Check out these amazing events for The Big Read!

February 18th – Big Read Kickoff with Madeline Miller (Online Event) at 6pm- Snow may keep us in, but it won’t get us down – the Big Read kicks off THURSDAY with author Madeline Miller! Join us online for a chat with the writer of “Circe” to rev up this year’s programming. The first 100 registered participants will receive a free copy of the book to be picked up at any of our partners’ locations during regular business hours. If you can’t make it, don’t worry – the kickoff will be recorded and posted for your convenience. 
Register now: https://pennyroyalartscouncil.ticketspice.com/big-read…

February 18th – Create your own Myth Contest entry submissions opens – Create your own myth in 1000 words or less. Open to ages 12-18. Gift card prizes! Entries can be submitted on Beanstack, via email to [email protected], or in person at the library. Winners will be announced March 12th!

February 19th – Museum After Hours: A Tale of Two Witches (Online Event) at 5:30pm – Join Alissa Keller and Martha White for a spirited discussion to compare the qualities and powers of Circe and Kate the Bell Witch. Easily the most well-known witch story of the region, Kate visited and tortured the Bell family in nearby Adams, Tennessee from 1817-1821. While her antics vary greatly from what we see of Circe, the two witches both show power and independence in their pursuits.

February 20th – Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library Grab & Go Laurel Wreaths – Create your own laurel wreath! Pick up your kit at HCCPL starting at 9am for children ages 5-8 while supplies last.

February 21st – O Brother, Where Art Thou? featured at The Alhambra Theatre from 2-4pm – FREE ADMISSION | RATED PG-13
Sponsored by Bolinger Appraisal & The Silo Event Center
In the deep south during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.

February 25th – Gods and Monsters Book Discussion – Join Hopkinsville Community College in their zoom discussion of the background of Circe and Chapters 1-9 with Addison James.

February 25th – Hellenistic Art with Dr. Tony Morris – Watch with us from The Hall at the Alhambra or from Home at 6pm! Led by Dr. Tony Morris, Department Chair of APSU Art + Design with Ph.D. in Art History. The story of Circe bridges the gap between the gods and man, showing human-like fatal flaws and imperfections in immortal beings which allow us to relate to them on a personal level. The Hellenistic period cultivated the same connection, bringing a new level of naturalism and expression to the gods and heroes of the Classical age. Dr. Tony Morris leads us on an exploration of the art and architecture of the Hellenistic period.

February 27th – Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library Grab & Go Herb Starters- HCCPL will have herb starter grab & go kits available at the library front doors beginning at 9am for adults while supplies last.

February 27th – Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Libary Grab & Go Greek Pottery – Tweens and teens can create some Ancient Greek-inspired pottery. For ages 9-18. Kits will be available at the library front doors starting at 9am while supplies last.

February 27th – Virtual Writing Workshop – Hopkinsville Community College’s Professor Elizabeth Burton will lead a writing workshop via Zoom at 11am.

March 2nd – Medusa Mask Crafting with Cat Lacy – Date and time subject to change! Craft your own Medusa mask with artist Cat Lacy in The Hall at The Alhambra Theatre.

March 2nd – Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library on Zoom: Greek Mythology Virtual Trivia Event at 5:30pm – This program requires you to have a smart phone or computer. For ages 13-adult. Email [email protected] or sign up at the library to register.

March 4th – The Big Read: Healers of Hoptown (Online Event at 5:30pm) – This program will explore the stories and lives of natural, traditional, and medical healers of our community through the years. In Circe, the demigoddess uses her powers and her island to heal and help others. From Edgar Cayce to Dr. P.C. Brooks, Hopkinsville and the surrounding area has a long history of healing. In addition to physicians, this program will discuss holistic healers, midwives, medical facilities, and healing springs.

March 4th – Witches & Mortals Book Discussion – Join Hopkinsville Community College in their zoom discussion at 6pm of Chapters 10-18 with Addison James.

March 6th – Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library Grab & Go Medusa and Cyclops – Grab an activity kit and make your own Medusa and Cyclops at home for ages 5-8. Pick up a bag at the library starting at 9am while supplies last.

March 6th – Museum-At-Home Fairy Gardens – Pick up all the fixings to make your own fairy garden at home! Kits will be available on the porch of the Pennyroyal Area Museum starting at 10am until supplies last.

