Genuine Kentucky

Kentucky Pictures, Events, Restaurants

You are here: Home / Archives for Kentucky Cities

Things to Do in Lexington, Kentucky!

by Leave a Comment

Waveland State Historic Site
Waveland State Historic Site

One of my personal favorite cities in Kentucky is beautiful Lexington. When I was a little girl we lived in Lexington for a little over a year. I loved it then and I still love it. With the pandemic, we haven’t been to Lexington in a while (or anywhere else for that matter!) but I just read an article that makes me very anxious to pay the beautiful city a visit!

30 Best Things to Do in Lexington, Ky. will make you anxious for your own visit as soon as possible. Visit the article and then, more importantly, visit Lexington!

The Kentucky Indiana All-Star Game to Return to the Owensboro Sportscenter

by Leave a Comment

Kentucky Indiana Game

Spectra, the providers of Venue Management to the Owensboro Sportscenter, is excited to announce the return of the Kentucky Indiana All-Star Game to Owensboro!

The Kentucky Indiana All-Star Game is the oldest continuing high school all-star game in the U.S.  Since 1940, with the exception of two years during WWII and last year during the pandemic, the game has showcased the best high school seniors in the two states.  Beginning in 1953, a home-and-home series takes place with one game in each state.  This year the game in Kentucky will be played on Friday, June 11 at the Owensboro Sportscenter in Owensboro, KY.  The game in Indiana will take place the following day on Saturday, June 12 at Southport Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

Prior to those games, each state will name their top high school senior player for both boys and girls who will be recognized as Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball.

“The Kentucky Indiana All Star Game has a rich history of being in Owensboro, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to the Owensboro Sportscenter after all these years,” stated Laura Alexander, General Manager with Spectra Venue Management at the Owensboro Sportscenter.

The complete lineups for the 2021 Kentucky and Indiana All-Stars and ticket information will be coming soon.

About the Owensboro Sportscenter
The Owensboro Sportscenter, one of the city’s most historic buildings, opened in 1949.  It is a multi-purpose 5,000 seat arena that hosts graduations, concerts, sporting events, trade shows, meetings, and receptions. The Owensboro Sportscenter is home to the Owensboro Thoroughbreds of the TBL (The Basketball League), Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers Men’s and Women’s Basketball of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, and the Owensboro Catholic High School Aces Basketball.  Learn more at OwensboroSportscenter.com.

About Spectra   
Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Partnerships. Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com.

Top 10 BBQ Restaurants in Kentucky (Picked by Kentucky 100)

by Leave a Comment

Moonlite Bar-B-Que Owensboro, Kentucky

The Kentucky 100 (a new, twice-monthly publication that delivers 100-word stories and short videos to subscribers) asked readers to help pick the top 10 BBQ restaurants and joints in Kentucky.

“We’ll pit Kentucky’s BBQ against the best anywhere,” said Publisher Chad Carlton. “Picking just 10 places wasn’t easy. Our readers and our staff are passionate about great food.”

The list, which you’ll find below, includes two from my hometown, Owensboro… makes me pretty proud!

  1. Brothers BBQ (Campbellsville)
  2. Feast (Louisville)
  3. Heatons BBQ (Princeton)
  4. Ken-Tex BBQ (Shelbyville)
  5. Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ (Louisville)
  6. Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn (Owensboro)
  7. Old Hickory Bar-B-Que (Owensboro)
  8. Red State BBQ (Lexington)
  9. Split Tree Barbecue (Alvaton)
  10. The Wood Shed (Hopkinsville)

As for my favorite BBQ here in Owensboro, I love Moonlite and Old Hickory pretty evenly. I’m also crazy about Ole South BBQ (outstanding breakfast buffet…. OUTSTANDING). The mutton at Moonlite is my favorite meat on their menu – it’s wonderful, as are their sides. Old Hickory and Ole South have exceptional sides, too.

We’ve got it good here in Owensboro when it comes to BBQ Restaurants – three wonderful ones to choose from.

