The lighting of the dogwood trail in Paducah became a tradition in April 1964 when the Civic Beautification Board began the tradition of touring Paducah in bloom at night. In 1964 when Dolly McNutt, chair of the Civic Beautification Board, visited Knoxville, Tennessee, she was taken by the beauty of Knoxville's lighted dogwoods. When she returned to Paducah, she persuaded members of the CBB that sponsoring a lighted dogwood trail would benefit Paducah. The first trail was two blocks long along Sycamore in Paducah's west end. It is now a 12-mile driving tour traversing downtown, LowerTown, and other residential neighborhoods. The tour showcases Dogwood, Japanese Maple, Red Bud, and Weeping Cherry trees as well as blooming garden areas and other flowering species.

2013 Dogwood Trail

The Paducah Civic Beautification Board is inviting the entire city to be a part of the 2013 Annual Dogwood Trail Celebration. "Light Up Paducah! Company's Coming!"  is the theme of the 49th annual Dogwood Trail Celebration. The celebration will be in April.  Judging is set to take place on April 21 and 22.  The Dogwood Trail awards presentation will be at the April 23 City Commission Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, with a reception before the meeting.

2013 Dogwood Trail Map >>

Flag Fundraiser

Once again, the trail will honor American Troops by partnering with Boy Scouts Troop 1 and their flag fundraiser program. For anyone who participates in the Boy Scout Troop 1 flag program and agrees to spotlight the American flag, Troop 1 will place a flag in their yard on the first day of the official Dogwood Trail Celebration and members of Troop 1 will return to retire the flag later that week. For more information about Troop 1's flag fundraiser (which costs $50 for the Dogwood Trail week and six designated holidays), visit Flag Fundraiser.

Dogwood Tree Sale

The annual dogwood tree sale will be 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on March 23 at six local nurseries: Blooms & Gardens, Eads Garden Center, Edwards Nursery, James Sanders Nursery, Montgomery Gardens, and Wahl's Landscape and Garden Shoppe. These nurseries will offer their dogwood trees, all sizes, for the best price of the year during these four hours. Civic Beautification Board members will be at each location during this time to answer questions and supply information for the proper planting locations, actual planting, and care of the dogwood. A portion ($1) from the sale of each tree will go toward purchasing dogwoods for the Children's Memorial Garden under construction across from the tennis courts at Noble Park.  The garden is in memory of the 19 children who lost their lives in the Oklahoma City bombings.  The original memorial garden was planted in 1996 next to the amphitheatre; however, storms gravely damaged nearly all of dogwoods.  The new memorial will have 19 different types of dogwoods that will bloom from early spring through May.  Each tree variety will be labeled.  Plus, there will be an educational component to the memorial showing which dogwoods grow best in the Paducah area. 

Dogwood Trail Bike Ride

BikeWorld is coordinating a leisurely bike ride along sections of the Dogwood Trail. The event will be Sunday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m. Cyclists will leave from BikeWorld located at 809 Joe Clifton Drive.  The ride will weave through neighborhoods, returning to BikeWorld where those participating in the ride will have a cookout.  The community is invited to take part in the spring celebration ride and cookout.  In previous years, more than 250 cyclists rode the trail and returned to enjoy an afternoon of grilling and fellowshipping with other cyclists.

Dogwood Festival Ball

The Paducah Jazz Ensemble's 2013 Dogwood Festival Ball is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 8 - 10:30 p.m., at the Robert Cherry Civic Center at 2701 Park Avenue.  Dance music will include jazz standards played at the standard dance tempos taught by area dance studios. Selections will include music for cha-cha, rhumba, salsa, swing, two-step, waltz, tango and more.  Selections include jazz standards from the 1930s, 40s, 50s and beyond, made famous by golden-era bands led by Duke Ellington, Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey and more.

"Whether you are a dancer or simply someone who loves hearing a live big band, this is a great event," says Eric Allen, director.   "It's a recreational dance, rather than competitive, so ability level doesn't matter.  Both beginning and advanced dancers have an equally good time!"  William Carter's Photography will be present, offering professional 5" x 7" souvenir photos of guests for under $10 (printed on the spot).  Dress for the event is semi-formal/formal.  Dogwood Festival Ball tickets are $10 per person with advance reservations or $15.00 at the door.  (All payment is at the door -- Cash or check only, please.)  Space is limited; advance reservations are strongly recommended.  To make a reservation, please call (270) 898.0180 or email the Paducah Jazz Ensemble at paducahjazz@gmail.com.

The Paducah Jazz Ensemble is a traditional big band affiliated with the Paducah Community Concert Band and performs at community and private events in the area throughout the year.  The band consists of volunteer music professionals and was started by well-known area music educator, Doug Van Fleet.  The group is currently under the direction of Eric Allen, owner of Music Zone in Paducah.

Winners

Lighting and Planting

Tips for lighting dogwoods, azaleas, and other spring flowers include

1) Use low watt outdoor halogen bulb light sets

2) Use weatherproof outdoor cords and connectors

To grow a dogwood:

1) Select a well-drained site with afternoon shade and plant a nursery grown tree.

2) Plant in late winter or early spring.

3) Dig planting hole twice the diameter of the rootball and at least 18 inches deep.

4) Refill hole to depth of rootball with loose soil Tap soil to provide a firm base for tree.

5) Place dogwood in hole, spread the roots, and pack soil around and over the roots.

6) After planting, water and cover soil with mulch except at tree trunk

7) Water weekly during dry periods. When watering, soak root area well. Do not drown trees planted in poorly drained soil.