Free Summer Concerts at Best Vineyards Winery

Pack a picnic basket, grab that special someone and head on out to Best Vineyards Winery this summer for an evening of music, fun and relaxation. Best Vineyards Winery, located at 8373 Morgans Lane in Elizabeth, will host a series of summer concerts featuring local and regional favorites that are sure to have you tapping your toes and swaying to the music. They will offer a concert every Saturday afternoon through September, beginning at 2 p.m. The remaining concert schedule is listed below. For more information about the concerts or about Best Vineyards Winery, call 812-969-9463 or visit www.bestvineyardswinery.com.

August Line-up:
7 - Mickey Clark (country/western)
14 - Troubadours of Devine Bliss (folk rock/americana)
21 - Kevin Rees (classic rock/pop)
28 - Dennis Hill & Lori Clark (pop/rock/variety)

September Line-up:
4 - Artist to be announced
11 - Simon Robson (variety)
18 - Kevin Rees (classic rock/pop)
25 - Arcade (3 piece jazz ensemble)

October Line-up:
2 - Artist to be announced
9 - Artist to be announced
16 - Mickey Clark (country/western)
23 - Arcade (3 piece jazz ensemble)

Explore Marengo Cave Open Underground Adventure

Explore underground at Marengo Cave. Be prepared to get muddy while journeying through the stream level. You’ll likely see cave life and there is plenty of crawling to go around. The underground adventure takes two hours plus time for clean-up. The trips are every Saturday in August at 2:30 p.m. Price of admission is $29 per person. Must be at least ten years or age and arrive by 2:30 p.m. to sign-up and get ready. No gear? No problem, Marengo Cave will provide you with the gear you need and trained guides will help you learn safe caving techniques, cave conservation and cave ecology. For more information or to make a reservation call 812-365-2705 or visit marengocave.com.

Friday Evening is Full of Exciting Things to do in Historic Corydon, Harrison County

There's no excuse not to be out and about in Historic Corydon, Harrison County this Friday, July 30, evening. From music and entertainment to cultural celebrations you are sure to find something to occupy your time.

Colokial, located at 117 W. Walnut Street in Historic Downtown Corydon, will host another Flavors of the World event featuring a night of Guatemala and Colombia culture. This spicy event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Colokial parking lot. Guests will be able to purchase food and enjoy music from Guatemala and Colombia. The store will also remain open and feature great deals. The event will also feature wine tasting by Scout Mountain Winery. For more information call 812-738-1320 or visit colokial.com.

While you are celebrating with Colokial, you can listen to the sounds of the Friday Night Summer Band Concert, or back your lawn chairs and blankets and head over to the heart of the Historic Downtown Corydon square to watch and listen. These free community concerts are held Friday evenings Memorial Day through Labor Day at 7:30 p.m. at the Hurley D. Conrad Memorial Bandstand. Food service is provided by different non-profit organizations each week beginning at 6 p.m. This Friday's performance is by Bourbon City Brass Band. The concerts are subject to the rules and regulations of the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site and may be cancelled due to dangerous weather. For up-to-date cancellations, call 888-738-2137.

The 151st Harrison County Fair, Indiana's oldest continuously running county fair, will continue Friday night. Admission is $8.00. Here is Friday's Fair schedule:
9 a.m. - Open Dairy Goat Show
noon - Admission Gates Open
1 p.m. - Harness Races
5 p.m. - Midway Rides Open
5 p.m. - Mechanical Bull Rides ($2.00)
5 - 9 p.m. - Yellow Brick Road Open
5 - 10 p.m. - Merchant Exhibit Building Open
5:30 p.m. - Bear Hollow Chain Saw Sculpturing
6 p.m. - Baby Contest
6 p.m. - Open Boer Goat Show
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
7 p.m. - Truck Pull
8 p.m. - Storm Bringers on the Midway Stage
9:30 p.m. - Bear Hollow Chain Saw Sculpturing
9:30 p.m. - Chainsaw Sculptures Auction

