Visit downtown Paducah, one of Kentucky’s most creative communities; sample Today’s Special from Peak Bros. Bar-B-Que in Union Co.; Owensboro artist Aaron Kizer paints portraits of pop culture figures; a Warren Co. marker honors the ‘father of ragtime’; and see the exhibits and restored railcars at The Historic Railpark and Train Museum in Bowling Green.
Downtown Paducah
With its abundance of artists, galleries and museums, Paducah is widely considered one of Kentucky’s most creative communities.
From the earliest explorations by European settlers, the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers brought people to the riverfront and the city grew from its banks. “We are at the heart of America’s inland waterways, the original highways of America,” says Laura Schaumburg, marketing director for the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Continue reading about downtown Paducah’s creative community and watch the video.
Speed Painting by Aaron Kizer
Owensboro’s Aaron Kizer turns painting into performance art with his astonishing speed painting skill. He tells Kentucky Life that each five-minute painting on stage is the result of hours of preparation beforehand.
“When I’m performing live I do a painting in four to five minutes,” says Kizer. “The process to get to that point Is hours and hours maybe even weeks to get to know a face [well enough] to feel comfortable to get on stage and do that within five minutes.”
Read more about Aaron Kizer and watch the video.
Ernest Hogan, the Father of Ragtime
In Bowling Green, a historical marker on Kentucky St. stands in honor of Ernest Hogan, a native of the city who had a successful career in music and theater.
Born Reuben Crowdus in 1865, he left home at age 12 and began his stage career performing in minstrel shows. By the 1890s, he had become a prominent songwriter of the era.
Find out more about Ernest Hogan and watch the video.
The Historic Railpark and Train Museum
At one time in America’s history, passenger trains were the vehicle of choice for traveling long distances, and Bowling Green had one of the most impressive train depots.
“The L&N Depot building was completed in 1925 and it was really a jewel for Bowling Green,” says Dick Webber, Vice President of Friends of L&N Depot. “It was a much larger depot than most cities saw at the time. As many as 27 passenger trains went through here a day, so that made it a hub of activity.”
Read more about The Historic Railpark and Train Museum and watch the video.
