City of Beaver Dam, KY 2021 Recipient of Governor's Awards in the Arts

11 Feb 2022

For Immediate Release

[Beaver Dam, KY] - Gov. Andy Beshear recently announced the City of Beaver Dam, Kentucky as the 2021 recipient of a Governor's Awards in the Arts. Beaver Dam was honored with the Government Award, one of the commonwealth's most prestigious arts awards.

The Government Award recognizes the City's significant support of the arts through government action and its dedication to sharing Kentucky's rich arts history with the citizens of the commonwealth. The Governors Awards in the Arts recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary and significant contributions of Kentuckians and Kentucky organizations to the state's arts heritage.

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Pictured Left to Right: Larry Carter: City Superintendent / City of Beaver Dam, Becky Geary: Executive Director / Beaver Dam Tourism Commission, Paul Sandefur: Mayor / City of Beaver Dam, Darren Risinger: Chairman / Beaver Dam Tourism Commission, John Stofer: Senior Market Advisor & Grant Facilitator / Beaver Dam Community Farmer's Market

Paul Sandefur, Mayor of Beaver Dam, said, "This award recognizes the vision, determination, years of hard work, and steadfast commitment by city and community leaders. It also validates the City and community's investments in Arts & Entertainment programming. Finally, this award acknowledges that even small, rural communities can have a major impact."

Sandefur continued, "I'd like to thank Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for his support of Beaver Dam Amphitheater and our entire community. I also want to express my gratitude to Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Mike Berry and the Kentucky Arts Council for their support and this recognition. We are honored to receive this prestigious award."

Beaver Dam has approximately 3,600 people in Ohio County, Kentucky. It is home to Beaver Dam Amphitheater, a 5,000-person capacity boutique amphitheater that presents world-class entertainment annually, May through October.

Since opening in 2014, "The DAM" (as known throughout the industry and amongst fans) has presented some of the biggest names in the entertainment business, including Joe Diffie, Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, John Prine, Tyler Childers, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Temptations, The Beach Boys, Night Ranger, Bret Michaels, Old Crow Medicine Show, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Brice, Trace Adkins, Leanne Morgan, Casting Crowns, Tanya Tucker, and many more. The DAM also presents several annual events, including Sparks in the Park, the trademarked '80s Rock the DAM Fest, Jam at the DAM over Labor Day weekend, and a Brewfest.

Beaver Dam Amphitheater has quickly become the undisputed leader in the region for arts & entertainment programming. To date, concert attendees from all 50 states and at least 13 foreign countries have attended events at the DAM. The economic impact is felt locally and across the region, with guests regularly filling hotel rooms in neighboring cities and counties.

Additionally, Beaver Dam hosts a weekly Farmer's Market. The Community Market is a staple event of the community, attracting shoppers from the region for several years. Each week during the season, guests experience a flourishing market with offerings of homegrown food, fruits, and veggies, as well as arts, crafts, and live performances at Beaver Dam City Park.

Furthermore, the City of Beaver Dam presents numerous annual events, including Sounds on 2nd. Sounds on 2nd is a weekly FREE concert series in downtown Beaver Dam, May through September. Each week, LIVE bands perform, and crowds are drawn to the downtown district, visiting restaurants, shops, and other local businesses.

The City also presents an annual 4-day Strawberry Festival, chock full of arts, crafts, food, fun, entertainment, and more for the whole family. The yearly Oktoberfest 2-day event is also a local & regional favorite. In addition, the town's annual Christmas Festival and parade have been LIVE-streamed the past two years, attracting viewers from all across the country.

The City of Beaver Dam wholeheartedly supports and invests in the Arts & Entertainment through progressive leadership, vision, and long-term commitment. This dedication has proven to be a successful endeavor, resulting in a growing local economy, new business and employment opportunities, and national media coverage.