Hayswood Theatre will wrap up its production of "Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming" this weekend. It's October 1945 and the gospel-singing Sanders family is back together again. The war is over and America's years of prosperity are just beginning. But there's another kind of rite of passage at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe is giving his last service. Join the Sanders family as they send Mervin and his wife June off in style with hilarious and touching stories and twenty-five toe-tapping Bluegrass Gospel favorites. Hayswood Theatre will raise its curtain to the production of “Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming” from July 16 through August 1. Show times are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors (65+) and children (17 and under) and can be purchased at the Blaine H. Wiseman Visitor Center or by calling 812-738-2138.

While you're in Historic Downtown Corydon, or driving through, check out all of the quaint storefronts surrounding the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site that make Historic Downtown Corydon a shopper's delight. A treasure is sure to be found whether it's antiques, crafts or collectibles you desire. Hours of operation vary by store. And if it's food you are looking for, dine-in at one of restaurants.

For more Historic Corydon, Harrison County events and attractions, and for a list of dining and accommodation options, visit thisisIndiana.org or call 888-738-2137.

Looking for something to do this evening? Head on out to the Harrison County Fair!

Looking for something to do this evening? Head on out to the Harrison County Fair! Here is tonight's schedule:

Tuesday, July 27
4 p.m. - Admission Gates Open
5 p.m. - Midway Rides Open
5 - 9 p.m. - Yellow Brick Road Open
5 - 10 p.m. - Merchant Exhibit Building Open
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
7:30 p.m. - Motor-cross Races
9:30 p.m. - $1,500 Cash Giveaway

Visit Old Town Leavenworth this Saturday for the Leavenworth Riverfest

Head to Old Town Leavenworth this Saturday, July 31, for the Leavenworth Riverfest. The Riverfest will be full of food, games, live entertainment, booths, cornhole tournament, a cruise-in and demonstrators. The Riverfest activities are all free and fun for the whole family. Parking is also free. For more information call 812-739-2496.

Colokial Invites the Public to Taste the Flavors of the World

Join Colokial as it presents The Flavors of the World on the last Friday of the month in July, August and September. This spicy event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Colokial parking lot, located on the corner of Walnut Street and Capitol Avenue. Guests will be able to purchase food and enjoy music from around the world. The store will also remain open and feature great deals. The July 30 and August 27 events will feature wine tasting by Scout Mountain Winery. See the schedule below. For more information call 812-738-1320 or visit colokial.com.

July 30: Guatemala & Colombia

August 27: Brazilian Carnival

September 24: Latin Festival

Bluegrass on the Square

On special Saturdays, the square comes alive with the sounds of banjo and fiddle playing from our nation's finest Bluegrass bands. July is Lady's month!! Come and enjoy the sounds of Kati Penn & New Town and Olivia Smiley on Saturday, July 24. This is the second concert of the summer so be sure to bring your family, friends, and lawn chairs for this free Bluegrass on the Square Concert at 4 p.m.

There is no better way to spend a Saturday!!!!

Golf Shores to Host Annual Harris Cup Qualifying Tournament

On Sunday, August 22, Golf Shores Fun Center will host the annual Harris Cup Qualifying Tournament, benefiting YMCA of Harrison County. The miniature golf tournament is a qualifying tournament for the 2010 Harris Cup Mini-Golf Tournament. The event is open to people of all ages and abilities. The entry fee is $20.00. The tournament will be held from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The 1st place winner will receive a $500 cash prize. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will all receive an annual pass to Golf Shores Fun Center. For more information, call 738-0802 or visit golfshoresfuncenter.com.

151st Harrison County Fair: July 25 - July 31

Head to the Harrison County Fairgrounds (341 S. Capitol Ave., Corydon) for the 151st Harrison County Fair. The fair festivities will kick off Sunday, July 25 at 4 p.m. with the Pedal Tractor Pull.

