Sometimes when parking seems absolutely scarce you can still hit the jackpot. You’ll never know until you ask; plus asking permission goes a long way especially when they know that you’re a vlogger and that you’re going to bring positive attention to the community. And mind you I don’t give a pitch, but people see me from out of town with a camera at their event and they want to open the doors to the city. This is why I encourage all visitors to always ask whenever possible if they can park even in places that you would think you couldn’t. But as much as I want to tell you where I parked, I can’t because then everybody that reads this article is going to ask that person and knowing how hospitable they are, they’re probably going to say yes every single time.

That’s another thing, when you get into your travels, you want to keep certain gems to yourself. Maybe a place you can park, maybe a gas station that consistently sells gas cheaper, or maybe the 411 on a great food spot that is easy on the wallet but generous on the portions. The more you travel, the more helpful tips you’ll acquire. It’s up to you how much of them you share and how much of them you want others to find out for themselves. That’s not being mean, it’s just letting people evolve on their own. A big party of traveling and exploring, is starting from scratch and finding your own way.

“Exploring Kentucky is an absolute blast. Get to know the state where you live.” – Christian Duque

But let’s get back to the Festival of the Horse. As soon as I saw the Georgetown police cruiser parked in the middle of the street with the lights flashing, I knew that I was at the beginning of the eventl. As soon as I walked in, maybe all of 5-10 feet, I got hit with a dozen or so different scents.  There were food trucks preparing food and selling treats from basically all corners of the world. There was Greek cuisine, barbecue, Asian food, ice cream and every alcoholic beverage you could possibly imagine. Whether you wanted it straight, on the rocks, or made into a drink with pineapple wedges and umbrellas – everything was there for you, if you wanted it. They had face painting, bubble machines everywhere, and all sorts of goods and services available to the general public.

I don’t think anybody got bored – even for a moment – and of course who could forget the lovely young lady walking around on stilts. I almost had to ask her if she had a twin because I had seen her four or five times and I could swear they were all at different spots of the festival. I don’t know, maybe she has a doppelganger and doesn’t want anyone to know, but she really worked hard. Let me tell you walking on stilts is no cakewalk plus she had a great personality and I think it contributed to the overall sense of fun in the air at the Festival of the Horse. There were great people all around.

Law enforcement was also out in full force and extremely nice and hospitable. Sometimes police can be a little apprehensive of cameras and public photography, but not here.  City officials, law enforcement, and firefighters were all on their best game. They were very interactive with the public and at the same time very alert of all their surroundings. That is probably one of the most important duties that law enforcement are tasked with. They need to know how everything operates normally and then they need to watch like hawks for anything out of place. Because a lot of times if something is out of place, it’s worth checking out. And I have to say that me holding a camera and talking into it did not raise any suspicions. It shouldn’t, but sometimes it does. When it doesn’t, I feel the need to write about it because I feel that it’s very noteworthy. I feel that a city like Georgetown gets an enormous amount of attention on a day-to-day basis given the fact that it’s so beautiful and such a great place to visit. I think they are more accustomed to seeing cameras and people filming, than say smaller communities where that may be more of a novelty.

And one of the fringe benefits of visiting Georgetown during a festival like this is that you get to look at all the beautiful buildings, the architecture, and the choice of paints for the exteriors. When I say that Georgetown is a very artistic city – it most definitely is. There are so many things about it that you will love and I have to tell you, them closing down Main Street and having a festival on it like that was so cool. I very rarely get to appreciate the finer details of the architecture or the way the city is planned out, because if you do that while standing in the middle of the road – you’re going to get run over! The fact that they shut down half the city and everything went off without a hitch is a true compliment to how well-trained and prepared they are. They put a lot of thought into this and they executed it perfectly.

This was my very first Festival of the Horse, and it most definitely will not be my last. I hope to come back next year and see the horses showcased. This time I was simply passing through, but next time I’ll make a day of it. The event is exactly one week after World Fest in Louisville, which will make it easy for me to remember. Many of the food trucks that were at World Fest were all at the Festival of the Horse. But both of events were very different in that they each had their own character. I highly encourage folks to check out this great event. You’ll thank me for it.

