunday, Aug. 12 at 10/9 p.m. CT on KET1.
• Pioneer Playhouse Recalls 'Raintree County' Filming
  Friday, July 20, 2007
  DANVILLE, Ky. – For two weeks starting July 24, Pioneer Playhouse will host a festival to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood film Raintree County. About half of the lavish MGM Studios production was filmed in and around Danville in 1956.
• Springhill Plantation Marks Long History with Civil War Drama
  Wednesday, July 18, 2007
  Springhill Winery and Plantation Bed & Breakfast is celebrating the 150th birthday of its historic manor house, widely known for its Federal and Victorian architecture, with a dinner-drama called “Restless Spirits -- The Murder Mystery of 1864.”
• Henry Clay Estate to Host Lincoln Legacy Day Aug. 4
  Monday, July 16, 2007
  The Kentucky Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has designated Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, as one of Kentucky’s signature sites to participate in numerous festivities over the next two years commemorating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.
• Lake Cumberland Ready for Independence Day Holiday
  Tuesday, July 03, 2007
  Just as he did for the Memorial Day holiday, Governor Ernie Fletcher has directed state agencies to work together to ensure visitors traveling to Lake Cumberland during the Independence Day holiday have no problem finding open boat launching ramps and getting to the water safely.
• State Aids Springfield's Efforts to Host Simpsons Movie Premiere
  Monday, July 02, 2007
  The Kentucky Department of Tourism is working to help the small Central Kentucky town of Springfield in its effort to host the world premiere of “The Simpsons Movie” later this month.
• Belle of Louisville Features Summer Bluegrass Cruises
  Friday, June 29, 2007
  From the earliest flatboats to the grand floating palaces, to the waning days of steam packet boats, string band music has been the voice of the community along the Ohio River Valley. And the venerable Belle of Louisville is continuing that tradition with “Bluegrass Riverstyle” cruises this summer.
• Berea Bluegrass Jams Attract Diverse Musicians
  Wednesday, June 27, 2007
  The Berea Welcome Center is about to mark its third year of preserving the rich musical traditions of the Bluegrass state.
• Springfield, Ky. Is Striving to Go Hollywood
  Monday, June 25, 2007
  The small Central Kentucky town of Springfield is among 14 Springfields around the country vying to host the world premiere of “The Simpsons Movie” next month.
• Blackacre Nature Preserve Will Echo with Bluegrass June 30
  Monday, June 25, 2007
  A secluded historic homestead and nature preserve in eastern Jefferson County will be the site of a rousing bluegrass concert and festival on Saturday June 30.
• Bluegrass Museum Is Mecca for Lovers of Kentucky's Music
  Friday, June 22, 2007
  ROMP (River of Music Party) is only the tip of the iceberg at the International Bluegrass Music Museum. ROMP, being held June 21-23 at the museum, Yellow Creek Park and the RiverPark Center in Owensboro, is a giant bluegrass festival celebrated yearly during the last weekend in June. While ROMP, now in its fourth year, is one of the museum’s most visible endeavors, the institution’s exhibits are a treasure trove that will fascinate anyone interested in Kentucky’s indigenous music.
• "Mythbuster" Named to Assist on Lake Cumberland Efforts
  Friday, June 22, 2007
  Bill Jasper, operator of the State Dock at Lake Cumberland, says part of his daily job involves correcting misconceptions about the water level at Lake Cumberland. “When people come here they are amazed at all the water still here," Jasper says. “In fact, newcomers tell me they don’t know what all the fuss is about, this lake is awesome.”
• Bluegrass Music Week Celebrated in Kentucky
  Thursday, June 21, 2007
  Governor Ernie Fletcher has proclaimed the week of June 21 – 28 as “Bluegrass Music Week in Kentucky,” and a series of events are planned to celebrate the importance of “Bluegrass in the Bluegrass.”
• Kentucky Theatre to Stage Three Lincoln Plays
  Thursday, June 14, 2007
  The Kentucky Repertory Theatre in Horse Cave will bring to life a one-man show, an original multi-media production and a large historical drama, all striving to shed light and perspective on the complex man who was Abraham Lincoln while entertaining expected record audiences.
• ATV Riders Headed to Harlan This Weekend
  Tuesday, June 12, 2007
  A herd of all-terrain vehicle riders is expected to descend on the Black Mountain Recreational Park in Harlan County this weekend for the Harlan County Ridge Runners ATV Club “Summer Stampede.”
• Louisville Native Is Finalist in Mystery Festival
  Monday, June 11, 2007
  OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Kentucky born author Lance Rucker is one of five finalists at the International Mystery Writers' Festival in Owensboro.
• Ky. Unbridled Spirit Promotion Hits Wal-Mart Stores
  Tuesday, June 05, 2007
  The Kentucky Department of Tourism and Pepsi are rolling out a new joint merchandise promotion in Wal-Mart stores throughout the commonwealth.
• Catlettsburg Floodwall Mural Is Being Extended
  Tuesday, June 05, 2007
  Three area muralists are beginning painting a new phase of the Catlettsburg floodwall that will include an extension of the Big Sandy Lock and Dam mural that was painted in 2006.
• State Parks Observe National Tourism Week
  Thursday, May 17, 2007
  Several state parks are holding events or presenting displays at welcome centers this week as part of National Tourism Week to recognize tourism’s tremendous economic, social, and cultural impact in Kentucky.
• Welcome Centers Celebrate National Tourism Week
  Tuesday, May 15, 2007
  Kentucky’s eight highway welcome centers are marking National Tourism Week, May 12-20, with a variety of special activities to provide entertainment and information for visitors.
