Big Read shines spotlight on Our Town

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Hopkinsville has once again received this grant and has selected the book “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. Be sure to check out these great literary events and pick up a copy of the book at one of the partner organizations.

October 3rd – 5:30 p.m. – Hopkinsville Art Guild Photo Contest Awards Reception @ Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library The artists whose work was selected for the Guild’s “Hoptown – Our Town” Photo Exhibition will be recognized and prizes awarded.

October 5th – 9:00 a.m. – Author Festival @ Hopkinsville- Christian County Public Library This all day sign-and-sell event will feature a wide variety of authors including Teresa Medeiros as the guest speaker.

October 5th – 6:30 p.m. – A Walk to Remember @ WW Fire-Transportation Museum This walk will focus on the local streetscape as it appeared in the early 20th century. Tickets: $10/person; $5/Museum Members

October 7th – 12:00 p.m. – Noon Book Club @ Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library

October 8th – 6:00 p.m. – Death Do Us Part @ The Hall at the Alhambra Theatre Robert Martin leads us on a journey through funeral traditions of years’ past.

October 10th – 12:00 p.m. – The Historical Inspiration Behind Our Town @ Hopkinsville Community College Learning Resource Center History Professor John Davis examines the current events that inspired Our Town and the comfort of nostalgia as a way to cope. Refreshments provided.

October 11th – 5:00 p.m. – Supper in the Cemetery @ Riverside Cemetery Tour the tombstones, enjoy a meal, and hear from local couples who have fun, powerful, and quirky love stories. Advance registration is required. Tickets: $20/person; $15/Museum Members

October 12th – 9:30 a.m. – Dialogue Writing Workshop @ Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library Elizabeth Burton, a writing instructor from HCC, returns to the library for a writing workshop. This workshop will focus on the art of dialogue writing.

October 13th – 2:00 p.m. – Feature Film:
Our Town (PG) @ Alhambra Theatre

October 13th – 4:30 p.m. – Feature Film: Hello Dolly! (G) @ Alhambra Theatre

October 15th – 6:00 p.m. – Hoptown in the Time of Our Town @ WW Fire-Transportation Museum What if Our Town was set in Hopkinsville instead of Grover’s Corner? Museum Director Alissa Keller explores the events that shaped our town from 1901-1913.

October 16th – 12:00 p.m. – Why Do We Love Our Town? @ Books On Main Writing tutor and flower farmer Martha White leads a discussion
about what we love – or not – about Our Town.

October 17th- 5:00 p.m. – Our Town Hopkinsville @ Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library. Our Town premiered in 1938. Wayne Goolsby will lead a discussion about what was happening in Hopkinsville in 1938.

October 19th – 2:00 p.m. – Feature Film: Shadow of a Doubt (PG) @ Hopkinsville Public Library

October 20th – 12:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m – Sunday Social: A Step Back in Time @ Virginia Park This afternoon of free fun features the 101st Jazz Band, a largest pumpkin and best homemade pie contest, plein-air painting, hat decorating and contest, kids’ games, and order ahead boxed lunches.

October 21st – 6:00 p.m. – Homegrown Poetry: The Places That Define Us @ Corner Coffeehouse Share your take on George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From” by reading a poem you write about the people and places that influence your life. Or just come to hear others read.

October 22nd – 5:30 p.m. – Our Town Hoptown: African American Voices @ Hopkinsville Community College Auditorium This program celebrates the influence of Ted Poston and the short stories he wrote about growing up here. Local voices will share their own childhood stories and experiences.

October 23rd – 5:00 p.m. – Our Town vs Salem’s Lot  @ Hopkinsville- Christian County Public Library Stephen King was inspired by Our Town’s plot and narrative structure when he wrote “Salem’s Lot.” The discussion will focus on the similarities between the two stories.

October 24th – 6:30 p.m. – History on Tap  @ Hopkinsville Brewing Company Robert Martin dives deep into the history of a local landmark in “If Walls Could Talk.”

October 26th – 2:00 p.m. – Feature Film: Hocus Pocus (PG) @ Hopkinsville Public Library

October 26th – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Downtown Stroll, Sip, & Shop @ 6th Street and Founders Square Paint a local landmark at Griffin’s Studio, enjoy live music, shop deals, and see a pig roast at the Farmers Market.

October 28th – 7:00 p.m. – Our Town/Hoptown Trivia Night @ Davo’s Burgers and Fries

October 30th – 12:00 p.m. – Book Discussion: “What Role Does the Audience Play?” @ Books on Main English Professor Caitlin Chester will lead the discussion at Books on Main. How does breaking the fourth wall help the audience connect with the characters?

October 31st – 6:30 p.m. – Haunted Hoptown Walking Tour @ WW Fire-Transportation Museum Haunt the streets as we share some of Hoptown’s strangest, most bizarre, and darkest stories. Advance registration is required. $10/person; $5/Museum Members

November 2nd – 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Arts & Heritage Day 2.0 @ Downtown Hopkinsville
A downtown scavenger hunt, art project, and updates from arts and heritage groups. Open to anyone; Leadership Hopkinsville alumni are encouraged to attend. Contact the Museum for info and to register. Fee will be charged.

November 2nd – 2:00 p.m. – Feature Film: The Wizard of Oz (G) @ Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library

November 5th – 5:30 p.m. – Ghosts on the Page @ Milkweed Health & Harmony What role does a ghost play in literary fiction and Our Town? HCC Writing Instructor Addison James will lead the discussion.

November 8th – 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Christian County Literacy Council’s Community Reader Day @ Christian County schools Volunteers read to students in the county in this annual program.