For nearly a decade, Owensboro-area families have helped us celebrate the local businesses, organizations and people they love most through Owensboro Parent’s Family Favorites awards. Since voting began in 2018, our readers have selected 419 Family Favorites—from restaurants and schools to healthcare providers, activities, services and the people who make family life in Owensboro a little easier.
These winners come straight from local parents. They’re the places families rave about in group texts, recommend to friends, return to year after year and keep at the top of their list.
And this year, we added something brand new: a vote just for kids. Students across our local school systems got their own ballot and chose their favorites, too—because when it comes to pancakes, playgrounds, snow cones and donuts, we figured the kids should get the final say.
So consider this your family-approved guide to Owensboro. Some names may be longtime favorites, others may be new discoveries, but every one of them earned their spot from the people who know family life here best. Congratulations to our 2026 Family Favorites!
Favorite Kids Meal Deal
Platinum Winner: Ritzy’s
A kids meal at Ritzy’s comes with the kind of classics little ones actually want, with plenty of familiar choices and a free scoop of homemade ice cream waiting at the end. With two Owensboro locations and decades of local history, it’s a meal parents can feel good about—and a place many of them remember loving as kids themselves.
Gold Winner: Dee’s Diner
Dee’s Diner makes eating out with little ones a little easier on the wallet: kids ages 5 and under eat free every day with the purchase of an adult meal. Pair that deal with the diner’s hearty breakfasts, homestyle favorites and welcoming local feel, and families have plenty of reasons to pull up a chair.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Platinum Winner: Chick-fil-a
With two Owensboro locations, Chick-fil-A gives local families twice the convenience—and both locations make family time part of the experience with fun themed family nights throughout the year. Add in kid-sized favorites like nuggets, Chick-n-Strips and mac & cheese, and it’s easy to see why parents keep this one in the regular rotation.
Gold Winner: Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
Family-friendly has been part of the Beef O’Brady’s concept from the very beginning, and Owensboro’s location has spent 20 years building on that idea. Kids get the fun of a sports-filled atmosphere and their own menu options, while parents get plenty to choose from too—making it an easy pick for family dinners, team celebrations and everything in between.
Family Pizza Place
Platinum Winner: Fetta Specialty Pizza
Fetta brings a little hometown personality to family pizza night, serving up specialty pies, calzones and garlic knots with dough made fresh from a longtime house recipe. The downtown favorite has built a loyal following around its crust, creative toppings and casual atmosphere that works just as well for a quick lunch as it does for dinner with the whole crew.
Gold Winner: Donatos
Donatos makes family pizza night easy to customize, with thin-crust pizzas loaded edge to edge with toppings, plus subs, salads and shareable sides for anyone who wants something different. Its two Owensboro locations also stay connected to local families through pizza-making field trips and frequent give-back nights that support schools, teams and community causes.
Family Breakfast Spot
Platinum Winner: Dee’s Diner
Breakfast has always been at the heart of Dee’s Diner, where the classics come out hot, hearty and without a lot of fuss. Their famous oversized pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs cooked your way and big breakfast plates have made the East 4th Street diner a local favorite for families since 2009.
Gold: Kim’s Diner
At Kim’s Diner, breakfast doesn’t have to end when the morning does—it’s served all day. Families can settle in for eggs, pancakes, gravy and other diner staples in the same family-run atmosphere that has defined the East 18th Street spot since Kim took over in 2022.
Favorite Ice Cream Shop
Platinum Winner: Toad Hop Creamery
Toad Hop Creamery gives Owensboro plenty of reasons to come back for another scoop, with ice cream made fresh in-store daily and brand-new flavors introduced every week. The locally and family-owned shop also keeps vegan and dairy-free options in the case, giving more families a chance to join in on the treat.
Gold Winner: Orange Leaf
At Orange Leaf, half the fun is building the dessert yourself. Families can mix frozen yogurt flavors, pile on their favorite toppings and make every cup completely their own, with shakes, smoothies and froyo cakes adding even more options when a simple swirl just won’t do.
