Laughter, along with a few shouts, came from the nearby grassy lawn. Off in the distance, wispy clouds gently floated towards the horizon with a beautiful blue Western Kentucky sky just overhead. I sat at a wrought iron café table situated under a shade tree in what could best be called a backyard meditation garden—complete with a concrete statue of St. Francis of Assisi.
Serene would describe that Saturday morning in early May. As I finished my morning coffee, surrounded by greenery and flowering plants with Saint Francis watching over me, I truly felt at peace.
Day Two of the Lower Town Arts and Music Festival was underway and you couldn’t have asked for a nicer day to be outside. Vicki, my better half, and I had been in Paducah less than twenty-four hours, and that peaceful—serene—feeling had certainly taken hold.
Maybe it was the gorgeous weather. Maybe it was that delicious oatmeal raisin cookie from Kirchhoff’s. Or, perhaps, it was that feeling of getting away from it all but still feeling like your home. Safe. Secure. Comfortable. We love Paducah.
Friday Night Lights
Sometime after 8:00p.m. on Friday evening, S.G. Goodman and her band were about to wrap up their incredible set. Goodman, originally from Hickman, Kentucky, launched into Waylon Jennings’ classic “Waymore’s Blues,” which captivated the audience and provided a terrific lead-in for Friday night’s headliners—Paducah’s very own Solid Rock’it Boosters.
Lower Town’s vibe is one of the many reasons we love coming to Paducah.
We watched the crowd enjoying themselves as Goodman’s uniquely melodic, almost hypnotic voice, echoed off Lower Town’s beautiful old buildings. An impromptu mosh pit, mostly filled with little ones under the age of ten, sprang up in front of the main stage. Inside the pit, inflatable beach balls, glow rings, and lots of barefooted twirling bodies reminded me why we like hanging out in Lower Town for the annual festival.
Relaxed, laid-back, and fun—with everyone having a good time. Lower Town’s vibe is one of the many reasons we love coming to Paducah.
The Solid Rock’it Boosters—playing honky tonk classics and Western swing tunes—ended a terrific Friday evening with the stage lights ablaze during their rousing rendition of “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Elvis-style.
We may be from Memphis—the land of Elvis and BBQ—but on that Friday night we felt like we were home.
This Old House—Cozy and Comfortable
Cozy and comfortable accurately described the home’s feel, along with all its modern conveniences.
That Friday afternoon, May 10th, we pulled up in front of our temporary home for the weekend: the Buddenbaum House, located on Monroe Street just past Seventh. The historic home, dating back to the 1850s was said to be one of the oldest free-standing residences in Paducah. Lovingly restored and renovated by members of First Presbyterian Church, the Buddenbaum House, located on the backside of the church’s property, was now used as a vacation rental and for special church occasions.
The historic home’s interior was beautifully decorated. Cozy and comfortable accurately described the home’s feel, along with all its modern conveniences.
With that gorgeous blue sky overhead, I took-in a deep breath of fresh air and walked up the back steps of our cozy temporary home.
“Crazy Fries”
After getting settled, Vicki and I wandered around Lower Town where the festival would take place and then headed to one of our favorite spots in downtown—Paducah Beer Werks, or PBW. We’ve visited Paducah several times, and on each visit—weather permitting—we would stop at PBW and sit outside on their patio. You can’t beat the fresh air and parade of sweet dogs, along with people-watching and, of course, a craft beer, or two.
The atmosphere, the staff, the delicious menu options…along with the patio…draws us back to Paducah Beer Werks time and time again. The true reason we keep coming back, however, are those incredible “crazy fries,” as Vicki calls them. Officially named Brewer’s Fries, the “crazy fries” were tossed with PBW’s crazy seasoning (a combination of several unique flavors), which makes them out-of-this-world good. So good, in fact, that we went back to Paducah Beer Werks two more times that weekend.
Officially named Brewer’s Fries, the “crazy fries” were tossed with PBW’s crazy seasoning... which makes them out-of-this-world good.
