Fireworks on the Fourth of July, kids racing on Simpsonville's "Motor Speedway," and a town small enough that the Parks and Recreation Director also hops on the DJ mic. We sit down with Chris Truelock from Simpsonville Parks and Recreation to hear how a community of about 3,500 pulls off youth sports leagues, special events, and the streetscapes people rave about.

We map out what to expect for Simpsonville’s July 4th “Boom,” including the expanded schedule for America’s 250th celebration. Chris shares the behind-the-scenes logistics plus the fun stuff that'll have people from all over descending upon Simpsonville. If you're searching for July 4th activities for the family, this conversation gives you practical details and a clearer sense of what makes the day work.

Then we zoom out to the biggest story: a 125-acre land donation that will become Simpsonville’s next park. Chris explains how the city gathered resident input with a mailed survey that earned an incredible response rate, and what the community asked for most: trails, pathways, nature, scenery, playgrounds, pools, spray pads, and space to walk and run while keeping the land as natural as possible. We also talk timeline, funding, and why the city plans to build in phases, plus how the Simpsonville Farmers Market and Bobcat Farms connect kids, local food, and community gardens to the future park.

If you like local government stories with real impact, hit play, share this with a friend who loves parks and small towns, and subscribe. After listening, leave a review and tell us: what would you want in a new community park?

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

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A concert on a Kentucky farm sounds like a perfect summer night, but the real story is what the night is built to do: raise money to house homeless veterans and support veterans across the state. We sit down with country artist J.D. Shelburne, Brady Wright from Fire Mission Veteran Services, Aaron Garofola, and Justin Gallrein to share how Shelby County pulls together to create a veteran benefit concert at Gallrein Farm where the mission stays front and center.

We walk through the full plan for June 13, including the VIP lunch, the meet and greet with J.D., and the outdoor live music experience. You’ll also hear how partners like Goodwood Restaurant and other local sponsors help make the event possible, plus what to expect on-site with food, parking, and opportunities to connect with veteran organizations.

J.D. also opens up about his path from Taylorsville to a life in country music: discovering his grandmother’s guitar, building momentum through early gigs, and reaching career milestones like playing the Grand Ole Opry and playing on the Las Vegas Strip. That personal thread ties back to the bigger takeaway: communities change lives when they combine music, generosity, and consistent action.

For tickets to this awesome event, head to https://gallreinfarms1.ticketspice.com/jd-shelburne-benefit-concert-at-gallrein-farms

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, please visit https://firemissions.org/contact/

Subscribe for more Kentucky stories, share this with someone who loves live music, and leave a review if you want more episodes that spotlight local people doing real work.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

We’re joined by Bryan Slone, PGA, the general manager of Weissinger Hills Golf Course in Shelbyville, Kentucky to unpack how history, location, and day-to-day hospitality turn a local course into a true travel stop for golfers coming from Louisville and beyond.

The most meaningful aspect centers on PGA HOPE, a free six-week program for veterans built around instruction, support, and camaraderie, plus how listeners can help fund it through sponsorship.

Bryan shares his own path from learning the game at age four to becoming a PGA Professional, then gets practical about what visitors actually want to know: where the course is, what it costs, and why so much of the play comes from out of town. If you’re searching for a public golf course near Louisville, or a Shelby County getaway that pairs well with touring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, this one fits.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with a golf buddy or a veteran in your life, and leave us a review so more people can find Kentucky Hidden Wonders.

Send us Fan Mail

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.