Place to Get a Smoothie
Platinum Winner: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Bright, fruity and easy to sip on the go, Tropical Smoothie Cafe turns smoothie stops into a treat kids can feel good about choosing. With plenty of flavor combinations plus wraps, flatbreads and bowls, it works just as well for an after-school snack as it does for lunch with the family.
Gold Winner: Gene’s Health Food
Smoothies at Gene’s pack in ingredients parents can appreciate without losing the fun flavors kids are looking for. Choices like Fiberlicious, Tropi-Kale and Nuts About Jam blend fruits with ingredients such as coconut milk, flax, chia, hemp seeds and nut butters, all from a family-owned Owensboro business that has been focused on health and wellness since 1980.
Family Food Truck
Platinum Winner: J’s Good Grub
J’s Good Grub has been rolling through Owensboro since 2018, serving up bold comfort food like Cajun ranch fries, wings, boom boom shrimp and ever-changing specials. The family-run truck has built such a loyal following that it was named 2026 Owensboro Times’ Food Truck of the Year.
Gold Winner: Hillbilly’s BBQ
Smoke, brisket and plenty of barbecue make Hillbilly’s BBQ an easy truck to spot on a hungry family’s radar. Owners BJ and Chrystal Dunn run the operation with their family crew, and in 2026 they took home the official Owensboro Burger Week title after selling 2,883 of their Double Tap burgers during the week.
Place to Get a Sweet Treat
Platinum Winner: Doozie Doez
Doozie Doez has built its following on playful desserts that are anything but ordinary, including custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cake cans and its namesake cookie sandwiches. Owner Hanna Bailey keeps the menu creative and rotating, and her self-serve dessert fridge inside Crazy Me Gifts & Apparel gives customers a chance to grab something sweet without placing a custom order first.
Gold Winner: Becca Bakes
Sometimes the hardest part of stopping at Becca Bakes is deciding what to take home. Cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other bakery favorites fill the Frederica Street shop, where owner Becca Westerfield has turned a home-baking business started in 2019 into a storefront known for both everyday indulgences and celebration-worthy sweets.
Place to Get a Snow Cone
Platinum Winner: Kona Ice
Kona Ice brings the snow cone stop straight to the fun, showing up at schools, ballfields, festivals, daycares and community events across the Owensboro area. Kids can take over the Flavorwave and mix their own combination from 10 flavors, while the bright truck, tropical music and fundraiser-friendly model make the whole experience feel like part of the event.
Gold Winner: Just Chill Shaved Ice
Just Chill Shaved Ice keeps an old-school summer favorite refreshingly simple. This locally owned stand blocks its own ice and mixes flavors fresh daily, creating the soft shaved-ice texture and colorful flavor combinations that have made it a longtime Owensboro favorite.
Summer Camp
Platinum Winner: RiverPark Center
For kids who would rather spend summer in the spotlight, RiverPark Center’s Arts Teach Kids camps turn the stage into their playground. Campers explore acting, music, dance, theatre crafts and even behind-the-scenes production, with programs for a range of ages and performances that let them show off what they’ve learned.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Family YMCA
Summer days at the Owensboro Family YMCA stay packed with swimming, arts and crafts, sports, games and plenty of time to just be a kid. Its full-day camp serves children from kindergarten through age 12, giving families dependable summer care while campers stay active, make friends and try a little bit of everything.
Preschool
Platinum Winner: Settle Memorial Preschool
Settle Memorial Preschool blends learning and play in a Christian environment designed for children ages 3 through pre-K. Its classrooms build kindergarten readiness through hands-on activities in math, science, language arts, music, movement and social development, while still leaving plenty of room for little kids to learn the way they do best—by exploring.
Gold Winner: Grace Christian Academy
For families looking to begin their child’s school years in a faith-based setting, Grace Christian Academy starts that journey in pre-K and continues through eighth grade. The growing school is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and is preparing for a new permanent campus that will give its students even more room to learn and grow.
