Downtown is definitely "the place to be"

Sign at Horsefeathers Gifts in downtown

We love talking about downtown Henderson? Who doesn't? It's the place to be lately. We're sharing some of our favorite downtown-releated news of the week.

• Chuck Stinnett's article from The Gleaner on the revitalization of downtown. "What a difference two years makes." Read the article here.

• New restaurant Rockhouse at Wolf's opens Tuesday at 31 N. Green Street. Judging by the response on Facebook, locals and visitors alike are excited to welcome this new business to downtown. Come in and try their pizza, strombolis and other menu items.

• We welcomed Horsefeathers Gifts to downtown. The mother/daughter duo have their jewelry shop at 132 Second Street. You'll find great handmade jewelry, scarfs and tees in the shop. Stop in and say hello!

• The Love What's Local campaign continues to grow! Follow LWL on Facebook for updates and chances to win giveaways. LWL also sponsors Free Cash Friday and other special events in the downtown area.

• The Elm Consignment and More shared this photo album on Facebook, and we all wanted to redecorate our homes immediately. Come check out their great vintage and unique items.

W.C. Handy Festival, June 8-15, 2013

• Handy Festival shared their new logo, which means we are one step closer to the upcoming festival. The event will be held June 8-15 in various locations throughout Henderson. Learn more about the event and read the full music line-up here.

• Good news for all the little ones - the riverfront fountains are set to open soon. A favorite place for locals and visitors, the riverfront feature is popular as the weather warms.

• Henderson's own Commonwealth Kitchen + Bar gets a mention on "Nation's Restaurant News" in the article "Yes, "pig wings" are a thing"

Thanks for reading with us. Learn more by following us on Twitter or Facebook.

Blues Festival to kick off June 8 in Henderson KY

The Henderson Music Preservation Society is proud to present the 24th Annual W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival during the week of June 8-15 in downtown Henderson, Ky. Over 20 blues performances are scheduled during a weeklong celebration that includes a Street Strut Peoples Parade, The Taste of Henderson Barbecue, Zydeco Night with Red Beans and Rice, and other events. As part of one of the largest free music festivals in the country, Handy events are all offered free of admission.
Schedule of Festival Events:

SATURDAY, JUNE 8 – TASTE OF HENDERSON BARBECUELocation: Central Park, Downtown Henderson, Ky.
8 AM - Poker Run organized by Jerusalem Masonic Lodge No. 9. Starts at Central Park. Info: (270) 860-2929
10 AM - The William Branaman Street Strut People's Parade. Parade forms around 9:30 at Central Park on Elm Street.
11 AM until sold out - Beginning as early as 9 a.m., local barbecue teams will be cooking up mouth-watering barbecue of mutton, chicken, pork and ribs for sale to attendees.
11:00 AM  - Jimtown Saints12:45  PM – Blues 4U – in memory of our friend  Mike McKinney
2:30 PM – Lamont Gillispie and 100 Proof Blues
4:15 PM – David Dunavent and Evol Love
6:00 PM – Michael Gough Band

MONDAY-THURSDAY, JUNE 10-13 – HANDY LUNCH BREAKSLocation: Local Henderson eateries
11:45 AM - Enjoy live music as you dine in one of Henderson’s many local restaurants. From coffee houses to steakhouses, you’ll find a match up of food and music to delight your tastebuds and your ears. See www.handyblues.org for a full listing of Handy Lunch Breaks schedules. Free admission.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 – RED, WHITE & BLUES NIGHTLocation: Audubon Mill Park, Downtown Henderson, Ky. Riverfront
6:00 PM – Peter Karp and Sue Foley8:00 PM – Voice of the Wetlands Allstars featuring Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Sansone, Waylon Thibodeaux, Corey Dupelchin, and Johnny Vidacovich

THURSDAY, JUNE 13 – ZYDECO NIGHT WITH RED BEANS & RICELocation: Audubon Mill Park, Downtown Henderson, Ky. Riverfront
4:30 PM to 10:30 PM - The Handy Committee will be serving up red beans & rice, andouille sausage, gator on a stick and other Cajun food. Scheduled performers include festival favorite Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band and Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble. Come early for the food and stay late for high energy zydeco music.  Free admission. Children’s Fun Zone (with purchase of Fun Zone wristband) available.
5:15 PM – Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble
8:00 PM – Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band

FRIDAY, JUNE 14 – RIVERBANK BLUES BLASTLocation: Audubon Mill Park, Downtown Henderson, Ky. Riverfront
Noon - Concession sales begin
Noon – Amazing Soul Crackers2:00 PM – Three Shades of Gray
4:00 PM – Boscoe France Band
6:00 PM – Terry Evans Band
8:00 PM – The Holmes Brothers
10:00 PM – Royal Southern Brotherhood

SATURDAY, JUNE 15 – JAVA BLUES JAMLocation: Audubon Mill Park, Downtown Henderson, Ky. Riverfront
Noon - Concession sales begin
Noon – Super Chikan2:00 PM – Blues Caravan featuring Bart Walker, Joanne Shaw Taylor and Jimmy Bowskill
4:00 PM – Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry
6:00 PM – Heritage Blues Quartet
8:00 PM – Janiva Magness
10:00 PM – Bernard Allison Group

For more information, go to www.handyblues.org.

Follow the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival on Twitter and Facebook:www.twitter.com/HandyBluesCrewwww.facebook.com/handyblues

April Weekends in Henderson Packed With Great Family-Friendly Activities and Events

April is the start of a busy month in Henderson. Great annual events, such as Tri-Fest and the Ohio Valley Birding Festival are held, and people come downtown to enjoy the riverfront and the warmer weather. This year is no different! With great activities each weekend, there is plenty to do in Henderson this month.

