Oak Grove's Butterfly Festival wins state tourism award

Oak Grove Tourism received statewide recognition this week for its annual Butterfly Festival.

The Kentucky Travel Industry at its annual conference in Covington awarded Oak Grove the Destination Management Award for Excellence in Kentucky Tourism.

The Butterfly Festival has grown in size since its inception more than a decade ago, and has become a significant driver for Oak Grove's economy, according to executive director Traci Cunningham.

The event held every September is highlighted by the release of thousands of monarch butterflies. It draws visitors from beyond western Kentucky and west Tennessee.

The KTIA picked from more than 220 entries from it's 1,000-plus members represetning all segments of the state’s tourism industry, which last year contributed nearly $14 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy.