Hello BG Neighbors 👋
We’re moving further into March this week, and like usual there’s a little bit of everything happening around town. One local donut shop suddenly shut its doors, a new exhibit at WKU is taking a look back at the history of Beech Bend, and there are plenty of events happening across Bowling Green in the days ahead.
As always, this week’s edition is focused on what’s happening locally, what’s changing around town, and what’s coming up across Bowling Green.
As always, thanks for being part of Hello BG — let’s get into it.
🎢 New exhibit at WKU explores the history of Beech Bend Park
Source: BG Daily News
A new exhibit celebrating one of Bowling Green’s most recognizable attractions has opened on Western Kentucky University’s campus.
The WKU Libraries Special Collections Library recently unveiled an exhibit exploring the history of Beech Bend Park, the longtime local amusement park and raceway that has been part of the community for decades.
The display highlights different eras of the park — from its early days as a small family attraction to the regional entertainment destination it eventually became.
Through historic photos, documents, and memorabilia, the exhibit tells the story of how Beech Bend evolved alongside Bowling Green itself, becoming a place where generations of local families have spent summer days riding roller coasters, attending events, and gathering with friends.
For many residents, Beech Bend isn’t just an amusement park — it’s a shared memory. The exhibit captures those moments while also preserving the park’s place in the city’s cultural history.
The display is open to the public at WKU’s Special Collections Library and offers visitors a chance to revisit a piece of Bowling Green nostalgia while learning more about how the park shaped entertainment in the region.
📰 Local News Roundup
Here are some quick updates:
🌈 Lost River Cave turns river green for St. Patrick’s Day
Visitors at Lost River Cave got a colorful science lesson this weekend as experts from WKU’s Crawford Hydrology Lab poured eco-friendly fluorescent dye into the underground river. The demonstration helps show how scientists track water flow and potential pollutants in the region’s unique karst system.
👉 Read more
🔥 Two children killed in overnight Bowling Green house fire
Bowling Green firefighters responded to a tragic overnight house fire that claimed the lives of two children earlier this week. Officials say the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing as the community continues to mourn the loss.
👉 Read more
🎓 WKU students create app to help community find local resources
A group of Western Kentucky University students recently developed a new app designed to help residents quickly locate community resources like food banks, shelters, and support services. The project was created as part of a WKU class focused on solving real-world community challenges and could eventually expand to serve more people across the region.
👉 Read more
🛍️ Grind Session basketball event brings national attention to BG
The Grind Session, a nationally recognized high-school basketball circuit, brought elite prep teams from across the country to Bowling Green this weekend. The event drew visiting athletes, coaches, and fans, giving the city another moment in the national sports spotlight.
👉 Read more
🗓️ This Week in BG — Events & Happenings
If you’re looking for something to enjoy this week, we’ve got you covered👇
🎶 Live Music & Performing Arts
🎭 Chicago: The Musical
⏰ Thu, Mar 19 • 7:30 PM
📍 SKyPAC — 601 College St, Bowling Green
Broadway’s long-running hit comes to Bowling Green for one night at SKyPAC. 👉 Learn More
🎤 Singer-Songwriter Night
⏰ Thu, Mar 19 • 7:00 PM
📍 The Capitol — 416 E Main St, Bowling Green
A downtown showcase featuring regional songwriters sharing original music in an intimate setting. 👉 Learn More
🎸 Everclear with Special Guest Sister Hazel
⏰ Sat, Mar 21 • 7:30 PM
