2012 Strawberry Festival – Advance Tickets Now Available!

Annual Strawberry Festival 2012

 Thursday, June 7, 2012

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Courthouse Square in Downtown Kokomo

 Strawberry Shortcake $5
 

KOKOMO, IN – Advance tickets for the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association’s Annual Strawberry Festival on Thursday, June 7 are now available. The festival features strawberries, shortcake, ice cream, whipped cream, music, and a few new additions this year.

A generous portion of strawberry shortcake is only $5. Advance tickets can be purchased at Palmer’s Jewelry, 101 E. Sycamore St., Chamber of Commerce, 325 N Main St., Community First Bank, 201 W Sycamore St., and all its branches, Planet Mind, 108 N Main St., PNC Bank, 200 W Mulberry St, Angie Meyers Design Studio, 104 W Walnut St, Upper Crust, 106 N Main St, Lux Boutique, 102 E Walnut St, The Vault, 223 N Main St and Key Bank, 224 N Main S., and all its branches.

The Strawberry Festival will be held on Main Street on the Courthouse Square from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or while quantities last. Featured at the festival will be shortcakes baked by women from the Millerview Amish School in eastern Howard County, strawberries through Moore’s Pie Shop, ice cream from Glover’s, and whipped cream donated by Meijer of Kokomo. Also featured will be music by Kokomo Symphony Youth Orchestra.

McDonalds® of Central Indiana will be providing samples of their Frozen Strawberry Lemonade. Also kids will enjoy a fun show by Ronald McDonald® starting at noon. Free activities and crafts will be offered during the festival at Planet Mind, 108 N. Main St. Also, Angie Meyers Design Studio, 104 W. Walnut St will be doing something special as well.

“We are proud to continue with the tradition of the Strawberry Festival which highlights our downtown,” said Jeb Conrad, President & CEO of the Alliance. “It is an event that makes Kokomo a great place to live, work and play. ”  

Local Restaurants Deliver Big (and Unique) Flavor

I recently had the opportunity to visit several local restaurants and bakeries this week with a representative from the Indiana Foodways Alliance.  We are all guilty of dining at our “usual” spots, which are different for everyone.  The next time you eat out in Kokomo, think local.  Many of the places we stopped this week have been in business in Kokomo for decades; some for over 50 years!  It was a great reminder that we need to not only step out of our normal routine and try different places once in awhile, but that supporting our local family-owned (I like to call them mom and pop) restaurants is putting money back into our local community.

I took a few photos while I was out and about this week and received a delicious meal at every single stop!  For a listing of all local restaurants in Kokomo, visit our website www.VisitKokomo.org or pick up a Dining Guide at the Kokomo Visitors Bureau office, located at 325 North Main Street.

Martino’s Italian Villa – 1929 North Washington St.

Martino’s pepperoni & sausage pizza

 

Martino’s Italian Beef sandwich – a delicious surprise!

Artie’s Tenderloin – 922 South Main St.

Artie’s Tenderloin celebrating 75 years in Kokomo!

Artie’s signature sandwich – the Tenderloin

The Quarry – 2130 West Sycamore St.

The Quarry has both family dining and a bar

 

The Quarry’s fish tacos are a great summer choice with fresh salsa

The Quarry’s patio is perfect for outdoor dining

Moore’s Pie Shop – 115 West Elm St.

Fresh baked pie anyone?

Moore’s Pie Shop’s Sugar Cream Pie – an Indiana tradition (and my personal favorite.) Yum!

Ray’s Drive In – 1900 North Courtland Ave.

The King Tenderloin at Ray’s Drive In!

The sign says it all – make sure you come hungry!

If you want to take a step in the past, you have to experience Ray’s Drive In in Kokomo

 

 

Kokomo Mobile App Scavenger Hunt

Mobile Scavenger Hunt

 Download the new Visit Kokomo Mobile App (now available on Android & Apple phones and tablets) and participate in our Kokomo Mobile Scavenger Hunt!  Go to www.VisitKokomo.org/app for details on how to download the app!

