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Contacts:

Debbie Buckley
Renaissance Manager
859-572-1225
dbuckley@ftthomas.org

Jay Treft
Assistant City Administrator
859-572-1203
jtreft@ftthomas.org


ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Historic District
The Midway District was designated a National Historic District in 2008. This allows business owners to fix up their buildings utilizing the State and Federal tax credits. The designation created much excitement and will be an inducement to businesses for years to come.

Jr. Renaissance Board
Two weeks of camp were held in June and July of 2008 with 27 students participating. It was very successful as it brought much interest to the students These middle school students became very intrigued with the history of the Fort and during one of our trail walking days, we came upon the ruins of the Altamont Hotel. Many items were found along the trail and the students continue to return to the site collecting artifacts. Debbie Buckley contacted NKU archaeology/anthropology professors and NKU is excited to help us create a 2-week archaeology camp for 2009. This site was also used as a military hospital after the hotel closed in the early 1900's. The students showed off many items at Merchants & Music. They also helped with clean-up at the event. At Salute to Veterans several students introduced speakers and helped throughout the weekend.

Home for the Holidays Walk
In 2001, Ft. Thomas Renaissance with the participation of the local businesses introduced the Holiday Walk that has now become a Ft. Thomas holiday tradition offering our residents a chance to meet the business owners from the Inverness area through the Midway district in a festive atmosphere. The participating businesses and churches dazzle visitors with their festive open houses in their businesses and contribute to sponsorships and gift baskets; making each Holiday Walk memorable.

The evening begins with a tree lighting ceremony in Inverness Park. From there residents begin heading south along the Holiday Walk route visiting the open houses. Along the way there are holiday displays to enjoy; carolers and bell ringers, free horse-drawn carriage rides in the Midway that take riders through Tower Park, free pictures with Santa, and much more.

 

Merchants & Music
Created in 2004 to feature business from the Ft. Thomas commercial business districts along with great musical entertainment. In a matter of 5 weeks Ft. Thomas Renaissance created the event featuring local merchants. Pure Prairie League returned to their Ft. Thomas roots to perform as the music headliner. Also performing were The Bluebirds and a reunion performance by The Ryan Adcock Band.

Merchants & Music was another opportunity for Ft. Thomas Renaissance to share their message and attempt to change residents buying habits to doing business locally. Mark Exterkamp from The Bank of Kentucky and Ft. Thomas Renaissance secretary described the rationale for Merchants & Music by saying, "The Ft. Thomas business districts offer personality and vitality that is key to our community -- they create the heart. This is an exciting way to encourage businesses, residents and visitors to build relationships and celebrate their assets."

Rick Warner, Merchants & Music volunteer and owner of Warner's Restaurant and Rick Warner and Associates said, "Having lived all my life in Ft. Thomas and owning two businesses in town I appreciate how the synergy between the businesses and residents help make our community special. Chairing the Merchants & Music committee let's me share my enthusiasm for what we have in Ft. Thomas. I hope that enthusiasm is contagious!" Ken Bowman of Bowman's Framing and Ft. Thomas Renaissance chairman said, "We were happy to hear residents call Merchants & Music an enormous Ft. Thomas reunion. It's about celebrating and enjoying all that we have. I hope more people join in on the fun."