March 6th – Myths of Circe with Dr. Tim Winters at 2pm – Austin Peay State University’s Dr. Tim Winters will lead a discussion about the myths of Circe.

March 8-12th – Christian County Literacy Council‘s Mythical Trivia Online Challenge – Accept the challenge of answering mythical trivia questions! Answer all questions correctly and be entered in a drawing for a special Circe prize! Questions will be posted daily on the Christian County Literacy Council’s Facebook page. Like and follow them on Facebook for an extra entry!

March 11th – Readers & Critics Book Discussion – Join Hopkinsville Community College in their zoom discussion at 6pm of Chapters 19-27 with Addison James.

March 13th – Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library Grab & Go Iron-On Bags – Grab a bag with iron-ons featuring quotes from Circe available at the library front doors beginning at 9am for adults while supplies last.

March 13th – Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County presents Cayce Herb Workshop at 10:30am – Widely known as the father of Holistic Medicine, Edgar Cayce provided psychic readings for people suffering with health issues. Many of these readings identified herbs and other natural remedies for healing. Join them for a workshop to learn about some of the most useful herbal remedies recommended in the Cayce readings – and make one of your own!

March 16th – Pennyroyal Arts Council presents Creating Heroes Creative Writing Workshop at 5pm – Led by Addison James, English Professor at Hopkinsville Community College. Learn how to create effective heroes and protagonists in fiction writing, heavily based on Joseph Campbell’s theory on archetypal heroes.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner – check out these sweet ways to show your love in Hoptown!

1. Send a gorgeous bouquet of flowers to your love from one of our talented local florists! (Arsha’s House of Flowers, Creations by Tammy, Ruffled Willow, and West & Witherspoon Florist)
2. Enjoy a tasty Valentine’s Day treat from a local bakery! (Joelle’s Bakery & Café)
3. Share a delicious meal with your sweetheart at a Hopkinsville Restaurant! (Check out the full list here!)
4. Take a hand in hand stroll on the Hopkinsville Greenway Rail Trail!
5. Listen to some lovely tunes by Clay Page, a 2019 American Idol contestant, at Hopkinsville Brewing Company on February 2^nd  and SOKY’s Got Talent 2018 winner Justin Cole on February 6^th!
6. Attend the Galentine Floral Design Event with your girlfriends presented by Ruffled Willow and She Shed Crafting Shop on February 5^th!
7. Order a Valentine’s Brushes & Bae Lovers Box from Different Strokes to include a paint setup and cheesecake for 2!
8. Learn how to make your Valentine’s Day cards shine with local artist Makenzie Russell at the Alhambra Theatre on February 9^th!
9. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a little painting at Griffin’s Studio on February 13^th!
10. Solve a murder mystery at Valor Hall Conference & Event Center with your significant other on February 13^th!
11. Take in a live performance by Jason Montgomery at the Love & Laughs Event on February 13^th at The Rustic Event Center!
12. Enjoy brunch and Dirty Dancing at the Alhambra Theatre on February 14^th!
13. Roll a strike with your loved ones at Southern Lanes Hopkinsville!
14. Catch a movie on the big screen and enjoy a large popcorn at WK Cinemas!
15. Help your love show off their love of Hoptown with some swag from the Visit Hopkinsville gift shop!

• Tour MB Roland Distillery and Casey Jones Distillery
• See how many local restaurants you can sample
• Learn to scuba dive at Pennyroyal Scuba Center Blue Springs Resort Inc.
• Play a round of golf at Christian Way Farm
• Shoot some hoops at Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex
• Catch a movie at WK Cinemas
• Explore the history of Hopkinsville at the Pennyroyal Area Museum
• Enjoy a show at the Alhambra Theatre
• Score some amazing gifts and apparel at one of Hoptown’s many unique stores all year long
• Try a new beer at Hopkinsville Brewing Company
• Stroll across Kentucky’s longest walking bridge over land on the Hopkinsville Rail Trail
• Bowl a strike at Southern Lanes
• Jump in the car and explore one of the free cell phone tours featuring Edgar Cayce and African American History
• Take a trip down the water slide at Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center
• Learn about Native American culture at Trail of Tears Park
• Watch the Hoptown Hoppers play ball
• Attend a Jeffers Bend nature inspired event
• Learn to play disc golf at one of the three disc golf courses in Christian County – Trail of Tears Park, Thomas Street or War Memorial Park
• Participate in trivia night at Davo’s, Main Street Tavern or The Local
• Visit all of Hopkinsville’s amazing parks
• Download the Visit Hopkinsville app to stay up to date on all the events happening here in Hoptown!