This year's fair features all new rides and midway attractions by Cumberland Valley Shows, Inc.

Entry fee to the fair is $8 per person and includes admission and parking, all rides, general admission into the grandstand, a ticket to win the cash prize drawing. Senior citizens can receive an all week pass for $15 that includes admission and parking only.

Cash giveaways will take place Monday-Friday at 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 10 p.m. in front of the grandstand. Monday-Thursdays cash prize is $1,500. Fridays cash prize is $2,000 and Saturdays cash prize is $3,000. An individual drawing will be held each night with the winner drawn from that day's admission tickets. Only one winner per night you must be present to win.

Schedule of Fair Events:

Sunday, July 25
4 p.m. - Pedal Tractor Pull - Harrison County FFA Chapter - south end of showbarn - 4 Open Classes - Adults must sign for children
4 - 6:30 p.m. - Opening Day Dinner - L & S Catering
7 p.m. - Annual Fair Parade through Historic Downtown Corydon
7 p.m. - Little Miss and Little Master Crowning - Grandstands at Fairgrounds
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
8 p.m. - Crowning of Miss Harrison County - Grandstands at Fairgrounds

Monday, July 26
4 p.m. - Admission Gates Open
4 p.m. - Pedal Tractor Pull - Harrison County FFA Chapter - south end of showbarn - 4 Open Classes - Adults must sign for children
5 p.m. - Midway Rides Open
5 - 9 p.m. - Yellow Brick Road Open (Farm and Small Animals on Display)
5 - 10 p.m. - Merchant Exhibit Building Open
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
7 - 8 p.m. - Weigh-in for Largest Fruit and Vegetable at Homecomer's Hall
7:30 p.m. - Demolition Derby Mini Cars and Lawn Mower Derby
9:30 p.m. - $1,500 Cash Giveaway

Tuesday, July 27
4 p.m. - Admission Gates Open
5 p.m. - Midway Rides Open
5 - 9 p.m. - Yellow Brick Road Open
5 - 10 p.m. - Merchant Exhibit Building Open
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
7:30 p.m. - Motorcross Races
9:30 p.m. - $1,500 Cash Giveaway

Wednesday, July 28
4 p.m. - Admission Gates Open
5 p.m. - Midway Rides Open
5 - 9 p.m. - Yellow Brick Road Open
5 - 10 p.m. - Merchant Exhibit Building Open
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
7:30 p.m. - Gospel Music
9:30 p.m. - $1,500 Cash Giveaway

Thursday, July 29
10 a.m. - Open Dairy Goat Show
noon - Admission Gates Open
1 p.m. - Harness Races
2:30 p.m. - Peach Pie Judging with Auction to follow
5 p.m. - Midway Rides Open
5 - 9 p.m. - Yellow Brick Road Open
5 - 10 p.m. - Merchant Exhibit Building Open
5:30 p.m. - Bear Hollow Chain Saw Sculpturing
6 p.m. - Taste of Harrison County
6 p.m. - Dairy Cattle Show
6 p.m. - Pedal Tractor Pull - Harrison County FFA Chapter - south end of showbarn - 4 Open Classes - Adults must sign for children
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
7 p.m. - Open Beef Show
7:30 p.m. - Demolition Derby (Big Sedan), Mini Car Rollover and Buck Mathes Look Alike Contest
8 p.m. - Katie Toupin & Matt Myers on the Midway Stage
8:30 p.m. - Bear Hollow Chain Saw Sculpturing
9:30 p.m. - $1,500 Cash Giveaway