Yes, we traveled to Paducah just for PBW’s “crazy fries.”
After PBW, we moseyed back to our cozy and comfortable temporary home, grabbed our festival chairs, and headed over to the Lower Town Arts and Music Festival. We wandered around the tents of vendors and artists and among the crowds in search of food and friends. We loved that feeling—that vibe, if you will—of anticipation coming from the crowd. Everyone, from locals to visitors, excited for a fun weekend.
After the Solid Rock’it Boosters finished-up Friday night’s festivities, we walked the short distance back to the Buddenbaum House, taking a few moments to watch festival goers walk to their cars or back to their homes. Many people saying “Good night” and “See you tomorrow” as they left. Friendly. Neighborly. Welcoming. Words that can also describe Paducah.
Down by the Lazy River
Saturday, May 11th, brought an early morning walk down to the Paducah Farmer’s Market located at the end of North 2nd Street. We’d visited the Saturday market on several previous trips, and I was eager to speak with a plant grower from Illinois. More than five years ago, this gentleman sold us a tiny Purple Swedish Ivy that, after several cuttings, continues to thrive to the point of taking over our backyard patio.
After talking with the grower, we crossed the parking lot to Downtown’s historic riverfront. Standing on the riverfront pathway, Vicki and I watched runners complete the 13th annual Iron Mom Half-Marathon, Relay, and 5K. Family, friends, and volunteers shouted encouragement as participants headed for the finish line. The scene was reminiscent of Friday night in Lower Town—festival-like and family-oriented—with the addition of the docked American Symphony riverboat and a lone barge working its way down the lazy waters of the Ohio River.
I soaked it all in, including the gorgeous blue sky, and, for some odd reason, started humming the chorus to “Down by the Lazy River,” a 1970s pop hit by The Osmonds—a song I hadn’t heard in ages.
Down by the lazy river, come as you please
Down by the lazy river, one big family
Down by the lazy river, everybody follow me
Market House Square Treats
We made our way back up from the river, walking along Broadway Street, where we passed the shops of the Fox Briar Inn at RiverPlace. During our first three visits to Paducah, Vicki and I stayed upstairs in one of the gorgeous condos of the Fox Briar Inn. This part of downtown had been designated the Entertainment Destination Center and Market House Square was its epicenter. Under a canopy of trees, we strolled along the shops and art galleries of the Square, while gazing through the windows of a few bars and restaurants not yet open.
After stopping by Hooper’s Outdoor Center, we crossed Broadway for a mid-morning treat at Kirchhoff’s Bakery and Deli. If PBW’s patio and “crazy fries” are a must when we visit Paducah, then Kirchhoff’s baked goods are a close second. This family-owned bakery has been a Paducah fixture since 1873, and the long line inside was a testament to Kirchhoff’s quality breads, pastries, and deli-style sandwiches.
This family-owned bakery has been a Paducah fixture since 1873, and the long line inside was a testament to Kirchhoff’s quality breads, pastries, and deli-style sandwiches.
We scooped up a couple of delicious cookies—an oatmeal raisin plus a chocolate chip—as Iron Mom finishers and their families stopped in for their own treats, or rewards, along with many locals picking up fresh-baked breads.
Sitting outside Kirchhoff’s, Vicki and I shared the oatmeal raisin cookie. Once again, I soaked in that feeling of family, friendliness, and community. There’s something about this town along the Ohio River that’s friendly and inviting, comfortable yet unique.
We love Paducah.
The crack of a golf ball against wood brought me back from my meditative serenity. First Presbyterian’s mini-golf event, held on the grassy lawn adjacent to the Buddenbaum House, was in full swing (Pun intended.) with participants moving from hole to hole, sometimes dragging their putters behind them. I stood up, grabbed my empty coffee mug, and took another look around. A slight breeze rattled the leaves of the shade tree. Vicki and I would soon head over to the festival. With that gorgeous blue sky overhead, I took-in a deep breath of fresh air and walked up the back steps of our cozy temporary home.
Yeah, we love Paducah.
