Before European settlement, the Native American Shawnee people inhabited the Owensboro area. Owensboro was initially known as Yellow Banks because of the color of the clay along its riverbanks. Community leaders established this town in 1817 and named Owensboro in honor of Colonel Abraham Owen, a Kentucky war veteran. They shortened the name to Owensboro in 1893. From its early days, Owensboro was known for its whisky distilleries, and to this day, Glenmore Distillery Company is still in operation. Owensboro has quite a manufacturing background, from wagon-making companies created in 1884 to tobacco production in 1903. Fredrick A. Ames, a settler from Washington, came to the city to repair horse-drawn carriages. This move prompted the foundation of the Ames Motor Car Company of Owensboro in 1910, a manufacturer of replacement car bodies for Ford. The company diversified in 1922 and began to manufacture furniture, eventually selling out to Whitehall Furniture in 1970. The Kentucky Electrical Lamp Company was built in 1899, leading to the creation of the lightbulb that illuminates the first night game of Major League Baseball in 1935. In June 1932, John G. Barnard put Owensboro on the map with the renowned Modern Welding Company. This company is the country's largest supplier of underground and aboveground steel storage tanks for flammable and combustible liquids. The company celebrated its 90th birthday in 2022. With its Bluegrass music and Daviess County-inspired barbeques and festivals, Owensboro is a steadily growing city encompassing the deep, rich roots of Southern living.

From picnicking to water sports and gastronomic cuisine or retail therapy downtown, the entertainment in Owensboro is designed for whole family enjoyment. Here are a number of our favorites for you to try:

⁠Bar-B-Q Block Parties: Hosted in downtown Owensboro, Bar-B-Q Block Parties are held on Friday and Saturday nights. Inspired by old-fashioned barbeque, this fun event invites people to come and compete in the cookouts, live music, carnival atmosphere, and games galore.

Gramps Coffee & Donuts: Cradled in the heart of downtown Owensboro this unique coffee shop offers you a little taste of heaven with their decadent doughnuts and rich, delicious coffees.

⁠Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum: With the preservation of bluegrass music in mind, this iconic establishment is an interactive facility where you get to jam with the best musicians. If jamming isn't your style, check out the hall of fame exhibits or come along for the festivals and have some fun.