You can now purchase from our gift shop ONLINE! 🎉 We will be providing pick-up and shipping options so even our out of town visitors can show their Hoptown pride!
News
Bells of Freedom to Chime in Hopkinsville on D-Day to Honor Carentan
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 76th 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].
Hopkinsville Jigsaw Puzzles
Enjoy these Hopkinsville and Christian County puzzles of our iconic landmarks and scenic views! Please let us know if there are any other pictures you would like to see added by emailing [email protected]
We hope you have fun!
COVID-19 Updates
FULL LIST OF INFORMATION AND UPDATES
In light of the national emergency declaration due to the virus, local officials have taken a number of precautionary measures.
Public Health Order
April 6, 2020 – The CCHD Public Health Director has issued a Public Health Order that will further reduce the spread of this virus and protect residents of Christian County. This Public Order states that retail establishments are to limit customers to one person per family (excluding minors where no childcare is available and elderly individuals who need assistance). Along with this, public-facing businesses should continue to implement and practice social distancing measures. (Download the Public Health Order)
Free COVID-19 Testing
The Christian County Health Department (partnered with the Kentucky Department of Public Health) is now offering FREE COVID-19 testing for ANYONE who wants to be tested. Testing will be offered Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and Saturday 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM at Tie Breaker Park (4400 Lafayette Rd).
Latest Closures
Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center: Hopkinsville’s Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center will not open this summer due to continuing COVID-19 public health concerns.
Western KY State Fair: The Western Kentucky State Fair (WKSF) Board has announced that the 2020 Western Kentucky State Fair, originally scheduled for June 26-July 4, 2020, has been postponed.
Summer Salute Festival: 5th Annual Summer Salute Canceled Due to Crowd and Health Concerns Related to COVID-19
Summer Adventure Camp: Due to ongoing concerns and restrictions related to the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic, Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation has decided to cancel the 2020 Summer Adventure Camp.
Tie Breaker Park Walking Trail will be closed Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-11:30AM to provide space for COVID-19 drive-up testing.
Christian County Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year.
Business Operations Adjustments and Closures
Restaurant & Business Support
Don’t forget to support local restaurants and other businesses with pick up orders, by purchasing gift certificates, or leaving positive Yelp reviews. Here’s a list of downtown restaurant and beverage establishments as well as others around town. These restaurants are offer takeout options.
Click HERE or on a link below for information on Small Business Administration loans, Unemployment Insurance, and other benefit program resources.
Christian County Chamber Resources
United States Chamber Resources
Support Hoptown Your Way!
Check out these ways you can support our local businesses here in Hopkinsville!
- Purchase a meal to-go from a delicious local restaurant or buy a gift certificate to use in the coming weeks!
- Stock up on craft beverages made locally. Whether you prefer moonshine, bourbon, beer or wine, we’ve got you covered!
- Peruse the social media pages of local boutiques and pick out outfits and accessories to purchase. Contact the retailer for the best way to purchase and pick up your new wardrobe!
- Take a cell phone tour from the comfort of your car, at your own pace. Learn more about the history of Hopkinsville!
- Purchase art supplies from one of our local art shops to create a masterpiece at home!
- Pick up a free book from the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library and then pass it along to someone else! Transport yourself to a different time and place through the pages of a novel.
- Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. If you decide running is your thing, make plans to sign up for the 2nd Annual Hoptown Half Marathon this fall!
Download the Visit Hopkinsville app for a full list of ideas and ways to explore Hopkinsville in new ways!
Support Local, Eat Local!
Now more than ever, it is so important to support our local restaurants! Check out our full list of restaurants here in Hopkinsville and call in your order to pick up. If you don’t currently need a meal, consider purchasing a gift card for future use.
Whatever you decide to do, please support our local business owners during this time and post pictures of your food or gift cards to encourage others to do the same!
**Please note information and open times are ever-changing, so be sure to call and confirm restaurant details upon ordering.
