New horse racing event kicks off Bardstown’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler

Feb. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- A new horse racing and bourbon event joins the lineup of active fun this spring in Bardstown, the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” Racing With the Spirits charges down the video track on Fri., April 26, accompanied by bourbons from several distilleries. Spring also brings swing dancers, uniformed Colonials and 100 antiques dealers to this historic town located in central Kentucky. See Bardstown’s Calendar of Events (http://www.visitbardstown.com/tourism/events.php).

Bourbon with a (new) twist

This year, Bardstown’s inaugural Racing with the Spirits event kicks off the annual  Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler. On Fri., April 26, join in an evening of horse racing videos with play money for betting at the Guthrie Opportunity Center. Sip bourbons and sample a selection of hors d’ oeuvres while enjoying music and prizes. Reservations suggested. Tickets: $45 per person. Info and tickets: 800-638-4877 #4 or online at www.KyBourbonFestival.com.

The next evening, April 27, imbibe in the Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sampler, a mellow evening tasting a variety of Kentucky bourbons and foods from area restaurants. Also held at the Guthrie Opportunity Center, the event runs from 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets: $40. Info and tickets: 800-638-4877 #4 or o line at www.KyBourbonFestival.com.

Return to the 1940s; stay for the antique show

Bardstown is busy April 6 and 7: The Kentucky Railway Museum presents its 1940s Weekend with music of the era, swing dancers, military equipment and train excursion. Info and tickets: 502-549-5470, 800-272-0152, www.KyRail.org. And the 46th Annual Antique Show & Sale gets underway with 100 dealers from a dozen states setting up shop at the Nelson County High School. Browse and buy everything from vintage collectibles to museum quality artifacts, and all at reasonable prices. Admission: $6. Info: 502-348-4877, 800-638-4877, www.Parrettlich.com.

Drillin’ with the Colonials

On April 12-14, re-live the 18th century when Bardstown returns to its colonial roots. Now in its third year, Bardstown Colonial Days sets up an 18th century Market Fair in Old Bardstown Village with period market vendors, artisans, speakers and entertainers. Watch living history demonstrations, tour a Native American Village and see flintlock rifle demos, military drills and displays.

An 18th century Tavern Night takes place on Friday night at the circa 1779 Old Talbott Tavern. On Saturday evening, a Historical Ball will be held at Historic Wickland Estate. Info: www.BardstownColonialDays.com.

Make a weekend of it

This spring, Bardstown also hosts Whiskey City Cruises classic car show on Sat., April 13; Art Walk Talk and Gawk on April 26-27; the Kentucky Railway Museum’s family-friendly Train Robbery, April 27-28; plus The Bardstown Opry, A Visit with the Spirits of Wickland, Friday night Bourbon Excursions and Saturday night Murder Mysteries with four-course meal aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train and more.

Book one of Bardstown’s 16 bed and breakfast inns, including the Jailer’s Inn with authentic jail cell guestroom; the gracious Beautiful Dreamer across from My Old Kentucky Home State Park; a cozy cottage right off Court Square; the oldest Western stagecoach stop in America at Old Talbott Tavern; and Springhill Winery & Plantation B&B (http://www.springhillwinery.com) with two and a half-acre vineyard.

Visit www.SampleOurSpirit.com for information on events and accommodations for a spring visit to Bardstown, Ky.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dawn Przystal (mailto:dawn@bardstowntourism.com), dawn@bardstowntourism.com, Vice President-Bardstown-Nelson County TCC, 800-638-4877 x 114 Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist & Convention Commission (http://www.SampleOurSpirit.com)

For Bardstown Colonial Days: Dennis Medley, citadel43@aol.com (502)-396-5311. www.BardstownColonialDays.com

HI- and LOW-RES photos available.

ABOUT BARDSTOWN (http://www.sampleourspirit.com/), KY | Located in central Kentucky, Bardstown (http://www.sampleourspirit.com/) was selected as the Most Beautiful Small Town in America in the Rand McNally/USA Today 2012 “Best of the Road” contest. More familiarly known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” Bardstown sits in the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country, home to five distilleries, including Barton 1792 and the restored and re-opened Willett Distillery. Three of Bardstown’s distilleries – Heaven Hill, Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam – are on the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Major attractions include the “Stephen Foster Story,” Kentucky’s official outdoor drama that takes place in My Old Kentucky Home State Park; the Civil War Museum of the Western Theatre (one of the four most significant such museums in the country); The Kentucky Railway Museum, where Thomas the Tank Engine is known to put in appearances; and My Old Kentucky Dinner Train. Additionally, Bardstown has four 18-hole golf courses, three wineries, three self-guided tours (Historic Downtown Walking, Architectural and African-American), two haunted tours and numerous religious attractions.