Saturday April 6, 2013

Start your day at 10am with the first guided historic walking tour of the year. This free tour is hosted by The Community Room. Tours start at The Depot, and continue throughout downtown, exploring the facades of historic homes and interesting river history.

Head to Audubon State Park after your walking tour and enjoy events from 9am-2pm, part of the Wildflower Extravaganza, held each Spring. Enjoy discussions and guided hikes through the trails. A special children's program will be held from 12:00-12:30pm, featuring an easy hike and information about the shapes and colors of our local flowers.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Come to the riverfront! Enjoy the newest paved addition to the riverwalk and watch the weigh-in from the annual Cabela's King Kat Catfishing Tournament, held this weekend.

Friday April 19 - Sunday April 21

This weekend is the annual Henderson Breakfast Lions Club Tri-Fest and the Ohio Valley Birding Festival. Check out both websites for a full listing of great events. Habitat for Humanity will hold their annual 5K this weekend, the American Red Cross has a great charity bike ride, and live music and food vendors will abound in downtown Henderson.

Saturday, April 27

Finally, round out the month by viewing some of Henderson's most beautiful kitchens at the annual OVAL Kitchen Tour or head to Audubon State Park Museum for the annual Spring Tea and a weekend of activities celebrating Audubon's Birthday and Camper Appreciation Weekend.

Thinking ahead...

We've got even more planned for May including the Ruby Moon Vineyard Scavenger Hunt, Annual Downtown Car Show and a sunset 5K. Find out more at www.hendersonky.org/event

Some of Our Favorite Facebook Photos from This Week

The following photos are from our Facebook account.

Follow us at www.facebook.com/hendersonky

for more information about the area!

A salad from Darren's Pub. The pub launched their new menu this week!

A book signed by happy patrons of Commonwealth Kitchen + Bar in downtown Henderson.

The riverfront on a warmer March morning.

The newest statue addition to the Henderson Riverwalk: A Belted Kingfisher (Based on John James Audubon painting)

Here are some photos shared by our Facebook friends and local shops in Henderson!

A new pattern for dishcloths by Memories Yarn Cafe.

The grapes are growing at Ruby Moon Winery and Vineyard.

New dog bedding and merchandise at gabbi's Boutique

Have a photo to share? Find us on Facebook or Twitter

Downtown Walking Tour to Resume April 6

The Depot Community Room’s monthly walking tours will resume in April. The guided tour highlights the exhibits in the Henderson Depot Community Room as well as historical homes and buildings in Henderson's Downtown area.

 Tour dates will be:

April 6

May 4

June 1

July 6

August 3

September 7

October 5

November 2

 The tours depart from The Depot at 101 N. Water Street at 10am. Approximate time: one hour. For parties larger than 15, please call ahead. Tour will be held as weather permits. Cost: Free.

 The Depot Community Room hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including River Heritage Day (May 11, 2013), The Folklife Festival (August 10, 2013), Fernwood Cemetery Tour (September 14, 2013), Spook and Legends Walking Tour (October 26, 2013) and various educational exhibits.

 For more information call (270) 830-9707 or visit www.hendersondepot.org

Commonwealth Kitchen + Bar Opens Today in Downtown Henderson

A new restaurant Commonwealth Kitchen + Bar has opened in Henderson, Kentucky. The business is located in the heart of downtown on Second Street, just seconds away from the riverfront.

Reservations are keeping the restaurant busy for its grand opening today. Specials for their opening weekend include New Orleans mussels,  Mushroom ravioli over corn truffle purée and Chocolate ravioli. A great extensive menu includes many beer options, including craft beers and specialty drinks.

For more information or to make a reservation contact Commonwealth Kitchen + Bar at (270) 212-2133 or visit their Facebook page here.

MEDIA AND PUBLIC INVITED TO PRESS RELEASE FOR UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT, “WONDER OF LEARNING”

The Henderson Fine Arts Center has been selected to host the international educational exhibit, “The Wonder of Learning: The Hundred Languages of Children” from January 31, 2013 – June 14, 2013. 

The media is invited to a press conference Friday, January 25 at 10:00 a.m. at the Henderson Fine Arts Center (2660 South Green Street, Henderson, KY) to see the installation of the exhibit and learn more about events surrounding the exhibit. Staff will be on hand to answer interview questions. The exhibit travels only in North America, but there are similar exhibits that travel in Europe, Asia and South America.

It has previously only been on display in larger cities in North America, including Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, B.C. Henderson is the first city of its size to have the honor of hosting such an exhibit. The traveling exhibition recounts the experiences of infant-toddler centers, preschools and primary schools in the city of Reggio Emilia, Italy. This calls international attention to the importance of education and schools as places for discussion and mutual exchange.

 The Reggio Emilia Approach is a style of learning, which was started by educator Loris Malaguzzi after World War II in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Individuals in the town believed the sadness and destruction of the war called for a new approach to teaching. Believing that the early years are some of the most important to child development, the approach is based on principles of respect, responsibility, exploration and discovery during this time. Students are taught based on various interests of the children in a self-guided curriculum. This method is used in several schools and centers in the United States, as well as overseas.

 For more information about “The Wonder of Learning: The Hundred Languages of Children” exhibit please visit www.wonderoflearningINKY.org, www.reggiochildren.com or www.reggioalliance.org. You may also call the Tourist Commission at 1-800-648-3128 for questions.