Kentucky Does Derby: Shelbyville Style
You know you are in Kentucky when, you can visit Paris, London, Versailles, and Florence all in one day.
Last Saturday night, on the corner of 7th and Main Street by the Saddlebred Suites in Shelbyville, Kentucky, you might have seen a few cars stop, wave, and honk as six girlfriends posed for a picture. Maybe it was the hats the girls wore or the friendly local traffic, but for whatever reason, as the sun was about to set, Shelbyville was ready to help usher in this year’s Derby week festivities.
Located in the heart of horse country, Shelbyville, Kentucky, is known for passing down its part of history associated with the famous Kentucky Derby: an annual event already deep-rooted with tradition. Boasting a nationally recognized Main Street, historical landmarks, tourist shops, locally-owned coffee shops, and quaint restaurants, this town offers a perfect girl’s getaway weekend from the city. As you can imagine, I was so excited to find myself all dolled up for a girl’s night out in Shelbyville. A huge “thank you” to Dori Eversole Lewis from Main Street’s The Polka Dotted Pineapple for the beautiful hats!
Two years ago I started a blog to learn more and be creative outside of my desk job. Through the odd and inspiring world of social media, I have met some of my best friends and have had opportunities to travel and experience more of Kentucky. I feel lucky to have shared this lovely weekend with photographers, writers, and bloggers from Louisville and Lexington. We met in the middle of Kentucky between our hometowns.
After exploring the local shops that afternoon, our dinner reservations were at The Red Lion: a Tudor style pub located in the heart of downtown Shelbyville, Kentucky, on the backside of Historic Science Hill. It was a perfect night to sit on the patio. The restaurant was charming, yet hidden off the beaten path. Chenelle Mcgee, director at Shelby County Tourism, mentioned that The Red Lion did not advertise. Yet, they were busy and known locally solely by word of mouth. After learning more about the neighborhood trends, I wanted to meet the forward-thinking residents who were definitely in the know about all the latest news.
The Red Lion exceeded my expectations, and I loved my main course of fillet with mashed potatoes and asparagus. During our meal, the chef even stopped by to chat. The appetizers were a treat, and the highlight of the evening was our Mint Julep toast to Derby week. After all, the Mint Julep cup, a trademark of Southern Hospitality, marked with a Kentucky Seal, was originally crafted by Mark J. Scearce, whose family still operates the Wakefield-Scearce Galleries on-site by The Red Lion.
There are some things out of our control like a world pandemic. Amidst the unknowns, I have found towns like Shelbyville, Kentucky, deliver the authentic experience. We had a fabulous weekend reminding me how working together and community are really what make beloved cities like Shelby County stand the test of time.
Group Photos Credit: Cheryl Van Stockum Photography
Please visit @theglennygirl on Instagram to follow more updates on shops and places to visit in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