• Nat'l Tourism Week to Kick Off with Community Improvement Conference
  Friday, May 11, 2007
  On Monday May 14, TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky and the Kentucky Tourism Council will sponsor a day-long “Celebration of Regionalization” in honor of National Tourism Week, May 12-20.
• Broom-Making Family Carves Tradition in Southwestern Kentucky
  Tuesday, May 08, 2007
  Richard Henson hopes he can pass along his broom-making business to his son, which would make four generations of Hensons hand crafting brooms in southwestern Kentucky.
• Louisville Preserves Ties to Lincoln with New Sculpture
  Monday, May 07, 2007
  Louisville sculptor Ed Hamilton has been commissioned to create a large bronze figure of Abraham Lincoln that will be the focus of a new section of Louisville’s Waterfront Park. The Louisville Waterfront Development Corp., which secured $2 million in state funds for the project, wants the work completed by Feb. 12, 2009, the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.
• Two Top Directors Join Owensboro Mystery Festival Team
  Tuesday, April 17, 2007
  One of Disney Theatrical Productions' top Broadway directors is joining in the fun of the first International Mystery Writers' Festival as director of the two main stage productions in “Discovering New Mysteries,” and one of Chicago’s top award-winning professionals will direct two of the other leading plays.
• Mike Linnig's Restaurant to Host MusicFest April 28-May 13
  Thursday, April 12, 2007
  LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Mike Linnig’s Restaurant, currently open for its 83rd season, will celebrate a Louisville Derby tradition with a 3 week festival and entertainment tent located on its 25-acre property along the Ohio River. MusicFest will be held April 28 – May 13.
• Lincoln Museum Adding Expanded Library to Its Attractions
  Thursday, April 05, 2007
  Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of monthly releases leading up to the Lincoln Bicentennial. Kentucky’s Official Lincoln Museum, housed in two renovated historic buildings in Hodgenville’s downtown district, is looking to refurbish and expand its library of books and other documents in time for the kickoff of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial in February 2008.
• Home Scholars Get Discount at Dinosaur World in April
  Wednesday, April 04, 2007
  Dinosaur World in Cave City is celebrating home school students by designating the entire month of April as “Home School Month”. During April, all home school students and their families receive the park’s group rate discount price of $6 per person.
• "Wildflower Watch" Spotlights Colorful Flora at Kentucky Parks
  Monday, April 02, 2007
  With the arrival of spring, the Kentucky Departments of Tourism and Parks are teaming up for the eighth year to provide travelers with tips for trips to state parks and nature preserves where wildflowers and trees are splashing the countryside with color.
• Fun and Enlightening Events on Tap at Lincoln Nat'l Historic Park in April
  Monday, March 26, 2007
  In April, the Abraham Lincoln National Historic Park will host a volunteer “Park Day” clean-up, a birding hike and a “Junior Ranger Day” experience of frontier life in the Kentucky of Abraham Lincoln’s early boyhood.
• Lexington St. Patrick's Parade to Feature Pipe Band
  Wednesday, March 14, 2007
  On Saturday, March 17, downtown Lexington will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day like never before. The day starts with the inaugural Shamrock Shuffle 3K Run/Walk followed by the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival. This year’s parade includes an Irish Army Pipe Band from Dublin, Ireland.
• Grand Rivers Marathon Attracts Japanese "Ecomarathoner"
  Wednesday, March 07, 2007
  An internationally known Japanese “eco-marathoner” is among more than 340 runners who have registered to compete in the fourth annual Land Between the Lakes/Grand Rivers Marathon, set for Saturday, March 10, starting at 6 a.m.
• Owensboro Mystery Festival Announces Finalists in Writers' Competition
  Thursday, March 01, 2007
  The first International Mystery Writers’ Festival announced the six plays that have been selected as finalists and will be fully performed on stage this June in Owensboro, Ky.
• First International Mystery Writers' Festival Set for June in Owensboro
  Thursday, March 01, 2007
  OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Julie Andrews, Blake Edwards, Sue Grafton, James W. Hall, John Jakes, Stuart Kaminsky, Angela Lansbury, super agent Samuel “Biff” Liff, and Ira Levin are faces you might see at the Tonys, Emmys, Oscars or Edgar Allen Poe awards. This coming June they plan to be in Owensboro, Ky., for the newest festival presenting live theater world premieres of 12 original mystery works.
• New Guide Highlights Kentucky's Multicultural Heritage Attractions
  Tuesday, February 27, 2007
  The Kentucky Department of Tourism has released a new travel guide highlighting the state’s multicultural history, heritage and travel attractions, and is inviting people to share their multicultural experiences with others.
• Corvette Museum to Host NASCAR Star
  Thursday, February 22, 2007
  NASCAR fans will have an opportunity to spend an evening with Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports at the National Corvette Museum.
• Fat Tuesday Feast on Tap at Holly Hill in Midway
  Thursday, February 15, 2007
  The Holly Hill Inn’s third annual Fat Tuesday Feast is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Midway restaurant. Lisa Laufer, Holly Hill Inn’s daytime head sous chef, lends a hand in creating this dinner, a tribute to the foods of New Orleans and Louisiana.
• Bluegrass Museum Partners with WSM-AM-650 and Grand Ole Opry
  Wednesday, January 31, 2007
  The International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, Nashville’s 650 WSM-AM (Home of The Grand Ole Opry), and the Owensboro-Daviess County Tourist Commission have entered into a partnership to promote Bluegrass music, the Bluegrass Museum, and regional tourism.
• Equus Run to Host Shakespeare Play in June
  Friday, January 19, 2007
  The melodious words of the great playwright William Shakespeare will fill the air at Equus Run Winery’s amphitheater in Woodford County as Actors Guild of Lexington stages six performances of Love’s Labors Lost in June.