Daycare
Platinum Winner: KB’s KidZone
KB’s KidZone welcomes children beginning at just 6 weeks old, with age-specific classrooms and activities that grow right along with them. Its focus on learning, play and development gives little ones a place to build skills, make friends and enjoy their days while parents are at work.
Gold Winner: Roots & Wings
The name says a lot about what families find at Roots & Wings: a place for little ones to feel secure while gaining the confidence and skills to grow. Its childcare and preschool programs serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers with days built around play, learning and plenty of interaction with other children.
Kids’ Favorite Donuts
Rolling Pin bakery
“We picked Rolling Pin because their donuts are really good and there are so many kinds to choose from. Long Johns, sprinkle donuts, glazed donuts and donut holes are some of our favorites, and it’s always hard to pick just one.”
Principal
Platinum Winner: Hannah Goebel
Hannah Goebel has helped guide Grace Christian Academy through major growth, including the school’s move toward a permanent campus of its own. As principal, she leads with a focus on strong academics, Christian values and creating a school community where students and families feel connected.
Gold Winner: Emily Hernandez
With 26 years in education, Emily Hernandez brings experience as a teacher, coach and now principal of both Trinity High School and St. Mary of the Woods School. Her leadership is rooted in faith, relationships and service, and she is currently helping both schools prepare for an exciting new chapter together on a shared campus.
Coach
Platinum Winner: DaMarcus Ganaway Sr.
DaMarcus Ganaway Sr. made an immediate impact after taking over Owensboro High School football in 2025, leading the Red Devils to their first state championship since 1986 in his very first season. A former Kentucky Wesleyan All-American, Ganaway brings both playing experience and a clear emphasis on accountability, intensity and team-first football.
Gold Winner: Laurel Murphy
For Laurel Murphy, leading Apollo girls’ basketball is a full-circle moment. The Apollo graduate returned to take over the E-Gals in 2026 after years of coaching and officiating experience, bringing deep ties to the program and a genuine love for the school she once represented as a student-athlete.
High School
Platinum Winner: Daviess County High School
Daviess County High School offers a high school experience that stretches well beyond the classroom, with students taking on everything from advanced coursework to athletics, arts and service. That mix gives Panthers room to pursue big goals while still building the friendships and school spirit that make high school memorable.
Gold Winner: Apollo High School
Apollo High School blends strong academics with athletics, arts and extracurriculars that give students a well-rounded high school experience. Eagle pride runs deep, and students are encouraged to challenge themselves, get involved and make the most of their four years.
Middle School
Platinum Winner: Daviess County Middle School
The middle school years come with plenty of change, and Daviess County Middle School gives students space to figure out what they enjoy, where they fit and what they do well. Academics, athletics and extracurricular opportunities all play a role in helping Panthers build confidence before heading to high school.
Gold Winner: College View Middle School
College View Middle School gives students a variety of ways to find their place, with strong academics alongside athletics, clubs and activities. The school encourages students to explore their interests, build confidence and stay involved throughout the middle school years.
Elementary School
Platinum Winner: Newton Parrish Elementary
Newton Parrish Elementary gives students plenty of room to grow academically while staying connected to the world around them through experiences like Career Day and other hands-on learning opportunities. The Owensboro Public Schools campus serves grades K–5 with a strong focus on building both skills and confidence during those important elementary years.
Gold Winner: Meadow Lands Elementary
Meadow Lands Elementary pairs classroom learning with programs that help students build confidence, friendships and life skills along the way. Students also have opportunities to take part in activities and clubs that encourage connection, leadership and positive social development beyond the classroom.
Private School
Platinum Winner: Owensboro Catholic Schools
Owensboro Catholic Schools gives families a faith-centered education that can carry students from kindergarten all the way through high school. Across its elementary, middle and high school campuses, OCS combines academics, extracurriculars and Catholic values with a strong sense of tradition and community.
Gold Winner: Grace Christian Academy
Grace Christian Academy has grown quickly by pairing strong academics with a distinctly Christian worldview. Serving students from pre-K through middle school, GCA emphasizes critical thinking, character and faith while continuing to expand opportunities for its growing student body.
