Beau Haddock (502)564-9738 

beau.haddock@ky.gov

Diamond Caverns, Park City, Kentucky, announces its annual spring preview of the Kentucky Collection, offering an array of the state’s crafts, visual arts, books, food and music available for purchase. The preview is on Saturday, May 14, 2005 from 9:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (CST). All cave tours will be $1.00 for adults and children.

The preview event will also feature hot bluegrass music, 1-3 p.m., by No Tools Loaned, (Frankfort) and one of Kentucky’s favorite food producers, Southern Delight Foods, (Bowling Green) offering their incredible food samples.

Diamond Caverns’ gift shop has been a Kentucky Collection store since 2001 and was selected as one of the original eleven stores to particpate in this unique state-sponsored program.The Kentucky Collection, a project of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, represents an assortment of the state's crafts, foods, visual arts, books, and music available to retailers in a custom-designed display case with signage and marketing support. The goal of the Kentucky Collection program is to provide Kentucky retailers a convenient and effective way to sell the state’s products. Partners on the project include the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and the Kentucky Book Fair.

For more more information on Diamond Caverns visit their web site at: http://www.diamondcaverns.com

The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program is a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky.  For more information, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238), local calls, (502) 564-8076, or visit the Program's web site at www.kycraft.ky.gov.

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Since 1981, the Craft Marketing Program's mission is to develop the state's craft industry, support and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve the state's craft traditions, stimulate and support product development, and generate public awareness, public support and public/private partnerships.

The Program provides assistance to Kentucky residents, individuals, or groups wanting to develop as craft professionals through economic opportunities and training, to other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art organizations, community and government agencies), and the general public. The craft industry in Kentucky contributes 252 million dollars in annual sales and Kentucky is recognized as a model state for its craft programs and its role in the $14 billion national craft industry.