• Comedy-Drama on Tap For Valentine's at Springhill B&B
  Wednesday, January 17, 2007
  The Springhill Plantation Bed and Breakfast is planning to add dramatic entertainment to its list of activities during Valentine’s season.
• Highway Welcome Centers Cater to Holiday Travelers
  Tuesday, December 19, 2006
  With the peak holiday travel season underway, Kentucky’s eight interstate highway Welcome Centers are dealing with an onslaught of visitors with questions that cover the gamut of travelers’ needs.
• State Merchandise Site Sees "Unbridled Christmas Spirit"
  Friday, December 15, 2006
  As the holidays approach, sales at the "Kentucky Unbridled Spirit" online gift store continue to be brisk.
• New Visitor's Guide Brings Changes
  Wednesday, December 13, 2006
  Hot off the presses and free for the asking is the state Department of Tourism’s Kentucky Unbridled Spirit 2007 Official Visitor’s Guide.
• Katrina Collaboration at Newport on the Levee
  Monday, December 04, 2006
  Newport on the Levee will host the first Great Gift Giveaway Holiday Party benefiting The Katrina Collaboration, a local response intended to aid Hurricane Katrina victims.
• Hindman to Celebrate Old Fashioned Christmas Dec. 1
  Wednesday, November 29, 2006
  The Kentucky Appalachian Artisan Center is proud to be participating in an Old Fashioned Christmas on Friday, December 1 in downtown Hindman.
• Ali Center Chosen Best New Attraction
  Tuesday, November 14, 2006
  A leading travel writers' organization has named Louisville's Muhammad Ali Center the year's best new attraction.
• Record Crowds Visit Corn Maze
  Tuesday, November 14, 2006
  The Lambert Corn Maze enjoyed record crowds during its recent season.
• Florida Resident Wins Photo Award
  Tuesday, November 07, 2006
  Winner of Summer Photo Contest Announced
• Fall Feast Slated at Holly Hill Inn
  Thursday, November 02, 2006
• New Attractions Come to Dinosaur World
  Thursday, November 02, 2006
• Alpacas and Llamas Will Be Focus of Festival in Springfield Saturday
  Thursday, October 12, 2006
  Maple Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast and Alpaca & Llama Farm in Springfield will host a free festival centered on these exotic animals on Saturday Oct. 14.
• Fall Fun Abounds at Hodgenville Orchard
  Thursday, September 21, 2006
  Kentucky offers an abundance of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors by visiting one of many farms that are open to the public in the fall months for purchases of Kentucky grown products or for enjoying some of the many activities offered by Kentucky farmers.
• ColorFall Program Tracks Foliage Changes and Events Across State
  Tuesday, September 19, 2006
  Kentucky’s 21st year of celebrating nature’s autumn beauty with the ColorFall program is here. This year promises a season of dazzling foliage and many entertaining events and activities inviting residents and visitors to get outside and enjoy the beauty of fall in the Bluegrass State.
• Speed Boats to Raise Waves at Lake Cumberland
  Friday, September 08, 2006
  More than 125 speed boats are expected to thunder through Lake Cumberland Sept. 8-10 as the Poker Run returns to the south-central Kentucky lake’s State Dock for the third year.
• International Bluegrass Music Museum Goes Multilingual
  Tuesday, August 29, 2006
  Tens of millions of people worldwide now call themselves bluegrass fans, and 75 nations report having professional bluegrass bands indigenous to their countries. As worldwide interest in bluegrass music rapidly escalates, the International Bluegrass Music Museum is implementing multilingual signage in seven major languages.
• Federal-State Cooperation to Be Focus of Tourism Summit
  Thursday, August 24, 2006
  Thoughtful cooperation and the long-term health of travel destinations are the central topics of an event that will involve about 250 private sector tourism leaders and federal agency personnel just outside the nation's capital Sept. 6-8.
• Tourism Summit to Focus on State-Federal Cooperation
  Wednesday, August 23, 2006
  Thoughtful cooperation and the long-term health of travel destinations are the central topics of an event that will involve about 250 private sector tourism leaders and federal agency personnel just outside the nation's capital Sept. 6-8.
• Three Workshops for Aspiring Innkeepers Set for September
  Wednesday, August 16, 2006
  The Bed and Breakfast Association of Kentucky will host a series of three workshops designed for people considering opening a bed & breakfast or a Kentucky Farm Stay.
• First Lady Announces Winner of Spring Photo Contest
  Thursday, August 10, 2006
  Kentucky First Lady Glenna Fletcher has named Rita Atkins of Frenchburg the winner of the state’s Unbridled Spirit of Spring photo contest.
• Bourbon Festival Announces Exciting Events
  Thursday, August 10, 2006
  The Kentucky Bourbon Festival and the Kentucky Distillers Association have announced the lineup of special events for the 2006 festival, which gets underway on Wednesday Sept. 13 in Bardstown.
• Fleming County to Host Covered Bridge Festival
  Monday, August 07, 2006
  The Fleming County Tourism Committee plans to hold its 9th Annual Covered Bridge Festival on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Fleming Mason Energy Grounds on KY. 32 west of Flemingsburg.
• Lexington Winery Wins Award on Eve of Bistro Opening
  Friday, August 04, 2006
  For the first time in its 12-year history, the Indy International Wine Competition has awarded its coveted Double Gold award to a Kentucky wine, Jean Farris Winery’s Tempest.
