February 20, 2025 • 23 mins
Shelbyville, Kentucky, boasts a vibrant community spirit through Shelby Main Street, led by Darlene Snow. This episode explores the program's focus on design, promotion of local businesses, current beautification projects, and upcoming events while emphasizing the importance of community collaboration.
- Introduction to Darlene Snow and her journey
- Overview of Shelby Main Street and its role in the community
- The four focus areas of the Main Street program
- Ongoing beautification projects and local artist involvement
- Exciting events scheduled for 2025
- New businesses opening in downtown Shelbyville
- The Leadership Shelby program and its impact
- Community involvement and collaborative efforts
- Information on how to connect with Shelby Main Street
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Mason Warren (00:22):
Welcome to Kentucky Hidden Wonders.
I'm Mason Warren and my co-host, janet Marson, is under the
weather.
Today we're uncovering thesecrets, stories and hidden gems
of Shelby County, kentucky,from unforgettable places to
off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Join us as we explore Kentuckytreasures and Shelby County's
best-kept secrets.
Our guest today is Darlene Snow.
(00:43):
She's the executive director ofShelby Main Street.
Darlene, welcome to the podcast.
Darlene Snow (00:47):
Thank you so much.
I'm excited to be here.
Mason Warren (00:48):
We are very glad to have you here.
First, before we get toanything, just introduce
yourself.
Tell us what brought you toShelby County and then,
eventually, shelby Main Street.
Darlene Snow (00:57):
Okay, great.
Well, my journey to Shelbyvilletook place about 12 years ago.
My last stop was Texas.
Took place about 12 years ago.
My last stop was Texas.
And when I moved here it waskind of a weird thing.
My mom and stepdad came out tovisit my aunt and uncle in
Simpsonville they lived there atthe time and I get a phone call
from my mom saying we've boughta house and we're moving to
(01:18):
Kentucky.
And I said, well, great, Iguess I'm selling my house and
I'm moving to Kentucky too, andso that kind of is what
catapulted us here.
And when I landed in Shelbyvilleit was like I had come home and
I just fell in love with thiscommunity.
And one of the things that Idid when I first got here was
really immerse myself in allthings Shelby County.
(01:39):
I became involved withdifferent nonprofits, I joined
the chamber, I took part inLeadership Shelby and just
really any way that I could be apart of and help out the
different organizations here Iwanted to do.
My background is in eventplanning, so any event that
needed help I was on board andloved it.
(01:59):
So that was really a lot of fun.
Gotcha, yes.
And then what happened was itwas just kind of a weird thing.
I think probably justnetworking and being involved
with people.
The position became availablefor the executive director for
Shelby Main Street and I wasasked to apply and I was
thrilled and scared and nervousand so excited and then when I
(02:22):
got the job it was amazing andit just feels kind of like when
you get someplace you find thatreally nice glove because it's
been so cold out, you find thatglove and it fits really well.
And that's really how I feelabout this position and Shelby
Main Street.
I love it.
It is just something that I getto pull all of my passions
together and have a lot of funand impact a lot of different
(02:42):
people, so that's exciting.
Mason Warren (02:45):
Gotcha.
So how long have you been withShelby Main Street then?
Darlene Snow (02:47):
It will be four years in March, so I'm coming up
on my four year anniversary.
Mason Warren (02:51):
Well, it feels like yesterday.
Well, you do a fantastic joband we say all the time that
you're the best Main Streetdirector in the whole state of
Kentucky.
Other people might get mad atme for that, but it's all right.
Darlene Snow (03:02):
It have a great team, it's true.
Mason Warren (03:04):
So you do.
You have a great team, but itstarts at the top.
So, for people that don't know,what does Shelby Main Street do
and what does a Main Streetprogram do?
You've talked about a chamber.
This is a podcast put on by atourism office.
How is it different from whatdoes a Main Street program do?
Darlene Snow (03:21):
Sure, so a Main Street program?
Do Sure, so a Main Streetprogram.
We're an accredited program, sothere are different things that
we have to follow differentguidelines that we do through
the state and then also national.
So that's kind of a big thingbecause all kinds of communities
have a Main Street andwonderful shops and stuff.
But there's a differentdistinction that goes along with
being an accredited program andso through that it is really
(03:44):
kind of based on four points,which is a main street program.
It focuses on the designelements of downtown and so that
could be kind of keeping upwith the historic preservation
of downtown as well as what doesit look like, the walkability
of it, you know what?
is what makes the downtownreally fun and fabulous, gotcha.
And then the other side of itis promotion, and that is not
(04:07):
just the events because we havea lot of fun events that we do,
but it's also getting peopleinto downtown and to see all of
the different shops that we haveand the businesses that we have
.
So we look at it sort of ascreating opportunities for
people to come into downtown toshop, dine and explore.
Yeah, and they love it.
The other side is so we've donedesign.
(04:32):
Promotion and economic vitalityis the third point and that is
really to support the businessesin thriving, also working with
other businesses into cominginto downtown.
So when a space is availableit'll be talking with different
people about those that areinterested and then also going
out and looking for somewhere.
They might find Shelbyville astheir home.
And then the other side is theorganization and that is looking
at the volunteer side.
(04:53):
It kind of also incorporateswhat exactly we do on a
day-to-day basis.
Mason Warren (04:57):
Gotcha Well, so it sounds like you have your hands
full, and so I'm sure there arelots of different committees
and things like that that areinvolved in that process as well
.
And you talked a little bitabout the design.
