Since its creation, the Hot August Blues Festival has remained a "must attend" event in the western Kentucky region!

In 2009, we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the festival. With the first twenty years behind us we are definitely looking forward to the next twenty.

Last year's event also featured a special performance of the Star Spangled Banner with an appearance by Marshall County's Local Kentucky National Guard, of which I was one.

Those in charge of the festival promise to continue to bring chart-topping acts along with local favorites to make the Hot August Blues Festival the number one blues event for the surrounding four state area. With their devoted concert goers and dedicated sponsors, they're well on their way to achieving this goal.

Come on out! The festival kicks off on Friday night. It is held rain or shine, so bring you poncho, lawn chair, and sunscreen. Heck, bring your Grandma she’ll love it and so will you!

Hot August Blues is brought to you by Hands On Marketing & Promotions.

**SHUTTLE SERVICE PROVIDED ALONG HWY 68 FROM KENLAKE STATE PARK TO SPORTSMAN'S LODGE**

No glass bottles and no pets allowed inside the grounds!

For More Information

Website: www.hotaugustbluesfestival.com
Contact: Debbie Howard
Email: dk.howard@yahoo.com
Phone: 270-293-6641

The Nina was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools. Archaeology magazine called the ship “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.” The Pinta was recently built in Brazil to accompany the Nina on all of her travels. She is a larger version of the archetypal caravel and offers larger deck space for walk-aboard tours. The  Pinta is available for private parties while in port.

Both ships tour together as a new and enhanced sailing museum for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the caravel, a Portuguese ship used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world.

While in port, the general public are invited to visit the ships for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour.

Admission is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors, and $5.00 for children 5 – 16. Children 4 and under are Free.

The ships are open every day from 9:00 am  to 6:00 pm. No reservations necessary.

Teachers or organizations wishing to schedule a 30 minute guided tour with a crew member should call 787-672-2152.

A minimum of 15 is required to schedule a tour and costs $4.00 per person, with no maximum limit on participants.

For More Information

Website: www.thenina.com
Email: columfnd@surfbvi.com
Phone: 1-787-672-2152

Schedule of Events

Friday - August 20

• 4:00 pm - All Vendors ~ Kid's Zone open to the public
• 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm ~ FREE Concert by Ashlee Collins
• 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm ~ FREE Concert by Miranda Barnett
• 10:00 pm - Park Closes

Saturday - August 21

• 7:00 am - Late registration for 5K Run/2 Mile Walk
• 8:00 am - 5K Run/2 Mile Walk Begins
• 8:00 am- All Vendors & Kid's Zone open to the public
• 11:00 am - 2:00 pm - Pro KCBS judging
• 12:00 noon - Miss Kentucky 2010 arrives
• 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm ~ FREE Concert by Drew Gillihan
• 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm ~ FREE Concert by Tony Logue Band
• 4:00 pm - BBQ AWARD Ceremony Hosted by "Bear on the Air" & Miss Kentucky 2010
• 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm ~ FREE Concert by Rhett Akins

For more information, including a list of prizes, sponsors, and more, call Beau Choate at 270-388-5300 or 1-800-355-3885, email beau@lakebarkley.org, or visit www.lakebarkley.org

The donation for the event is $20, but I'm sure anything above and beyond would be greatly appreciated.

Upon receiving the donation, your spot will be reserved.  There are a limited number of spots available, so reserve yours now.

To donate, mail your name, email address, and phone number with $20 (or more) to:

Scrap For Samantha
2920 Lone Oak Road, Suite 4
Paducah, KY  42003

For more information, or to learn more about and follow Samantha's story, please visit www.caringbridge.org.

There will be 2 Tons of Ice-Cold Watermelon, Kids Games, and a Southern Gospel Concert featuring Eddy and Valerie Bell, The Smith Brothers, Mercy's Mark and The Perry's. Watermelon and Kids Games will be available beginning at 5:00 pm and the Concert will start at 5:45 pm.

The event is open to the public and is free from CFSB.

For more information, please call 888-226-5669.

The event will include free sail boat rides, children’s water fun and activities, a Street Dance featuring David Oakleaf & The Open Road (CMT Can You Duet top 5 Finalist), and a Big Fireworks show at Dusk.

Activities will take place at Green Turtle Bay Marina and Resort and Lighthouse Landing Marina and Resort.

For more information or for a complete schedule of events, visit www.grandrivers.org.

Stop by for evening concerts, family events, food, a beer garden, and a fabulous fireworks finale at the Port of Paducah.