The Visitants Casting Call
The Visitants Feature Film
Meet Cody Knotts, the director/producer of the film The Visitants, slated to be filmed in the summer/fall of 2021. He has produced five features including Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies starring Rowdy Roddy Piper, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle and Matt Hardy, Gore Orphanage starring Maria Olsen (Percy Jackson, Starry Eyes), and the soon to be released Kecksburgstarring Scot Cooper, Szonja Oroszlan (The Martian) and Richard John Walters (My Bloody Valentine 3D) based on the famed 1969 UFO incident.
Learn more here : https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4490918/
The Visitants is based on the famed 1955 Hopkinsville-Kelly incident. We will be holding open calls in Hopkinsville, KY from August 21- August 30th. We have a variety of roles that we will be casting from background extras, featured extras and a few local hire principals. We would like to schedule in advance for principal auditions that will be local hires during this time, in addition featured extras and background extras will be cast during this time.
Local auditions will be held at the Little Green Men Festival AND the Summer Salute 2020 including an open call for all of the background and featured extras. Over 230 people will be cast. We will also be interviewing for local crew positions (Grips, Gaffer, Crafter Persons, Production Assistants, and Transportation coordinator).
The film is NON UNION. Filming will take place in both Kentucky and Tennessee.
The main creative team, including Production Designer, 1st Assistant Director, Sound, Producer, Executive Producers and Costume Designer will be present.
Our two leads have been cast: Scot Cooper https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2592022/ as Lucky Sutton and Jaime Bernadette https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2584117/ as Vera Sutton. Jaime is best know for I Spit on Your Grave: Déjà vu.
Featured Extras, Principals are paid positions and the shoot is a planned 30 days shoot (5 weeks of filming, 6 days on, 1 day off).
The reason for specific racial backgrounds in Principal roles is that they are based on real people in a historical incident. In all other cases, we are committed to diversity in casting.
Principal Roles:
National search, can be non-local hire. Planned 4 weeks of filming
Local Hire: Planned 15 days of shooting during a 5 week period.
O.P. Baker. O.P. loves to eat and that is the main preoccupation of his life. The actor chosen will be eating a great deal during filming. Comedic timing is very important and stand up comedians are encouraged to submit. Caucasian, age range 20-40s, Male
Local Hire: Planned 14 days of shooting during a 5 week period.
Mary The young daughter of Glennie. Age range is 6-8 years of age since we are planning of filming the next year. Caucasian, Female
Local Hire: Planned 11 days of shooting during a 5 week period
Charlton The youngest son of Glennie. Age range is 8-10 years of age. Caucasian, Male
Local Hire: Planned 11 days of shooting during a 5 week period
Lonnie Age range 9-11 years of age, Caucasian, Male
Local Hire: Planned 11 days of shooting during a 5 week period
Marilyn Monroe Famed Actress of the 1950s. Must look like Marilyn Monroe.
Donna Reed Famed Actress of the 1950s. Must look like Donna Reed
All 2 actresses must have some dancing experience. Local hires, 6 days of shooting expected
Non historic person roles (smaller description) Most are 1-3 days, all day players and local hires
Circus Owner, Male, Adult
Rich Man, Male, Adult, Age Range 40s+
Soldier, Male, Adult, Age Range 20-30s
Strongman, Male, Adult, Must be physically strong
Doc Morgan, Male, Adult Age range 40s+
Gorgeous Lady, Female, Age range 18-30s
Korean War Soldier, Male, age range 18-30s
Beautiful Woman, Female, age range 18-30s
Sheriff Greenwell, Male, Age range 40s+
Pastor, Male, age range 20s+
Young Girl, Female, age ranges 9-13, playing piano a plus
Soldier’s Girlfriend, 18-30s
Church Goer #1 and #2, adult any gender
Non speaking Roles but will be listed in cast (Circus Entertainers). These appear in opening sequence. All local hires.
The Human Inflatable Tire, Male
Vulcano, the Human Vulcano. Trained fire eaters preferred
Tattooed Lady, Female
Four Legged Woman, Female
Bird Girl, Female
Armless Fiddler, good dexterity with feet
Leopard Girl
Production Company is C&V Films in association with Grand Conspiracy Films and Principalities of Darkness LLC.