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But wait, what’s the twist?

Well, this may come as a huge surprise to you but Sadieville is a railroad town. Everything seems to have a focus on railroads, trains, train cars and the like. Cincinnati is less than 60 miles north and although Lexington is far closer, Cincinnati’s influence is far stronger. Even the few minutes I was exploring the community, a huge train rolled by on the elevated track. In any other situation the noise of the train would have taken away from the video, but something about it just felt right. I saw plenty of cars, but not a soul walking outside. Granted, it was an early Saturday morning, maybe 9 or 10 AM, but just the same. The only sound in town was that train and it just seemed like any other normal day.

The drive into town is pretty scenic, with a pretty sharp turn that leads vehicles through an underpass unlike anything I’ve ever really seen before. It seems like there’s a good sidewalk leading into the underpass, but I don’t recall it getting you to the other side. And even if it does, I don’t know how pedestrian-friendly this entry into town is. Walk it, but becareful! There’s a little bit of the city on the other side, but the vast majority of the town is on one side.

Sadieville has a fire department that they’re very proud of. I’ve included its historic bell, located in the town center. I didn’t see any signs of a police department, but the city may in fact have one. Upon a closer look online, it seems that the City converted the old waste water treatment plant into the new police station. The source site states there’s both a public safety commissioner and a police chief.

While walking around town I stumbled across city hall as well. I found the building’s exterior to be very unique, as well as a mural down the opposite end of the street. I’ve included both shots in this article so you may say them as well. This small town was founded way back in 1880 and has been registered in the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of the Interior.

If you find yourself in the area, by all means stop by and check out Sadieville. It’s certainly a gem in Scott County. Also be sure to visit nearby Georgetown, the county seat. Georgetown has nothing to do with railroad, but it’s one of the Commonwealth’s most artistic cities. There you will find many breathtaking historic homes and a number of antique shops. Also, be sure to skip visiting Lexington, which is the heart of this region. Well, everywhere except Sadieville, because as we said earlier, Sadieville is a Cincinnati town deep in Kentucky.

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Glencoe is a very small community, which according to Wikipedia may or may not break 300. That being said, the city has a government presence, a Fire/Rescue station, and its own USPS branch. During my video I basically walked along Main Street and was able to see most of what the town offers. There’s a nice church down a side street, some sort of a laundromat, and at the end of the road just over the railroad tracks there’s a very nice general store with great curbside appeal.

And normally this would be the end of the write-up, unless I made contact with any locals. Usually contact with locals adds a certain dimension to my visits. Sometimes, I’m offered a pastry, maybe a cup of coffee, and sometimes I’m given some kind of a memento. Sadly, there weren’t many folks to come in contact with in Glencoe at 8AM on a Saturday morning, but one local did try to run me down with his pick-up truck.

Wait, what?

Unfortunately, there are some folks who react irrationally when they see cameras, and maybe Gallatin County gets the award because a year or two ago when filming in Warsaw by the Catholic Church leading into downtown, a resident called the cops on me. The police officer was super nice and we took a selfie, but the fact that Americans fear citizens filming on a public sidewalk is pretty scary. And just last month in Glencoe, I had a guy try to run me down with his pick-up truck also while filming on a public sidewalk in downtown. It’s on the video and I was pretty shaken up, but I kept doing my work. Aside from the crazies and their shenanigans, all you can do is brush it off. You can’t live in fear of nuts. The vast majority of people are welcoming and hospitable. That being said, anytime you’re visiting a new place – always be mindful of your surroundings. Stay safe and have fun. And make some memories too – take pictures and videos!

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I really like that the county takes pride its courthouse grounds. I especially liked the Mountain Gateway sign, as well as the Joshua Fry Bell one which was immaculate. The grounds were landscaped, there was absolutely no litter anywhere, and the building itself seemed very well looked after. Although I didn’t see any law enforcement while visiting Pineville, the community seemed extremely safe to me. I walked pretty much the entire downtown area without incident. All the people I came across were very nice, and you could tell they took great pride in where they lived.