Shelbyville has done a reallygood job and Shelby Main Street
has done a fantastic job of kindof running and shepherding
through a lot of beautificationprojects over the last couple of
(05:17):
years.
Talk to us a little bit aboutthat.
What's that process like?
Are you looking for localartists that you want to work
with and then what's coming upin the next year or so?
Darlene Snow (05:33):
Sure, well, we are really focused on a lot of art.
We feel that art is veryimportant into a downtown
because it pulls in a differentgroup of people too and it gives
people something to look atwhile they're here.
And when you have things thatare new and exciting, people go
oh, I didn't know that that washere, oh, this is new, or oh,
this is coming, and so it'sreally fun.
We have Shelby Main Street hasbeen around for 40 years, so we
(05:57):
have been around for a long timeand there has been this amazing
team of people who have done alot of legwork to create this
wonderful feeling downtown, andthat's with the different
sculptures that we have.
We have the community tileproject that we completed not
too long ago.
Actually, it's been up now twoyears, I think it's crazy.
It's crazy Maybe it's just ayear, I don't know.
(06:18):
It seemed like a long time, butit was really.
It's a great community artproject really is what it was.
So there are a lot of differentthings where we will reach out
to local artists.
There are several of thesculptures that are downtown
were done by people locally andothers were commissioned out,
and so anytime we do somethingI'm so much about it's Shelby
(06:40):
County.
Let's pull in Shelby Countypeople.
Mason Warren (06:42):
For sure.
Darlene Snow (06:43):
And sometimes they'll want to participate and
then other times we won't get asmuch involvement and so we'll
look in at other areas.
And so, as far as some of thethings that we have going on,
well, we are looking at a newmural, which is very exciting.
We know that, downtown it beinga historic area, we don't want
(07:03):
to.
Uh, downtown it being ahistoric area, we don't want to.
I'm not, I'm going to use theword what would be a good word.
We don't want to plaster muralsall over the place because we
don't want to lose the integrityof what downtown looks like.
And anytime we do something, wehave to make sure that if we're
putting something on a building, that it's already been painted
or that something has alreadybeen done, because, again, we
want to preserve the historicpart of each of the buildings.
(07:26):
So one that we're looking atdoing is sort of like a welcome
to shelbyville and we're hopefulthat people will take pictures,
they'll tag us and then thatwill just kind of pull more
people into downtown.
We're also looking at someother smaller community projects
, community murals, where peoplecan again get involved so they
can come and see their artworkaround town, which is really fun
(07:47):
.
One thing that we will bereleasing in may is when you
come downtown on main inwashington you'll see those big
banners that are on the side andusually it's welcome to
shelbyville or we've got thehorses, or whatever.
This last several months wehave asked for artwork from our
community and then theysubmitted.
(08:08):
We sent it out to be voted onand people voted on the artwork
that they wanted to see on thesebig banners.
So 13 people will have theirartwork displayed on those big
banners downtown.
Yes, and that's so exciting andit was really great and it's
fun to see.
Yeah, fun.
Yes, and that's so exciting andit was really great and it's
fun to see.
Mason Warren (08:25):
Yeah, well, you talked a little bit about the
events earlier.
Sure, one of the things that Ithink the Shelby Main Street
program does a great job of isplanning events that try to
reach everyone in the community.
What are some of the eventsyou've got coming up in 2025?
Darlene Snow (08:43):
We have about 20 different events that will be
taking place again.
One thing that I'm reallyexcited about is May.
So we do our Wild AboutShelbyville Arts and Music
Festival and that happens.
It will be May 10th this year.
It's the weekend of Mother'sDay, so it's a great reason to
come on out.
But we have live music downtown.
(09:04):
We have different vendors, butit's a focus on the artists of
all areas in Shelby County andthat includes our bourbon bacon
butter bake-off, which is fun.
But some of the things thatwe're incorporating is, instead
of just having the focus on ourlocal artist on one day, we are
spreading that out throughoutthe month.
So we will be doing a familyart night where we will have
(09:28):
we're actually doing someputting together some puzzles
that have the different scenesof Main Street on there and then
we'll frame those and that willbecome a part of our gallery
hop, which is going to be laterin the month.
And then we're also looking athaving Lego displays and more
painting.
But we really want to pullpeople together.
So it's family-oriented events,they are free and that's a lot
(09:50):
of fun.
So throughout the month of Maythere will be all kinds of
things live music, again, focuson arts and art is anything from
the theater, it's from painting, writing, music, of course,
baking, cooking, anything thatit is, because I think anything
that you do, it is in a form ofart and I think that that's
great.
So that is going to be a lot offun.
(10:11):
We also will have live music onSixth Street.
So instead of we're doing alittle bit of a shift, instead
of doing concerts in the evening, which all of our businesses
are closed in the evening so itdoesn't really benefit them, we
said, well, why don't we shiftit?
Let's try doing a Saturdaysfrom three to five, when the
businesses are still open, andwe'll just have live music on
(10:32):
Sixth Street.
So it's not necessarily aconcert format, but it will be
live music, where it will createsome additional fun energy
downtown and people can stop andlisten in all of that.
But it'll be different, but itwill.
Again, it's creating thoseopportunities for people to shop
, dine, explore downtown.
So that'll be fun.
And then we'll have our.
We do our Jubilee Breakfast, wewill do our Jeep Invasion,
(10:55):
which will be fun.
