The Pennyroyal Arts Council kicked off this year’s Big Read with a war-time USO show at the Alhambra Theatre, complete with singers and dancers.
The 2019 Big Read selection is Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried,” a collection of stories about American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War.
In honor of the event, Hopkinsville Brewing Company released a new beer honoring veterans.
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The Tip Tap Trio (from left) Heather Harvey Dawson, Alissa Keller and Chrissy Dilday dance for the USO-style show during The Big Read kickoff at the Alhambra Theatre. 
Performers line the stage duringThe Big Read kickoff, a USO Show. 
The Tip Tap Trio dance for the USO-style show during The Big Read kickoff at the Alhambra Theatre. 
Becky Dearman as Hopkinsville’s Bob Hope act-alike during The Big Read kickoff at the Alhambra Theatre. 
Brooke Jung hands out copies of The Things They Carried at the end of the show to kick off The Big Read at the Alhambra Theatre. 
Margaret Prim (right) and Becky Dearman in a funny moment during The Big Read kickoff at the Alhambra Theatre. 
Becky Dearman and Riley Fort entertain a large crowd that turned out for Friday’s Big Read kick off. 
A Vietnam-era uniform was among displays at the Alhambra Theatre during The Big Read kickoff event. 
Margaret Prim (right) and Becky Dearman during The Big Read kickoff at the Alhambra Theatre. 
Margaret Prim (left) and Becky Dearman during The Big Read kickoff at the Alhambra Theatre.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