I saw a great many U.S. flags all throughout town, but I didn’t see one at the post office. I’ll admit that kind of threw me off since every USPS branch I’ve come across in the United States has Old Glory flying proud. As I said on the video, though, it’s very possible their flag was either old, faded, or torn, and they had ordered a new flag. I do plan on returning to Pineville and hope to see the stars and stripes flying.

Pineville’s city hall is a rock’s throw from the county courthouse and is a beautiful building. It seems like a a great example of fiscally-responsible spending. They have a few offices in a small building and seemingly take care of business. The United Methodist Church, across the street, looks very beautiful. Interestingly, the Bell County Detention Center looks several times bigger than city hall and almost as big as the courthouse. Why does a county with a population of under 2,000 people have such a large corrections facility? Could be it be that only a portion of the building is used for housing inmates? Perhaps it shares a floor with another agency or two? I don’t really know, but I’m clearly intrigued.

One last note, which may seem a little trivial, but there are A LOT of birds in Pineville. I filmed in three or four parts of downtown and there seemed to be different birds wherever I went. Between the fog, the mountains, and the birds, Pineville seems to be embraced by Mother Nature. All in all it’s an absolutely beautiful city and county seat with plenty of life. If you’re ever in the area, by all means check it out. And especially look into the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, and all the great eateries and shops.

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One gentleman drove by and was very concerned. I asked if he could bring me some water and he drove off. Next, I saw a lady getting out of her car and asked her if she had any water. I was pretty parched and had dry mouth as a result of the fall. She brought be a bottle of water and her companion/family member/friend Alister went back to the vehicle as they were about to go into the Mexican restaurant and brought me some gauze from the car (he’s on the video). And right after he gave me the gauze, the gentleman who had driven off returned, with a huge bottle of ice cold Cumberland Springs water. I honestly was extremely lucky to have been looked after by such nice people. Barbourville is truly a great place. It’s very well-maintained, has tons of history, and absolutely wonderful, kindhearted residents!

I can’t wait to come back to Barbourville and check out Court Square at night. The Alley looks like a pretty happening place. The Mexican restaurant looks to be very good and I’d love to have a cup of Joe at The Ugly Mug Coffee Shop. If you’re ever in the area, make it point to visit Barbourville and spend a few bucks in town. Also, don’t forget to check out the beautiful courthouse! As you all know by now, I’m a huge history buff, and Barbourville/Knox County has plenty of it!

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Next time I visit I hope to eat at the Nicholasville Cafe which has an excellent downtown location and really cool signage. I’m curious what the food’s like and of course the atmosphere. I have a feeling I won’t be disappointed. There’s a few condemned buildings on 213 North Main Street which I wish could be brought up to code. That being said, this is prime real estate in a city that’s booming so I can’t imagine they’ll sit there for long.

The seat of Jessamine County has plenty to offer visitors as well as those looking to purchase a home. If you work in Lexington, this would be a great place to call home. It’s quiet, safe, and seems like a perfect place to raise a family. I didn’t any law enforcement; however, the community felt incredibly safe. The area is immaculate (no litter or graffiti anywhere), the streets are well-maintained, and there’s no riffraff anywhere.

If you’re in the area or you’re looking for a final destination to spend the day, I highly recommend Nicholasville. Mind you, I just walked around for about a half hour and could find a bunch of things to do. There’s also probably plenty I didn’t see, not to mention the rest of the county. As always, thanks for stopping by and have fun Exploring Kentucky!! Maybe we’ll bump into each other.

