Throwback Thursday: Reminiscing the first couple years of Duncan Hines Days

A fast-growing Bowling Green area event is returning for year three this week. Duncan Hines Days, the weeklong festival of over a dozen events celebrating the legacy of the real man behind the cake mix, a Bowling Green native who became one of the most famous household names in baking and entertainment in the mid-20th century, has captivated residents and tourists alike since 2023.

Duncan Hines, the real man, was born in Bowling Green in 1880. He was a traveling salesman turned travel and cookbook author. He was the original version of a Google review or Yelp review, recommending places to eat, sleep, and be entertained along the old federal highway system before the dawn of the interstate. He was in his thirties when the automobile became a mainstream expectation of any household, and back then, there were next to no standards in restaurant kitchens or hotel rooms for cleanliness and safety. If Duncan recommended an establishment to travelers, that meant it was a proper place to pull off the road.

In Bowling Green, over 20 years ago, the Junior Women’s Club hosted an annual Duncan Hines Festival, based mostly on baking and cooking contests. After it slowed down for several years, the City and County decided to bring it back, re-imagined and reshaped as an event for all – eating, entertainment, recreation, wellness, and of course free, accessible fun for everyone.

Duncan Hines Days premiered in its new form in 2023, welcoming over 16,000 people to over a dozen events, from 28 states, and an economic impact of over two million dollars. With events like a Downtown Kickoff that includes a free classic car show around Fountain Square, a walking or biking parade through Downtown with BikeWalk BG, City and County Parks & Recreation, and Warren County Stormwater, a Community Ice Cream Social, a Duck Paddle Race & Regatta, a Restaurant Week celebrating nearly 30 local eateries and food trucks, and a free Eats & Beats Music Fest that highlights a mix of local and regional talent mixed with Grammy winners!

Duncan Hines Days creates new community connections and partnerships, as over 50 organizations throughout all of Warren County come together to bring events and opportunities to life during the week, along with sponsors and volunteers. The success continued in year two, with 17,000 attending nearly 20 events.

All are invited to check out what Duncan would do this year too. There’s a big Downtown Kickoff tonight with free activities, free live music on the Square tomorrow night and a free Dolly Parton tribute concert at The Capitol. Dolly and Duncan launched their own baking mix line a few years ago, and we celebrate the southern charm and hospitality that Dolly Parton always brings to the table too. Don’t forget the Cake Walk Club tomorrow too, along with Duncan’s Duck Paddle race along Drakes Creek and the free Eats & Beats Music Fest on Saturday.

Find the full road map and menu of events at duncanhinesdays.com or follow Duncan Hines Days on Facebook, Instagram, and X.