The Rules:

1.   Search for 4 different clues hidden in the Visit Kokomo Mobile App – each clue will direct you to a specific location in Kokomo.  The clues can all be found under the “Deals” tab.  However, not every listing has a “Deals” tab.

2.  Visit each of the 4 locations to receive a unique item to complete the scavenger hunt – each location will give you only one item.

3.  Bring all 4 items to the Kokomo Visitors Bureau office at 325 North Main Street in Downtown Kokomo between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm (Monday – Friday.)  Upon arrival, fill out an entry form and turn in the 4 items you have found.

4.  Deadline to turn in items is Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

The Prizes:

1^st Prize will be given to the first person to complete the scavenger hunt and turn in all the correct items.   All other participants to complete the scavenger hunt will be put into a drawing for the 2^nd prize (from all correct entries turned in by the deadline.)  Winners will be notified by Friday, May 18, 2012.  Each Prize Package will include: an overnight stay at the Kokomo Hampton Inn & Suites, a $50 Whiskey Creek restaurant gift certificate, 2 admission passes each to the Seiberling Mansion and Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory.

Some exclusions may apply.  For more information, call 765-457-6802.  Good luck!

Kokomo Mobile App Now Available!

Download the new Visit Kokomo Mobile App!

Easily find local restaurants, tours, parks & trails, attractions, lodging, concerts & festivals, view videos & photos, plus much more!

Simply scan the QR codes below with a QR reader on your smartphone for quick (and FREE) download.  For more details, go to www.VisitKokomo.org/app.

Kokomo Downtown Farmers’ Market 2012 Season Has Begun

Seasonal produce, homemade baked goods, art & crafts, locally made breads & desserts, unique handmade jewelry and gifts, weekly entertainment, free educational market classes, and much more can be found at the Kokomo Downtown Farmers’ Market.  The 2012 market season has officially begun and will continue now through October 13, 2012 every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Located at the corner of Sycamore and Union Streets in Downtown Kokomo, the market is a great way to experience local flavors available in the Kokomo area.  Plan to shop, enjoy music, learn agricultural information, and stroll Downtown every Saturday morning.  Connect with the Kokomo Downtown Farmers’ Market on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/kokomofarmersmarket to see photos from last year and to find out more about weekly vendors and activities at the market!

Enjoy the Walking Paths & Biking Trails in Kokomo

With the warm weather and bright sunshine the last several days, I have seen more people out and about in Kokomo taking advantage of the great walking and biking paths.  The Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence is  a top pick.  It winds through some of the local parks, near Downtown Kokomo, and runs along the scenic Wildcat Creek (see photos below.)  I have included some photos and links to find out more!

 

 

 

Check out the City of Kokomo’s website (Parks & Recreation Department link) to see details on all city trails and paths.  They also have a trail map you can download.  Spring is here and summer is soon approaching.  From Highland Park, Jackson Morrow Park, the Walk of Excellence, and Kokomo Reservoir Park, enjoy some outdoor recreation in Kokomo during your next visit!

For more information about things to do in Kokomo, call 800-837-0971 or visit our website at www.VisitKokomo.org.

Jackson Morrow Park Trail

2012 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub

Enjoy Irish cuisine, drinks, cocktails, and live music at the 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub in Downtown Kokomo on Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Pub will open at 11:00 a.m. for lunch selling their usual Irish fare and specialties, including Fish n Chips, Shepards Pie, McDoogal Balls & much more.  The large tent (located behind the pub) will open at 4:00 p.m. selling corned beef and Reuben sandwiches and offering free giveaways and t-shirts (while supplies last.)  Live music starts at 6:00 p.m. with Barefoot Murphy and Rich Hardesty headlining at 9:00 p.m.

Cover charge for the tent is $5 per person (cash only), and the event is for ages 21 & over.  Don’t miss the largest St. Patrick’s Day party in Kokomo!  Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub is located at 100 North Main Street (at the corner of Main & Sycamore Streets) in Downtown Kokomo.  For more information, call 765-450-6143 or visit www.cookmcdoogals.com.