In September, we do a JohnPrine tribute and then, of
course, celebration of Lightswhich is fabulous, and for
people who don't know what isCelebration of Lights
Celebration of Lights is afabulous tradition here, where
it kicks off the holidays.
So we start a little bit earlierbecause it will be the it's the
(11:15):
second Saturday in November andwe it's all surrounding the
lighting of the Christmas treeand the lights downtown which
kicks off the holiday season orthe Christmas season.
But with that we had 164vendors last year.
We have food trucks, so it'svendors, food trucks, music.
(11:37):
We have different choir groupsand dance performances.
We have a wonderful Santa'sworkshop and Santa's there.
It is just a magical time forpeople to come into downtown and
really get a sense of not justcommunity but really kicking off
the holidays, the spirit of theholidays, so that'll be
(11:58):
November 8th this year, Ibelieve right, yes, November 8th
, All right.
Mason Warren (12:03):
Well, mark your calendars November 8th 2025,
being Shelbyville Kentucky.
Yes, so where can people getmore information about these
events?
Are they on your website?
Darlene Snow (12:14):
Yes, so you can go to shelbymainstreetcom and you
can also follow us on Facebook.
So it's Shelby Main Street andwe post a lot of different
things there actually prettymuch everything, as well as all
the different shops anddifferent businesses that are
there.
But we are really good aboutkeeping up with the events that
are going on, and then we alsohave an event calendar on the
(12:36):
website and that is for anyorganization in Shelby County.
They can post the events thatare going on so that others in
the community can see not justwhat Shelby Main Street is doing
, but what others are doing aswell.
Mason Warren (12:48):
Gotcha Sounds like a great resource there.
Yes, again, we wrote thesequestions in advance, but they
kind of follow your, your fourpoints that you were talking
about earlier.
So, uh, kind of switching thateconomic vitality, uh, model
Shelbyville is fortunate for asmaller community of our size to
have really a bustling mainstreet with, uh, lots of
(13:12):
businesses that are you knowlong uh Main Street with lots of
businesses that are, you know,long-standing members of the
community but also some new onesthat pop up.
Are there any more newbusinesses that are coming that
you can talk about?
Or you just say you know whatkind, or anything like that.
Whatever, you can tell us.
Darlene Snow (13:28):
Yes.
So I can tell you that we havea lot of new businesses coming,
and several of them are going tobe restaurants.
It'll be a really great variety.
So the ones that are coming arenot the same, which is really.
I think it'll add so much tothe downtown as well.
So we have one that should beopening up in February, early
March, one that will be, and Ithink that there will be two or
(13:51):
three that will be in the spring, and then we have one, I think,
that will be by the end of theyear.
So there is four right now,potential restaurants down here.
We also have a couple differentbusinesses that are moving in,
and then we have some that arealready expanding.
So that's really exciting too.
(14:12):
What I love about thiscommunity is they really do show
up to support our smallbusinesses, and that's great and
that allows these businesses tocome in and maybe have a
smaller space, but then theyneed more because they outgrow
their current space.
So it's sort of like incubatoryou kind of go in, let's test it
out, let's see, and then it'shuge and it's a wonderful growth
(14:33):
and they're able to expand intosomething different.
Right now we only have twovacant spots that I am aware of,
we have upper story space, butthose are not necessarily
available, and so out of thespaces that are available,
there's two, and those are forretail or not really restaurants
(14:53):
, but commercial space.
Mason Warren (14:56):
And if someone wants to learn more about that,
is it on your website also.
Darlene Snow (14:59):
It is.
It's certainly connecting withme to see as far as what might
be available.
We are not realtors, so I wantto make that clear.
We get a lot of people saying,oh well, can you show us a space
?
No, we can't, but I can connectyou who it is, that's on the
sign in front of the window onthings.
Mason Warren (15:18):
So that's what they you wear a lot of kind of
different hats, it feels like,and so can you talk a little bit
.
You mentioned Leadership Shelbyearlier.
Yes, what does LeadershipShelby do, and you know what
kind of program is that?
Darlene Snow (15:31):
Sure Leadership Shelby is a leadership
development program in ShelbyCounty and it's open to anybody
who lives in or works in ShelbyCounty and it is a
behind-the-scenes look at whatgoes on in our community.
So it is a nine-month programand you commit to one day a
(15:52):
month and on those days you'llgo behind the scenes.
So let's say it's a tourism andarts day, and so we spend that
day going to different placeswithin the county and sharing
kind of how it works with thosethat are in the class.
So it could be going to a horsefarm and it's kind of seeing
(16:14):
what's going on, but you'retalking to the owner and you're
getting to see and ask questionswith them that you wouldn't
normally get to do, and that'sin all of the different areas.
So whether that is agriculture,education, industry, education,
I mean there's just there's alot of different areas that we
focus on and we're getting readyto, we're accepting
(16:36):
applications now actually.
Thank you for that opportunityto say that I don't know that
that will be good, but I am alsothe executive director for
Leadership Shelby and so I lovethat as well.
So I am all things all aboutShelby County and being able to
share what our amazing communityhas to offer.
And Leadership Shelby is one ofthose programs where, even
(16:59):
though we've had so many peoplewho have been through the
program, who have lived theirentire lives and they'll go
through going, I had no ideathat this was here and that is a
wonderful thing.
So, whether that's againtouching on justice or
government or whatever it is,but you're getting to see things
that people wouldn't normallysee.
And then you also are able tosee that you can really talk to
(17:22):
our government leaders.
You can go and you can talk toour leaders and it's just like
we're having a conversation.