Kids’ Favorite Pancakes
Dee’s Diner
“Have you seen Dee’s pancakes?! They are HUGE, fluffy, and basically everything we kids want breakfast to be. Add butter, syrup and maybe a side of bacon — we would call that the perfect breakfast!”
Dance Studio
Platinum Winner: Johnson’s Dance Studio
Johnson’s Dance Studio gives dancers room to grow from their very first class through more advanced training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, acro and even aerial. Its long-running connection with Owensboro Dance Theatre also opens the door for students to take what they learn in the studio onto the stage in major community productions.
Gold Winner: Musick Studios
Musick Studios has been part of Owensboro’s dance community since 2008, welcoming dancers from preschool age through adulthood in styles ranging from hip-hop and ballet to tap, step and lyrical jazz. The studio’s focus reaches beyond technique, with performance opportunities, competitive teams and a culture built around helping dancers grow in confidence as much as skill.
Music Instructor
Platinum Winner: Owensboro Symphony
The Owensboro Symphony helps young musicians move from simply enjoying music to actually making it. Programs like Youth Orchestra, Strings Attached, Viva Violins! and classroom concerts give students hands-on instruction, performance experience and the chance to learn directly from professional musicians.
Gold Winner: Cathy Mullins
Cathy Mullins has spent years helping people across Owensboro connect through music, from leading Kindermusik and community choirs to working with the Owensboro Symphony’s outreach programs. Now the music teacher at Whitesville Elementary, she continues that work with a new generation of students, giving kids the confidence to sing, perform and discover what music can mean to them.
Kids’ Theater Program
Platinum Winner: Theatre Workshop of Owensboro
Theatre Workshop of Owensboro gives young performers a real place in the local theater scene, with youth productions, camps, workshops and auditions throughout the year. Kids and teens can learn the craft, try something new and experience what it takes to bring a show to life on stage.
Gold Winner: RiverPark Center
RiverPark Center turns theater education into a full-stage experience through its Arts Teach Kids camps and the new RiverPark Theatre Academy. Young performers train in acting, singing, dancing and character development, then put those skills to work in fully produced shows for family, friends and even school audiences.
Gymnastics Center
Platinum Winner: Owensboro Gymnastics & Fitness
Owensboro Gymnastics & Fitness has long been a place where kids learn the basics, build strength and work their way toward bigger skills. Classes cover everything from preschool gymnastics to beam, bars, vault and tumbling, giving young athletes room to progress at their own pace.
Gold Winner: iTumble & Bounce
At iTumble & Bounce, movement takes a few different forms. Kids can explore power tumbling, trampoline and aerial arts, with preschool classes, parent-and-tot options and competitive teams rounding out a program designed for a wide range of ages and experience levels.
Place for Swim Lessons
Platinum Winner: Owensboro Family YMCA
The Owensboro Family YMCA helps swimmers build confidence one skill at a time, with aquatics programs designed for a range of ages and experience levels. Lessons focus on water safety, technique and steady progress, giving kids a strong foundation they can carry into summers at the pool and beyond.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Health Healthpark
Swim lessons at the Owensboro Health Healthpark are offered year-round and can begin as early as age 1, with private instruction tailored to each swimmer’s needs and pace. The Healthpark’s full aquatics program also includes family swim time and opportunities for young swimmers to eventually move into local swim teams.
Youth Sports League
Platinum Winner: Owensboro Catholic League
The Owensboro Catholic League keeps local kids moving through multiple seasons, offering baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball and cheer. With opportunities for different ages and interests, the league has become a familiar part of youth sports for Owensboro families and a place where kids can learn the game, build friendships and be part of a team.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Daviess County Youth Football League
The Owensboro Daviess County Youth Football League is where many local players first learn the game, with both contact and non-contact options for young athletes. Along the way, players learn the fundamentals of football while building teamwork, confidence and a love for the sport.
