Week of May 2-8

Welcome to our weekly "What's Happening" email, designed to provide you with a glance at opportunities for an unbridled good time in the Bowling Green area.

The thousands of enthusiastic Corvette lovers who make the trip to Bowling Green each year would probably have to do a double-take if they arrived on the scene this weekend! Junior Achievement celebrates 17 years of Mini Corvette Challenges this year, and the fund raising event will be at the National Corvette Museum Saturday with official heat races beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Presented by Houchens Industries, the Mini Corvette Challenge offers area businesses the chance to race their custom-tooled and detailed Corvette go-carts around a mini-racetrack. They will be competing for the coveted Gold Cup and bragging rights for the year as they raise money and awareness for Junior Achievement. Visit the link below or call 270-782-0280 for more details!

The forecast is calling for a nice, sunny day in Bowling Green this Saturday, so before the Run for the Roses, head out for some family fun at Beech Bend Amusement Park. It's Opening Day, which means it's time to scream on the Kentucky Rumbler, soar in the Sea Dragon, whirl in the Tornado, squirl in the Tilt-A-Whirl, and cool off on the Whitewater Express. Don't miss the completely new Haunted House ride, too!

Season passes are only $99.95 per person until May 31, and they include admission to the newly expanded Splash Lagoon water park, opening May 19, plus live shows, mini-golf and Granny Jones' petting farm. All the extras return this year like free parking, free soft drinks, free sunscreen and free tubes. Or if you're just visiting, online tickets will be available soon with discounts on daily admission.

Visit the link below or call 270-781-7634 for more information.

To view the complete calendar of upcoming events, click here and visit our Events section.

All phone numbers are area code 270 unless otherwise noted.

Ongoing - May 2 Rachael Baumgardner Exhibit, Capitol Arts Center Mezzanine Gallery, 782-2787, www.capitolarts.com

Ongoing - May 6 Blast AAU Super Regional, various gyms around town, 75 teams expected, swlamb4121@aol.com

Ongoing - May 8 Herb Festival, Wild Bird & Nature Store, 9 am-6 pm daily, herbs, flowers, accessories & more, 746-0203

Ongoing - May 14 Visiting Artist Exhibition, WKU Ivan Wilson FAC Corridor Gallery, 745-3944, www.wku.edu/pcal

Ongoing - May 14 Spring Graduating Seniors Art Exhibition, Kentucky Museum, 745-3944, wku.edu/library/kylm

Ongoing - June 19 American Muscle Cars, National Corvette Museum, M-Sun 8am- 5pm, 781-7973, corvettemuseum.org

2 BG Hot Rods v. Dayton, 6:35 pm Mon, 11:05 am Tues, 901-2121, www.bghotrods.com

3 An Evening of Dance 2011, Russell H. Miller Theatre, Fine Arts Center, Th-Sat & Mon-Tue 8 pm, Sun. 3 pm, 745-3121, www.wku.edu/pcal/in-production

3 Beaver Tuesday Night Drag/Oval Fun Racing, Beech Bend Raceway, gates open at 6 pm, 781-7634, www.beechbend.com

3 Derby Evening, Franklin Brickyard, special menu and bourbons, reservations only, 586-9080

5 WKU Spring Choral Concert: An American Tapestry, Van Meter Auditorium, 7:30 pm, 745-3751, www.wku.edu/pcal

6 HS Baseball-Glasgow vs. Grayson Co., Bowling Green Ballpark, Ryan Gates, rgates@bghotrods.com

6 Stock Car Racing, Beech Bend Raceway, gates open at 5 pm, 781-7634, www.beechbend.com

6-8 WKU Baseball vs. Florida Atlantic, 6 pm Fri, 3 pm Sat, 1 pm Sun, 1-800-5-BIG RED, wkusports.com

6-8 Total Fitness Rapid Fire Baseball, 782-3503, Ephram White Park, all day, tstinson@totalfitnessconnection.com

6-31 Jared Daugherty & Jared Weaver Gallery Exhibition. Capitol Arts Center galleries, 9 am-5 pm, www.capitolarts.com, 782-2787

7 Amazing Angels Benefit, Chaney's Dairy Barn, 11am- 3 pm, 843-5567, www.chaneysdairybarn.com

7 Derby Party, Morris Jewelry, 9 am- 6 pm, pick the winner for a chance to win $250 gift card, 843-6103

7 WKU Softball v. Middle Tennessee (Double Header), WKU Softball Field, 1 pm & 3 pm, 1-800-5-BIG RED, www.wkusports.com

7 Challenge Fest, Beech Bend Raceway, gates open at 11 am, 781-7634, www.beechbend.com

7 Imagine: A Benefit Concert for the Exceptional, featuring Jimmy Needham, Me in Motion, Beckah Shae, Bowling Green Ballpark, 2-8 pm, $10-$15, 901-2121, www.bghotrods.com

7 O'Reilly Saturday Night Fun Racing, Beech Bend Raceway, gates open at 5 pm, 781-7634, www.beechbend.com

7 Vette City Vixens Roller Derby vs Derby City, Skate Box, 5pm, 843-3394, www.vettecityrollerderby.com

7-8 Warren East High School Softball Tourney, Buchanon Park, all day, bpettyasa@aol.com

8 Railpark Mother's Day and National Train Day Celebration, half-price admission, mothers admitted free, Historic Railpark & Train Museum, free movie, The Great Train Robbery, 1:30 pm, 745-7317, historicrailpark.com

8 Kentucky Down Under Mother's Day, Free admission for moms with a paid child, 800-762-2869, www.kdu.com

8 Dinosaur World Mother's Day, Free admission for moms with a paid child, 773-4345, www.dinosaurworld.com

May 12-14 C4/ZR-1 Gathering, National Corvette Museum

May 13 TS Performance All Diesel Drags, Beech Bend Raceway

May 14 Victorian Antique & Garden Festival, Riverview at Hobson Grove

May 14 Second Saturdays Street Fair, Downtown Fountain Square

May 19 Beech Bend Park's Splash Lagoon Opening Day

May 19-22 Southern Hospitality, Fountain Square Players, Phoenix Theatre

May 20 Ned Van Go Concert, Capitol Arts Center

May 20-21 All-American Soap Box Derby, Phil Moore Park Soap Box Derby Track

May 21 Olde Stone Run for PRIDE, The Club at Olde Stone

May 21 Spring Antiques & Garden Market, Shaker Museum at South Union

May 21-22 KY Guild of Artists & Craftsmen Spring Fair, Sloan Convention Center