Download Traffic & Event Maps for the Weekend!
See y’all soon!
Can you believe Duncan Hines Days is almost here?! The weeklong celebration of good food, great entertainment, and grand adventures in southern Kentucky is June 3rd-9th. Even Southern Living recommends us, sharing the story of our hometown’s real man behind the cake mix.
Thanks to the entire community for coming together to put on such an amazing showcase of southern Kentucky food, fun, and adventure. Buckle up, let’s hit the road!
Event list
Restaurant Week
June 3-9
Restaurant Week
National Corvette Museum Scavenger Hunt
Join our scavenger hunt and uncover the history of America's Sports Car as you search for clues throughout the National Corvette Museum. In collaboration with Duncan Hines Days, running from June 3 to June 9, every participant who finishes the hunt will receive a complimentary box of Duncan Hines Cake Mix, available while supplies last. Corvettemuseum.org
Pickleball Social
June 5
Pickleball Social
Ephram White Park Gym
858 Mt. Olilvet Rd., BG, KY 42101
Clinic & Palooza
Free to attend and spectate. Learn how to play and have some fun!
FREE Movie at the Capitol: Duncan Hines Days meets Unseen BG
Dolly Parton's The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a perfect twist on the legendary Pauline Tabor Unseen BG story, and Dolly Parton and Duncan Hines have their own southern baking mix line. Catch Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in this iconic 1980s musical comedy. When Texas authorities attempt to close down the Chicken Ranch, a popular Texas brothel, the local madam fights to save her business—singing and dancing all the way. Unseen BG will be selling special edition Pauline’s autobiography books from Capitol Bookstore during this night. Thanks to Warren County Public Library and the Capitol. Rated: R (1982) https://capitolbg.org/get-tickets/
Scavenger Hunt and Show Modular Train Display Programs -
Duncan traveled by train before he bought his first car in his 30s. Take a look at special displays and programs the local sHOw Modular Railroad Club has designed for this week! Can you complete the RailPark and Museum’s scavenger hunt along the way.
Thursday, June 6, display open 10am-4pm with train program running 1:30-4pm
Friday, June 7, display open 10am-4pm with modeling programming 1:30-4pm
Saturday, June 8, display open 10am-6pm with train slide shows running 1:30-6pm
Sunday, June 9, display open 10am-4pm
Link to main website: www.historicrailpark.com
Duncan Hines Day at the Waterpark
June 6
Duncan Hines Day at the Waterpark
Russell Sims Aquatic Center
2303 Tomblinson Way, BG, KY 42101
Themed concession specials and park activities
Unseen BG: Pauline Tabor XXX Downtown Walking Tour
The legendary Miss Pauline Tabor, Madame of Clay Street and one of BG’s most interesting citizens of the past, has a unique tie to Duncan Hines Days. Duncan and Dolly Parton have a southern baking mix line, and Dolly Parton played the role of Miss Mona, a madam, in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas opposite Burt Reynolds in 1982. Miss Mona’s character may be inspired by Pauline Tabor. For one night only, the 21+ Pauline tour that’s normally in the Fall around Downtown Bowling Green, comes to life!
Thursday, June 6
Downtown Kickoff
Fountain Square Vintage Car Show
5-7pm
Around Fountain Square
Free to attend
Want To Register Your Car? Do it here.
Specials and sidewalk sales from Downtown businesses
Uncle Duncan’s Summer Stroll Parade
4:30-6pm
Walking parade from in front of SKyPAC to Fountain Square, to State St., to Circus Square to SoKY Marketplace
Starts at 601 College St.., BG, KY 42101
Free to attend
Community Ice Cream Social
5-8pm
SoKY Marketplace
636 Center St., BG, KY 42101
free to attend
free live entertainment/music
ice cream and dessert vendors available
Party on the Plaza presented by Bourbon & Brewfest
5-8pm
BG Hot Rods Ballpark Plaza
Free to attend
Drinks available
Cakewalk and yard games!
Duncan Hines Duck Paddle Race & Regatta
Duncan Hines Duck Paddle Race & Regatta
June 8th, 8am
FREE: Eats & Beats Music Fest
Eats & Beats Music Fest
3-10pm
BGRBA 3:00-3:30
Otis 4:00-4:45
Girl Tones 5:15-6:00
Government Cheese 6:30-7:30
Sam Bush 8:00-9:30
Circus Square Park
621 State St., BG, KY 42101
Free live music and concert
food trucks, drinks, and concert merch available
WKU Shuttle to and from campus for additional parking
Downtown Events!
