Stephanie Parrett
502-564-4930, ext. 152

Stephanie.Parrett@ky.gov 

                Bardstown, KY (Oct. 7, 2004) If you think you’ve seen all the “Bourbon Capital of the World” has to offer, think again.  Bardstown has added new attractions this past year and will be a hot spot to visit this weekend, October 9-10, for the 24^th annual Bardstown Arts, Crafts and Antique Fair on the Spalding Hall lawn, near St. Joseph Catholic Proto-Cathedral in downtown Bardstown.

                The show will provide a forum for more than 50 artists and craftsmen to display their talents.  The fair will also feature southern foods, collectible antiques and musical entertainment.

                The public grand opening of the Heaven Hill distillery’s Bourbon Heritage Center will take place on Tuesday, October 19.  The center’s purpose is to teach visitors about the birth of bourbon and the role of whiskey-making pioneers. It’s located at 1064 Loretto Rd. Bardstown, KY, and will be open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information on the Bourbon Heritage Center, please visit www.bourbonheritagecenter.com or call 502-337-1000.

                “Bardstown is a great example of a truly historic Kentucky community and October is the best time to visit,” said Daniel Bennett, former Executive Director of the Bardstown Tourist and Convention Commission.

 Last spring the Heaven Hill Distilleries Trolley began taking tourists through downtown Bardstown.  Visitors may “catch” the vintage trolley at 107 E. Stephen Foster Avenue.  The trolley’s scheduled runs are at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.  The trolley is available for lease for special occasions and group rentals.  For more information on the trolley, contact 502-510-0012.

“There’s no better way to get acquainted with Bardstown’s many historic homes, taverns, civil war stories and bourbon heritage than taking a ride on our 45 minute-long tour,” said Bennett, who now runs the trolley service.

Rosemark Haven Bed and Breakfast has recently opened Rosebud Café, located at 714 N. Third St., Bardstown.  The Café offers soups and sandwiches such as their special BLT-E, with a fried egg and cream cheese.   Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Rosebud Café also has outdoor dining.  For additional information contact Rosemary Sweeney, Innkeeper at 888-420-9703 or visit www.arosemarkhaven.com.

Don’t forget the longtime favorites when you visit Kentucky’s oldest city:  My Old Kentucky Home State Park (the Commonwealth’s first state park); The Railway Museum and My Old Kentucky Dinner Train.

The Bardstown Arts, Crafts and Antique Fair is just one of more than 30 festivals and events that will take place this coming weekend in Kentucky.  For additional information, please visit the Kentucky Department of Tourism’s website at www.kentuckytourism.com or call 800-225-8747 to speak with a travel consultant.

The Kentucky Department of Tourism, an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, exists to promote The Commonwealth as a travel destination, to generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky’s economy. Tourism is a $9.3 billion business for Kentucky.  It’s the state’s third largest industry and second leading employer.