Beaver Dam and Central City working together to promote tourism in rural western Kentucky

Beaver Dam and Central City have made a tremendous impact on regional tourism. This year, they have worked together to bring even more tourists into their respective communities.

On the weekend of August 24 & 25, each city will host a major concert.Saturday August, 24, Country Music Stars Dylan Scott and Teddy Robbare coming to Lu-Ray Park & Amphitheater in Central City. Sunday, August 25, Rock ’n Roll Hall-of-Famers and Global Superstars, The TEMPTATIONS, with special guest BB King Blues Band ft. Michael Lee from The Voice and Claudette King, are coming to the Dam (Beaver Dam Amphitheater) in Beaver Dam. Folks are encouraged to check out these spectacular venues and the unique offerings of each community.

Beaver Dam Amphitheater, AKA The DAM, is a “Field of Dreams” like world-class venue, nestled in a rural hillside in Beaver Dam, KY (pop. 3,609). Since opening five years ago, The DAM has presented artists such as Merle Haggard, John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bret Michaels, Night Ranger, Skid Row, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Charlie Daniels, Casting Crowns, Tyler Childers, and many more. Still to come this season are The Temptations (8.25), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit AND Sheryl Crow (8.31), and The Big DAM Acoustic Rock Show with Don Dokken, Kip Winger, Jack Russell, and Eric Martin (9.7).

Lu-Ray Park & Amphitheater, located in the heart of Central City, Kentucky (pop. 5,890), sits on historic grounds on the site of the old Lu-Ray Hotel. The park and venue have a “Secret Garden” vibe that is simply magnificent. Lu-Ray is bordered by overhead railroad tracks and dense greenery. Since opening two years ago, the amphitheater has hosted Sundance Head, Chris Knight, Tenth Avenue North, the City’s annual GospelFest, 1964 the Tribute, and most recently, John Prine. Still to come this season are Dylan Scott (8.24) and Vanilla Ice & Tone Loc (9.14).

Beaver Dam Mayor, Paul Sandefur, said, “We began talking with Central City earlier this year when our annual event, “’80s ROCK the DAM Fest,” had sold out all Beaver Dam hotels on the weekend of July 20. We knew Central City had hotel rooms just 20 minutes away.”

Central City Mayor, Tony Armour, continued, “We were also faced with a weekend of sold out hotels in Central City for a John Prine concert at our venue on the weekend of July 13. It made sense to work together to direct fans to each city’s hotels for those concerts.

Executive Director of Lu-Ray Park & Amphitheater, Melissa Recke, added, “The relationship and more ideas blossomed from that point. We have discussed sharing shuttles to shows and even possibly working together to produce a signature festival utilizing both venues.

Beaver Dam Tourism Director, JoBeth Embry, also added, “It’s amazing and inspiring seeing our communities come together to bring in folks from all across the nation, and all over the world, to experience concerts, local shopping, and hometown hospitality.”

Executive Director of Central City Tourism, Dr. Freddie Mayes, stated,“The fact that we have two of the finest outdoor venues in our region, hotels, fabulous restaurant and shopping options, and more, within a 15-20 minute drive of each other is absolutely marvelous. We’re excited to work together, leveraging our combined resources, to continue to bring folks from far and wide to our neck of the woods in western, Kentucky.”

Join us on August 24 and/or August 25 for a full weekend of world-class entertainment.

Information below!!

DYLAN SCOTT with Teddy Robb