• New Tourism Web Site Aimed At Boosting Ky. Hospitality Industry
  Tuesday, August 01, 2006
  Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced the launch of an updated Web site for the Kentucky Department of Tourism, complete with an important new feature aimed at increasing the bottom line for the state’s hospitality industry.
• Second Italian Feast at Holly Hill
  Friday, July 21, 2006
  The Italian Feast at Holly Hill Inn in Midway Tuesday night July 25 is sold out. Holly Hill’s proprietors have added a second feast on Wednesday, July 26 to accommodate reservation requests.
• Cub Run Cave Adds to South Central Kentucky Attractions
  Wednesday, July 19, 2006
  A new show cave has recently opened in Hart County in south central Kentucky, providing another attraction to a region that is rich in majestic underground caverns that draw thousands of visitors every year.
• KET Presents Three-Day Rolex Event Highlights
  Thursday, July 13, 2006
  Each year, one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian sports events takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Highlights from the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, which brings together some of the greatest horses and riders from around the world, are presented in Rolex Equestrian Championships 2006, airing Sunday, July 29 at 10/9 p.m. CT on KET1.
• Italian Feast Set for July 25 in Midway
  Thursday, July 13, 2006
  Chef Jared Richardson of Wallace Station is visiting Holly Hill Inn in Midway to prepare his family’s Sicilian recipes for an Italian Heritage Feast at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25.
• Sports Authority Helps Boost Economic Impact
  Thursday, July 13, 2006
  The Kentucky Sports Authority, a division of the Kentucky Department of Tourism, helped bring more than $3.4 million in economic impact to Kentucky during June.
• Lost River Cave & Valley to Host Civil War Reenactment
  Wednesday, July 05, 2006
  Court marshals, executions, battle wound surgeries, artillery drills and a Civil War skirmish will fascinate Civil War enthusiasts and those just looking to have fun during the free Civil War Living History Event at Lost River Cave & Valley July 14-16, Friday through Sunday.
• Civil War Drama Comes to Life at Historic Springhill Winery
  Friday, June 23, 2006
  A Kentucky Civil War tale with mystery, intrigue, and a love story that pulls at your heartstrings is being retold as a dinner drama called “Restless Spirits: the Murder Mystery of 1864.”
• Third National Reenactment of Battle of Perryville Expected to Draw 25,000 Spectators
  Tuesday, June 20, 2006
  The explosion of a cannon sends birds soaring skyward, their fear-laced shrieks competing with the death moans of mortally wounded soldiers, many of them barely past adolescence. The two columns advance toward each other across the rural landscape - their tattered gray and blood-soaked blue uniforms sad symbols of their animosity.
• Former Derby Jockey Will Compete in Bass Fishing Tournament
  Wednesday, June 14, 2006
  Early Times Kentucky Whisky in conjunction with JDC Marketing are sponsoring professional angler Kevin Wirth, a former Kentucky Derby jockey, in the “Bluegrass Brawl” tournament at Kentucky Lake June 15-18.
• Benton Angler Will Be One of the Oldest Competitors in Bass Tournament
  Wednesday, June 14, 2006
  A Benton, Ky. resident who is one of the Bassmaster Tour’s oldest anglers will compete in the “Bluegrass Brawl” fishing tournament at Kentucky Lake June 15-18.
• Paducah Angler Who Overcame Illness Will Compete in Ky. Lake Tournament
  Monday, June 12, 2006
  A Paducah, Ky. angler who recently won a lengthy battle with meningitis will compete in the “Bluegrass Brawl” Bassmaster fishing tournament at Kentucky Lake June 15-18.
• Bassmaster Tournament Coming to Kentucky Lake
  Friday, June 09, 2006
  The hits just keep on coming as the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series moves on to another big-time bass fishery at a prime time of year — Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Ky., on June 15-18 — for the Bluegrass Brawl.
• Bicycle Fest to Welcome Joe Bowen Back to Kentucky
  Thursday, June 08, 2006
  After a 14,000 mile, 16-month bicycle trek across the United States, Joe Bowen is returning to his native Eastern Kentucky, and the communities of Stanton and Beattyville are throwing a big bash and staging several exciting bike competitions to welcome him home.
• Fletcher Administration Registers Strong Tourism Gains During First Two Years
  Friday, May 19, 2006
  Tourism in Kentucky increased 16.1 percent and created nearly 6,000 new jobs in Kentucky during 2004-2005, the first two years of the Fletcher administration, according to statistics released today by the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet.
• Bar-B-Q Aromas and Music Will Fill the Air at Owensboro Festival
  Wednesday, May 03, 2006
  Lovers of bar-b-q and music ranging from country to bluegrass and blues will find something to quench their appetites at Owensboro’s 28th Annual International Bar-B-Q festival May 11-13.
• Pegasus Parade to Rekindle Fond Memories of Favorite Toys
  Monday, May 01, 2006
  The theme for the 2006 Republic Bank Derby Festival Pegasus Parade is “Once Upon a Toy” – a tribute to some of the world’s best-known toy figures from several generations. The Pegasus Parade, the Derby Festival’s oldest event, will feature approximately 100 units on Thursday, May 4 starting at 5 p.m.
• Derby Balloons to Soar in Festival Events
  Tuesday, April 25, 2006
  The 2006 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Race will feature contests both Friday and Saturday mornings, along with a new event this year – a preview lift-off from Shawnee Park in West Louisville Thursday evening.
• Spring Photo Contest Now Underway
  Monday, April 24, 2006
  It’s that time of year again with spring in the air at a fever pitch. The itch to get outside and view the great beauty of nature is powerful, and Kentuckians aren’t immune. They’re ready to pounce on the season with cameras in hand, awaiting the perfect time to capture their favorite spring photos.
