Paducah's 62nd Dogwood Trail is open a week early

Paducah's 62nd Annual Dogwood Trail has opened a week early due to the unseasonably warm March weather.

The kickoff celebration was held on Monday at City Hall, and the event will continue through April 12, or while the dogwood blooms are still bright. Over ten miles of marked and lighted Paducah streets also highlight Japanese Maple, Red Bud, and Weeping Cherry trees as well as blooming garden areas.

A self-guided audio tour is available along the route. The the Paducah Civic Beautification Board has also created a walking trail through Wallace Park that is marked by dogwood bloom street decals.

Maps and more information is available on the Paducah Dogwood Trail Facebook page and the Paducah Civic Beautification Board Facebook page.

Members of the Civic Beautification Board have been judging the dogwood trees along the route since Sunday. They'll place signs and banners in the yards of the winners, and you can see the list here . 

An awards ceremony for the Dogwood Trail winners will be held the May 12 meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners at Paducah City Hall. 

The tradition of touring Paducah in bloom at night began in 1964 when Dolly McNutt, chair of the Civic Beautification Board, was taken by the beauty of lighted dogwoods during a visit of Knoxville, Tennessee.