Gym with Child Care
Platinum Winner: Owensboro Health Healthpark
The Healthpark makes it easier for parents to fit in a workout without juggling child care first. Its Playpark welcomes children ages 6 weeks to 12 years for up to two hours while parents use the fitness center, pools, classes or other amenities.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Athletic Club
At Owensboro Athletic Club, child care is one of the extras that helps make membership work for busy families. Parents can take advantage of the 38,000-square-foot facility, strength and cardio equipment, classes and other amenities while their kids are cared for on-site.
Youth Sports Training Facility
Platinum Winner: ISO Academy
Baseball and softball players come to ISO Academy to sharpen the details of their game, from hitting and pitching to catching, strength and speed. Private instruction, cage rentals and technology like HitTrax give athletes a chance to train with purpose and see the numbers behind their progress.
Gold Winner: SportsTutor
SportsTutor takes a development-first approach to soccer, using futsal, skills training, clinics and year-round programs to help young athletes become quicker, more confident and more technical with the ball. Its indoor facility keeps that work going in every season, with programs built for beginners through competitive players.
Kids’ Favorite Snow Cone
Kona Ice
“Kona Ice makes snow cones extra fun because you get to choose the flavors yourself. You can mix them at the Flavorwave, make your cup super colorful and try a different combination every time.”
Boutique for Moms
Platinum Winner: Bella Ragazza Boutique
Bella Ragazza Boutique has been styling Owensboro women since 2013 with a mix of clothing, shoes and accessories for different ages, sizes and budgets. The laid-back boutique atmosphere and personal service make it easy for moms to shop for a full outfit, a special occasion or simply something that makes them feel good.
Gold Winner: Crazy Me Gifts
Crazy Me Gifts is the kind of store where moms can shop for themselves and still knock a few gifts off the list at the same time. Along with apparel and accessories, the Owensboro shop is known for unique gift lines, personalized items and in-house custom work that gives shoppers plenty to browse beyond the typical boutique rack.
Boutique for Dads
Platinum Winner: Byron & Barclay
Byron & Barclay was created to give Owensboro men a local place to find clothing that feels current, polished and easy to wear. The downtown shop mixes everyday pieces with options for special occasions, all wrapped in a style and atmosphere that owners Jeremy and Jessica Woods have made distinctly their own.
Gold Winner: The Earle
The Earle has been dressing Owensboro men for more than 50 years, earning its place as one of the city’s longest-standing menswear destinations. Its mix of casual brands, tailored clothing, suits and made-to-measure options gives dads a trusted spot for everything from workdays to weddings.
Spray Park
Platinum Winner: Horse Fork Creek Park
Horse Fork Creek Park gives families more than one way to cool off, with a free spray park next to an inclusive playground and plenty of open space. Add in the soccer fields and the Greenbelt, and it is easy to turn a quick splash-pad stop into a longer park day.
Gold Winner: Legion Park
Legion Park is a classic Owensboro summer stop, especially once the spray park opens for the season. Families can cool off for free, then stick around for the playground, shaded green space and the laid-back park atmosphere that has made Legion a longtime favorite.
Park
Platinum Winner: Smothers Park
Smothers Park turns a trip downtown into an adventure, with the sprawling Lazy Dayz Playground, Ronald Logsdon Spray Park, fountains, swings and plenty of space along the riverfront. The mix of play, water and Ohio River views has made it one of Owensboro’s signature family destinations.
Gold Winner: Yellow Creek Park
Yellow Creek Park feels a little like several outings rolled into one, with playgrounds, trails, a stocked fishing lake, picnic shelters and the historic Jim Lambert Pioneer Village all in the same park. Families can spend an hour there or make a whole day of it, with disc golf, ballfields, basketball and pickleball adding even more to explore.
Daddy/Daughter Day Spot
Platinum Winner: Elite Air
For a daddy-daughter outing with a little more energy, Elite Air delivers wall-to-wall fun with more than 75 trampolines, dodgeball courts, airbags and a junior ninja course. It’s active, a little competitive and packed with the kind of shared fun that makes for an easy day out together.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Museum of Science & History
The Owensboro Museum of Science & History makes it easy to spend a few hours exploring side by side, with hands-on exhibits, local history and spaces designed for kids to dig in and discover.