• "Bluegrass Returns to Its Roots" Festival April 27-30 in Owensboro
  Monday, April 24, 2006
  The Executive Inn Rivermont in Owensboro will play host to the fifth annual “Bluegrass Returns to Its Roots” festival April 27-30, 2006.
• Winter Photo Contest Winners Honored
  Wednesday, April 12, 2006
  Kentucky First Lady Glenna Fletcher has named Ford Phares of Georgetown the winner of the state’s Unbridled Spirit of Winter photo contest. All 11 finalists' images are viewable at www.kytourism.com.
• Harlan County Will Be Hoppin' in May-June
  Wednesday, April 05, 2006
  The months of May and June will be an exciting time in the heart of Southeastern Kentucky’s coal country, Harlan County. A series of festivals will feature everything from off-road vehicle competitions to cooking competitions centered on the native vegetable called poke sallet.
• It's Wildflower Watch Time Again
  Thursday, March 30, 2006
  Spring is here, and the Kentucky Departments of Tourism and Parks are teaming up once again to provide travelers with tips for trips to state parks and nature preserves where wildflowers and trees will be bursting forth in bloom.
• Hollywood Boosts Kentucky Economy
  Wednesday, March 29, 2006
  As the Hollywood film Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story hit the home DVD/video market last week, state and local tourism officials in Kentucky said the movie is having a positive impact on travel to the areas where the uplifting horse-racing story was set and partially filmed.
• Buffalo Crossing to Host Super Retriever Competition April 6-9
  Thursday, March 23, 2006
  Buffalo Crossing Fun Ranch near Shelbyville will provide the venue for a three-event competition in the Super Retriever Series April 6-9. The tournament, which will be televised on the Outdoor Life Network, has already attracted dog/handler teams from as far away as California and Minnesota.
• Date of Carrollton Fishing Tournament Changed
  Wednesday, March 22, 2006
  The date of the Bassmaster fishing tournament on the Ohio River at Carrollton has been changed to June 25, 2006. A previous news release on the Bassmaster series of tournaments throughout Kentucky listed the date of the Carrollton event as April 9, 2006.
• Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Marks Tenth Year with New Name and Logo
  Wednesday, March 15, 2006
  LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With spring in the air, thoughts turn to the national pastime of baseball. And the Louisville Slugger Museum is marking its tenth anniversary with the introduction of a new logo and name: Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
• Bowling Green Receives National Preservation Award
  Friday, March 10, 2006
  The City of Bowling Green has been designated as one of 2006’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Bowling Green is the first city in Kentucky to be chosen.
• James Monroe's Music Hall Set to Open in April
  Friday, March 10, 2006
  Eight veteran stars of the Grand Ole Opry, one member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and over 25 other top names from bluegrass and country music are among the artists scheduled to appear during the first season at James Monroe’s Music Hall and Campground in Franklin, Ky.
• Dinosaur World Offers Education Outreach
  Thursday, March 09, 2006
  CAVE CITY, Ky. – Dinosaur World, an outdoor dinosaur museum with over 100 life-size figures, has begun offering unique educational opportunities, including outreach programs and programs to meet the needs of home school students.
• Adventure Races Returning to Carter Caves State Park
  Thursday, February 23, 2006
  Outdoor adventure racing is making a resurgence in Kentucky with plans for staging two contests at Carter Caves State Resort Park during the weekend of April 1-2, 2006.
• State to Host Eight More BASS Fishing Tournaments
  Monday, February 13, 2006
  Working with local communities, the Kentucky Sports Authority has secured eight additional fishing tournaments which are part of the 2006 ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series, Sports Authority Executive Director Terry Johnson announced today. This brings the total number of tournaments to 10. The tournaments are expected to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in economic impact for Kentucky hotels, restaurants, gas stations, attractions and other local businesses.
• Winter Scenes Are Focus of Second Phase of Photography Contest
  Wednesday, February 01, 2006
  The “Kentucky Unbridled Spirit Photo Contest” will focus on the beauty of winter scenes around the state.
• First Lady Honors Photo Contest Winner
  Monday, January 23, 2006
  Kentucky First Lady Glenna Fletcher has presented the winner of the first “Unbridled Spirit of Autumn” photo contest with the first-place prize.
• Local Girl to Compete in Tumbling Championship in Maysville
  Wednesday, January 04, 2006
  Maysville will host a sanctioned regional championship tumbling and trampoline competition on Jan. 7, 2006 expected to bring about 500 people to the Northern Kentucky town. The event is open to the public with competition beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m.
• Bluegrass Museum Kicks Off Fundraising with CD Sale
  Wednesday, December 28, 2005
  Organizers of the International Bluegrass Music Museum hope to attract 10,000 fans at its third annual River of Music Party (ROMP) June 22-25, 2006.
• First Lady Selects Best Autumn Photo
  Wednesday, December 21, 2005
  Kentucky First Lady Glenna Fletcher has named Rosemary Storie of Burkesville, Ky. the winner of the state’s first Unbridled Spirit of Autumn photo contest.
• 2006 Kentucky Visitor's Guide Makes Vacation Planning More User Friendly
  Tuesday, December 20, 2005
  It’s now known as the Kentucky Unbridled Spirit Official Visitor’s Guide, and at 178 pages, it’s 16 pages longer than the 2005 version, which was called the Kentucky Great Getaway Guide.
• Cyclist Bowen Takes Holiday Break Back in Kentucky
  Thursday, December 01, 2005
  Joe Bowen is taking a short break and is home for the holidays. The Eastern Kentucky native has been two-wheeling it across the country on his bicycle, helping spread the word about Kentucky’s unbridled spirit and providing elementary school students with lessons in geography and American culture.
