Making Middlesborough the DIY Capital of Eastern Kentucky

Participants in one of the classes now being held every Thursday night and Saturday afternoon at the Makers Market, 2008 Cumberland Ave. Credit: Donnelly Bryant.

Middlesborough, Kentucky, is making some moves to further strengthen our reputation as the "DIY Capital of Eastern Kentucky." Our two Better Block events and efforts at creative placemaking have transformed the downtown for the better with pop-up parks, pop-up shops, and parklets. The Makers Market that was started in April 2014 now represents nearly three-dozen artists, crafters, and food producers. Most recently we submitted an application to the Levitt AMP [Your City] contest. Online voting starts November 1 for our chance to win $25,000 to put on ten concerts downtown during the summer of 2015.

Here are a few more upcoming events that we appreciate your help getting the word out on:

• November 3, 9am-5pm, Simulcast of Placemaking Convening, Makers Market, 2008 Cumberland Ave. We'll be live broadcasting the placemaking convening being held in Washington, DC, at our Makers Market right here in Middlesborough. Creative placemaking involves artists in transforming places to make them more livable. Throughout the day we'll be building pallet furniture and working with our artists to make Middlesborough better. Lunch will be provided.
• November 18, 6:30pm-8pm, Tri-State Messiah Sing Along Dress Rehearsal, First Baptist Church, 2300 Cumberland Ave. In preparation for Handel's Messiah, we'll have a dress rehearsal at First Baptist. This is your chance to get familiar with the music and be ready for the big event. Cookies and light refreshments will be provided.
• December 6, 3pm, Middlesborough Christmas Parade, along Cumberland Ave in downtown Middlesborough. The Middlesboro High School Band, marching groups, youth groups, churches, and fire companies will ring in the Christmas season. You can easily register online any time before November 25. No late registrations will be accepted.
• December 6, 7pm-8:30pm, Tri-State Messiah Sing Along, First Baptist Church, 2300 Cumberland Ave. We will ring in the Christmas season with selections from Handel’s most well-known work...featuring live musicians and local talent. The best part? The choir is comprised of... YOU! If you love to sing along, or even if you’d like to sit back and listen, we invite you and yours to join us for an evening of Hallelujah’s.

None of these activities and events would be possible without the excellent support of our many partners. The Better Block projects and the Makers Market were funded by an Appalachian Regional Commission Flex-E-Grant through the Kentucky Department for Local Government and administered by the Brushy Fork Institute of Berea College. 

The Fund for the Arts out of Louisville, along with the Humana Foundation and the LG&E Foundation provided matching dollars through the Power2Give.org website. Once again we're partnering this Christmas season. Anyone can make an easy and secure online contribution today to help make our Christmas dreams come true.

http://power2give.org/kentucky/Project/Detail?projectId=8634

In the past month the Kentucky Arts Council released their exciting new Strategic Plan. This is available on their website at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/. Be sure to read it as it fits in nicely with the increasing emphasis on arts and cultural activities in downtown Middlesborough. 

For those wanting more information or with an interest in getting involved, please contact Discover Downtown Middlesboro at (606) 248-6155 or visit http://www.downtownmiddlesboro.org. We're also on Facebook and Twitter @DDMBoro.