📍 SKyPAC — 601 College St, Bowling Green
A big alt-rock double bill lands at SKyPAC Saturday night. 👉 Learn More
🎶 Home Free: Highways & High Seas Tour
⏰ Sun, Mar 22 • 7:30 PM
📍 SKyPAC — 601 College St, Bowling Green
The country a cappella group brings its latest tour to Bowling Green. 👉 Learn More
📚 Wes Swietek at The Capitol
⏰ Tue, Mar 17 • 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 The Capitol — 416 E Main St, Bowling Green
Award-winning journalist Wes Swietek discusses his book and the stories behind it at The Capitol. 👉 Learn More
🎬 Movies & Screenings
🎥 Movies at the Capitol: Vagabond
⏰ Wed, Mar 18 • 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 The Capitol — 416 E Main St, Bowling Green
A midweek screening at The Capitol as part of the venue’s film series. 👉 Learn More
🎬 Movies at the Capitol: Zootopia
⏰ Fri, Mar 20 • 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 The Capitol — 416 E Main St, Bowling Green
A family-friendly Friday evening movie downtown. 👉 Learn More
🔪 Movies at the Capitol: The Silence of the Lambs
⏰ Fri, Mar 20 • 7:15–9:30 PM
📍 The Capitol — 416 E Main St, Bowling Green
A later Friday screening for classic thriller fans. 👉 Learn More
👨👩👧 Family & Kids
🐰 Bunny Hop Trail
⏰ Sat, Mar 21 • 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Preston Miller Park — 2303 Tomblinson Way, Bowling Green
A spring event with games and activities for families at Preston Miller Park. 👉 Learn More
🧚 Peter Pan
⏰ Sun, Mar 22 • 2:00 PM
📍 The Capitol — 416 E Main St, Bowling Green
A youth ballet production of the classic story comes to The Capitol. 👉 Learn More
🛍️ Locally Made Market
⏰ Sun, Mar 22 • Time listed on event page
📍 SOKY Center — 636 Center St, Bowling Green
A market spotlighting local makers and handmade goods. 👉 Learn More
🥚 Warren County Community Egg Hunt hosted by Anthem Hill Church
⏰ Sat, Mar 21 • Time listed on event page
📍 Anthem Hill Church — 1434 Cave Mill Rd, Bowling Green
Bring the family out for a community Easter egg hunt hosted by Anthem Hill Church, featuring plenty of eggs for kids and a fun spring outing for the whole family.
👉 Learn More
💪 Health & Wellness
🧘 St. Paddy’s Yoga Social with Lucky Dog Yoga
⏰ Tue, Mar 17 • 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 306 E Main St, Bowling Green
A festive yoga social happening downtown on St. Patrick’s Day. 👉 Learn More
🧘 Spanish Yoga @ SOKY Center
⏰ Tue, Mar 17 • 5:00–6:00 PM
📍 SOKY Center — 636 Center St, Bowling Green
A donation-based Spanish-language yoga class open to all levels. 👉 Learn More
💃 Zumba @ SOKY Center
⏰ Wed, Mar 18 • 6:30–7:30 PM
📍 SOKY Center — 636 Center St, Bowling Green
A dance-based fitness class with Latin-inspired music and all-levels energy. 👉 Learn More
🍷 Food, Drink & Nightlife
🍷 Rosé Soirée
⏰ Sat, Mar 21 • Time listed on event page
📍 White Squirrel Brewery — 902 State St, Bowling Green
A special rosé-themed event hosted by Staircase Wine Shop at White Squirrel Brewery. 👉 Learn More
😂 St. Patrick’s Day Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic
⏰ Tue, Mar 17 • Time listed on event page
📍 Joe B’s Bar — Bowling Green
A St. Patrick’s Day comedy open mic for a more laid-back night out. 👉 Learn More
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Fest @ Cliffs of Moher Irish Pub
⏰ Tue, Mar 17 • 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
📍 Cliffs of Moher Irish Pub — 4400 Scottsville Rd, Bowling Green
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music, Irish food and drinks, and a full day of festivities at Bowling Green’s Irish pub.
👉 Learn More
🥃 Whiskey & History: Bottled-in-Bond Tasting
⏰ Thu, Mar 19 • 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Historic RailPark & Train Museum — 401 Kentucky St, Bowling Green
Enjoy an evening exploring the history of Bottled-in-Bond whiskey while sampling several selections and learning about this important chapter of American whiskey tradition.