• Pedicabs Newest Attraction of Newport on the Levee
  Monday, November 21, 2005
  Patrons of Newport on the Levee can park at the Levee, play and dine -- and then take a pedicab to Reds and Bengals games, visit a concert or play, return to their hotel, or just look at all the sites in Covington, Newport and downtown Cincinnati.
• Momfeather Erickson is champion of native American ways in Kentucky
  Monday, November 21, 2005
  Kentucky's Native American Heritage has a Champion in Momfeather Erickson - poet, activist and teacher of the "old ways." Erickson, one-quarter Cherokee, has devoted the last three years of her life to educating those around her on the tribe's role in Kentucky history.
• City of Newport's New Holiday Tradition - Winter Wonderland
  Monday, November 21, 2005
  The City of Newport, Ky. has announced that it has added an exciting event to its list of outstanding riverfront festivals at the Festival Park on Riverboat Row, just below Newport on the Levee and across the bridge from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Columbus's Nina has proven windfall for Maysville
  Tuesday, November 15, 2005
  MAYSVILLE, Ky. - An exact replica of The Nina Ship (Columbus's favorite ship), docked in Maysville since Wed. Nov. 9, has played host to approximately 3,500 school students.
• Santa’s Water Wonderland at the Newport Aquarium
  Tuesday, November 15, 2005
  The third annual Santa's Water Wonderland at the Newport Aquarium promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience for guests with Santa interacting with a variety of sea creatures.
• Bicyclist Joe Bowen Will Pay Thanksgiving Visit to Kentucky
  Thursday, November 03, 2005
  In 1968, a Kentuckian traveled 14,000 miles across the country on a bicycle, making big news for reporters. In 2005, after an estimated 5,000 people have made similar journeys, the story may not be as newsworthy – unless you’re Kentuckian Joe Bowen, currently pedaling through Arkansas on a roundabout trip back home to Kentucky for Thanksgiving.
• Corvette Museum Offers Special $1 Admission to Military, Firefighters and Police
  Monday, October 31, 2005
  The National Corvette Museum will offer a $1.00 special admission to all military personnel, firefighters, police officers and their immediate families for the month of November,
• Kentucky Sports Authority Launches Web Site
  Monday, October 31, 2005
  The Kentucky Sports Authority is launching a web site to provide easy access to a calendar of sports events throughout the state, as well as information on sports venues and event bidding processes.
• Yes, Virginia, There Really Is an Elizabethtown
  Thursday, October 27, 2005
  "Yes, Virginia, there really is an Elizabethtown,” and it’s in central Kentucky, between Louisville and Nashville, at the southern end of the scenic Blue Grass Parkway. But “Elizabethtown” is also writer-director Cameron Crowe’s paean to “smallish-town” America which hit theaters nationwide on October 14th.
• Louisville CVB offers "Build Your Own" Vacation Packages
  Wednesday, October 26, 2005
  To enhance its one-stop shopping feature, the Greater Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a “Build Your Own” vacation package.
• Pirates Invade Aquarium in Third Year of Halloween Event
  Thursday, October 20, 2005
  The Newport Aquarium will be overrun with pirates and trick-or-treaters during its third annual family-friendly Halloween event, Ghosts of Pirate Cove.
• Enjoy Halloween Fun with a Historical Twist at the “Ghosts of Frankfort” Tour
  Thursday, October 20, 2005
  Liberty Hall Historic Site and the City of Frankfort’s Department of Parks and Recreation are hosting this “Ghosts of Frankfort” program Oct. 28-29.
• "Elizabethtown" Generates Positive Buzz for Kentucky
  Monday, October 17, 2005
  Elizabethtown, the Paramount Pictures feature film set and filmed mostly in Kentucky and released last Friday, generated positive comments for its Kentucky setting.
• Florence's Wildwood Inn Offers Free Gas Cards
  Friday, October 14, 2005
  Wildwood Inn and Suites, a themed-suite hotel catering to travelers from Kentucky and Ohio, has eliminated the travel blues caused by rising gasoline prices.
• Shark Ray Feeds from Divers' Hands at Newport Aquarium
  Tuesday, October 11, 2005
  Sweet Pea, the only shark ray on display in the Western Hemisphere, is making history once again by being hand-fed during Newport Aquarium dive shows. Aquarium divers now feed Sweet Pea from inside the 385,000-gallon Surrounded by Sharks exhibit.
• Katrina Evacuee to Work with Tourism Department
  Monday, October 10, 2005
  The Kentucky Department of Tourism and several other Kentucky organizations are making use of the talents of an experienced travel writer displaced from her home in New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.
• Bed & Breakfast Asssociation to Host Seminar for Aspiring Innkeepers
  Thursday, October 06, 2005
  The Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky (BBAK) will host its 15th Annual Convention at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 6-8, 2005. The convention will offer an Aspiring Innkeepers Training Workshop, a trade show, educational workshops, annual meeting, and banquet.
• Bluegrass Museum to Offer Free Lessons to Budding Musicians
  Thursday, October 06, 2005
  More than 400 beginning music students are scheduled to attend the first day of the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s “Free Saturdays at the Museum” program, which starts Oct. 8, 2005.
• Keeneland to Honor Retiring Jockey Pat Day on Oct. 13
  Monday, September 26, 2005
  Keeneland will honor retiring jockey Pat Day, the track’s all-time winning leader, with a day of festivities on Oct. 13, his 52nd birthday.