Kids’ Shoe Store
Platinum Winner: Shoe Stop
Shoe Stop has been helping Owensboro families find the right fit for years, with shoes for kids, parents and everyone in between. For growing feet especially, the locally owned store stands out for knowledgeable service, a wide selection and staff who know that comfort matters just as much as style.
Gold Winner: Kidstop Children’s Boutique and Stride Rite Bootery
Kidstop brings boutique style to kids’ footwear, carrying quality brands and polished options for everything from everyday wear to special occasions. Just as important is the experience: the longtime Owensboro shop has built its reputation on personal service and helping families leave with something that feels just right.
Children’s Consignment Store
Platinum Winner: Robin’s ReSale & Boutique
Robin’s gives local families a smart way to refresh kids’ closets without starting from scratch. The Owensboro shop focuses on current-style, name-brand children’s clothing through seasonal consignment, making it a favorite stop for both buying and passing along pieces kids have outgrown.
Gold Winner: Once Upon a Child
Kids grow fast, and Once Upon a Child makes keeping up with them a little easier. Families can shop gently used clothing, shoes, toys and baby gear at prices well below traditional retail, then bring back outgrown items to sell for cash and keep the cycle going.
Orthodontist’s Office
Platinum Winner: Wedding Thompson Orthodontics
Wedding Thompson Orthodontics has been part of Owensboro for more than 30 years, caring for kids, teens and adults with braces, Invisalign and other treatment options. Their new Fairview Drive office mixes advanced technology with a genuinely upbeat atmosphere, helping orthodontic visits feel a little less clinical and a lot more comfortable.
Gold Winner: Danzer Orthodontics
Personalized care is at the center of Danzer Orthodontics, where Dr. Joe Danzer and his team treat patients of all ages. Traditional braces, clear aligners and modern orthodontic technology give families options, while the Owensboro office keeps the experience warm and approachable.
Pediatrician’s Office
Platinum Winner: Owensboro Pediatrics
Owensboro Pediatrics has cared for generations of local children, with a team of pediatricians and advanced practice providers focused entirely on kids. Families can turn to the practice for everything from well visits and vaccinations to the everyday questions that come with growing up.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Health Children’s Center
The Owensboro Health Children’s Center puts families at the center of pediatric care, working closely with parents and caregivers as partners in decisions about their child’s health. The team cares for children through age 17, covering routine checkups, illnesses, development and more complex medical needs.
Family Dentist’s Office
Platinum Winner: Greater Owensboro Pediatric Dentistry
Greater Owensboro Pediatric Dentistry knows that a child’s first experiences at the dentist can shape how they feel about dental care for years to come. Dr. Blake Dickens and his team keep visits light, comfortable and kid-focused while providing preventive care, cleanings, sealants, fillings and more for growing smiles.
Gold Winner: Pediatric Dentistry of Owensboro
Healthy habits start early at Pediatric Dentistry of Owensboro, where Dr. Jay Crews and Dr. Patrick Gilbert focus on preventive care and each child’s overall well-being. Their team takes time to guide parents through everything from first visits and oral hygiene to ongoing dental care as kids grow.
Place for a Kid’s Haircut
Platinum Winner: Klutch Barber Co.
A first haircut can be a big deal, and Klutch has earned praise from local parents for making the experience feel comfortable, especially for kids who may be nervous in the chair. The Frederica Street shop pairs skilled barbers with a relaxed atmosphere that works just as well for little ones as it does for the rest of the family.
Gold Winner: 2.0 Barber Studio
At 2.0 Barber Studio, several members of the team specialize in kids’ cuts, giving families options when it comes to finding the right barber and style. The shop also has a strong community streak, hosting free haircut events for local children and families while keeping its space welcoming for clients of all ages.
Place for Parents to Get Pampered
Platinum Winner: Spirit Spa
Spirit Spa is made for the kind of reset parents rarely give themselves, with massages, facials, body scrubs, pedicures and other treatments all under one roof. The Owensboro spa keeps the experience relaxing from start to finish, making it a natural choice when a little quiet time and self-care are overdue.
