HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) –Opening Night for the Downtown Entertainment District on Aug. 23 showcased the many dining and shopping opportunities available for residents and visitors in the area. For one night, every street was transformed, filled with artists, music, and entertainment at every corner.

Camo Caravan owner and cook Jason Coy said his business, which had to relocate due to flooding at his prior location, is now thriving on Main Street. Patrons sat in the patio area, enjoying grilled burgers and live music from the Rewind Band. Patrons at the other end of Main Street, at the Hopkinsville Brewing Company also enjoyed live music from The Burbs Band, along with a large checkerboard game and free caricature portraits.

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Many patrons enjoyed a new policy in the district, enjoying an alcoholic beverage as they shop and mingle at the open-air seating areas with their designated Downtown Entertainment District cups. The Mixer owner, Heather Dawson, told Christian County Now she is happy to see the excitement on people’s faces as they come together.

Business owners downtown share enthusiasm

“We want this to be the third place you think as your space, after work and home. A good place for family and friends. It takes a full community to support anything and everything that’s going on,” said Holly Boggess, Assistant Director and Downtown Renaissance Director for Community Development Services. She was among those watching the aerial and juggling performers outside of City Hall that night.

Her feelings were echoed by store owners throughout the district. Patty Cooper, owner of Starbird Gourmet Popcorn, is just one of the vendors now displaying her tasty creations in the Clayton Downtown Market building. She said that the space offers local vendors a space to display their goods and it also helps support the local community boxing group and non-profit animal shelters, among others.

Book and Bottle Shop owner, Rachel Sanders, hopes that the Opening Night event will help raise awareness for other events held in the district, from the Art Crawl to the Art After Dark events held monthly. “We hope we can do more creative things like this so we can give the community more reasons to come check it out. “

From the Spanish wine tasting in The Alhambra Theater alley to the inflatable axe throwing and portable video game center, downtown had something for everyone. Returning resident Neeley and Mathew Bornstein say they are very excited to see the rejuvenation and to see the downtown area come back.

To find out more about what upcoming events will be happening in the Downtown Entertainment District, visit them on Facebook or Instagram.

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