PADUCAH, KY - "Light up Paducah! Company's coming!" says Dogwood Trail Chairman Jackie Smith, as quilters from around the world are arriving in Quilt City USA this week. 

Each year organizers plan way in advance, knowing exactly when the AQS Spring QuiltWeek-Paducah starts but it's never that easy to predict exactly when the dogwoods will bloom. This year has been a rollercoaster of start/stop opening/closing for the showy dogwood buds. Dates to light, judge, tour, etc. have all changed right along with the trees' response to the weather. 

Civic Beautification Board members drove the trail Friday and now confirm Paducah's 54th Annual Dogwood Trail officially begins Wednesday, April 18th - same day as this year's annual AQS Quilt Show & Contest. Lighted dogwood judging will be the evening of April 24th. Signs in winners' yards on and off the trail and announcement of awards will be shared on Wednesday, April 25th. As Paducah doubles its population for Quilt Week, visitors from around the world will have an added attraction with the dogwoods in full bloom. 

Residents are encouraged to light their blooming trees, shrubs and/or plants. If you don't have anything blooming, turn on your porch lights. "It makes a huge difference when homes are lighted along the trail. Since we call it a 'lighted' trail, it's important as visitors and locals drive from neighborhood to neighborhood, lights are on and everyone feels welcome as we celebrate spring in Paducah. The CBB appreciates all the efforts that go into lighting and preparation of lawns and gardens each spring. It truly makes a positive difference in how our community looks and feels this time of year. Thank you Paducah!" said Dogwood Trail Co-chairmen Dabney Haugh and Carol Vanderboegh.

A few homes have had spotlights on their dogwoods for over a week. Terra Bryan who lives at 205 Minerva Pl., (pictured to the left) started working on her dogwood lights when CBB thought the Trail would open on April 1st. After the opening was postponed, she decided to light her dogwood tree anyway. She said, "My lights are out (in place) and even with few open blooms, it is still pretty!" She said she has been amazed at the number of people who have stopped to look at her lighted tree. Bryan's dogwood is very special to her because her grandfather transplanted the tree many years ago from her parents' home. She lives in her grandfather's home on Minerva Place. 

These are the 54th Annual Dogwood Trail event dates:
April 18 - Official Lighted Dogwood Trail Begins

April 22 or 29 - depending on the weather, the 54th Annual Dogwood Trail Bike Ride & dinner on the grounds of BikeWorld, 809 Joe Clifton Dr.  The leisurely ride will depart from BikeWorld at 2:30 pm.

April 23, 24, 25 - Entries accepted for Dogwood Art & Photography Contest from 10 am until 4 pm at the Paducah School of Art & Design located at 905 Harrison St. 
 
April 24 - Judges will choose best lighted dogwoods on and off the trail. 

April 25 - Award signs will be placed in winners' yards. Announcement of winners will be made.

April 27 - Dogwood Art & Photography Contest entries judged.  

April 30 thru May 11 - Art & Photography Contest entries on display at the Paducah School of Art & Design 

May 8 - A Dogwood reception and presentation of awards to the winners on the lighted Dogwood Trail and Dogwood Art & Photography Contest will take place during the City Commission meeting starting at 5:30 pm at City Hall.

For more information, email cavanderboegh@aol.com or jackie@rexsmithfamily.com.