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NKY’s Newport Aquarium, Rabbit Hash General Store among top finishers in ‘Best in Kentucky’ Awards


Newport Aquarium Vice President and Executive Director Rebecca Foster with the aquarium’s second place award for the Kid Friendly Attraction category in the Kentucky Living 2022 Best in Kentucky awards (Photo from Kentucky Living)

Following a record number of nominations, Kentucky Living announced the winners of the 2022 “Best in Kentucky” Awards at a virtual ceremony.

Since 2009, readers of Kentucky Living, the most-widely circulated publication in the Commonwealth, have annually cast their votes for their Kentucky favorites in 25 categories, ranging from food and beverages to destinations and outdoor activities.

This year’s “Best in Kentucky” Award winners will be featured in the September issue of Kentucky Living. The full listing of winners and a video of the awards presentation can be viewed on kentuckyliving.com.

Rabbit Hash General Store proprietor and manager Terrie Markesbery displays the store’s third place award in the Historic Site category (Photo from Kentucky Living)

“Every year, Kentuckians have the chance to celebrate what makes our Commonwealth the best place to live and visit,” said Joe Arnold, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives’ vice president of Strategic Communications. “The ‘Best in Kentucky’ Awards recognize our people, our scenery and truly the best of us. I’m so grateful to those who nominated, voted and participated in this year’s competition, and I encourage everyone to start planning a trip to each of these ‘Best in Kentucky’ honorees.”

The “Best in Kentucky” winners from Northern Kentucky include:

• Newport Aquarium, Second Place for Best Kid-Friendly Attraction

• Rabbit Hash General Store, Third Place for Best Historic Site

• U.S. Playing Card Company, Third Place for Best Made-In-Kentucky Product

• Baker-Bird Winery & Distillery, Third Place for Best Winery

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joined the awards show to congratulate the “Best in Kentucky” winners and to recognize the finalists in the 2022 Beautify the Bluegrass initiative. Beautify the Bluegrass, an annual program to recognize Kentuckians who enhance the communities they call home, is a partnership of the Kentucky Governor’s Office, Kentucky Living, and Kentucky’s electric cooperatives.

The finalists for Beautify the Bluegrass:

• Veterans Memorial Park Beautification Project, Liberty
• Eastern Elementary Garden Club, Pleasureville
• Lifeline Recovery Center Playground, Paducah
• Hodgenville Elementary School Natural Trail and Outdoor Classroom
• Beautify I-65 project, Warren County

“The Beautify the Bluegrass program is one of my favorite examples of what it means to be on ‘Team Kentucky.’ I am so grateful to every individual, family and organization who volunteered their time to improve their community,” said Governor Beshear. “Our Commonwealth is made great by the men and women who live here and join together as neighbors and friends for a common purpose. Today and every day, you make me proud to be a Kentuckian.”

Kentuckians are encouraged to vote for their choice of the top Beautify the Bluegrass project on KentuckyLiving.com. Voting continues through September 2.

Kentucky Living


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