Local Author Keven McQueen
by Krumlovgirl
Keven is one of my good friends and has written several good books about the area. He teaches English at EKU and we were tour guides together at White Hall. He is known right now for his book entitled “Legends to Lunatics: Offbeat Kentuckians.” He has a thing for the strange and unusual and like me loves trivia and history. He also wrote a really good biography on Cassius Clay. It’s probably the best one out there. I know for a fact that he has a great love of the area and is very knowledgeable not just about Richmond but Madison County in general. IF you’re down here and you know he’s going to be doing an event then it’s worth checking him out. If you plan on coming to the area and are interested in learning a little more then you can find his books either online or in any of the local bookstores.
Church Baby Sales
by Krumlovgirl
Twice a year, in the spring and in the summer, local churches hold consignment sales where they resale baby and children’s items. You can find anything from playpens to toys and clothes for very reasonable prices. Eastside Baptist and the First United Methodist Church have the biggest and best sales. To get the best selection you have to get there early the first day although on the last day they usually mark things down half price. We got some terrific deals this year, mostly on clothes and blankets. If you decide to sell something of your own then you’re allowed to go in the night before the sale starts and get to do some early bird shopping.
Christmas Markets
by Krumlovgirl
My favorite way to kick off the holiday season is to go to the Christmas markets in Richmond. They usually occur on the first Saturday in December and everyone gets into it. The Parks and Recreation Center has a bazaar and gives free horse and carriage rides around downtown. The First Christian Church always has 4-H’ers set up selling their wares. (And it’s so hard not to buy from everyone because they’re just so darn cute!) St. Mark’s has a huge one and you really have to get there early to get the good stuff. Irvine McDowell does things as well, as do some of the other local churches. It’s a lot of fun and very festive and a good way to get out in the community. They’re very similar to the Christmas markets I’ve been to in Germany and Austria, although on a smaller scale. At least smaller than the one at the Schonbrunn in Vienna. But I digress…You can buy anything from tins of homemade cookies and pies to decorations and crafts. I usually go for the food myself. With the Christmas music playing and everyone in good moods it’s really easy to get caught up in the small town Christmas spirit.
New Earth Festival
by Krumlovgirl
Four times a year Lexington hosts the New Earth Festival at the Continental Inn. I just call it what it is-the psychic fair. Oh yes, there are other things besides the psychics, but they’re the most fun. You have a bevy of options when it comes to the kind of psychics you want to see, too. You can choose one that reads tarot cards, or one that reads minds, or one that is strictly astrology oriented. You can even have a photo taken of your aura if you want to! (I’ve never done it. But it’s there.) Readings cost $25 for 15 minutes, which isn’t a great deal but if they’re not busy sometimes you can stay longer than 15.
If you don’t want to get a reading, you can go shopping. All of your Wicca, Pagan, and Druid needs can be met from the vendors. They sell everything from stones to herbs to pendants to books. And bumper stickers. I love the bumper stickers.
They also have little seminars that go on throughout the weekend. You can attend one on dream analysis, ghost watching, or increasing your psychic powers.
The cost of the fair is $10 per person, although if you bring a canned good it drops to $5. Admission is good for the whole weekend. Check their website for specific dates. They usually run in May, July, October, and February.
Poosey Ridge
by Krumlovgirl
One of my favorite things to do is to take drives out in the country. Poosey Ridge is still my favorite drive in Madison County. Although driving on the road can be like dodging bullets (cars go fast and it’s curvy) you get some of the best panorama views of Richmond and the surrounding areas. You won’t see any subdivisions or many new houses, but you will see lots of rolling hills, valleys, farms, and tobacco fields. The road ends in the Kentucky River (almost literally) and they’ve now set up a little picnic area. The Acres of Land vineyard is located at the beginning of the ridge.
Directions: Follow Barnes Mill Road all the way out of town. At one point the road divides. Take the road on the right, across the little bridge. From there you’ll go up a large steep hill. The ridge begins at the top.
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My niece
Eastern KY University
Acres of Land Winery
Christmas at the Bennett House
