Click Here to View the Freedom Fest 2011 Newletter

Freedom Fest 2011 Activities
July 1-3, thousands of people will travel to downtown Murray, Ky. for the Opening Ceremony of Freedom Fest 2011. Smells of barbecue and funnel cakes will fill the air along with the sounds of great music and children laughing. The Court Square will be transformed into a full-force patriotic celebration.

We're having a beach party downtown! Experience the court square in a whole new way with 20 tons of sand, beach balls and lei's. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 1 with the singing of our National Anthem. Next, Jeremiah Johnson and the Grizzly Six will begin the Lion's Club Red, White and Blue Block Party. Jarrod McMillin, lead guitarist for The Grizzly Six, said, "Our band has an energetic stage presence grouped with a wide array of songs making for a great live show."

Following the Grizzly Six is Al Green and the Hard Times. Lead singer Al Green finds it hard to classify his music into only one category. "We play a very diverse line-up. If I had to describe it, I would call it country southern rockin' blues," he said.

Click Here to View the Spring 2011 Newletter

Spring events bloom in Murray
Murray, Ky. will play host to the FLW College Fishing National Championship.  Each morning teams will take off on Kentucky Lake and in the evening return to the CFSB Center on Murray State’s campus to weigh-in at 4 p.m.  The College Festival takes place from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 12-4 on Saturday. The weigh-ins will be an exciting event for all, with rock climbing, featured bands and more. Saturday includes a free concert, rod and reel giveaway to the first 100 college students and free pizza at the final weigh-in.  After the first two days, competitors will be narrowed down to 5 teams, who will compete for the national championship on the last day.  Come out for the big reveal on the last night to experience a free and fun event. This year, the championship will follow with a Murray State High School Fishing Open.  More information can be found at www.collegefishing.com.

History's Home: Wrather West Kentucky Museum
The journey of each person creates the history of the community, the nation, the world. Artifacts of the past allow those of today a chance to understand their own historical identity.

Located on Murray State University’s campus is Wrather West Kentucky Museum, where locals and visitors can learn and understand the history surrounding the Jackson Purchase.

PostSecret founder shares secrets with Murray State crowd
Frank Warren stood before a thousand students and community members in historic Lovett Auditorium Tuesday night to talk about secrets. Warren is the founder of PostSecret, an ongoing community mail art project, in which people mail in their secrets anonymously on a homemade postcard.

Since November 2004, when PostSecret started, Warren has received over 400,000 postcards filled with secrets from hidden acts of kindness, to confessions of secret beliefs, to deepest, darkest secrets. He began posting the secrets on his blog, and PostSecret became a huge success online with over 250,000,000 hits. Forbes listed Warren as the fourth most influential person online in 2009.

Community Spotlight: Matt Falwell
Owner, Gear Up Cycles

Click Here to View the Winter 2010 Newletter

Murray prepares for the Holiday season
Friends and family pull into the driveway. Hugs are exchanged and bags are taken in. The holiday festivities begin. The part left out of this scenario? The preparation.

The weeks leading up to the celebration are vital to having less stress during the actual holiday. Businesses in Murray spent the past weeks serving the community by providing unique gifts ideas at affordable prices during the Murray Holiday Open House.

Hazel offers all-day antique shopping adventure
In the early 20th Century the small community of Hazel, Ky. became a booming railroad town. As time rolled on and the railroad industry began to dwindle, so did Hazel, according to www.hazelky.com. Then, in the early 1990's, the town found a new industry to breathe the life back into it -- antiques. Since then, the quaint little area has found its calling with fourteen antique specialty shops, unique restaurants and the Hazel Fine Art Gallery.

Main Street Merriment warms downtown this weekend
This Friday, December 3, Murray's downtown square will be filled with warmth, laughter and Holiday cheer. Every year, Murray Main Street arranges this event which draws hundreds of people downtown. The event will kick-off at 5:15 p.m. with a bit of caroling and the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree in front of the Calloway County Courthouse. Carter and Jackson Kimbro will be the offical Christmas Tree lighters this year. Their parents, Justin and Angie Kimbro, had this to say, "We are delighted that our sons will be representing the entire community at the tree lighting ceremony. The excitement in their eyes and joy in their expressions, when told they get to be the official 2010 tree lighters, encompasses the true meaning and spirit of Christmas."

Community Spotlight: Jeremy Bell
Murray City Councilman

Click Here to View the Fall 2010 Newletter

Murray Awarded 2011-2012 Kentucky Senior Games
After a nearly year-long bid process, Murray has received the Kentucky Senior Games for 2011 and 2012.