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On Saturday, January 7th 2023, I had the pleasure of touring Munfordville for ExploringKentucky.com and got some amazing footage. The Hart County courthouse is exceptionally beautiful with excellently-maintained grounds and tons of learning opportunities. There are numerous benches laid out for guests to sit in, whether to take in the sights, read a book, or just interact. The landscape couldn’t be neater and the surrounding shops create a very upbeat, small town, and hospitable vibe throughout the county seat. If you visit here, be sure to have your phones, cameras, and/or camcorders ready. You’ll have plenty memories to make and plenty great shots to capture. Also, the locals are extremely nice, motorists are very considerate with pedestrians, and everything seems exceptionally orderly. That said, I didn’t see a single police officer in sight, which makes me think the community does their fair share of keeping an eye on things.

Don’t get me wrong, I love law enforcement and respect the very noble work they do, but it takes a village to have a successful city. Munfordville is an example of this because the residents take pride in their community. You won’t find any litter here, there’s no graffiti, and there’s no riff raff making trouble or creating a scene. The city and the county have done their homework. You will love visiting, and who knows, you may never want to leave.

Oh and before I forget, Munfordville is also site of a blossoming Amish community. There’s an Amish settlement that was started near here in 1989 and during my brief visit I was able to see several horse-pulled buggies throughout the city. The Amish are some of the hardest-working, most honest, and upstanding citizens in our fine land. It’s so awesome that they’ve chosen Hart County to call home.

If you’re looking for a great place to visit, you’ll be very happy to come down to Munfordville. Also be sure to check out the Munfordville Civil War Reenactments, visit Battle for the Bridge Preserve, and by all means join Hart County Happening Now! – Kentucky (Facebook Group).

As always, thanks for taking the time to visit ExploringKentucky.com and for reading this article. We hope you’ll consider subscribing to the SightsSoundsFlavors YouTube channel and also invite you to join the Exploring Kentucky Facebook group.

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Be sure to share this article on your social media feeds and by all means visit BuckshotGeorge.com !! It’s so important to support local music and local artists. These folks put their heart and soul into their music and they’re paying their dues – as we speak. If you’re ever in Bardstown, Buckshot George can be seen playing bars, clubs, and even sidewalks. It’s all about the music for them. They’re as blue collar and Kentucky tried and true as it gets!! Show some love to Nelson County’s own and help spread the word throughout the Bluegrass and beyond!!

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When I filmed my video “A Walk In Cloverport Kentucky,” I spent about a half hour walking across the beautiful blue bridge into downtown and I was floored by what a beautiful community I encountered. I walked past a really nice restaurant/bar with an immaculate red sports car outside. The lights in the establishment were on, the tables looked ready for patrons, but I didn’t see anyone inside. I walked down for several blocks and was frightened by some movement in an empty storefront. It turned out to be a couple of cats who were probably as surprised to see me as I was to see them. As I passed my new feline friends, I crossed to the other side of the street, and walked back. I was able to see more of the beautiful homes and got the water tower up in the mountains on my video. As I walked by the restaurant and could see the beautiful blue bridge, a cyclist rolled by. I said hello and was able to get in a quick question.

“Is it always quiet like this,” I asked. “It sure is,” he replied. He was very nice and very friendly but his time in downtown was maybe all of 30 seconds. So between seeing a cyclist for 30 seconds, seeing a red car outside a lit up restaurant with no one in it, and being startled by a couple cats in an empty storefront, I can say I visited my first ghost town in Kentucky.

Cloverport has very real potential. All it needs is people.

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A lot of times folks walk by street musicians almost as if going out of their way to get past them. Don’t do that! Treat yourself to some great music and support street artists, whatever their craft may be.

There’s something about a great voice and a rich guitar sound that can truly brighten your day. It’s also totally unexpected amidst the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced downtown mindset. I highly recommend you stop and take in the music.

And who knows, you might discover a star before they break big. I could totally see Kharisma playing a club, bar, or theater. Then again, some street artists may not want the constraints of playing a venue. Sometimes playing on a sidewalk is more about performing for the pure love of craft than anything else.

Kharisma is a fantastic artist who can write his ticket, but don’t take my word for it, watch the video and listen for yourself! If you run into him, please show some love. Thanks for reading!

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