• "Wild Mountain Mania" Set for Cumberland Gap Nat'l Park Oct. 7-9
  Wednesday, September 21, 2005
  Wild Mountain Mania, a nature festival at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park set for Oct. 7-9, 2005, will feature live entertainment, music, kid’s activities, hands-on displays and a multitude of presentations concerning wildlife including birds of prey, reptiles, bears and other animals who inhabit the park that straddles the Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee borders.
• Volunteers to Pitch in at Cumberland Gap Nat'l Park on Sept. 24
  Wednesday, September 21, 2005
  On National Public Lands Day, Sept. 24, 2005, volunteers will be assisting park staff at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in a variety of ways.
• Marion County to Host Country Ham Days Sept. 23-25
  Wednesday, September 21, 2005
  Marion County will host Country Ham Days Sept. 23-25, 2005. One of the largest community festivals in Kentucky, Country Ham Days was first celebrated in 1970 with six hams and a handful of visitors. More than 600 hams are now needed to serve the approximately 50,000 visitors who descend on Lebanon during the last week in September for the celebration.
• Writer-Director Crowe Set to Return to Elizabethtown
  Thursday, September 15, 2005
  The Kentucky Department of Tourism is helping finalize plans to assist writer-director Cameron Crowe when he returns to Kentucky for the premiere of his new Paramount Pictures film, "Elizabethtown."
• Diving Dogs Are Coming to Compete in Shelby County
  Friday, September 09, 2005
  "Big air dog diving" is coming to Shelby County's Buffalo Crossing Fun Ranch Sept. 16-18, 2005 as part of a weekend devoted to hunting and fishing enthusiasts and crafts aficionados.
• Bed & Breakfast Association to Launch "Farm Stays" Trail with Free Open House and Press Tour
  Wednesday, September 07, 2005
  The Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky (BBAK) is launching a new statewide Agritourism Trail called “Kentucky Farm Stays.” To celebrate its debut, a free Press Tour & Open House for aspiring “Farm Stay” innkeepers is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005 from 2-5 p.m. at participating charter members of the Kentucky Farm Stays Tourist Trail.
• Country Music Highway Driving Tour CDs to Feature Ricky Skaggs' Narration
  Tuesday, September 06, 2005
  Eastern Kentucky’s U.S. Hwy. 23, the “Country Music Highway,” is the subject of a new heritage driving tour produced by the Kentucky Folklife Program, a program of the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council.
• Liberty Hall to Host Fundraising Ball with Historic Theme
  Tuesday, August 30, 2005
  Liberty Hall Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark in downtown Frankfort, will hold its annual fundraiser, a recreation of a 19th century ball, on Saturday Sept. 24.
• Air Force Band to Perform Free Concerts in Louisville
  Monday, August 22, 2005
  The U.S. Air Force Academy Band will perform two free public concerts in Louisville Oct. 16 and 17.
• Bernheim Offers Nature Reading Program for Kids
  Friday, August 19, 2005
  Bernheim is sponsoring a free reading program for kids on Saturday Aug. 27.
• Movie-Making Creates a Buzz in Kentucky This Fall
  Friday, August 19, 2005
  Kentucky's growing stake in the motion picture industry will be in the spotlight this fall, with a new independent film festival on the calendar and two Hollywood studio features and a major independent production shot in Kentucky scheduled for release.
• State Fair Caps Summer Fair Season
  Wednesday, August 17, 2005
  Capping the summer fair season is the 101st annual Kentucky State Fair Aug. 18-28 at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville.
• UFO Believers Gather at Hopkinsville Festival
  Wednesday, August 17, 2005
  The city of Hopkinsville is inviting all UFO believers (and skeptics) to come to Christian County Aug. 18-21 for a 50th anniversary commemoration of the "invasion" of the Little Green Men.
• First Bluegrass Independent Film Festival Receives More than 200 Entries
  Wednesday, August 03, 2005
  CRESTWOOD, Ky. – Kentucky’s newest film festival, the Bluegrass Independent Film Festival, is opening with a bang according to organizer and director Jay Broder.
• BEECH BEND TO ADD REGION’S MOST TWISTED WOODEN COASTER
  Wednesday, August 03, 2005
  BOWLING GREEN, Ky. --- Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon announced the construction of a new wooden coaster set to open for the 2006 season.
• "Kentucky Unbridled Spirit" Colt Kicks Off Shelbyville Horse Show
  Tuesday, August 02, 2005
  The Saddlebred yearling named Kentucky Unbridled Spirit made his public debut at the kickoff breakfast for the 16th annual Shelbyville Horse Show, which runs August 3-6.
• Mammoth Cave Chosen One of Top 20 Vacation Spots
  Tuesday, August 02, 2005
  U.S. News & World Report magazine recently selected Mammoth Cave National Park as one of America's 20 best vacation destinations.
• Swiss TV Crew Wraps Taping of Program Featuring Kentucky
  Tuesday, June 14, 2005
  Swiss-produced television program will feature Kentucky - segment to air in September.
• Kentucky Positioning Itself As An Outdoor Recreation Mecca
  Monday, May 16, 2005
  Ecotourism gaining momentum in adventure and educational travel in Kentucky.
• Research Redefined (New Initiatives in Department of Tourism Research Break the Mold in Past Efforts)
  Monday, May 09, 2005
  Department of Tourism undertakes groundbreaking research program to increase tourism's economic impact to our economy. 
• Kentucky Commerical To Run on National Derby Broadcast
  Monday, May 09, 2005
  Commerical focusing on Kentucky's unique experiences to run during Kentucky Derby broadcast.
• Franklin Welcome Center Celebrates 30 Years With Unbridled Spirit
  Thursday, April 28, 2005
  Franklin Welcome Center celebrates providing visitors with information about Kentucky for 30 years.
