(Editor’s Note: If your business or organization is participating in Saturday’s downtown events and you would like to be added to this story, email us at editor@hoptownchronicle.org)
The grand opening celebration of Hopkinsville’s Downtown Entertainment District will be Saturday, Aug. 23, with live music, food, games and shopping at several locations from 4 to 9 p.m.
The celebration coincides with Saturday’s Christian County Art Loop. Organized by the Hopkinsville Art Guild, Art Loop will feature demonstrations with more than 40 artists at 14 locations across the county. Of those, seven will be in downtown locations.
Businesses and venues listed as members of the Downtown Entertainment District include the Alhambra Theatre, Baked, The Mixer, Bella Marie Boutique, The Book and Bottle Shop, The Crusty Pig, Hopkinsville Brewing Co. and J. Schrecker Jewelry.
A city ordinance allows patrons within the district boundaries to walk outdoors and into participating businesses with an alcoholic beverage — as long as the drink is served in a Downtown Entertainment District logo cup from one of the businesses. The hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Several street signs mark the district boundaries.
The district, approved last year by Hopkinsville City Council and then authorized by a state license, has been in force since June 21.
Here are some of the events planned for the grand opening celebration:
Alhambra Theatre, 507 S. Main St.
The Pennyroyal Arts Council and downtown boutique Charlotte’s on 6th will host La Rambla, an evening of Spanish-inspired art, wine and music, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the alley that runs between the Alhambra Theatre and the Christian County Courthouse.
The evening will include:
- Music provided by a strolling violinist.
- Spanish wine tasting facilitated by the Spirit Society of Hopkinsville.
- A community art experience with paintings on large canvases started by the art council and then opened up for guests to add their own artistic touches. Organizers hope to later display the paintings in local businesses.
“This event is named after La Rambla, the world-famous boulevard in Barcelona where artists, musicians, and performers have gathered for centuries,” states a press release from the arts council. “This event celebrates the spirit of artistic expression while honoring the Alhambra Theatre’s own Spanish heritage — its name inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada. A true promenade, La Rambla is lined with trees and lamp posts — an elegant thoroughfare for public life. It is Barcelona’s social and cultural artery, home to theaters, cafés, flower stalls, and civic celebrations. …”
Crystal F. Ferreira, operations and marketing manager for the arts council and owner of Charlotte’s on 6th, said La Rambla is an opportunity to “immerse yourself in creativity and culture in a truly unique setting while enjoying the grand opening of Hopkinsville’s Downtown Entertainment District.”
The event is free and open to all ages, but the wine tasting will be during the first hour and reserved for the first 30 guests age 21 and older who register in advance. Tastings will be offered to additional guests as supplies last.
Hopkinsville Brewing Co., 102 E. Fifth St.
Hopkinsville Brewing Co. will have music with The Burbs from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. This local, four-piece band plays classic rock, country, blues and pop music. The members include guitarists and lead singers Lewis Dilly and Emilio McDonald, bassist Marc Hampton and drummer Shamar Williamson.
Camo Caravan, 1016 S. Main St.
Camo Caravan, the restaurant in the former Bourbon Society building, will be serving from 4 to 9 p.m. They’ll have live music by the band Rewind playing hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s on the patio.
The Crusty Pig, 202 E. Seventh St.
The Bobby Harper Trio will play indoors at The Crusty Pig from 6 to 9 p.m. The restaurant also plans to have some special items on the menu.
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.