The Kentucky Senior Games is supported and sanctioned by the National Senior Games Association, a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The National Senior Games, held every two years, is the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors. Athletes must qualify at one of the state games in order to participate in the National Senior Games.

Regional Special Events Center to Host Diverse Fall Concert Line-up
The Regional Special Events Center as well as Lovett Auditorium, both on the Murray State University campus, have announced their fall concert line-ups. Joe Santiago of the RSEC and Lovett stresses that the RSEC will host a variety of events this year, including family shows, sporting events and a variety of concerts. He said that although there is a packed schedule for fall, other shows and events have already been booked for spring.

Ice Cream Festival Holds Fun for Kids, Families Downtown
As summer comes to a close, the Murray Ice Cream Festival will provide a weekend of fun activities and a cool treat in downtown Murray, Ky. September 10 and 11.

The weekend will begin at 6:00 Friday night with a new event, The Rotary Scooper Bowl. The Scooper Bowl is a homemade ice cream competition, with non-profit groups vying to see who has the best ice cream recipe. For $5, adults can purchase a spoon and sample all the frozen treats, then vote for their favorite. Children under age 10 may participate for $1.

Community Spotlight: Bill Wells
Murray City Councilman

Click Here to View the Summer 2010 Newletter

Kevin Skinner, winner of "America's Got Talent" to headline Freedom Fest concert
Thousands of people from all over our region gathered around their televisions on September 16, 2009. They waited anxiously to see who would win "America's Got Talent," and hope that their local favorite, Kevin Skinner, would be the one to take home the top prize. Their wish came true.

Skinner was named the top vote-getter and was awarded $1 million and a headlining show in Las Vegas, Nev. Now he is coming home to play for the fans who voted him to the top.

Kentucky Lake holds summer fun for visitors, locals
One of the best aspects of warm weather is the freedom to enjoy more of the outdoors. Murray is home to many exceptional outdoor attractions, one of which is Kentucky Lake. This man-made body of water offers an assortment of activities to enjoy nature at its best.

Freedom Fest preparations in full swing
Friday, July 2, brings the smell of BBQ to the downtown Court Square. Squealin' on the Square, Freedom Fest's annual KCBS-sanctioned grilling competition will bring some of the nation's top competitors to Murray. Bacon in the Sun, an amateur grilling competition, is back for its second year. This competition gives cooking enthusiasts from all over the region the chance to prove that they are the best. Participants may enter any of the four categories: pork, poultry, ribs and dessert. Entries will be judged on appearance, tenderness and taste.

Community Spotlight: Deana Wright
Manager, Murray Main Street

Click Here to View the Spring 2010 Newletter

Spring Citywide Yard Sale to be held May 1
Spring cleaning. For many, this term sends dread and dislike straight to the pit of the stomach. Just the thought of digging through the depths of closets, attics and basements can turn the most motivated cleaner into a serious procrastinator. Yet, what if cleaning out closets could lead to more money in the bank? If sorting through old items could help a community event become better?

Land Between the Lakes offers Unique Experience to Visitors
Only a short drive from Murray, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area consists of 170,000 acres of wildlife, history and outdoor recreation, wrapped by 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline. It is one of the most unique places in Kentucky, and offers a great opportunity to both visitors and locals.

Freedom Fest brings grilling competition to the masses
April has arrived, which can mean only one thing to the Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau- Freedom Fest planning is underway! Staff are beginning to organize the many events that make up Freedom Fest including concerts, fireworks, family day, parade and street fair.

Community Spotlight: Chelsie Wright
Management Assistant, Enterprise Rent-a-Car

Click Here to View the Winter 2010 Newletter

Murray Convention & Visitors Bureau unveils new image
The Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau is starting off 2010 with a bang. A re-branding campaign was launched at the beginning of the year, which will create a consistent look for the CVB and help to promote Murray in a new way.

Murray is home to local and national art influences
In each mind a definition of art lies. Murray is a community of many minds, and therefore many definitions. From its various galleries, clubs and individuals, Murray forms a unique world of art. Each paint stroke, woven thread and photo shoot blends a fresh take on our community.

Main Street Merriment spreads Holiday cheer
Although the night of December 4th, 2009 was cold, downtown Murray was full of warmth. Many local residents and families gathered together on the Court Square to kick off the Holiday season.

Community Spotlight: Lance Allison
Executive Director, Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce