2024 Best in Kentucky finalists

The 2024 Best in Kentucky finalists are here! Voting will begin on May 1. Until then, learn about each finalist below and get ready to vote for your favorite!

People & Personalities

Local Radio Host

• Kellie McKay – WHHT 103.7 NASH, Glasgow
• Larry Smith – WVLC 99.9, Campbellsville                           
• Cale Tharp – WLCB 93.7, Hodgenville

Local TV Personality

• Lee Cruse – Lexington
• Dawne Gee – WAVE, Louisville
• Candyce Clifft – WDRB, Louisville

Meteorologist

• Jude Redfield – WDRB, Louisville
• Marc Weinberg – WDRB, Louisville                     
• Kevin Harned – WAVE, Louisville

Kentucky Musician or Band

• Tyler Childers – Nashville, Tennessee (from Lawrence Co.)
• JD Shelburne – Nashville, Tennessee (from Taylorsville)
• Carly Pearce – Nashville, Tennessee (from Kenton Co.)

Athlete

• Justin Thomas – Louisville                     
• Reed Sheppard – London
• Cutter Boley – Hodgenville

Destination

Road Trip

• Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
• Hatfield-McCoy Feud Driving Tour – Pikeville
• Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience – Bardstown

Distillery Tour

• Evan Williams Bourbon Experience – Louisville  
• Boone County Distilling Co. – Independence  
• Maker’s Mark Distillery – Loretto

Event or Festival

• Marion County Country Ham Days – Lebanon
• Lincoln Days Celebration – Hodgenville
• Manchester Music Festival – Manchester

Farm Tourist Attraction

• Gallrein Farms – Shelbyville
• Hinton’s Orchard & Farm Market – Hodgenville
• Dennison’s Roadside Market – Horse Cave

Place for Live Music

• The AMP at Log Still – New Haven
• Paramount Arts Center – Ashland
• Joel Ray’s Lincoln Jamboree – Hodgenville

Museum

• Speed Art Museum – Louisville
• Frazier Kentucky History Museum – Louisville
• Lincoln Museum – Hodgenville

Kid-Friendly Attraction

• Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo – Horse Cave
• Louisville Zoo – Louisville
• Newport Aquarium – Newport

Winery

• Purple Toad Winery– Paducah
• Baker-Bird Winery & Distillery – Augusta
• McIntyre & Family Winery – Bardstown

Historic Attraction

• Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle Homeplace – Van Lear
• My Old Kentucky Home State Park – Bardstown
• Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park – Hodgenville

Specialty Lodging or Bed & Breakfast

• Reed-Dossey Bed & Breakfast – Brownsville
• My Old Kentucky Dome – Mt. Washington
• Lincoln Lodge – Hodgenville

Outdoor

Camping or RV Spot

• Green River Lake State Park – Campbellsville
• Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
• Lincoln Lodge – Hodgenville

Place for Adventure

• Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton
• Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area – Golden Pond
• Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave

Hiking Trail

• Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest – Clermont
• Mammoth Cave National Park – Mammoth Cave
• Red River Gorge Geological Area – Stanton

Public Hunting/Fishing Area

• Cave Run Lake – Morehead
• Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area – Golden Pond               
• Green River Lake State Park – Campbellsville

Water Tourism Spot

• Green River Lake State Park – Campbellsville
• Lake Cumberland
• Cave Run Lake – Morehead

Eats & Drinks

Breakfast Place

• Kentucky’s Finest Family Style Restaurant – Hodgenville
• The Cafe at Swope Toyota – Elizabethtown
• Carriss’s Grocery – Shelbyville

Bourbon        

• Buffalo Trace – Frankfort
• Elijah Craig – Bardstown
• New Riff – Newport

Barbecue

• Brothers – Campbellsville
• RedPoint BBQ – Campton
• Arrowhead BBQ – Hodgenville

Craft Beer

• Scout & Scholar Brewing Company – Bardstown
• Sawstone Brewing Co. – Morehead
• West Sixth Brewing – Lexington

Hamburger

• Bardstown Burger – Bardstown
• Laha’s Red Castle – Hodgenville
• B&N Food Market – Bagdad

Bakery

• Tipton’s Traditions  – Ashland
• Hadorn’s Bakery – Bardstown
• Sweet Sisters Sweets – Hodgenville

Down-Home Restaurant

• Kentucky’s Finest Family Style Restaurant – Hodgenville
• The Whistle Stop – Glendale
• Billy Ray’s Restaurant – Prestonsburg

Coffee Shop

• The Black Goose – Union
• Harden Coffee – Campbellsville
• Vibe Coffee – Elizabethtown & Hodgenville

Sweets Shop

• Muth’s Candies – Louisville
• Serendipity Kandy Kitchen – Shelbyville
• The Sweet Shoppe and Dessert Cafe – Hodgenville

Food Truck

• Maillard Wood Fired Kitchen – Campbellsville
• Matilda’s Dogs and More – Hodgenville
• Juanito’s Street Tacos & More – Radcliff & Bardstown

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