Friday, July 30
9 a.m. - Open Dairy Goat Show
noon - Admission Gates Open
1 p.m. - Harness Races
5 p.m. - Midway Rides Open
5 p.m. - Mechanical Bull Rides ($2.00)
5 - 9 p.m. - Yellow Brick Road Open
5 - 10 p.m. - Merchant Exhibit Building Open
5:30 p.m. - Bear Hollow Chain Saw Sculpturing
6 p.m. - Baby Contest
6 p.m. - Open Boer Goat Show
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
7 p.m. - Truck Pull
8 p.m. - Storm Bringers on the Midway Stage
9:30 p.m. - Bear Hollow Chain Saw Sculpturing
9:30 p.m. - $2,000 Cash Giveaway & Chainsaw Sculptures Auction

Saturday, July 31
9 a.m. - Open Boer Goat Show
9 a.m. - Open Rabbit Show
10 a.m. - Open Poultry Show
3 p.m. - Admission Gates Open
4 p.m. - Midway Rides Open
4 p.m. - Mechanical Bull Rides ($2.00)
5 - 10 p.m. - Merchant Exhibit Building Open
6 p.m. - Tractor Pull
7 p.m. - Threshing Demonstration
7 p.m. - Blair Carman & the Belleview Boys on the Midway Stage
7 p.m. - Open Sheep Show
10 p.m. - $3,000 Cash Giveaway & Chainsaw Sculptures Auction

Bluegrass on the Square 2010 Summer Concert Series July Lineup

July is lady’s month for Bluegrass on the Square. The July 24 show will feature Kati Penn & New Town and Olivia Smiley. Kati Penn started playing the fiddle at the age of ten. She more than holds her own on the fiddle, especially on the album’s lone instrumental, a nifty romp in which she’s accompanied on the tune’s melody by each of the players in turn. Olivia Smiley, a classically trained musician, fell in love with bluegrass music at the age of 14 and released her first solo album in 2005. Bluegrass on the Square is free and held on the Hurley D. Conrad Memorial Bandstand on the Historic Corydon Square from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. For up-to-date weather cancellations, visit thisisIndiana.org or call 888-738-2137.

Get your tickets now for "Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming" at Hayswood Theatre - now through August 1.

The Fair is Coming!

THE FAIR IS COMING, THE FAIR IS COMING!! The 151st Harrison County Fair will take place Sunday, July 25 through Saturday, July 31. Look for a blog next week with details. Don't miss it!

A host of FREE experiences await visitors to Corydon, IN, including historical sites, wineries, nature reserves and more

With gas prices skyrocketing this summer, the charming town of Corydon, Indiana offers a host of FREE events and activities throughout the summer. This quaint little southern Indiana town is known for the quirky people, fun shops and loads of local favorites. Whether it's complimentary wine tastings and winery tours, heritage and Underground Railroad trails or a picnic in one of the area's gorgeous nature preserves, visitors are treated to a wide variety of free activities, demonstrating why Corydon is the perfect getaway choice for groups of girlfriends, families or couples seeking a romantic weekend.

Historic Corydon is home to the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana. The Battle of Corydon Memorial Park is the historical site where this famous battle occurred on July 9, 1863. With no admission charge it's the perfect place to relive history. Visitors can stop by the Leora Brown School, one of Indiana’s oldest standing single-room schoolhouses was built during segregation as a school for African American children. Children and adults alike will also benefit from the Southeast Indiana Trails to Freedom Underground Railroad Driving Tour. Powerful, emotional and free, this driving tour outlines the extensive Underground Railroad sites throughout southeast Indiana. Free maps and routes highlighting actual houses and hideout locations, including slave narratives, are available at no charge to guests.

Corydon is also home to numerous farms, parks and nature preserves. Kids will enjoy seeing the amazing alpacas at Flatwoods Farm, and parents will enjoy the lack of admission fee. Hayswood Nature Reserve is the ideal place to enjoy a low-cost picnic lunch while viewing the lush scenery. This county park is fully equipped with a fun playground, picnic shelter and shimmering lake. The 302-mile Ohio River Scenic Byway driving tour is another free option, taking visitors past pastoral farms, barns, scenic natural areas, miles of vineyards, orchards and more.

