August E-News! The Latest Chamber News!

2025 August E-News

Cheers to Bardstown

Mark your calendars!

The countdown is on for the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber and Bardstown Main Street's Cheers to Bardstown event! September 6th, 1pm - 10pm at the Farmer's Market (200 E. Flaget St.)

Join us for a night of live music, food, cocktails, craft vendors, & community love! Come out and help us celebrate our amazing community and distillery workers!

This event if FREE to enter!

Farewell and Best Wishes to Hannah Viens!

After six incredible years with the Chamber, our Operations and Finance Coordinator, Hannah Viens, will be starting a new chapter in her career with Brown and Cheek. Hannah has been an essential part of our team, and her dedication, organization, and behind-the-scenes leadership have made a lasting impact. We will miss her greatly and are so grateful for all she has done for the Chamber and our members. If you would like to send your well wishes, feel free to email her your best wishes before her last day!

Discover Our Community Calendar!

We want to make sure everyone knows about a fantastic resource we have: our Community Calendar! This is your central hub for all local happenings, and we truly believe it's a great way to help everyone stay informed and avoid scheduling conflicts, fostering even better communication within our community.

It's easy to use: simply submit your events through this link: https://members.bardstownchamber.com/events/public-submission.

Chamber members can also log in to their accounts and submit events directly here: https://members.bardstownchamber.com/login.

If you need any help logging in, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We can't wait to see the calendar fill up with all your community events!

Homecoming

What an incredible 4th of July Homecoming celebration at My Old Kentucky Home State Park!

The Bardstown Chamber and My Old Kentucky Home State park came together to create a truly magical community evening filled with fun for all ages! From bouncy houses that had the kids jumping with joy to scenic carriage rides around the beautiful grounds, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Guests explored the historic mansion with guided tours, swayed to amazing live music, savored delicious treats from our fantastic food trucks, and enjoyed refreshments at the bar.

We want to give a huge thanks to our sponsors, Smith Brothers Distribution, Barton 1792 Distillery, Wilson & Muir Bank & Trust Co., Visit Bardstown, FiveStar Newcomb Oil, Lincoln National Bank, Distill Inn, Swope Family of Dealerships, Sarah Curtsinger - State Farm Insurance Agent, and BlueOval SK. Thanks again to all of the food trucks and vendors who made this event possible.

Thank you to The Stephen Foster Story for another year of fireworks and offering an amazing show for the community. If you missed the show, there are many more chances this summer to see The Stephen Foster Story or The Sound of Music!

Thank you to EVERYONE who came out and celebrated with us! Your presence made this community event truly special. There's nothing quite like coming together as neighbors and friends to celebrate our nation's independence in such a beautiful, historic setting.

Until next year!

XLR8 Class

On July 10th, the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce conducted their third XLR8 Professional Development series with a class on Creativity - Thinking Outside the Box.

Creativity involves combining existing knowledge, experiences, and concepts in novel ways to produce something that didn't exist before. Creativity isn't just about artistic expression - it applies to problem-solving, innovation, and finding fresh approaches in any field, from science and business to everyday life challenges.

Session 1: Organizational Skills (COMPLETED!)

Session 2: Taking Initiative (COMPLETED!)

Sessions 3: Creativity - Thinking Outside the Box (COMPLETED!)

Sessions 4: Managing Workplace Anxiety - (August 14th at 10:00am)

Tip: Participants who complete ALL FOUR workshops will receive a Certificate of Completion in Workplace Professional Skills! Whether you're looking to boost your career, enhance your professional toolkit, or simply improve your day-to-day work efficiency, the XLR8 series has something for everyone.

Want to learn more or register for upcoming sessions? Drop a comment below or reach out to Elliott Newland at Elliott@bardstownchamber.com

July Connect Hosted By: Ernie's Tavern

What an amazing evening at our 5pm Connect on July 16th, at Rowdy's Dance Hall & Saloon! Thanks for the great hospitality. Our guests had the perfect opportunity to explore downtown Bloomfield and discover all the beautiful stores the community has to offer. The evening was made even more special with delicious food from Ernie's Tavern. A shoutout to On the Rocks Bartending for crafting incredible cocktails that kept the energy flowing all night long and there was tasty sweet treats from Shortcrust Coffee and Pastry Bar. There was also coffee from Coffee Cafe! So many Bloomfield businesses represented.

The networking was fantastic and it was wonderful to see everyone come together, make new connections, and strengthen our community bonds. These are the moments that make the chamber world such a fun place.

Thank you to everyone who joined us - you made the night unforgettable!

Chamber Chase 5K & Scavenger Hunt

Our 10-day community-wide adventure has officially come to an end, and what an incredible experience it was! The Chamber Chase Scavenger Hunt brought together neighbors, families, and friends to explore our county, support local businesses, and engage with the places that make Bardstown and Nelson County so special.

We kicked things off with our very first Chamber Chase 5K on July 19, and it was a fantastic way to start the fun. With 53 participants, it was the perfect morning to get outside, enjoy nature, and set the tone for a high-energy week of adventure.

Thank you to our 17 amazing teams and 51 players who brought the excitement and community spirit throughout the event.