Fountain Square Vintage Car Show
June 7 - Downtown Kickoff
Fountain Square Vintage Car Show
4pm
around Fountain Square
free to attend
Eventbrite registration link coming
Specials and sidewalk sales from Downtown businesses
Uncle Duncan’s Summer Stroll Parade
Uncle Duncan’s Summer Stroll Parade
June 7th, 4pm
Walking parade from in front of SKyPAC to Fountain Square, to State St., to Circus Square to SoKY Marketplace
Starts at 601 College St, BG, KY 42101
Free to attend
Party on the Plaza
Party on the Plaza presented by Bourbon & Brewfest
5-8pm
BG Hot Rods Ballpark Plaza
Free to attend
Drinks available
Yard games!
Community Ice Cream Social
Community Ice Cream Social
5-8pm
SoKY Marketplace
636 Center St., BG, KY 42101
Free to attend!
Free live entertainment from Natasha Neely as Dolly Parton and her band!
Ice Cream/Dessert Food Trucks and Duncan Hines Cake from the George Washington Carver Center!
Community attractions and partners with kids activities!
Downtown Trolley loop with Duncan Hines tour guide on board!
FREE: Eats & Beats Music Fest
Eats & Beats Music Fest
3-10pm
BGRBA 3:00-3:30
Otis 4:00-4:45
Girl Tones 5:15-6:00
Government Cheese 6:30-7:30
Sam Bush 8:00-9:30
Circus Square Park
621 State St., BG, KY 42101
Free live music and concert
food trucks, drinks, and concert merch available
VIP Experience Ticket link coming soon
WKU Shuttle to and from campus for additional parking
#duncanhinesdays goin’ ons
Use #duncanhinesdays on your instagram story, post or reel and you will show up here.
Volunteer
Sign up
Help needed! Please share this volunteer sign up form with any clubs or groups that may be searching for community service opportunities! Sign Up Genius for Volunteers is on the Contact section of the DHD site – here’s a link to sign up for time slots throughout the entire week of June 5-11 at events around BG and Warren County.
Highly Recommended
Why Duncan?
You may be sitting there wondering why we are celebrating a cake mix.
Before he was a trusted name on everything from cake mix to biscuits, Duncan Hines was the original road tripper and influencer who was born and raised in Bowling Green. He is a WKU alum, and traveling salesman turned food and travel guidebook publisher.
GET OFF THE COUCH
explore good times
What to Expect
Our pal Duncan recommended the best in eats, sleeps, and vacationing. We’ve plotted a roadmap of good time events happening all week long. Our hometown grocer Houchens Food Group kicks off our fun at the Community Ice Cream Social. Bring a chair and sit a spell at any of our area’s live concerts!
Our Region Mixes it Up
Bring your tastebuds & take part in Adventures in Swell Eating
What to Expect
With special eats and drinks telling our story, dig into our area’s tasty goodness all week. From craft cocktails to mouthwatering entrees to homemade ice cream and pies baked by a queen, you won’t go hungry.
Restaurant Week
Check out our “Recommended during Duncan Hines Days” Restaurant Week presented by our friends at Tyson Foods. Own a restaurant, bar, or food truck and interested in participating? Let us know.
Bowling Green
Let us introduce ourselves
Why Here?
Bowling Green is our nostalgic hometown of and starting point for grand adventures in our regional food and drink, travel, and entertainment.
The Duncan Hines Scenic Byway runs through southern Kentucky, and his former home office on Louisville Road in Bowling Green is the current home of Hardy & Sons Funeral Home. The “Recommended by Duncan Hines” exhibit lives at the Kentucky Museum on WKU’s campus.
We’ve got activities and fun for all during Duncan Hines Days, celebrating the area’s diversity and culture driven by our history and stories. Please pull up a chair and have a seat at our community dinner table. Buckle up for an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Or sit back and enjoy the entertainment with a few surprises.
SPECIAL THANKS
supporters of GREAT adventure
Interested in supporting the best food, travel and entertainment in our region? Give Us A Shout!
have questions about exploring our region?
Need Recommendations? Know about a hidden gem in our area? Want to become a sponsor? Let us know how we can help.
Follow our Recommendations in Real Time.