Gold Winner: The Skin Therapist
The Skin Therapist makes skincare feel like a true treat, with facials and treatments tailored to what each client’s skin needs most. It’s the kind of appointment that leaves parents feeling refreshed, cared for and a little more like themselves again.
Family Medical Practice
Platinum Winner: Wethington Family Practice
Wethington Family Practice cares for patients from newborns through older adulthood, covering everything from well visits and acute illness to chronic conditions and women’s health. Brittany Wethington also brings functional medicine into the practice, giving families a broader approach to understanding and managing their health.
Gold Winner: Carrico Congleton Family Practice
Carrico Congleton Family Practice has built its reputation around personal, approachable family medicine in Owensboro. Led by longtime nurse practitioners Judy Carrico and Terri Congleton, the practice offers care that feels familiar and relationship-driven, with many patients returning year after year.
Mental Health Care Office
Platinum Winner: RiverValley Behavioral Health
RiverValley Behavioral Health has long been one of the region’s most comprehensive resources for mental health care, serving children, teens, adults and families across Western Kentucky. In Owensboro alone, services range from outpatient therapy and medication management to crisis support, family therapy and specialized children’s behavioral health care.
Gold Winner: Summer Bell Counseling
With more than 20 years of experience, Summer Bell brings a deep understanding of both clinical care and the challenges families and students face day to day. Her practice serves preteens, teens and adults with support for anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, ADHD and more, offering both in-person and telehealth appointments.
Family Urgent Care
Platinum Winner: Gateway Urgent Care
When someone in the family needs care without the wait for a regular appointment, Gateway Urgent Care offers walk-in treatment for minor illnesses, injuries, physicals, vaccines and more. With two Owensboro locations—on Highway 54 and Frederica Street—families have a convenient option on either side of town.
Gold Winner: Springs Urgent Care
Springs Urgent Care has been caring for Owensboro families for 20 years, with walk-in service available seven days a week. On-site X-rays, lab services and treatment for everything from sore throats and stomach bugs to sprains, fractures and minor injuries help families get answers and care in one stop.
OB/GYN
Platinum Winner: Suzanne Rashidian, DO
Dr. Suzanne Rashidian has spent nearly two decades caring for women in the Owensboro area and co-founded Summit Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2017. Her practice covers everything from routine gynecologic care and pregnancy to infertility and surgical treatment, with an emphasis on personalized care through every stage of life.
Gold Winner: Angela Dawson, MD
Dr. Angela Dawson has cared for Owensboro women for nearly 20 years through the Owensboro Health Women’s Pavilion. Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, she supports patients through prenatal care, delivery, reproductive health and the many changes that come with each stage of womanhood
Family Allergist
Platinum Winner: Dr. Lee Clore
Dr. Lee Clore has been treating Owensboro-area families for more than 20 years through Allergy & Asthma Specialists. His work spans allergies, asthma and immunologic conditions, with care plans tailored to each patient rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Gold Winner: Dr. Kelly Brauer
Dr. Kelly Brauer has cared for allergy and asthma patients in Owensboro since 2008 and is board-certified in both allergy/immunology and pediatrics. Now practicing with Deaconess Clinic in Owensboro, she brings years of specialized experience to helping families manage everything from seasonal allergies to more complex immune-related conditions.
Kids’ Favorite Spray Park
Horse Fork Creek Park
“The giant dumping bucket is the best part because you never know exactly when it’s going to splash everyone. You can run through the water, get completely soaked and keep going back under it again and again.”
Birthday Party Location
Platinum Winner: Maui’s Indoor Theme Park
Maui’s turns a birthday party into a full afternoon of attractions, with packages that can include go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, arcade games, pizza and dedicated party space. Kids can keep moving from one activity to the next, while parents get the convenience of having food, entertainment and the celebration all in one place.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Museum of Science & History
A birthday at the Owensboro Museum of Science & History comes with plenty to explore before and after the candles are blown out. Hands-on exhibits throughout the museum give kids room to play and discover, and families can reserve museum space for a celebration that feels a little different from the usual party spot.