Now you know it's reallywonderful and not everybody
understands that, and in asmaller community we are blessed
to have so many, this wonderfulrelationship with everybody who
is here, and I think that thatis something very unique to
Shelbyville and Shelby County.
Mason Warren (17:42):
Absolutely.
We're all about you hidden gems, the hidden wonders on the show
, and so it sounds like a greatopportunity to see lots of those
.
Is there kind of a favoritestory or favorite moment just
from the years of being involvedwith Leadership, Shelby, from
your different excursion days?
I know this might be askinglike pick a favorite child or a
(18:03):
favorite dog or something likethat, but anything like that.
I would have to say you know, Ireally don't know Anything that
sticks out, just as either itwas impactful or meaningful or
funny or just something thatjust some kind of moment.
Darlene Snow (18:18):
Yes, so Ag Day is always fun.
I'm sure, I love Ag Day.
I love all of the days.
Let's be very clear on that.
They're all amazing, yeah, butI remember it was several years
ago.
We had a class and at the timewe were able to go to a dairy
farm and the class was in theroom with the cows and it was
(18:40):
interesting and let's just sayit was a very memorable
experience from that and it wasjust such.
It was such a surprise and asI'm reliving this now, I'm
seeing it very clearly in myhead, but it was hilarious and
so what it is is.
It's just you're on a farm.
This is what goes on.
Mason Warren (18:55):
And so that was Part of the process.
Darlene Snow (18:57):
Yes, or being out in the field and the cows are
coming right up to you.
It's just, and people who I'mnot from a farming family, I'm
not, as we're coming from, acity girl, I'm not a city girl
but others who are not at allused to being in a field and the
cows are coming up to them andthe look on their faces, it's
priceless, it's just priceless.
(19:17):
So Well, good.
Mason Warren (19:18):
Yeah, so you've talked a lot about the community
and like teamwork involved, sowho are?
So who are some of those peopleand what kind of contributions
are they making?
Darlene Snow (19:28):
Awesome, Yay, we cannot do what we do without so
many.
Shelby Main Street is me as thefull-time person, and then I
have an assistant and she ispart-time, and then we have a
board.
But outside of that we have somany people that make what we do
possible.
(19:48):
And of course we have thesupport of the city and the
county and then also withtourism on that, and the
relationships extend.
For when we do events.
Public Works is huge.
I cannot say enough about ourPublic Works team and how
absolutely amazing they are Rockstars, all caps, they are just
(20:09):
amazing.
And so they are out there, havean idea on something.
It's like do you think we coulddo this?
And I've never heard them sayno.
And so it's wonderful and justthat partnership that we have.
But also when we have events andthe police department is out
there, and so if we have to shutdown the road or just for
safety with people crossing,that's a wonderful relationship
(20:31):
as well.
And then you look at when.
So when we have the policedepartment out because the road
is shut down and we have publicworks out there doing things,
well, for the first responderside of things, that then has to
everything has to get rerouted.
So you're looking at fire isimpacted, the dispatch has to
know what's going on.
You have EMS has to be, youknow I mean things are rerouted
(20:53):
if Main Street is shut down.
So it is this wonderfulcollaboration that we have with
so many that allow us to do thethings that we do, and without
them, without everybody, in allof the different areas we just
couldn't do what we do.
Mason Warren (21:08):
And without them, without everybody in all of the
different areas, we justcouldn't do what we do.
Well, it sounds like there's alot of moving pieces.
It is, and it's fun, and it'sso fun, so grateful.
You put board walking down thestreet, your vest on during the
events.
Darlene Snow (21:15):
Yes, and it's always pink.
It's always pink, yesabsolutely.
Mason Warren (21:18):
But, like you said , it's a great community and
everyone works well together,and so that definitely helps.
Yes, like you said, it's agreat community and everyone
works well together, and so thatdefinitely helps, yes.
So again, if someone wants tolearn more about Shelby Main
Street, what's the website orhow do they get a hold of you?
Darlene Snow (21:31):
So it's ShelbyMainStreetcom, and I also
want to say when they go thereso to get more information.
But we also have a list of allof the different businesses that
we have downtown.
So there's a map and a listingof those, because a lot of
people will say, well, there'snothing to do downtown and I'm
going to take this and go.
Yes, there is.
I beg to differ, and so you canjust kind of take a look at all
(21:53):
of the different things that wedo have available.
Of course, they can email medirectly, call, have a
conversation.
I'm happy to go have coffeewith you.
I'll tell you all things MainStreet.
I love it so much and I lovewhen people have questions and
just want to learn more.
Mason Warren (22:08):
Yeah, well, your enthusiasm for Main Street is
infectious.
So thank you for coming on theshow, and is there anything else
you want to add?
Darlene Snow (22:18):
I just want to thank you for this opportunity.
Anytime I can talk about thefabulous of our downtown.
It really is and it just it'swonderful and I hope that people
will come out.
If you haven't been downtownrecently, please come down and
see all the amazing things thatare going on and the amazing
businesses that we have.
Mason Warren (22:35):
Well, thank you for coming on the show.
Darlene Snow (22:38):
Thank you so much.
Mason Warren (22:43):
This has been Kentucky Hidden Wonders.
Thank you to Darlene Snow forcoming on the show to talk about
all the exciting thingshappening on Shelbyville's
historic Main Street and thankyou for listening.
If you've made it this far,make sure you subscribe and
leave us a review.
It means the world to us.
We'll be back in two weeks witha brand new Kentucky Hidden
Wonder.
