Beech Tree News Network

Kentucky has lots going on this time of year. If you’re looking for entertainment, look around in our region. The choices are varied.

This week, April 23-26, Paducah celebrates American Quilter’s Society QuiltWeek at the Paducah McCracken County Convention & Expo Center (415 Park Avenue, Paducah, KY 42001). Daily admission is $14. Advanced registration for workshops and lectures has closed, but available tickets may be purchased at the Show Information Desk. If you’re interested in quilting, the exhibits and products available at the vendor booths would make an enjoyable day. I went one year to see the quilt exhibit and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the variety of handiwork.

Also on April 25, the Backroads Amish Tour begins at the Commons in Marion, Kentucky (marionkentucky.org; 270-965-5015). Their Crittenden County Backroads Tour and Festival, held in conjunction with the Paducah Quilt Show, encourages people to come and look around. Visitors may take a self-guided tour of the Amish Community, visit craft vendors at Marion Commons, and view quilts displayed by local quilters and collectors.

Many Bowling Green events (http://www.visitbgky.com/events/) sound entertaining, too:
•    An Evening of Dance, Apr. 24-28, Western Kentucky University
•    Jake Owen’s Days of Gold Tour, Apr. 24, 3:49 p.m., E. A. Diddle Arena
•    AMRA Harley Spring Rally & Drags, Apr. 25-27, Beech Bend Park and Raceway
•    16th Annual SOKY Book Fest, Apr. 25-26, Knicely Conference Center
In Owensboro, the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden (25 Carter Road, http://www.wkbg.org, 270-852-8925) will be selling plants on April 26 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. And, to our east, the Irvine Mountain Mushroom Festival (Estill County) is April 26-27. The scenery should be beautiful, and the mushroom cook-off sounds like an exceptional eating opportunity.

Also, the Kentucky Derby is just next week: Saturday, May 3rd. On this day across Kentucky, "The Run for the Roses" will be the focus of many social gatherings – much like Super Bowl parties. This race at Churchill Downs is often referred to as the fastest two minutes in sports. Derby contenders are listed on the website: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses. If you want to see the Derby in person, tickets are still available. Or, you may choose to gather with friends and family to watch the race, perhaps on someone’s big screen.

Once as a little girl, I complained to my mom – like many children do – of being bored, that there was nothing to do. Clearly, Kentuckians are blessed with a variety of entertainments. And, as we support activities of our choosing, we grow our state’s economy.