Give the gift of Hoptown this holiday season! You can find these local products that are all unique to Hopkinsville!

• Alhambra Theatre candle
• Annual pass to Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex
• Arcade & bowling gift certificates to Southern Lanes Bowling
• Art take home kits from Different Strokes, Griffin’s Studio and She Shed Crafting Shop
• Bike accessories from Bikes and Moore
• Book a future event at any of our local event venues: Burdoc Farms, Casey Jones Distillery, Naimoli Estate, Oakland Manor, Sugar Grove Carriage House, The Belfry of LaFayette, The Bruce, The Rustic Event Center, The Silo, The Studio 3s, and Valor Hall Conference & Event Center
• Boutique shop items from 6^th Street Boutique, Bella Marie Boutique, Klassy Kollections Boutique, Magnolia Too Boutique, PS&J Fashion, Sassystuff Consignment & The Farmer’s Daughter Boutique
• Bramble & Bee Farm honey bear
• Christian County-Opoly board game
• Christmas tree from Superlawn & Garden
• City Art Series poster
• Cookies & hot cocoa bombs from Joelle’s Bakery
• Custom cutting board from Heirloom Table Home
• Espresso beans from The Corner Coffeehouse & The Mixer
• Family portrait session with Southern Exposure Photography
• Ferrell’s poster by local artist Paula Gieske
• Framed portrait from Staton’s Art & Framing
• Floral arrangement from Arsha’s House of Flowers, Creations by Tammy, Free Range Flowers & West & Witherspoon Florist
• Gift cards to local restaurants
• Grab bag from Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County
• Guitar from Music Central
• Handmade pottery from Brushy Fork Creek Gallery
• Home Sweet Hopkinsville ornament
• Homemade fudge from the ladies at Grace & Mercy
• Hopkinsville Brewing Company Koozie Club Membership
• Hoptown Pillow from Gracious Me!
• Kiwanis ornament & nuts
• Lily Pullitzer accessories from Towne & Country
• Mini golf passes to Christian Way Farm
• Monogrammed drinkware from The Trophy House
• Pennyroyal Arts Council’s “Let Us Entertain You” cook book
• Planters Bank Season of Giving gift set
• Records from Oddball Media
• Ruffled Willow floral subscription
• Send the gift of bubbles with a scuba lesson from Pennyroyal Scuba Center Blue Springs Resort Inc.
• Soap from Stella’s Soap Co.
• Sparkly gifts from Humes Jewelers, J. Schrecker Jewelry and Todd’s Jewelry
• Spirits and merchandise from Casey Jones Distillery & MB Roland Distillery
• Support our local artists by purchasing a custom piece through the Hopkinsville Art Guild
• Tea from Milkweed Health & Harmony Emporium
• Toy tractors & collectibles from P & S Farm Toys
• VIP Passes to WK Cinemas
• Water park passes to Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center
• Weekend getaway to Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
• Western Hills Municipal Golf Course membership
• Wine from Naimoli Estate Vineyard & Winery

In Hopkinsville, we are SO thankful for…

1. Keeping the tradition alive … VIRTUALLY! The 19th Annual Turkey Trot will be held virtually in 2020 and will allow runners/walkers to complete the 5K at any location, at any time!  Visit HoptownRec.com by Nov. 18 to order your official race shirt.

2. Celebrating Native American Heritage Month in November! We recognize the entire month by paying tribute to the men, women and children who passed through Hopkinsville during the Trail of Tears. Did you know you can get your National Parks Passport stamped at Trail of Tears Park & Commemorative Center?

3. Raising a glass at Casey Jones Distillery and MB Roland Distillery! Take a tour and sample some spirits at these two grain-to-glass craft distilleries here in Christian County, then complete the Stateline Whiskey Tour to earn a unique gift.

4. Connecting with nature on the newly expanded Hopkinsville Rail Trail!

5. Spending some family time in the corn maze or sinking a hole-in-one at Christian Way Farm‘s mini golf course.

6. Dining at one of our fabulous local establishments. Christian County is home to over 120 restaurants! How many have you had a chance to sample? 

