A live performance Monday night at the Alhambra Theatre, with a local twist on Thornton Wilder’s classic play, “Our Town,” will kick off Hopkinsville’s sixth Big Read.
The kick-off program starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, and the first 100 people to arrive will receive a free copy of “Our Town.”
Wilder’s play, set in a quintessential American town at the start of the 20th century, explores the human connection, love, mortality and the depth of seemingly ordinary lives. Those themes will highlight Big Read programs that will run through Nov. 8.
Sponsored by the Pennyroyal Arts Council, the Big Read is made possible by a $15,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant. Several local groups help put on the Big Read, including the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County, the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, Christian County Public Schools and Hopkinsville Community College.
Big Read Schedule of Events
Sept. 30 — 6:30 p.m., Big Read Kick-Off at the Alhambra Theatre. Come for Hopkinsville’s version of Act 1 of Thornton Wilder’s play “Our Town.” Art by local students will create the backdrop of this performance, and special guests will share about a time when they realized it was important to be from our town.
Oct. 3 — 5:30 p.m., Hopkinsville Art Guild Photo Contest awards reception at Public Library. The artists whose work was selected for the guild’s “Hoptown – Our Town” photo exhibition will be recognized, and prizes awarded.
Oct. 4 — 6:30 p.m., A Walk to Remember at Woody Winfree Fire-Transportation Museum, focused on the local streetscape as it appeared in the early 20th century. Tickets: $10/person; $5/museum members.
October 5th — 9 a.m., Author Festival at Public Library. This all-day, sign-and-sell event will feature a wide variety of authors, including Teresa Medeiros as the guest speaker.
Oct. 8 — 6 p.m., Death Do Us Part, The Hall at the Alhambra Theatre. Robert Martin leads a journey through funeral traditions of years’ past.
Oct. 10 — Noon, The Historical Inspiration Behind Our Town, Hopkinsville Community College history professor John Davis examines the current events that inspired “Our Town” and the comfort of nostalgia as a way to cope. Refreshments provided.
Oct. 11 — 5 p.m., Supper in the Cemetery at 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.
Oct. 12 — 9:30 a.m., Dialogue Writing Workshop at Public Library. Elizabeth Burton, a writing instructor at HCC, returns to the library for a writing workshop. This workshop will focus on the art of dialogue writing.
Oct. 13 — 2 p.m., Feature Film, “Our Town,” rated PG, shows at Alhambra Theatre.
Oct. 13 — 4:30 p.m., Feature Film, “Hello Dolly!,” rated G, shows at Alhambra Theatre.
Oct. 15 — 6 p.m., Hoptown in the Time of “Our Town” at Woody Winfree 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.
Oct. 16 — Noon, Why Do We Love Our Town? at Books On Main. Writing tutor and flower farmer Martha White leads a discussion about what we love — or not — about our town.
Oct. 17 — 5 p.m., Our Town Hopkinsville at Public Library. “Our Town” premiered in 1938. Wayne Goolsby will lead a discussion about what was happening in Hopkinsville in 1938.
Oct. 19 — 2 p.m., Feature Film, Shadow of a Doubt,” rated PG, shows at Public Library.
Oct. 20 — 12:30-3:30 p.m., Sunday Social: A Step Back in Time at 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 and kids’ games. Order ahead boxed lunches from Southern Belle Catering. Email Chef Teeka chef.teeka@gmail.com to place an order.
Oct. 21 — 6 p.m., Homegrown Poetry: The Places That Define Us at The Corner Coffeehouse. Locals share their own take on George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From.” Opportunity to share your own reflections on where you’re from will be part of the program. Sponsored by Hoptown Chronicle and WKMS.
Oct. 22 — 5:30 p.m., Our Town Hoptown: African American Voices at Hopkinsville Community College 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.
Oct. 23 — 5 p.m., Our Town vs Salem’s Lot at Public Library. Stephen King was inspired by the plot and narrative structure of “Our Town” when he wrote “Salem’s Lot.” The discussion will focus on the similarities between the two stories.
Oct. 24 — 6:30 p.m., History on Tap at Hopkinsville Brewing Co. Robert Martin dives deep into the history of an iconic landmark home in “If Walls Could Talk.”
Oct. 26 — 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Downtown Stroll, Sip, & Shop at Sixth Street and Founders Square. Paint a local landmark at Griffin’s Studio, enjoy live music, and shop local deals as you support our town.
Oct. 28 — 7 p.m., Our Town/Hoptown Trivia Night at Davo’s Burgers.
Oct. 30 — Noon, Book Discussion: “What Role Does the Audience Play?”at Books on Main with English professor Caitlin Chester discussing if the audience is a character in the play and how breaking the fourth wall helps the audience connect with the characters.
Oct. 31 — 6:30 p.m., Haunted Hoptown Walking Tour at Woody Winfree Fire-Transportation Museum. Haunt the streets with us as we share some of Hoptown’s strangest, most bizarre and darkest stories. Advance registration is required. $10/person; $5/museum members.
Nov. 2 — 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Arts and Heritage Day 2.0. A downtown scavenger hunt, art project, and updates from all of your favorite organizations involved in arts and heritage. Open to anyone; alumni of the Leadership Hopkinsville are encouraged to attend. Advance registration required. Fee will be charged.
Nov. 5 — 5:30 p.m., Ghosts on the Page at Milkweed Health & Harmony. What role does a ghost play in literary fiction? HCC writing instructor Addison James will lead the discussion.
Nov. 8 — 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Christian County Literacy Council’s Community Reader Day at Christian County schools. Volunteers read to students in local schools for this annual program.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
