Good morning, Owensboro.

Local artist Aaron Kizer, praised for his blacklight mural near the riverfront, was named Grand Marshal for Owensboro’s Christmas Parade—set to begin at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 22 along 2nd Street downtown.

The largest Christmas parade in Kentucky will be held in Owensboro on November 22 with the theme Christmastime in the City.

Officials invited businesses and nonprofits to join with early-bird registration fees of $50 for nonprofits and $150 for commercial entries—registration closes on November 10—while the parade will be live streamed on the Owensboro Times Facebook page with co-hosts Chad Benefield and Jane Head.

Dr. H. Andrew Ward, a longtime leader of the Owensboro Christmas Parade and local optometrist, died at 85 on October 11th after more than four decades of shaping the beloved event into a nighttime tradition—he was known for brightening days with $2 bills and kind words.

Visitation is today at James H. Davis Funeral Home from 9-9:30 a.m., with funeral services scheduled for October 15th at Blessed Mother Catholic Church.

Local pet owners can join Howl-O-Ween Happy Tails—an animal shelter photo contest running from October 13 through October 18 at midnight—by submitting a photo of their adopted pet in costume along with its adoption story and shelter name.

Voting will begin October 20 and the winning facility, which must be within 100 miles of Owensboro, will receive $1,000 from Robert, John, and Associates.

Owner Scott Poynter said The Glass Factory will close its home décor store at Wesleyan Park Plaza and move to a new temporary studio to focus on stained glass and custom doors, with plans to use the change for more large custom commissions and restoration projects for buildings damaged by storms — future details will be shared on its Facebook page.

WalletHub released its 2026 Best College and University Rankings report that compared nearly 800 colleges on 30 measures, and the report placed Kentucky Wesleyan College ninth among Kentucky's top 10 institutions—highlighting its strong cost and financing score.

Students in WKU’s MPA program are collecting local input through a Quality of Life survey on government performance and accessory dwelling units in Owensboro — led by Dr. Joel Turner, the project invites residents to share their opinions before the survey closes on Sunday.

Kentucky transportation officials issued their annual Antler Alert as deer activity peaks on our roadways and drivers are told to slow down during dawn and dusk to avoid collisions.

Officials reported that 3,406 deer-related crashes occurred last year—including 6 fatalities—and they urge motorists to report incidents so safety measures can be planned ahead for the upcoming rut.

The Owensboro Sanitation Department announced that vacuum leaf collection will begin October 16 in Zone 3A — residents must keep leaf piles within six feet from the curb and follow rules for bagged leaves.

The final week for curbside limb collection is October 13-17, with services returning in February.

Practical Magic Market

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — The Little Healer — Free entry — Explore whimsical and spooky merchandise at this enchanting themed market.

Girls Day Out Fall 2025

10 AM – 4 PM — Owensboro Convention Center — Free admission — Enjoy a day of shopping with great vendors and exciting door prizes.

Pumpkin & Pickle Festival

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — The Cottage Farm Stand — Free entry, $5 parking — Explore over 150 vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and relish seasonal delights at this family-friendly festival.

Southern Accents - Tribute to Tom Petty

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Cannon Hall — Cost info not provided — Experience the ultimate Tom Petty tribute with Southern Accents and relive the iconic sounds of the Heartbreakers.