7. Browsing at one of our beautiful local boutiques and shops to help find all of your holiday needs!

8. Saluting our brave men and women. We are proud to be home to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. Our thanks to all the wonderful soldiers who keep our country safe. 

9. Toasting to good friends and good times, while exploring the breathtaking property at Naimoli Estate Vineyard & Winery!

10. Listening to the sound of live music coming from the Alhambra Theatre!  

11. Smelling the unmistakeable scent of dark fired tobacco barns. Did you know that Christian County has more farmland acreage than any other county in the Bluegrass State?

12. Driving backroads in Christian County and soaking in the scenic routes. 

13. Taking a free self-guided cell phone tour to learn more about prominent African American Historical sites and Edgar Cayce’s life in Hopkinsville.

14. Enjoying Hopkinsville’s vibrant art scene! There are so many shops where you can express your inner artist. You can even enter a design to be featured on a Downtown Hoptown Banner by submitting to the Hopkinsville Art Guild!

15. Learning the rich heritage and history told through the brand new exhibits at the Pennyroyal Area Museum. 

16. Racing to the finish line at Christian County’s newest attraction – Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel!

17. Exploring the beautiful clear waters from 120 feet below the surface at Pennyroyal Scuba Blue Springs Resort. 

18. Sipping a delicious flight at Hopkinsville Brewing Company, where Hoptown stays hoppy! Enjoy a pint of craft beer while checking out the new expansion.

19. Playing on approximately 112 acres of complex parks and recreations spaces! Get out and stretch your legs or check out at the free walking tracks at Tie Breaker Athletic Park or inside the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex on cool brisk mornings!

20. Patronizing our lovely event venues that help create spectacular memories during life moments we hold most dear. Our unique event spaces provide breathtaking backdrops in making up the fabric of our community. 

Local churches invited to ring bells to celebrate liberation of Hoptown’s Sister City in France

Hopkinsville, KY — On June 6, bells will chime in Carentan, France —Hopkinsville’s Sister City— at 6:44 pm to celebrate the 76^th anniversary of liberation from Nazi Germany rule. In Hopkinsville, 4,193 miles away, bells will also chime to honor this historic event, as local churches are encouraged to participate.

“We are so proud of our relationship with our Sister City, Carentan, and look forward to recognizing this extremely significant date and time in history,” said Hopkinsville Mayor Wendell Lynch. “We invite all churches and organizations that are able to join us, in ringing their bells.”

With a seven-hour time difference, bells will chime in Hopkinsville at 11:44 am (local time) on Saturday, June 6. The historic clock tower, which sits atop the Woody Winfree Fire Station Museum, will be rung by local clock caretaker Russ Hayes.

“The ongoing pandemic crisis has led to the complete cancellation of all our D-Day anniversary events,” Carentan Les Marais Jean-Pierre Lhonneur said. “But this does not mean that we, in Carentan, Normandy and all over France, will let these days pass unnoticed. Quite the opposite really.”

The city of Carentan has dedicated much of its city website to telling the story of what happened in their town 76 years ago and how the people of Carentan have been honoring and celebrating the liberators ever since. 

On June 6, 1944, the 101st Airborne Division began its amphibious invasion of Normandy — a high-risk maneuver code named Operation Overlord, according to a Fort Campbell Courier article on March 10, 2016. Fighting to consolidate Omaha and Utah beaches, the soldiers made their way through the town of Carentan in the days following D-Day. From June 10 until 14, the 101st suffered heavy casualties in their battle against the German Wehrmacht.

At the end of the battle, German forces withdrew and the small town was liberated from Nazi occupation.

“There was something to do,” said Co-Founder of the Normandy Victory Museum and coordinator of the Bells of Freedom event in Normandy Patrick Fissot. “In recent days, we have lost several of our veterans, such as Bob Noody or Gorges Schenkel, who both returned regularly. We had to show those who stay that we don’t forget them.”

Fissot also serves as an instructor at the high school in Carentan and chaperoned a group of 20 students to Hopkinsville last March for a week-long visit.

For additional information about participating in the Bells of Freedom event, please contact Brooke Jung, Executive Director, Hopkinsville Convention & Visitors Bureau at 270-887-2300 or [email protected].