The region is also known for acres and acres of local wineries. Most offer free tastings and tours, offering great experiences for couples and groups of friends, such as Best Vineyard's four-acre vineyard, two acres of you-pick raspberries and an acre of elderberries. Free wine tastings are offered daily at Indian Creek Winery, where private parties, music and catered dinners are also featured. Scout Mountain Winery and Turtle Run Winery also offer orchards and wineries on site, as well as tours and other seasonal events throughout the year.

Corydon and the surrounding area also feature a number of free festivals and special events throughout the summer, including FREE monthly Bluegrass on the Square concerts in downtown Corydon July 24 and August 28. Free live music concerts also take place every Saturday through October from 2 to 6 p.m. at Best Vineyards Winery and Sundays from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at Turtle Run Winery. The free Cruisin' To Culver's Car Show takes place July 17 and August 21. On July 31, food, games, live entertainment, booths, a cornhole tournament, cruise-in and demonstrators are all free and take place at the Old Town Leavenworth Park. A free family festival featuring live ethnic music, international exhibits, children's games and art projects, international food tasting and "passports" that children take to exhibits to win prizes takes place August 14th during the World on the Square Festival.

For more information on any of these free attractions, or to learn more about historic Corydon, IN, visit www.thisisindiana.org.

Beyond these memorable free attractions, Corydon, offers travelers an incredible collection of historic sites and events. Visitors marvel at the natural wonders of two unique cave systems: the U.S. National Landmark Marengo Caves and Squire Boone Caverns. The Corydon Capitol State Historic Site marks Corydon’s place as Indiana’s first capital. The Constitution Elm is another favorite visitor site, under which Indiana delegates met to draft the state’s first constitution. Visitors will also find plenty of diverse lodging options in the area, including a historic bed and breakfast, affordable modern hotels and even a riverboat casino. Complete visitor information and a free visitors guide is available at thisisIndiana.org or calling (888) 738-2137.

Cruise into Culver’s for a Real Treat

Famous for their frozen custard, Culver’s of Corydon also serves up great food and entertainment. The only thing better than eating a delicious cup of frozen custard is enjoying it while admiring classic cars and listening to

music from the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. You can do just that during Cruisin’ with Culver’s Car Show taking place August 21 from 5 to 9 p.m. Classic cars of all makes and models will gather in the Culver’s parking lot where people can come out for a casual evening of fun, prizes and entertainment. Culver's of Corydon is located at 240 Federal Drive. For more information call 812-738-6464.

Discounted Cave Tickets Available at the Blaine H. Wiseman Visitor Center

Beat the summer heat by heading down into one of our cool cave systems. Discounted cave tickets to Squire Boone Caverns and Marengo Cave are available for purchase at the Blaine H. Wiseman Visitor Center located at 310 N. Elm Street in Historic Downtown Corydon. An adult ticket to Squire Boone Caverns is $12 and a child ticket is $6. An adult ticket, for both tours, at Marengo Cave is $18 and a child ticket, for both tours, is $9.50. No other discounts apply. All tickets are non-refundable. Call 738-2138 for more information.

Explore Marengo Cave at their Open Underground Adventure

Explore underground at Marengo Cave. Be prepared to get muddy while journeying through the stream level. You’ll likely see cave life and there is plenty of crawling to go around. The underground adventure takes two hours plus time for clean-up. The trips are every Saturday in August at 2:30 p.m. Price of admission is $29 per person. Must be at least ten years or age and arrive by 2:30 p.m. to sign-up and get ready. No gear? No problem, Marengo Cave will provide you with the gear you need and trained guides will help you learn safe caving techniques, cave

conservation and cave ecology. For more information or to make a reservation call 812-365-2705 or visit marengocave.com.

Show Caves Open; Educating About Bats & WNS

Millions of bats across the Eastern United States have died in the last three years as a mysterious illness, dubbed “White Nose Syndrome”, has gradually spread from one area to another. While research into the syndrome continues, much remains to be discovered about an affliction that threatens to greatly reduce America’s bat population.

