Mark Calitri: Owensboro's Best Days Are Still Ahead

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 Every community has a choice. You can spend your time talking about what's wrong, or you can roll up your sleeves and help build something better. When I look at Owensboro and Daviess County today, I see a community that's moving forward. New attractions. National events. Record tourism. New investment. More opportunities for families and businesses than ever before. None of that happened by accident. It happened because people cared enough to get involved. Business leaders, volunteers, elected officials, nonprofits, and countless others have worked together to make Owensboro stronger. They don't always agree on every decision, but they share something much more important—a belief that our community's future is worth investing in. That's why I believe our best days are still ahead. There will always be challenges, but I like our direction. I like our people. Most of all, I like what happens when a community comes together with a shared purpose. Thank you for believ...
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Owensboro Added to Kentucky African American Heritage Trail with Sleet Park Recognition | Mark Calitri

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 Published April 2026

Owensboro just picked up statewide recognition—and this one matters.

Moneta Sleet Jr. Park has been added to Kentucky’s African American Heritage Trail, placing Owensboro among sites across the state that carry real history and cultural impact.

👉 Read the full coverage from Owensboro Times:
https://www.owensborotimes.com/news/2026/04/moneta-sleet-jr-park-added-to-kentucky-african-american-heritage-trail

This recognition honors Moneta Sleet Jr., an Owensboro native and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer whose work captured defining moments in American history.

That story now lives here—and gives people another reason to visit Owensboro.

“This puts Owensboro on the map in a different way,” said Mark Calitri, President of Visit Owensboro. “It’s another example of our community stepping up, doing the work, and getting recognized for it.”

This didn’t happen by chance.

Local leaders and advocates stayed on it and followed through.

“Big credit to the people who made this happen,” Calitri said. “This is what it looks like when a community comes together and actually gets something done.”

From a tourism standpoint, this is how a destination grows.

Not just events.

Real experiences that matter.

Owensboro continues to build reasons to visit—and this is one of them.

More to see.
More to experience.
More reasons to choose Owensboro.

👉 Owensboro Times Article:
https://www.owensborotimes.com/news/2026/04/moneta-sleet-jr-park-added-to-kentucky-african-american-heritage-trail

👉 Visit Owensboro Blog 
Owensboro Added to Heritage Trail with Sleet Park Recognition | Mark Calitri – Visit Owensboro, KY

👉 Visit Owensboro Website:
https://visitowensboro.com

👉 Mark Calitri Personal Blog:
https://markcalitriofficial.blogspot.com

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