The Vincennes/Knox Co. Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that Vincennes will be featured as the “Official Best Living History in Indiana” for 2011 in a two minute segment of an upcoming television special, “The Official Best of Indiana” and on the internet travel site, www.officialbestof.com.  The half hour television special will air on The Discovery Channel on Monday, November 14 at 4:30am Eastern time and on CBS/WISH TV channel 8 (Indianapolis) Saturday, November 19 at noon.

The “Official Best Of” solicits nominations for the www.officialbestof.com internet travel site after they have searched online travel resources to determine which nominees will be named “Best Of”.  “The selection progress is rigorous and with extensive research that requires positive reviews from a minimum of three independent sources,” said Vincennes/Knox Co. CVB Executive Director, Shyla Beam.

There will be lots of opportunities to start shopping for Christmas this weekend. Opening night for the Northwest Territory Art Guild’s Christmas Shop, 317 Main Street will be Friday, November 4 from 6pm-9pm. A “Taste of Vincennes” reception highlights the evening.  Consider giving the gift of art this Christmas. The downtown Central Business district is hosting “Flurries of Fun” Friday and Saturday offering holiday specials.  St. John’s Lutheran Craft Fair is on Saturday from 9am-4pm. Plan to attend these great events to get your holiday shopping started!

The deadline to sign up for Grouseland’s Fall 2011 Bus Tour is Friday, November 4 and you won’t want to miss out on this trip on Wednesday, November 9!  Coffee and pastries will be served on departure to Indianapolis with a historical discussion led by Dan Sarell, Executive Director of Grouseland.  Arriving in Indianapolis, the group will tour the Indiana History Center, State Library, State House and break for lunch.  A last stop to visit Benjamin Harrison’s Home will be made before boarding the bus back to Vincennes.  This charter bus is handicap-accessible with restrooms and refreshments available all day.  For more information and to sign up please call 812.882.2096 or e-mail grouseland@sbcglobal.net

Come celebrate Halloween early this weekend with two fun events.  “Teen Scream” a Halloween Costume Party will be held at Southside Park, Bicknell on Friday from 7pm – 11pm.  A costume contest, haunted hayride, free refreshments and music will round out the evening.  On Saturday a full day of activities is planned with the “Harvest Moon Festival” and “Unhaunted Halloween Village” at Gregg Park, Vincennes from 9am – 6pm.  Enjoy free hayrides & train rides, a craft/antique flea market, pumpkin patch & carving, costume contests, food, music & more!

Don’t miss the First Friday Event at the Northwest Territory Art Guild, 317 Main Street on Friday, October 7 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.  This juried art show will feature local and area artists presenting 82 works of art.  Enjoy light refreshments and congratulate the winners and your favorite artist!

This weekend is the Muster on the Wabash held at Fort Knox II.  Hours for the event are Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.  Take a stroll though an authentic  encampment of the War of 1812 and Indiana Territorial period.  Activities include childrens games, cannon, rifle and musket demonstrations, a gentleman’s duel, patrol with Harrison’s troops, confrontation between Harrison and Tecumseh.  Admission is free.  Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Come out to the 21^st Annual Chili Cook-off this weekend on Patrick Henry Square downtown Vincennes.  The cooking begins at 10am and the public sampling is at 1pm.  Entertainment includes Vincennes University’s bath tub races on Patrick Henry Drive at noon and music by the Speed Bumps at 1pm.  The Clown of Old Vincennes will be entertaining the crowd in the afternoon.  We hope to see you there!

Take a step back in time to the WWII area at the Salute to the Veterans of WWII held at the Indiana Military Museum.  The event will be held Saturday Sept. 10 from 10am-5pm and Sunday Sept. 11 from 10am-4pm.  WWII re-enactors from the throughout the region will represent various combat units from the WWII period with encampments, demonstrations, equipment, uniforms, weapons and insignia.  General Eisenhower’s D-Day uniform with be on display for the first time.  Food and refreshment vendors will be present.  Saturday evening there will be a USO show “Stage Door Canteen” held at the Highland Woods Community Center.  The event will feature the Temple Airs Swing Band.  Period Dress is encouraged but not required.

The Northwest Territory Art Guild, 317 Main Street, is hosting artists from the Olney Arts Council and Steve Meadows at their First Friday Event tonight Sept. 2nd 6:00-8:00pm.  Steve has shown his works all over the United States and has a carving in the Smithsonian.  Wander in and view the art and enjoy refreshments.

The Open Gallery, 329 Main Street, is holding a closing reception and farewell gathering for artist, Jeff Melton, this Saturday August 27th from 2-5pm. Melton is a skilled wood carver and stained glass artist whose unusual style and subject matter meld labor-intense techniques with surprising new visions.