Here’s a look at the impact by the numbers:

17 Teams
51 Players
53 5K Participants
207 visits to local businesses
161 visits to local restaurants
154 visits to local attractions, museums, and historical landmarks
522 total challenges completed
$1100 will be donated to local non-profits and awarded in Chamber Checks (keeping those dollars in our community)
Estimated economic impact: Over $3500 in just 10 days

And now for the winners of the 2025 Chamber Chase:

1st Place: My Old Kentucky Homies

Prize: $250 in Chamber Checks and $250 to a Chamber Member Non-Profit

2nd Place: Wilma & Karla Chasers60

Prize: $150 in Chamber Checks and $150 to a Chamber Member Non-Profit

3rd Place: Mission Accomplished Morans

Prize: $100 in Chamber Checks and $100 to a Chamber Member Non-Profit

4th Place: Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

Prize: $50 in Chamber Checks and $50 to a Chamber Member Non-Profit

Winners, please email us to schedule a time for prize delivery.

Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and cheered on this community event. We are so proud of the positive impact the Chamber Chase had on our local economy and community connection. We can’t wait to bring it back even bigger next year.

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings & Ground Breakings

Restin Holes

August 18, 2025

Time: 12:00 PM

Location: 161 Josie Love Lane., Willisburg, KY 40078

Previous Ribbon Cuttings:

Congratulations to Hampton Inn Bardstown on their groundbreaking that was held on Friday, July 11th.

Congratulations to St. Vincent DePaul Mission Bread for Life Community Food Pantry on their ribbon cutting that was held on Wednesday, July 16th.

Congratulations to Red Rose Inn on their ribbon cutting that was held on Wednesday, July 16th.

Congratulations to Motto Mortgage Elevate on their ribbon cutting that was held on Friday, July 25th.

Upcoming Events

August Connect

August 20th, 2025

August Young Professionals

August 28th, 2025

All aboard for a culinary journey! You're invited to "Breakfast on the Dinner Train" aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train. Indulge in a three-course meal featuring a Fruit and Yogurt Parfait, followed by a hearty Biscuit with sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, and million-dollar bacon. Conclude your breakfast with a sweet Cinnamon Roll. The train departs from 602 N Third Street, Bardstown, KY, arriving at 9:30 AM and departing again at 10:30 AM. Secure your spot with an early bird price of $85 before September 1st, or $95 afterward. The event takes place on Wednesday, October 1st. This special event is sponsored by Abound Credit Union.

Breakfast on the Dinner Train

October 1, 2025

Insurance options for Chamber Members

Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce Announces Partnership with BluMine Health

Bardstown, KY

The Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce our new partnership with BluMine Health, offering a comprehensive healthcare benefit to individuals working for Chamber member businesses. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and enhancing the well-being of our community.

About the BluMine Health Benefit

Employees of Chamber member businesses, as well as their eligible dependents (ages 2-26 if still considered dependents), can now access BluMine Health’s concierge primary care services. For those not employed by a Chamber member business, individuals can join the Chamber to take advantage of this benefit.

This service provides comprehensive, front-line primary care, including:

Chronic disease management
Annual wellness physicals
Basic lab work and blood draws
Cold/flu treatments and much more

Affordable and Accessible Healthcare

The cost is just $72 per month for a family plan, with a one-time set-up fee. Payments are conveniently set up via ACH and will be deducted on the 23rd of each month.

BluMine Health has multiple care center locations, including right here in Bardstown at 700 Portland Avenue, Suite C. Other locations span across Kentucky and Southern Indiana to provide flexibility and access wherever you are.

Join Today!

Take advantage of this exceptional healthcare benefit by contacting the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce at (502) 348-9545 or via email at chamber@bardstownchamber.com. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to prioritize your health and well-being.

For more information about BluMine Health’s services, visit www.BluMineHealth.com.

Spotlight of the Month

Haydon Blackmon PLLC

At Haydon Blackmon PLLC, we’re proud to deliver big firm results with small town service to the people of Bardstown, Nelson County and our surrounding communities. We offer compassionate, knowledgeable and experienced legal representation in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security disability claims. We understand that when people come to us, they’re often going through one of the most difficult times in their lives—and we’re here to guide them every step of the way.

Our firm is deeply rooted in this community. Attorney Audrey Haydon-Blackmon was born and raised here and began her law practice in Bardstown in 2010 alongside her father, Ben Haydon. When Ben retired in 2024 after nearly 40 years of practicing right here in Bardstown, she founded Haydon Blackmon PLLC to continue serving her hometown. In 15 years of practice, Audrey has represented thousands of injured people. Her paralegal team has over 55 years of combined legal experience.

What sets us apart is our personalized approach. We combine the skill and results you’d expect from a large firm with the accessibility and personal attention only a small-town practice can offer. We take the time to truly listen, explain your options clearly, and fight for the best possible outcome.

Whether you’ve been injured in an accident, hurt on the job, or are unable to work due to a disability, you don’t have to face the system alone.

Learn more at www.haydonblackmon.com or call 502-348-1013.

Ambassador of the Month

Christine Hovan

St. Vincent DePaul Mission

swolf@mylnb.com

Christine Hovan continues to show her support for the Chamber. She is a faithful Ambassador and continues to help promote the Chamber. Thank you Christine for all the support you have provided for our community.