 |
Kentuckians enjoy a variety of music, from classical, rock and jazz to country, folk, gospel and bluegrass. So visitors should
expect to find a concert or performance somewhere to suit their personal tastes. A Kentucky instrument often found at festivals
involving traditional or mountain crafts is the dulcimer. This is a stringed instrument found in the Appalachian area and
used to accompany folk songs passed down from generation to generation.
Regional dishes which you will find in
Kentucky include Kentucky ham, Southern fried chicken, corn pudding, spoon bread, derby pie and burgoo. Burgoo is a thick
soup made with several types of meat and vegetables, and cooked slowly all day. You can usually taste the delicious flavor
of tender beef, and it is quite warming on a fall day. Spoon bread is just what its name suggestions - a soft bread (with
a bit of a corn meal flavor) which can be eaten with a spoon. Try traditional restaurants such as Boone Tavern, where Berea
College students serve meals, to enjoy this regional treat. And if you love chocolate, you will love Derby Pie!
More about dulcimers
Burgoo Recipe
|
|
|
|
A number of nationally known musicians have a connection to Kentucky. In the rock field there is the Back Street Boys, who
easily fill concert arenas. The Everly Brothers of Western Kentucky were stars in the rock'n'roll field in the 1960s but would
probably fit comfortably into today's country music scene.
The father of bluegrass music was Bill Monroe, a Kentuckian;
today one of the country's largest traditional bluegrass festivals is held in Morehead, Ky. (See event calendar for details)
In country music, a few of the well-known Kentuckians are Billy Ray Cyrus, Crystal Gale, The Judds, Patty Loveless,
Loretta Lynn, Michael Montgomery, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, and Dwight Yoakam. Highway 23 in Kentucky has been renamed
"The Country Music Highway" because so many entertainers were born close by.
Some Country Music Star Links from countrystars.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No page about Kentucky would be complete without a few words about horses. The green fields, horse barns and board
fences are among the first sights you will see on entering the Bluegrass.
Two types of horses are involved
in racing: the thoroughbreds (jockeys ride these horses at Churchill Downs, Keeneland and elsewhere) and the standardbreds
(drivers sit in sulkies - a type of wagon - as they encourage their horses at Red Mile & Thunder Ridge.)
For
pleasure riding, several commercial stables are available and some state parks feature horseback riding. The Kentucky Horse
Park is the site of the annual Rolex Three-Day event, a colorful sight which has even attracted a member or two of the British
Royal family. Beautiful equine art can be found in local galleries in Lexington and Louisville. Thoroughbred Park in downtown
Lexington features life size statues of horses in motion.
The picture you see below was taken of a lively horse
and rider at the Red Mile Grand Circuit in Lexington.
Cross Gate Gallery
Collectors Gallery
American Academy of Equine Art Lexington headquarters
Horseback Riding Stables and Riding/Driving Lessons in Georgetown
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