Recent community tours feature Kokomo attractions

I recently had the opportunity to schedule community tours for the girls competing in the Distinguished Young Women of Indiana 2012 program and the program judges (on separate days) in Kokomo during the week of February 20, 2012.  What a blast!  Both groups enjoyed learning more about Kokomo through these interactive tours during their visit to our city.  I snapped several photos to share!  Many thanks to Cindy Locke, Kay Frazer, and Jim Parsons (all pictured below) for giving these outstanding tours to our special guests!

These photos were taken at the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory:

These were taken at the Elwood Haynes Museum:

These photos were taken at the Kokomo Automotive Museum:

For more information on all the attractions and museums in Kokomo, call the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau at 800-837-0971 or visit our website at www.visitkokomo.org.

2012 Distinguished Young Women of Indiana Program Held in Kokomo

Kokomo is proud to host the 2012 Distinguished Young Women of Indiana (formerly known as Indiana’s Junior Miss) state program this week.  Twenty outstanding young ladies (all  high school seniors) from throughout Indiana are in Kokomo this week competing for the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana.  The winner will represent Indiana at the National program in June in Mobile, Alabama.  For more information about the program, visit www.ajm.org.

Preliminary Competitions will be held on Thursday, February 23rd and Friday, February 24th.  Areas of on-stage competition include  Fitness, Self-Expression, and Talent.  Finals Night will be Saturday, February 25th.  All competitions will be held at Kokomo High School starting at 7:00 p.m.  Preliminary night tickets are $10 adults & $8 students.  Finals night tickets are $15 each.

Besides competing, the young ladies have had the chance to learn more about the host city through community tours, meals at local restaurants, and wonderful volunteers.  Good luck to all contestants!  We encourage the public to attend the event and cheer on the girls participating!

Download NEW Kokomo Mobile App

CONTACT:
Sherry Matlock, 765. 457.6802, information@visitkokomo.org
Jeb Conrad, 765.457.2000, jconrad@greaterkokomo.com

KOKOMO, IN — The Kokomo/Howard County Convention and Visitors Bureau launched the final market test of the Visit Kokomo™ mobile app for iPhone® and iPad® devices last week. The CVB staff, in conjunction with the Visitors Council Marketing Committee, moved quickly with the project to have it available for visitors staying overnight in Kokomo during Super Bowl weekend. The app was promoted and specifically targeted to only those staying in local hotels.

This tourism app was designed by BlueBridge Digital (BlueBridgeDigital.com) based in Indianapolis with the intent to assist visitors with finding information on things to do in Kokomo, including restaurants, local attractions, parks, lodging, and upcoming events. As more and more people have access to and are using smartphone devices when traveling, the Visit Kokomo™ app is another way to promote Kokomo as a destination and to encourage visitors to explore our city once they arrive.

According to Buffey Hedrick, Kokomo/Howard County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board President, “There are many passionate people who want to help promote the growth of the convention and visitors industry in Kokomo/Howard County. This app is just one of the many milestones to come that will make Kokomo one of the most accessible cities in Indiana to visit.”

Visitors aren’t the only users encouraged to download the free app. Those that live in Kokomo and the surrounding areas will want to install the app to find our extensive events listing for local festivals, concerts, art shows, and other events for the year in Kokomo.

Per Jeb Conrad, CEO and President of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, “This launch brings next generation mobile app technology to Kokomo, Indiana. Providing access for visitors see Kokomo as a more progressive, visitor-friendly community.”

The app will be available soon for Android® phones and tablets, with additional features coming for both Apple® and Android® platforms. Download the free app from iTunes App Store® or Android Marketplace® . Search for Kokomo or simply scan the QR code to quickly install the app for Kokomo at your fingertips.

As part of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau focuses on attracting visitors to the Kokomo, Howard County area. For more information contact Sherry Matlock at (765) 457-6802 or (800) 837-0971, information@visitkokomo.org.