Headshots and resume can be sent to [email protected] People wishing to be auditioned are added to our company’s email list. If you are not interested in being added to the email list, please state so in your email. We utilize this list to inform people of both films we are producing, auditions and theatrical & DVD releases.
Bunco in the Bluegrass!
It’s Bunco week!
We are so excited for this annual weekend of fabulous fun — and we know you are too!
Here are some helpful tips for event check-in:
*Remember to have you game face on… and be ready to toss like a boss!
*Be sure to pick up your Bunco goodie bags… since they have all the best Hoptown swag and souvenirs!
* And grab your official Kentucky Bunco Bash name tag… you’ll be able to customize your credential with the number of years you’ve played here!
And for the “cherry-on-top” of this fabulous experience – everyone who attends can jump into our Photo Booth and snap a pic… and have this awesome FREE custom souvenir sent right to you!
Weekend Schedule
Friday
*2:00-5:00 pm – Vendor set-up
*5:00 pm – Check-in on Friday afternoon, at the Wyndham Garden Inn (same hotel – just a new name! 2910 Fort Campbell Boulevard)
* 5:00-8:00 pm – FREE play Bunco night will be on Friday from
* 8:00 pm- karaoke in the Bourbon’s Bar and Grill Lounge inside Wyndham Garden Inn
Saturday
*Doors will be judged Saturday morning
* Costume contest featuring best 20’s costume- judged Saturday morning! (come downstairs ready to show off your costume)
*8:00-9:00 am – Vendor set-up
* 9:00 am Saturday morning!
*The bar will open at 10:00 am Saturday morning (no alcoholic beverages can be brought in the playing area that were not purchased at the bar)
*There will be a 2 hour lunch break on Saturday (soup and salad lunch available for purchase at Bourbon’s Bar and Grill Lounge), so venture out and check out some local shops! (check out the Shop Local rack card in your bags)
*5:00-6:00 pm Game play concludes. Check out one of our many delicious local eateries for dinner J
Sunday
9:00am Dice start rolling
*There will be a buffet lunch on Sunday
3:00pm – Games play concludes & winners announced
If you have any questions prior to arriving for Friday registration/check-in, please call the Visit Hopkinsville office at 270-887-2300.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
-Your Friends at the Pink Ribbon Network & Visit Hopkinsville
March Madness in Hoptown!
Check out all of the great events happening this month in Hoptown and find out what the “madness” is all about!
10th Annual Kentucky Bunco Bash – March 13-15 – Gather up the ladies and enjoy a weekend of Bunco, prizes, door decorating and costume contest, as well as access to shopping and dining, the Kentucky Bunco Bash is the perfect opportunity to get away from it all and enjoy a wonderful weekend! This year’s theme is the roaring 20s! Click here for ticket information!
Trail of Tears Heritage Cabin Re-Opens – March 19 – The Trail of Tears Heritage Center is a restored log cabin which houses artifacts of the Cherokee people and additional Native American cultures. Admission to the Heritage Center is by donation. Hours will be Monday-Saturday 10:00 am-4:00 pm and Sunday 12:00-4:00 pm.
28th Annual Edgar Cayce Hometown Seminar – March 20-22 – Gather with us at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, March 20-22, outside Edgar Cayce’s hometown for a weekend full of learning, fellowship, and self-discovery. Immerse yourself in the land where Edgar Cayce was born and reared and where he discovered his remarkable gifts that prompted his life’s work. Click here for ticket information!
11th Annual International Festival – March 27-28 – For the 11th straight year, the world will be at your fingertips during the annual Hopkinsville International Festival, March 27 & 28! This event (held at the Hopkinsville Sportsplex) celebrates the vast cultural diversity found in Hoptown and our region, educating citizens about a multitude of global traditions and history through food, music dance, sport and more. Best of all, the two-day event is FREE to attend.
Show your love for Hopkinsville!
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner – check out these sweet ways to show your love in Hoptown!