Returning events this year include the 20/30 Group’s Kick ball tournament, Budweiser’s Beer on the Bricks, Kidz Day at The Quilt Museum, and The USO Big Band Dance hosted by Legacy Personal Care Home.

An exciting new addition to the summer fest is The Furniture World 100, sponsored by Furniture World Galleries & Mattress Superstore.  This 100-yard dash involves your old recliner souped up with fancy racing wheels and a good buddy to push you (fully reclined) to the finish line. The winner receives a brand new recliner from Furniture World Galleries.  The ugliest recliner of the day will also take home a trophy!! Below is a schedule of events for Paducah Summer Festival 2010!

For more information or see get a schedule of events visit www.paducahsummerfestival.com.

Registration begins at 6:30 am at shelter 10, with the 5K starting at 8:00 am, and Youth Run at 9:00 am. Cost to register is $17 in advance or $25 on race day and $5 for the Youth Run (Ages 12 and under).

Paxton was instrumental in the creation of this event to help the area's nonprofits build endowment funds.

This year's event helps to raise money for a total of 19 local organizations.  You can give as much money as you'd like to as many of the organizations as you'd like, and the community foundation will match all the donations up to $10,000 per organization.

As an added thank you to those who participate, the Paducah Bank WOW! wagon will be giving away free ice cream afterward, and the Noble Park pool will have free swimming passes from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon for anyone who brings their race bib.

Here's A List Of The Majority Of The Organizations

American Red Cross - Paducah Chapter

The American Red Cross provides a variety of programs and services to keep people safe every day and in emergency situations.

Bellewood Presbyterian Homes for Children

Bellewood is a 158-year-old non-profit agency that serves abused, at-risk and homeless youth in Kentucky. The Paducah office helps young adults transition from foster care to independent living.

Child Watch Children’s Advocacy Center

Established in 1984, Child Watch works to prevent child abuse, as well as to evaluate and treat child abuse victims. The organization offers kid-friendly exam and treatment rooms, play therapy, educational outreach and a number of other services to take care of our area’s most vulnerable.

Community Foundation of West Kentucky

By donating to The Community Foundation, we’re adding to a permanent charitable endowment that earns a significant amount of interest income each year. The interest is distributed to local organizations in the form of grants. The more we give, the more interest the endowment earns and the more grant money is available to support local groups.

Easter Seals of West Kentucky

Easter Seals creates solutions that change the lives of children and adults with disabilities or other special needs. Teams of therapists, teachers and health professionals help each person overcome obstacles to independence and reach his or her personal goals. Easter Seals also includes families as active members of any therapy program, and offers the support families need.

Family Service Society

The Family Service Society provides emergency relief for low-income people and families, including help with utilities, medication, dental, transportation, rent, glasses, clothing, food, personal hygiene items and household goods.

Market House Museum

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, The William Clark Market House Museum has been a vital part of Downtown Paducah since it was founded in 1968 for the dual purpose of education and preservation.

Market House Theatre

The Market House Theatre enhances the quality of life in our community by providing a “hands on” artistic experience for people of all ages. The theatre offers a regular schedule of artistic opportunities, as well as education and training, for people of all ages. And it encourages participation in the arts as a way to enrich our community and teach valuable life lessons.

Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center

The Merryman House provides a safe haven for battered spouses and their children. The staff provides food, shelter, counseling and classes to instill a sense of worth, pride, hope and confidence so that survivors can learn to create independent and happy lives.

Paducah Cooperative Ministry

Paducah Cooperative Ministry is an inter-faith ministry founded in 1973 by and for local congregations. The organization seeks to do God’s work with human hands by drawing together individuals and congregations to respond to basic human needs and conditions, including food, shelter and emergency assistance services.

Rehab Associates Foundation

For more than 20 years, Rehab Associates has provided quality therapy services to our community. The team meets our rehabilitation and fitness needs with specially trained staff, state of the art facilities and the most up-to-date treatments available. The Foundation is designed to give back to the community.

River City Mission

River City Mission offers emergency and transitional shelter to men and their families. The organization provides food, clothing, and household items as well as job referrals.

River Discovery Center

The River Discovery Center is located within the oldest surviving antebellum building in Paducah’s historic Downtown. The museum is dedicated to preserving the heritage of our rivers, with all sorts of great exhibits and educational programs.

St. Nicholas Family Clinic

St. Nicholas Family Clinic provides quality health care to working individuals and families who do not have medical insurance or financial resources necessary to pay for private insurance and/or medical care. All services are free whenever possible.