What is the Kentucky 100? I’ll let them tell you in their own words…

  • The Kentucky 100 is:

    100-word stories about the news, issues and leaders shaping the Commonwealth.

  • 100-second (or less) videos that tell the stories of the Bluegrass State.
  • 100 percent free to readers, delivered by email twice a month.
  • 100 percent thoughtful, engaging and insightful.
  • The Kentucky 100 is part of a national network with a proven model of producing and distributing engaging content. It is produced and powered by C2 Strategic Communications, one of Kentucky’s fastest-growing public relations and engagement firms.

Check them out for yourself: https://thekentucky100.com

Old Hickory Deliciousness:

Picture of the Day: Lighthouse Landing and Kentucky Lake (Gorgeous Even in Winter!)

by Leave a Comment

Lighthouse Landing and Kentucky Lake, Winter 2019

I haven’t been doing the Picture of the Day for some time now. I’m sure you’ve noticed that this Kentucky Blog is less active in the winter. Mainly because WE’RE less active in winter! Seriously, when I say we don’t go anywhere, I mean we DON’T! GO! ANYWHERE!

I’m kicking it back into gear, here, with a photo from one of our favorite places in the state: The lookout spot at Lighthouse Landing – looking out over gorgeous Kentucky Lake. Grand Rivers and Kentucky Lake are beautiful year-round – as the rest of Kentucky is. It’s simply not as fun to get out and admire it when it’s cold.

Fortunately, the weather experts assure me it will begin getting warmer soon. I cannot wait! Now that the end of winter is within reach, there will be more posts, restaurant reviews, and pictures of the day.

How wonderful is it to see the trees budding out?! I just love everything about this time of year! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

St. Patrick’s Day Events Planned at Beautiful John James Audubon State Park

by Leave a Comment

John James Audubon Museum

The Gorgeous John James Audubon Museum

One of the most beautiful Kentucky State Parks can be found in Henderson, Kentucky. John James Audubon State Park (and its on-site museum) are absolutely gorgeous. You could easily spend the entire day there and only complain that you’d ran out of time. Many restaurants are well within driving distance – in fact, they’re just minutes from the park and couldn’t be easier to find. They’re all on one road!

That’s the wonderful thing about small to medium sized towns in Kentucky, everything is within reach. More about the restaurants in a minute, I want to share with you some fun St. Patrick’s Day events the park has planned.

From the Kentucky State Parks:

Wear something green and get in free on St. Patrick’s Day at the John James Audubon State Park museum.

The park in Henderson is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with specials for visitors at the museum, gift shop, and golf course.

Guests who wear green on Saturday receive free museum admission. They can also enjoy “Shamrock baked goods” at the gift shop and receive 20 percent off anything green in the store and 10 percent off any other item in the store. Wear green at the golf course and play 18-holes for the price of 9 (standard cart fees apply); and receive 20 percent off anything green in the pro shop store.

The museum and gift shop are open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 17. The golf course is open from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

John James Audubon State Park is the site where Audubon studied and painted birds from 1810-1819. The park is equipped with cottages and offers many recreational opportunities, including a nine-hole golf course, six miles of hiking trails, fishing and more. It also has a museum and nature center that interprets Audubon’s life through a collection of his paintings and memorabilia. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call the park at 270-826-2247.

Now, back to those restaurants! The following are restaurants in Henderson that are within minutes of the park. As you’ll see, you can easily find breakfast, lunch, and/or supper. Trust me, if you explore the wonderful trails or golf course at Audubon, you’ll work up an appetite!

  • Applebee’s
  • Denny’s
  • McDonalds
  • Taco John’s
  • KFC
  • Burger King
  • Arby’s
  • Taco Bell
  • Rally’s
  • Subway
  • Mr. B’s Pizza & Wings
  • Pizza Hut
  • Grandy’s

These are just a few that come to mind – Henderson has a lot of other restaurants as well. A quick Google search will find you whatever your heart (or stomach!) desires.

More Pictures of John James Audubon State Park, its wonderful trails and BEAUTIFUL Museum:

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Fraley Music Festival
Maddox
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Trail Through the Forest