While federal and state agencies have halted visitation to many caves in reaction to the spread of White Nose Syndrome, Indiana’s show caves (Bluespring Caverns, Marengo Cave & Squire Boone Caverns) believe they can best serve the interests of bats, other cave inhabitants, and caves in general by continuing to educate and entertain the public as they have been doing for many years. In concert with the National Caves Association and its 92 members across the nation they have been actively supporting White Nose Syndrome research while reinforcing a positive message about bats in today’s environment.

Bat Facts:
Indiana’s millions of bats are vital to crop production, playing a major role in controlling night-flying insects. Without bats we would need much greater quantities of chemical insecticides; increasing food costs and adversely affecting the environment. These small creatures are also a primary source of energy supporting the unique food chain of the complex living communities in many of Indiana’s caves.

Bats can be found in many places. In warm weather, most bats spend the day hidden under tree bark in our forests, under bridges and other man-made structures as well as in caves and mines. While we have millions of bats, they reproduce very slowly (one bat to a “litter”), making this animal very vulnerable to deadly events like White Nose Syndrome. While many people think of bats as flying rodents, they are actually in the same order as lemurs and other primates.

What We Know About White Nose Syndrome
This debilitating syndrome is affecting many species of bats, resulting in death ratios of 90 percent or more in affected environments and shows as a white fungus mask on affected bats. It appears to kill by irritating bats, causing them to wake and fly during hibernation. The bats seem to simply starve before food (insects) become available.

White Nose Syndrome is known to affect only bats, not other animals or humans. It was first recorded in New York in 2007 and subsequently found in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. It has since spread to sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Recently, isolated bats with the syndrome have been discovered in Tennessee and Missouri. Based on current data, it appears likely that the syndrome is spread by bat-to-bat contact following bat migratory patterns. WNS does not appear to have been spread from one location to another by human traffic.

Squire Boone Caverns/Village, www.squireboonecaverns.com, 812-732-4382
Marengo Cave National Landmark, www.marengocave.com, 812-365-2705
Bluespring Caverns Park, www.bluespringcaverns.com, 812-279-9471

St. Joseph Picnic This Weekend

Head on out to St. Joseph Picnic this Sunday, July 11, for an old fashioned fried chicken dinner with all of the trimmings. The picnic also include homemade pies, games, booths and more. The picnic takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harrison County Fairgrounds located at 341 South Capitol Avenue in Historic Downtown Corydon. The price of dinner is $8.50.

Friday Night Summer Band Concert Series Continues

Historic Corydon continue its Friday Night Summer Band Concert Series on the Downtown Square, July 9 with the Corydon Dulcimer Society. The concert series is sponsored by the Harrison County Convention and Visitors Bureau and coordinated by the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The concerts will be held at the Hurley D. Conrad Memorial Bandstand on the Historic Corydon Square each Friday night at 7:30 p.m.(EDT) through September 3. Pocket schedules are available at the Blaine H. Wiseman Visitor Center and other various locations in Historic Corydon.

2010 Historic Corydon Summer Concert Series Schedule
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
Friday nights – 7:30 p.m. EDT

July
09 Corydon Dulcimer Society
16 Kosair Concert Band
23 U of L Community Band
30 Bourbon City Brass Band

August
06 Crawford County Community Band
13 River Cities Concert Band
20 Hot Brats German Band
27 113th Army Band – Fort Knox

September
03 Wapituli/Dennis Hill & JP Mattingly

Concerts are free with limited seating. Bring our own lawn chairs or blankets for personal seating. Food services are provided by different non-profit groups each week beginning at 6 p.m. Concerts may be canceled or moved, due to inclement weather. Visit www.thisisindiana.org or call the Blaine H. Wiseman Visitor Center at 888-738-2137 for up-to-date concert information.