The National Quilt Museum

The National Quilt Museum is the portal to the contemporary quilt experience through traditional and non-traditional quilt exhibits and quilt workshops. The museum is committed to be the best in quilt exhibitions, quilt education and quilt experience. The museum is clearly Expanding the Vision, Advancing the Art!

Western Baptist Hospital Foundation

Western Baptist continues its Christian heritage of service to enhance our health and strives to be the healthcare leader in Western Kentucky. The hospital’s vision is guided by integrity, respect, stewardship, excellence and collaboration.

For more information, or to register please call 270-442-8642 or visit www.cfwestky.org.

July 27th, beginning at 6:00 pm at Lone Oak First Baptist Church in Paducah. $5.00 admission at the door gets you in to hear 33 Miles, Aaron Shust, & Among The Thirsty.

There are so many different celebrations, and fireworks events, that it would be impossible to attend them all.  So we've compiled a list of some of the best fireworks and 4th of July celebrations in Western KY to help you decide which ones you can attend, and which ones you might be able to live without seeing.

AURORA

Saturday, July 3
Fireworks at Dusk at Kenlake State Park

CADIZ

Sunday, July 4
Fireworks at Lake Barkley State Resort Park Little River Area at 9:00 pm

CALVERT CITY

Sunday, July 4th
Ameribration Celebration in Calvert City (For more info, call 270-395-7130)

DRAFFENVILLE

Saturday, July 3
Patriotic live music show at the Kentucky Opry in Draffenville at 7:30 pm

EDDYVILLE

Saturday, July 3
Thunder Over Eddy Bay events will begin at 5:00 pm with a live band, food vendors, inflatables, and kids' games.  Come by Boat (Eddy Creek Marina) or Bus (Leaves from Western KY Outlet Mall starting at 5:00 pm). Fireworks begin at 9:00 pm.

GILBERTSVILLE

July 1-4
Good Ole USA Days at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Moors Resort and Marina - Fireworks at dusk.
For more information, call 1-800-325-0146

Sunday, July 4
Independence Day 1 pm-4 pm at the Home Place

HICKORY

Sunday, July 4
The 2nd Annual Light Up the Sky for Christ will take place at Community Fellowship Baptist Church in Hickory (located across from
Fristoe's) on Sunday, July 4th. CFBC praise band will perform at 8:00 pm.  Fireworks will begin at 9:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.  Everyone is welcome to come early and visit. For more information call 270-705-0001 or 270-705-9902 or visit www.cfbc4god.com.

MAYFIELD

Saturday, July 3rd
Glory Days (Downtown Mayfield/Mayfield High School Track)

• Car/Truck/Bike Show and Swap Meet
• Pony Rides & Petting Zoo, Inflatables & Water Rides - All Free
• Watermelon Bust & Fish Fry
• Terrific Fireworks Display

For more information, call 270-247-1981

MURRAY

July 2-4
23rd Annual Freedom Fest Celebration
For more information on event times, details, and dates, read our latest article in the Local Events section of HelloKY.com

Murray Freedom Fest Event Details

PADUCAH

Sunday, July 4
The Independence Day activities for the City of Paducah begin at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 on the Wilson Stage on Paducah’s riverfront.

• 7:15 pm      Dixieland Band
• 8:00 pm      Paducah Jazz Band
• 8:45 pm      Paducah Concert Band
• 9:15-9:30 pm  Fireworks Show Starts

There will be several food and non-food vendors including those selling toys, lemonade, corndogs, hotdogs, popcorn, and nachos.  If a thunderstorm is in the area at the scheduled time for the fireworks, the fireworks show will be delayed until the weather clears. For more information, call Paducah Parks Services at 270-444-8508.

SMITHLAND

Sunday, July 4
The Smithland Area Chamber of Commerce and Smithland Fire Department are presenting Freedom On The Rivers at the Smithland riverfront on Sunday, July 4. The fun starts with a children's patriotic parade at 6:00 pm, with pedal, push or pull vehicles, like bicycles or wagons (no motorized vehicles).  Children should meet at Buzzard's Roost at 5:45 pm, and anyone under 10-years-old should be accompanied by an adult.  Parents are welcome to walk along. The Hamptons Gospel Singers will perform at 7:00 pm, and Brother Andrew Sexton will lead a service at 8:00 pm.  At dusk, the fireworks show will begin. For more information, call 270-928-2919.

SALEM

Saturday, July 3
Salem Faith & Freedom Fellowship at Faith Church, 1849 US 60 East - 7:30 pm. Patriotic program and recognition of veterans. Fireworks at dusk.

SYMSONIA

Friday, July 2
Paducah International Raceway, 4445 Shemwell Ln., has fireworks following their Summer National Late Model Special Race.