Bye everyone.
We'll be back in two weeks witha brand new Kentucky Hidden
Wonder.
Bye everyone.
(23:09):
Kentucky Hidden Wonders is aShelby KY Tourism production.
Your hosts are Janet Marson andMason Warren.
To learn more about Shelby KYTourism and to start planning a
visit, head to visitshelbykycom.
Welcome to Kentucky Hidden Wonders.
I'm Mason Warren and my co-host, janet Marson, is under the
weather.
Today we're uncovering thesecrets, stories and hidden gems
of Shelby County, kentucky,from unforgettable places to
off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Join us as we explore Kentuckytreasures and Shelby County's
best-kept secrets.
Our guest today is Darlene Snow.
(00:43):
She's the executive director ofShelby Main Street.
Darlene, welcome to the podcast.
Darlene Snow (00:47):
Thank you so much.
I'm excited to be here.
Mason Warren (00:48):
We are very glad to have you here.
First, before we get toanything, just introduce
yourself.
Tell us what brought you toShelby County and then,
eventually, shelby Main Street.
Darlene Snow (00:57):
Okay, great.
Well, my journey to Shelbyvilletook place about 12 years ago.
My last stop was Texas.
Took place about 12 years ago.
My last stop was Texas.
And when I moved here it waskind of a weird thing.
My mom and stepdad came out tovisit my aunt and uncle in
Simpsonville they lived there atthe time and I get a phone call
from my mom saying we've boughta house and we're moving to
(01:18):
Kentucky.
And I said, well, great, Iguess I'm selling my house and
I'm moving to Kentucky too, andso that kind of is what
catapulted us here.
And when I landed in Shelbyvilleit was like I had come home and
I just fell in love with thiscommunity.
And one of the things that Idid when I first got here was
really immerse myself in allthings Shelby County.
(01:39):
I became involved withdifferent nonprofits, I joined
the chamber, I took part inLeadership Shelby and just
really any way that I could be apart of and help out the
different organizations here Iwanted to do.
My background is in eventplanning, so any event that
needed help I was on board andloved it.
(01:59):
So that was really a lot of fun.
Gotcha, yes.
And then what happened was itwas just kind of a weird thing.
I think probably justnetworking and being involved
with people.
The position became availablefor the executive director for
Shelby Main Street and I wasasked to apply and I was
thrilled and scared and nervousand so excited and then when I
(02:22):
got the job it was amazing andit just feels kind of like when
you get someplace you find thatreally nice glove because it's
been so cold out, you find thatglove and it fits really well.
And that's really how I feelabout this position and Shelby
Main Street.
I love it.
It is just something that I getto pull all of my passions
together and have a lot of funand impact a lot of different
(02:42):
people, so that's exciting.
Mason Warren (02:45):
Gotcha.
So how long have you been withShelby Main Street then?
Darlene Snow (02:47):
It will be four years in March, so I'm coming up
on my four year anniversary.
Mason Warren (02:51):
Well, it feels like yesterday.
Well, you do a fantastic joband we say all the time that
you're the best Main Streetdirector in the whole state of
Kentucky.
Other people might get mad atme for that, but it's all right.
Darlene Snow (03:02):
It have a great team, it's true.
Mason Warren (03:04):
So you do.
You have a great team, but itstarts at the top.
So, for people that don't know,what does Shelby Main Street do
and what does a Main Streetprogram do?
You've talked about a chamber.
This is a podcast put on by atourism office.
How is it different from whatdoes a Main Street program do?
Darlene Snow (03:21):
Sure, so a Main Street program?
Do Sure, so a Main Streetprogram.
We're an accredited program, sothere are different things that
we have to follow differentguidelines that we do through
the state and then also national.
So that's kind of a big thingbecause all kinds of communities
have a Main Street andwonderful shops and stuff.
But there's a differentdistinction that goes along with
being an accredited program andso through that it is really
(03:44):
kind of based on four points,which is a main street program.
It focuses on the designelements of downtown and so that
could be kind of keeping upwith the historic preservation
of downtown as well as what doesit look like, the walkability
of it, you know what?
is what makes the downtownreally fun and fabulous, gotcha.
And then the other side of itis promotion, and that is not
(04:07):
just the events because we havea lot of fun events that we do,
but it's also getting peopleinto downtown and to see all of
the different shops that we haveand the businesses that we have
.
So we look at it sort of ascreating opportunities for
people to come into downtown toshop, dine and explore.
Yeah, and they love it.
The other side is so we've donedesign.
(04:32):
Promotion and economic vitalityis the third point and that is
really to support the businessesin thriving, also working with
other businesses into cominginto downtown.
So when a space is availableit'll be talking with different
people about those that areinterested and then also going
out and looking for somewhere.
They might find Shelbyville astheir home.
And then the other side is theorganization and that is looking
at the volunteer side.
(04:53):
It kind of also incorporateswhat exactly we do on a
day-to-day basis.
Mason Warren (04:57):
Gotcha Well, so it sounds like you have your hands
full, and so I'm sure there arelots of different committees
and things like that that areinvolved in that process as well
.
And you talked a little bitabout the design.
Shelbyville has done a reallygood job and Shelby Main Street
has done a fantastic job of kindof running and shepherding
through a lot of beautificationprojects over the last couple of
(05:17):
years.
Talk to us a little bit aboutthat.
What's that process like?
Are you looking for localartists that you want to work
with and then what's coming upin the next year or so?
Darlene Snow (05:33):
Sure, well, we are really focused on a lot of art.
