This week, Bowling Green is buzzing with excitement as the annual Duncan Hines Festival kicks off, celebrating one of our city’s most famous natives. Long before his name was found on grocery store shelves, Duncan Hines was a pioneer of travel and hospitality. He believed that the journey was just as important as the destination and that good food could make travel unforgettable.
At the Historic RailPark & Train Museum, we share that same story of travel + taste. In the golden age of railroads, travelers didn’t just ride trains, they dined in style. The elegant Pullman dining cars, like our very own Duncan Hines Dining Car, offered white tablecloth service, freshly prepared meals, and hospitality that rivaled the finest restaurants. For passengers, it was a chance to savor the experience of travel as much as the destination itself.
Duncan Hines carried that tradition forward in a new era. As America shifted from rail to road, he became the trusted voice for motorists, publishing travel guides that recommended reliable restaurants and safe lodging across the country. Just as passengers once relied on the railroad for fine dining, road-trippers relied on Hines to guide them to quality experiences.
This week’s festival is more than a celebration of a local icon, it is a reminder that Bowling Green has always been a hub of movement, flavor, and hospitality. From trains to cars, from dining cars to roadside diners, our community continues to honor the spirit of travel and good taste.
We invite you to celebrate with us. Visit the RailPark to step inside the Duncan Hines Dining Car and see how passengers once enjoyed meals on the rails. Then, head out into the community to enjoy the flavors and fun of the Duncan Hines Festival. Together, these experiences remind us that great journeys are always best when paired with good company and good food.
Plan your RailPark visit during the festival week and discover how Duncan Hines’ love of travel and taste still inspires us today.
