It’s funny how a place can exist right in your hometown your whole life and still feel like a hidden gem. In my 59 years living in Hopkinsville, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve set foot in Virginia Park. That changed this past Saturday with the vibrant Hello Spring Festival — and I have to say, it was a welcome reminder of what this downtown space has to offer.
Organized by local food truck owners Desaepa and Zirconia Vansauwa, the festival brought fresh energy to Virginia Park. A couple of acres nestled in the heart of town, this park was once the homeplace of the Latham family. After John C. Latham’s death in 1909, it was gifted to the community and developed into the green space we know today, complete with its iconic bandstand. It’s just across from Peace Park, another Latham legacy that borders the train tracks.
Saturday’s event was more than just a festival — it was a full-blown celebration of spring, community, and local flavor. With food trucks, live music, bounce houses for kids, yoga sessions, and plenty of room to just sit back and soak it all in, the park came alive. According to Desaepa Vansauwa, around 800 people visited throughout the day. That’s a big number — and a big reminder of this park’s potential.
Virginia Park is beautiful. It’s well-placed, has a rich history, and offers a cozy downtown setting. Yet, it often goes underutilized. That might be in part due to concerns over parking, but as downtown revitalization expert Jeff Siegler pointed out during a 2023 visit to Hopkinsville, we tend to overthink parking. When an event or place is worth the trip, people will show up — just like they did this weekend.
There’s no reason Virginia Park couldn’t see this kind of crowd more regularly. With thoughtful planning and community involvement, this space could become a hub for local events and gatherings. The Hello Spring Festival showed us what’s possible when residents come together to bring new life to old places.
Here’s to more days like Saturday in the park — and to recognizing the treasures we’ve had all along.