We feel that art is veryimportant into a downtown
because it pulls in a differentgroup of people too and it gives
people something to look atwhile they're here.
And when you have things thatare new and exciting, people go
oh, I didn't know that that washere, oh, this is new, or oh,
this is coming, and so it'sreally fun.
We have Shelby Main Street hasbeen around for 40 years, so we
(05:57):
have been around for a long timeand there has been this amazing
team of people who have done alot of legwork to create this
wonderful feeling downtown, andthat's with the different
sculptures that we have.
We have the community tileproject that we completed not
too long ago.
Actually, it's been up now twoyears, I think it's crazy.
It's crazy Maybe it's just ayear, I don't know.
(06:18):
It seemed like a long time, butit was really.
It's a great community artproject really is what it was.
So there are a lot of differentthings where we will reach out
to local artists.
There are several of thesculptures that are downtown
were done by people locally andothers were commissioned out,
and so anytime we do somethingI'm so much about it's Shelby
(06:40):
County.
Let's pull in Shelby Countypeople.
Mason Warren (06:42):
For sure.
Darlene Snow (06:43):
And sometimes they'll want to participate and
then other times we won't get asmuch involvement and so we'll
look in at other areas.
And so, as far as some of thethings that we have going on,
well, we are looking at a newmural, which is very exciting.
We know that, downtown it beinga historic area, we don't want
(07:03):
to.
Uh, downtown it being ahistoric area, we don't want to.
I'm not, I'm going to use theword what would be a good word.
We don't want to plaster muralsall over the place because we
don't want to lose the integrityof what downtown looks like.
And anytime we do something, wehave to make sure that if we're
putting something on a building, that it's already been painted
or that something has alreadybeen done, because, again, we
want to preserve the historicpart of each of the buildings.
(07:26):
So one that we're looking atdoing is sort of like a welcome
to shelbyville and we're hopefulthat people will take pictures,
they'll tag us and then thatwill just kind of pull more
people into downtown.
We're also looking at someother smaller community projects
, community murals, where peoplecan again get involved so they
can come and see their artworkaround town, which is really fun
(07:47):
.
One thing that we will bereleasing in may is when you
come downtown on main inwashington you'll see those big
banners that are on the side andusually it's welcome to
shelbyville or we've got thehorses, or whatever.
This last several months wehave asked for artwork from our
community and then theysubmitted.
(08:08):
We sent it out to be voted onand people voted on the artwork
that they wanted to see on thesebig banners.
So 13 people will have theirartwork displayed on those big
banners downtown.
Yes, and that's so exciting andit was really great and it's
fun to see.
Yeah, fun.
Yes, and that's so exciting andit was really great and it's
fun to see.
Mason Warren (08:25):
Yeah, well, you talked a little bit about the
events earlier.
Sure, one of the things that Ithink the Shelby Main Street
program does a great job of isplanning events that try to
reach everyone in the community.
What are some of the eventsyou've got coming up in 2025?
Darlene Snow (08:43):
We have about 20 different events that will be
taking place again.
One thing that I'm reallyexcited about is May.
So we do our Wild AboutShelbyville Arts and Music
Festival and that happens.
It will be May 10th this year.
It's the weekend of Mother'sDay, so it's a great reason to
come on out.
But we have live music downtown.
(09:04):
We have different vendors, butit's a focus on the artists of
all areas in Shelby County andthat includes our bourbon bacon
butter bake-off, which is fun.
But some of the things thatwe're incorporating is, instead
of just having the focus on ourlocal artist on one day, we are
spreading that out throughoutthe month.
So we will be doing a familyart night where we will have
(09:28):
we're actually doing someputting together some puzzles
that have the different scenesof Main Street on there and then
we'll frame those and that willbecome a part of our gallery
hop, which is going to be laterin the month.
And then we're also looking athaving Lego displays and more
painting.
But we really want to pullpeople together.
So it's family-oriented events,they are free and that's a lot
(09:50):
of fun.
So throughout the month of Maythere will be all kinds of
things live music, again, focuson arts and art is anything from
the theater, it's from painting, writing, music, of course,
baking, cooking, anything thatit is, because I think anything
that you do, it is in a form ofart and I think that that's
great.
So that is going to be a lot offun.
(10:11):
We also will have live music onSixth Street.
So instead of we're doing alittle bit of a shift, instead
of doing concerts in the evening, which all of our businesses
are closed in the evening so itdoesn't really benefit them, we
said, well, why don't we shiftit?
Let's try doing a Saturdaysfrom three to five, when the
businesses are still open, andwe'll just have live music on
(10:32):
Sixth Street.
So it's not necessarily aconcert format, but it will be
live music, where it will createsome additional fun energy
downtown and people can stop andlisten in all of that.
But it'll be different, but itwill.
Again, it's creating thoseopportunities for people to shop
, dine, explore downtown.
So that'll be fun.
And then we'll have our.
We do our Jubilee Breakfast, wewill do our Jeep Invasion,
(10:55):
which will be fun.
In September, we do a JohnPrine tribute and then, of
course, celebration of Lightswhich is fabulous, and for
people who don't know what isCelebration of Lights
Celebration of Lights is afabulous tradition here, where
it kicks off the holidays.
So we start a little bit earlierbecause it will be the it's the
(11:15):
second Saturday in November andwe it's all surrounding the
lighting of the Christmas treeand the lights downtown which
kicks off the holiday season orthe Christmas season.
But with that we had 164vendors last year.
