The Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for this year’s annual Community Awards Banquet, coming up November 10th at Kentucky Christian University.
Community members are encouraged to take a moment to recognize someone who has made a difference in the Grayson area by submitting a nomination for one of this year’s awards.
Categories include the Dr. Rodney T. Gross Youth Leadership Award, Deanna McDavid Educator of the Year, the Robert Caummisar Community Service Award, the Deborah Meenach-Combs Community Spark Plug Award, Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Person of the Year, and Keystone of Grayson.
The deadline to submit nominations is October 1st.
You can make your selections by scanning the QR code on the Chamber’s Community Awards information or by visiting graysonchamber.com/community-awards.
It’s a chance to recognize the people, educators, businesses, and community leaders who help make Grayson and Carter County a better place to live and work.
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A new community event is coming to Olive Hill this September, and organizers are inviting families from across the area to come out for a full day of fun, food, music and community.
Moving Forward with Hope will host its first annual HOPE Festival on Saturday, September 5th, from 10 AM until 8 PM at the Carter County Shrine Club Show Grounds on Samuel L. Waggoner Memorial Drive in Olive Hill.
Organizers say the festival is designed to offer something for just about everyone, with activities planned throughout the day for children, families and adults. Kids can burn off some energy with inflatables, obstacle courses and big inflatable slides, while other activities will include giant soccer darts, a basketball hoop shootout, a dunk tank and face painting.
For those looking for a little friendly competition, a cornhole tournament will also be held. And when it’s time to take a break from the activities, there will be plenty to see and enjoy, including live music and entertainment throughout the day.
The festival will also feature food vendors serving up a variety of options, along with local artisans and vendors offering handmade items and other goods. It’s a chance to do some shopping while supporting local businesses and creators right here in our community.
But organizers say the HOPE Festival is about more than just having a good time. The event is also an opportunity for people to learn more about Moving Forward with Hope and the work the organization does to support individuals and families in our communities. The goal is to bring people together, make some memories and provide a fun community experience for all ages.
So mark your calendar for Saturday, September 5th, and plan to spend the day at the Carter County Shrine Club Show Grounds in Olive Hill. Admission is free, and organizers say everyone is welcome. For more information about the first annual HOPE Festival or Moving Forward with Hope, call 859-334-0302 or visit movingforwardwithhope.org.
Grab the family, bring your friends and come hungry. Organizers are hoping to make the first HOPE Festival a community tradition for years to come.
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Young artists across Carter County have a chance to have their work showcased in a unique community art competition hosted by Gibbs Hardware in Grayson.
The locally owned business has announced its Next Gen Artists Competition, inviting children ages 13 and under to create original artwork inspired by Gibbs Hardware. Organizers say there are no limits on creativity. Entries could feature the hardware store itself, a favorite tool, the store’s well-known cat Chainsaw, or anything else that captures the spirit of the business.
Today is the final day that the artwork will be accepted, and organizers encourage children to use traditional art supplies such as paint, colored pencils, charcoal, crayons, or markers. Digital artwork and AI-generated images will not be accepted.
The winning entry will become the official Gibbs Hardware Facebook cover photo for the month of September. In addition, the first-place winner will receive a twenty-five dollar Casey’s Lanes gift card. Second place will receive a fifteen dollar Johnny’s Pizza gift card, while third place will earn a dessert from the Rustic Farm Truck during one of its Friday visits to Gibbs Hardware. The top three finishers will also receive a 132-piece art set.
If enough entries are received, organizers say the top ten artworks will also be displayed at the Grayson Gallery and Art Center, giving even more young artists the opportunity to have their work seen by the community.
Parents are asked to submit their child’s artwork by posting it in the comments of the contest announcement on the Gibbs Hardware Facebook page. Entries should include only the child’s first name and age, along with parental permission. Once submitted online, the original artwork can also be dropped off at Gibbs Hardware.
Organizers say art has a unique ability to preserve memories, tell stories, and inspire others, and they hope this contest encourages local children to use their imagination while celebrating one of Carter County’s longtime hometown businesses.
Again, the Next Gen Artists Competition is open through the end of business today, with winners to be selected following a community poll.