• Kentucky Makes Showing Among Southeast Communities Working to Improve Economic Assets
  Wednesday, April 20, 2005
  Kentucky representatives attend Building Creative Communities: Asset Based Economic Development Conference to develop tourism-related economic strategies. 
• One-Tank Trips
  Friday, April 15, 2005
  Highlighting attractions in Kentucky's North Central region for one-tank trips.
• Wildflower Watch in "Unbridled" Bloom
  Thursday, April 07, 2005
  Wildflower Watch promotes beauty and events in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
• The Department of Tourism to highlight Kentucky as a Travel Destination at World's Fair Expo in Japan
  Thursday, April 07, 2005
  "Kentucky Week" scheduled May 16-22 at 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan.
• Kentucky Participates in Multi-State Task Force Meeting to Plan Lincoln Bicentennial
  Thursday, March 24, 2005
  Task Force meets to plan observance of 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth in 2009.
• Eastern Kentucky Sites Featured on Map of Appalachia by National Geographic Society and Appalachian Regional Commission
  Thursday, March 24, 2005
  Appalachian Regional Commission and National Geographic Society promote Appalachia and its "undiscovered treasures."
• Two March Events Honored by the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20
  Tuesday, March 01, 2005
  Two Kentucky events honored by Southeast Tourism Society.
• Commissioner of Tourism Sets Out on Second Listening Tour Around The State
  Monday, February 14, 2005
  Tourism Commissioner visits nine regions to share opportunities and ideas.
• Origin of Black History Month Has Ties to Kentucky
  Monday, January 31, 2005
  Founder educated at Berea College. Kentucky values its African-American heritage
• Tourism Agency Hits the Road to Promote Kentucky
  Wednesday, January 19, 2005
  Tourism Department promoting travel at the major travel and trade shows.
• Candy Factory Celebrates Nearly a Century of Success
  Thursday, December 16, 2004
  Family-owned Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory, invertor of the Bourbon Ball, celebrates 85 years of business.
• Tourism Agency Works for Kentucky
  Tuesday, December 07, 2004
  Tourism Agency is increasing economic development in the Tourism Industry.
• Tourism Commissioner Announces Director of Sales
  Thursday, December 02, 2004
  Cheryl Ealy appointed Director of Sales for Department of Tourism.
• Commerce Cabinet Agency Exceeds Goals in Charitable Campaign
  Thursday, December 02, 2004
  Department of Tourism has one hundred percent participation in Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign.
• Branding Kentucky Makes Sense to Students
  Monday, November 22, 2004
  Students already know the positive action of branding.
• Deputy Secretary Derrick Ramsey Puts in a Day at a Kentucky Welcome Center
  Friday, November 19, 2004
  Whitehaven Welcome Center in Paducah welcomed Commerce Cabinet Deputy Secretary Derrick Ramsey to work a day at the center.
• December Event Makes Top 20 Events List
  Friday, November 19, 2004
  Kentucky once again makes the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events List. 
• One State - One Vision - One Brand  Tourism Industry Meets in Northern Kentucky Later This Month
  Monday, October 18, 2004
  Governor to speak at Kentucky Tourism Industry's Annual Conference
• Bourbon Capital Has More to Offer
  Friday, October 08, 2004
  Arts, Crafts & Antique Fair; new Bourbon Heritage Center; Trolley Tour and established attractions make Bardstown an ideal vacation location.
• Old Governor's Mansion to Re-Open for Public Tours
  Monday, October 04, 2004
  Tours resume October 4, 2004 for Renovated Old Governor's Mansion
• Changes in 2005 Great Getaway Guide Result in $258K Savings to the State
  Monday, October 04, 2004
  Changes make Guide more user-friendly while Keeping Kentucky's Money in Kentucky
• Kentucky Offers Shelter From the Storm (As an Influx of Northbound Travelers Entered Kentucky, Fleeing Ivan, Welcome Centers Were There)
  Tuesday, September 28, 2004
  Kentucky Welcome Centers assist travelers fleeing Hurricane Ivan.
• A Taste of Kentucky:  Finger Licken' Good
  Wednesday, September 22, 2004
  Celebrate Kentucky cooking with major festivals this weekend.
• September is Agri-tourism Month - Celebrate Kentucky!
  Wednesday, September 01, 2004
  Governor Fletcher proclaims September Agri-tourism month.
• Frankfort and Franklin County Stratetic Planning Task Force:  Local and State Leaders Working Toward a Brighter Future for The Capital City
  Monday, August 30, 2004
  Local and state leaders working on brighter future for the Capital City.
• Film & TV Industry's Rising Star (Spurring the Economy and Enhancing the State's Image)
  Tuesday, July 27, 2004
  Film and TV Industry spurs the state's economy and image.
• Travel To Tourism More Than Just A Name Change
  Tuesday, July 20, 2004
  Name change to Department of Tourism a better fit for the mission of the agency.
• Nonstop Jet Service Equals Tourism Opportunities for Kentucky
  Tuesday, July 20, 2004
  New nonstop flights from Lexington's Blue Grass Airport to Washington DC open new tourism opportunities.
• Press Trip by British Magazine Editor Promotes Kentucky
  Wednesday, June 23, 2004
  Press trip by British Magazine Editor promotes Kentucky.
• Commissioner Fiveash Announces Director of Communications & Travel Industry Relations
  Tuesday, June 15, 2004
  Shearer appointed Director of Communications & Travel Industry Relations for Dept. of Travel
• Terry Johnson appointed Deputy Commission of Travel
  Thursday, June 03, 2004
  Terry Johnson appointed Deputy Commissioner of Department of Travel