We have food trucks, so it'svendors, food trucks, music.
(11:37):
We have different choir groupsand dance performances.
We have a wonderful Santa'sworkshop and Santa's there.
It is just a magical time forpeople to come into downtown and
really get a sense of not justcommunity but really kicking off
the holidays, the spirit of theholidays, so that'll be
(11:58):
November 8th this year, Ibelieve right, yes, November 8th
, All right.
Mason Warren (12:03):
Well, mark your calendars November 8th 2025,
being Shelbyville Kentucky.
Yes, so where can people getmore information about these
events?
Are they on your website?
Darlene Snow (12:14):
Yes, so you can go to shelbymainstreetcom and you
can also follow us on Facebook.
So it's Shelby Main Street andwe post a lot of different
things there actually prettymuch everything, as well as all
the different shops anddifferent businesses that are
there.
But we are really good aboutkeeping up with the events that
are going on, and then we alsohave an event calendar on the
(12:36):
website and that is for anyorganization in Shelby County.
They can post the events thatare going on so that others in
the community can see not justwhat Shelby Main Street is doing
, but what others are doing aswell.
Mason Warren (12:48):
Gotcha Sounds like a great resource there.
Yes, again, we wrote thesequestions in advance, but they
kind of follow your, your fourpoints that you were talking
about earlier.
So, uh, kind of switching thateconomic vitality, uh, model
Shelbyville is fortunate for asmaller community of our size to
have really a bustling mainstreet with, uh, lots of
(13:12):
businesses that are you knowlong uh Main Street with lots of
businesses that are, you know,long-standing members of the
community but also some new onesthat pop up.
Are there any more newbusinesses that are coming that
you can talk about?
Or you just say you know whatkind, or anything like that.
Whatever, you can tell us.
Darlene Snow (13:28):
Yes.
So I can tell you that we havea lot of new businesses coming,
and several of them are going tobe restaurants.
It'll be a really great variety.
So the ones that are coming arenot the same, which is really.
I think it'll add so much tothe downtown as well.
So we have one that should beopening up in February, early
March, one that will be, and Ithink that there will be two or
(13:51):
three that will be in the spring, and then we have one, I think,
that will be by the end of theyear.
So there is four right now,potential restaurants down here.
We also have a couple differentbusinesses that are moving in,
and then we have some that arealready expanding.
So that's really exciting too.
(14:12):
What I love about thiscommunity is they really do show
up to support our smallbusinesses, and that's great and
that allows these businesses tocome in and maybe have a
smaller space, but then theyneed more because they outgrow
their current space.
So it's sort of like incubatoryou kind of go in, let's test it
out, let's see, and then it'shuge and it's a wonderful growth
(14:33):
and they're able to expand intosomething different.
Right now we only have twovacant spots that I am aware of,
we have upper story space, butthose are not necessarily
available, and so out of thespaces that are available,
there's two, and those are forretail or not really restaurants
(14:53):
, but commercial space.
Mason Warren (14:56):
And if someone wants to learn more about that,
is it on your website also.
Darlene Snow (14:59):
It is.
It's certainly connecting withme to see as far as what might
be available.
We are not realtors, so I wantto make that clear.
We get a lot of people saying,oh well, can you show us a space
?
No, we can't, but I can connectyou who it is, that's on the
sign in front of the window onthings.
Mason Warren (15:18):
So that's what they you wear a lot of kind of
different hats, it feels like,and so can you talk a little bit
.
You mentioned Leadership Shelbyearlier.
Yes, what does LeadershipShelby do, and you know what
kind of program is that?
Darlene Snow (15:31):
Sure Leadership Shelby is a leadership
development program in ShelbyCounty and it's open to anybody
who lives in or works in ShelbyCounty and it is a
behind-the-scenes look at whatgoes on in our community.
So it is a nine-month programand you commit to one day a
(15:52):
month and on those days you'llgo behind the scenes.
So let's say it's a tourism andarts day, and so we spend that
day going to different placeswithin the county and sharing
kind of how it works with thosethat are in the class.
So it could be going to a horsefarm and it's kind of seeing
(16:14):
what's going on, but you'retalking to the owner and you're
getting to see and ask questionswith them that you wouldn't
normally get to do, and that'sin all of the different areas.
So whether that is agriculture,education, industry, education,
I mean there's just there's alot of different areas that we
focus on and we're getting readyto, we're accepting
(16:36):
applications now actually.
Thank you for that opportunityto say that I don't know that
that will be good, but I am alsothe executive director for
Leadership Shelby and so I lovethat as well.
So I am all things all aboutShelby County and being able to
share what our amazing communityhas to offer.
And Leadership Shelby is one ofthose programs where, even
(16:59):
though we've had so many peoplewho have been through the
program, who have lived theirentire lives and they'll go
through going, I had no ideathat this was here and that is a
wonderful thing.
So, whether that's againtouching on justice or
government or whatever it is,but you're getting to see things
that people wouldn't normallysee.
And then you also are able tosee that you can really talk to
(17:22):
our government leaders.
You can go and you can talk toour leaders and it's just like
we're having a conversation.
Now you know it's reallywonderful and not everybody
understands that, and in asmaller community we are blessed
to have so many, this wonderfulrelationship with everybody who
is here, and I think that thatis something very unique to
Shelbyville and Shelby County.
Mason Warren (17:42):
Absolutely.
We're all about you hidden gems, the hidden wonders on the show
, and so it sounds like a greatopportunity to see lots of those
.
