Bardstown named ‘Most Beautiful Small Town in America’

STAFF REPORT

Tuesday, July 17, 2012 4:45 p.m. — Bardstown has been named “The Most Beautiful Small Town in America” by USA Today and Rand McNally. The designation was announced earlier today in Seattle, Wash.

Bardtown was one of 650 towns nominated in the nationwide “Best of the Road” contest. A team of judges were sent cross-country to visit the 30 finalists in the six categories.

On June 22, Nikki and Dusty Green, the “Two for the Road” team, visited Bardstown and were welcomed by a parade down Third Street and a large crowd of well-wishers. During their stay, the pair visited local tourism sites, toured bourbon distilleries, visited My Old Kentucky Home State Park, and even crashed NCEDA president Kim Huston’s wedding.

“Being named ‘The Most Beautiful Small Town in America’ is one of the most prestigious honors a community can hope to receive and we thank Rand McNally and USA Today as well as the judges, Nikki and Dusty Green, for this incredible award,” Huston said through a press release issued earlier today. “I really believe one of the reasons we were chosen for the award is because the judges experienced a true ‘spirit of community’ as residents of all ages showed up for our opening parade and party, and we thank everyone in Bardstown for being part of it.”

At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, the Travel Channel will air a special “Best of the Road” program that will feature the communities that were finalists in the contest.

-30-