👉 Learn More
🏀 LB’s Place March Madness — Live Music!
⏰ Fri, Mar 20 • 8:00–11:00 PM
📍 LB’s Place — 1550 Westen St, Bowling Green
Celebrate March Madness weekend with live music followed by karaoke at LB’s Place — a laid-back spot to watch games and enjoy the night with friends.
👉 Learn More
🍩 Parlor Doughnuts location closes in Bowling Green
Typically we like to mention new businesses or shouting out local businesses but this week we lost a local business
Parlor Doughnuts — Shuts Doors for Good
Another dessert spot has quietly disappeared from Bowling Green’s food scene.
Parlor Doughnuts, known for its layered croissant-style doughnuts and specialty coffee drinks, has permanently closed its Bowling Green location, according to messaging shared on the shop’s social media pages and website.
The shop had operated locally as part of the growing Parlor Doughnuts franchise, which has expanded to dozens of locations across the country in recent years.
In a message shared online, the Bowling Green location thanked customers for their support during its time in the city and confirmed the store would no longer be operating.
While the company has not publicly detailed the reason for the closure, local residents had recently begun noticing the shop closed and discussing the situation on social media, prompting questions about whether the location would reopen.
For now, the brand says fans can still find Parlor Doughnuts at other nearby locations in the region.
The closure marks another change in Bowling Green’s fast-moving restaurant landscape, where new concepts continue to arrive while others quietly move on.
📣 City & Community Notes
🏘 Neighborhood grants awarded across Bowling Green
More than $39,000 in Strategic Neighborhood Grants were awarded to community groups across Bowling Green this week, funding projects residents will complete over the coming year. One project will install a fence between a Menards property and a nearby neighborhood following complaints about trespassing.
👉 Read more
🎓 BGISD watching closely as state budget discussions continue
Bowling Green Independent School District leaders say they are closely monitoring the Kentucky state budget process, hoping lawmakers increase school funding to help districts keep up with rising costs.
👉 Read more
💼 LifeSkills named one of Kentucky’s best places to work
Bowling Green–based nonprofit LifeSkills, Inc. was recently recognized as one of the best places to work in Kentucky, highlighting the organization’s efforts to support employees while providing mental health and community services across the region.
👉 Read more
🎓 Junior Achievement event inspires local middle school girls
Middle school students from Bowling Green and Warren County schools gathered this week for the 10th annual JA Girls event, where professionals from across the region shared career advice and encouraged students to pursue leadership roles in the future.
👉 Read more
🚒 Community mourning after tragic Bowling Green apartment fire
A Bowling Green apartment fire earlier this week claimed the lives of two young children, prompting an outpouring of community support for the family. Local organizations and residents have rallied to help the family during this difficult time.
👉 Read more
❤️ Community Spotlight: Over 100 volunteers read to local preschoolers across the region
Source: BG Daily News
More than 100 volunteers from across South Central Kentucky spent part of their week reading to young children — all as part of United Way of Southern Kentucky’s annual “Read United” initiative.
The program placed volunteers in 31 preschools and daycare centers, reaching more than 100 classrooms across Warren and surrounding counties. Volunteers came from all kinds of professions — including banking, construction, government, higher education, and local businesses — all taking time out of their day to encourage early literacy.
Community leaders also joined in. Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman was among those reading to students, emphasizing how important it is to support children’s learning early in life.
Organizers say the goal of the program is simple: help kids build a love for reading while showing them that the entire community supports their education.
And for the volunteers who spent time reading in classrooms this week, it was also a reminder of something Bowling Green does well — neighbors showing up for the next generation.
Quick Question for You 👇
That’s it for this week, BG.
💬 Help us make Hello BG better
We’re building this for the community — and your input matters.
Hit reply and tell us what you liked, what we missed, or what you want more of — we read every message.
Thanks for being here and letting us be a small part of your week. If this helped you find something fun, useful, or just new — that’s exactly why we do this.
Have a blessed week — see you next Tuesday! ❤️
HelloBG Team