Is there kind of a favoritestory or favorite moment just
from the years of being involvedwith Leadership, Shelby, from
your different excursion days?
I know this might be askinglike pick a favorite child or a
(18:03):
favorite dog or something likethat, but anything like that.
I would have to say you know, Ireally don't know Anything that
sticks out, just as either itwas impactful or meaningful or
funny or just something thatjust some kind of moment.
Darlene Snow (18:18):
Yes, so Ag Day is always fun.
I'm sure, I love Ag Day.
I love all of the days.
Let's be very clear on that.
They're all amazing, yeah, butI remember it was several years
ago.
We had a class and at the timewe were able to go to a dairy
farm and the class was in theroom with the cows and it was
(18:40):
interesting and let's just sayit was a very memorable
experience from that and it wasjust such.
It was such a surprise and asI'm reliving this now, I'm
seeing it very clearly in myhead, but it was hilarious and
so what it is is.
It's just you're on a farm.
This is what goes on.
Mason Warren (18:55):
And so that was Part of the process.
Darlene Snow (18:57):
Yes, or being out in the field and the cows are
coming right up to you.
It's just, and people who I'mnot from a farming family, I'm
not, as we're coming from, acity girl, I'm not a city girl
but others who are not at allused to being in a field and the
cows are coming up to them andthe look on their faces, it's
priceless, it's just priceless.
(19:17):
So Well, good.
Mason Warren (19:18):
Yeah, so you've talked a lot about the community
and like teamwork involved, sowho are?
So who are some of those peopleand what kind of contributions
are they making?
Darlene Snow (19:28):
Awesome, Yay, we cannot do what we do without so
many.
Shelby Main Street is me as thefull-time person, and then I
have an assistant and she ispart-time, and then we have a
board.
But outside of that we have somany people that make what we do
possible.
(19:48):
And of course we have thesupport of the city and the
county and then also withtourism on that, and the
relationships extend.
For when we do events.
Public Works is huge.
I cannot say enough about ourPublic Works team and how
absolutely amazing they are Rockstars, all caps, they are just
(20:09):
amazing.
And so they are out there, havean idea on something.
It's like do you think we coulddo this?
And I've never heard them sayno.
And so it's wonderful and justthat partnership that we have.
But also when we have events andthe police department is out
there, and so if we have to shutdown the road or just for
safety with people crossing,that's a wonderful relationship
(20:31):
as well.
And then you look at when.
So when we have the policedepartment out because the road
is shut down and we have publicworks out there doing things,
well, for the first responderside of things, that then has to
everything has to get rerouted.
So you're looking at fire isimpacted, the dispatch has to
know what's going on.
You have EMS has to be, youknow I mean things are rerouted
(20:53):
if Main Street is shut down.
So it is this wonderfulcollaboration that we have with
so many that allow us to do thethings that we do, and without
them, without everybody, in allof the different areas we just
couldn't do what we do.
Mason Warren (21:08):
And without them, without everybody in all of the
different areas, we justcouldn't do what we do.
Well, it sounds like there's alot of moving pieces.
It is, and it's fun, and it'sso fun, so grateful.
You put board walking down thestreet, your vest on during the
events.
Darlene Snow (21:15):
Yes, and it's always pink.
It's always pink, yesabsolutely.
Mason Warren (21:18):
But, like you said , it's a great community and
everyone works well together,and so that definitely helps.
Yes, like you said, it's agreat community and everyone
works well together, and so thatdefinitely helps, yes.
So again, if someone wants tolearn more about Shelby Main
Street, what's the website orhow do they get a hold of you?
Darlene Snow (21:31):
So it's ShelbyMainStreetcom, and I also
want to say when they go thereso to get more information.
But we also have a list of allof the different businesses that
we have downtown.
So there's a map and a listingof those, because a lot of
people will say, well, there'snothing to do downtown and I'm
going to take this and go.
Yes, there is.
I beg to differ, and so you canjust kind of take a look at all
(21:53):
of the different things that wedo have available.
Of course, they can email medirectly, call, have a
conversation.
I'm happy to go have coffeewith you.
I'll tell you all things MainStreet.
I love it so much and I lovewhen people have questions and
just want to learn more.
Mason Warren (22:08):
Yeah, well, your enthusiasm for Main Street is
infectious.
So thank you for coming on theshow, and is there anything else
you want to add?
Darlene Snow (22:18):
I just want to thank you for this opportunity.
Anytime I can talk about thefabulous of our downtown.
It really is and it just it'swonderful and I hope that people
will come out.
If you haven't been downtownrecently, please come down and
see all the amazing things thatare going on and the amazing
businesses that we have.
Mason Warren (22:35):
Well, thank you for coming on the show.
Darlene Snow (22:38):
Thank you so much.
Mason Warren (22:43):
This has been Kentucky Hidden Wonders.
Thank you to Darlene Snow forcoming on the show to talk about
all the exciting thingshappening on Shelbyville's
historic Main Street and thankyou for listening.
If you've made it this far,make sure you subscribe and
leave us a review.
It means the world to us.
We'll be back in two weeks witha brand new Kentucky Hidden
Wonder.
Bye everyone.
We'll be back in two weeks witha brand new Kentucky Hidden
Wonder.
Bye everyone.
(23:09):
Kentucky Hidden Wonders is aShelby KY Tourism production.
Your hosts are Janet Marson andMason Warren.
To learn more about Shelby KYTourism and to start planning a
visit, head to visitshelbykycom.
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