FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the recipients of the commonwealth’s most prestigious arts awards in recognition of their dedication to sharing Kentucky’s rich arts history with the citizens of the commonwealth.
The Governor’s Awards in the Arts is comprised of nine categories that celebrate the extraordinary and significant contributions of Kentuckians and Kentucky organizations to the state’s arts heritage.
The City of Beaver Dam was announced by Beshear as the 2021 recipient of a Governor’s Awards in the Arts, the Government Award, one of the commonwealth’s most prestigious arts awards.
The Government Award recognizes a city’s support of the arts through government action and its dedication to sharing Kentucky’s rich arts history with the citizens of the commonwealth. The Governor’s Awards in the Arts recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary and significant contributions of Kentuckians and Kentucky organizations to the state’s arts heritage.
Pictured l-to-r: Larry Carter: Beaver Dam City Superintendent; Becky Geary: Executive Director of the Beaver Dam Tourism Commission; Paul Sandefur: Mayor of Beaver Dam; Darren Risinger: Chairman of the Beaver Dam Tourism Commission; John Stofer: Senior Market Advisor & Grant Facilitator for the Beaver Dam Community Farmer’s Market
“This award recognizes the vision, determination, years of hard work, and steadfast commitment by city and community leaders,” said Paul Sandefur, Mayor of Beaver Dam. “It also validates the city and community’s investments in arts and 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’s population is 3,600 people 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 its 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.
The Beaver Dam Amphitheater has quickly become the undisputed leader in the region for arts and 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 the Beaver Dam Community Farmers Market. The farmers 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 all 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.
Beaver Dam also presents an annual four-day Strawberry Festival, chock full of arts, crafts, food, fun, entertainment and more for the whole family. The yearly Oktoberfest, a two-day event, is also a local and regional favorite. In addition, the town’s annual Christmas Festival and parade have been livestreamed the past two years, attracting viewers from all across the country.
The City of Beaver Dam supports and invests in the arts and 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.