Saturday, the first ever Taste of Danville will be offered at Wilderness Trail Distillery, as will a myriad of sampling portions from area restaurants. 

“This will be to showcase what Danville’s locally-owned restaurants consider their best fare,” says Emily Toadvine, the distillery’s brand marketing director. “And just a good time to get out, enjoy springtime and take a tour at the distillery, for those who just haven’t made it out yet.” 

Restaurants will have $2 and $4 sample-sized portions for sale. Included in the planned dishes are shrimp and grits, burgoo and short rib tacos from Mallards; NuBlend Smoothie Bar will offer protein bars, smoothies and salads; Cue on Main will plate bourbon bread pudding with bourbon caramel sauce, Korean barbecue pork osso bucco with gochujang sauce and pickle relish, and Kentucky hot browns with white cheddar mornay sauce, bacon and tomatoes. 

Also participating are Brothers’ BBQ, Jane Barleycorn, Melton’s Deli, Plank on Main, Sandy’s Surprises and Sweets by Cindy. 

Wilderness Trail will have cocktails on sale for $5, as well as beer and soft drinks, and tours available for $7, or half-price for ages 55 and older. Anyone who has already toured with the distillery are always free to join again. 

Live music will be performed by the Jeff Barnes Trio. 

“This is a great opportunity to check out area restaurants, see what they have to offer. And also, in the spirit of Earth Day, take a little hike back and forth to Bluegrass Community and Technical College, or take a bikeride,” Toadvine says, referring to Earth Day festivities at the school and an annual bike ride organized by Rick Serres. She says there’s a path in between the distillery and BCTC allowing people to get back and forth without going back out on the main road. 

A Taste of Danville will be held 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at Wilderness Trail Distillery, 4095 Lebanon Road. For more information, call Emily Toadvine at (859) 402-8707. 

BCTC plans Earth Day celebration 

Danville and Boyle County will be celebrating Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, located off of Lebanon Road on Corporate Drive.

A 26K bike race begins at 10 a.m. Other activities include energy conservation exhibits, children’s activities, live music, natural history displays, food vendors, demonstrations, art activities, garden plants for sale and education workshops.

A casual 16-mile ride

In addition to Earth Day festivities, Danville City Commissioner Rick Serres, an avid cyclist, leads the fourth annual Earth Day Bike Ride.

The ride leaves the parking lot of BCTC at 10 a.m. for a casual 16-mile loop ride, taking participants through Junction City to the historic Isaac Shelby Travelers Rest home site and graveyard. The group will return through beautiful Hogue Hollow, ending at Wilderness Trail Distillery for A Taste of Danville before returning on a new path/trail between the two facilities to BCTC for the Earth Day celebration activities.  

This loop ride may be shortened by five miles eliminating the Isaac Shelby Traveler’s Rest and is suitable for all levels and age of riders given that we will be sharing the roads with vehicular traffic. Helmets are required, water bottles are suggested and a safety talk will proceed the ride. A fee of $15 per rider pays for a hat, and a waiver must be signed to participate. Registration forms may be found at Danville Bike and Footwear or sign up the day of the event for $20.