Family-Owned Business
Platinum Winner: Dee’s Diner
Family is baked into the story of Dee’s Diner. Dee Harper opened the restaurant in 2009, and her son Kenneth took over the family business in 2019, carrying on the breakfast tradition that has made the East 4th Street spot feel like home to generations of regulars.
Gold Winner: Robin’s ReSale & Boutique
Robin’s has stayed in the family from one generation to the next, beginning with founder Robin Roach and later passing to her daughter, Maria. More than three decades in, the shop continues to mix new and gently used finds with the personal touch that comes from a true family-run business.
Place for Family Fun
Platinum Winner: Maui’s Indoor Theme Park
Maui’s packs a full family outing under one roof, with go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, duckpin bowling, arcade games, bumper cars, a spinning coaster and a Kid’s Zone for younger visitors. Since opening this year, the indoor theme park has quickly become one of Owensboro’s biggest all-weather options for families who want to play, compete and spend the day together.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Museum of Science & History
The Owensboro Museum of Science & History makes it easy to spend a few hours exploring side by side, with hands-on exhibits, local history and spaces designed for kids to dig in and discover. Three newer exhibits in the Sim and Sally Davenport Wing on the second floor add even more for younger visitors, including two water tables, A-Mazing Airways and the Little Tots Farm Gallery.
Newborn/Family Photographer
Platinum Winner: Reflections by Talea
Reflections by Talea has been photographing Owensboro families since 2008, specializing in maternity, newborn, baby and family portraits. Talea pairs a relaxed session experience with thoughtful extras like a studio wardrobe for the whole family, helping turn fleeting stages into portraits families can keep for years.
Gold Winner: Mustard Seed Photography
Mustard Seed Photography has a way of capturing the little in-between moments that make family photos feel personal instead of posed. Newborn and family sessions focus on connection, personality and the details parents know they’ll want to remember long after that season has passed.
Family Event
Platinum Winner: Owensboro Air Show
The Owensboro Air Show turns the riverfront into one of the city’s biggest family weekends, with high-flying performances overhead and plenty happening on the ground too. Aviation exhibits, military displays, food trucks and interactive activities stretch across downtown, giving families a full day of excitement before the first plane even takes off.
Gold Winner: Noon Year’s Eve
Noon Year’s Eve lets kids celebrate New Year’s Eve without having to make it anywhere close to midnight. The Owensboro Museum of Science & History fills the morning with magic shows, face painting, games and plenty of excitement before everyone counts down to the signature balloon drop at noon.
Place for Fun on the Farm
Platinum Winner: Trunnell’s Farm Market
Trunnell’s turns a trip to the farm into a full family adventure, especially during fall harvest season. Wagon rides, pumpkin picking, barnyard animals, sunflower fields and hands-on farm activities give kids plenty to explore while still keeping the experience rooted in a real working farm.
Gold: Reid’s Orchard
Reid’s Orchard has been part of Owensboro family traditions for generations, and Reidland gives kids even more reasons to spend the day on the farm. Apple racers, duck races, mazes, swings, inflatables, barnyard animals, wagon rides and seasonal pumpkin picking turn the historic orchard into a destination that changes right along with the seasons.
Family Insurance Provider
Platinum Winner: Kentucky Farm Bureau
Kentucky Farm Bureau keeps insurance local, with Daviess County agents who live and work in the same community as the families they serve. Coverage stretches across home, auto, life, farm, renters and more, giving households a familiar place to turn as their needs change.
Gold Winner: State Farm
State Farm has a strong local presence in Owensboro, with multiple agents across the city helping families protect their homes, vehicles, businesses and more. That combination of a nationally recognized company and neighborhood offices gives customers plenty of options for finding an agent who feels like the right fit.
Family Financial Advisor
Platinum Winner: Ed Krahwinkel
Ed Krahwinkel brings a practical, personal approach to financial planning, helping families think through everything from college savings and retirement to estate and legacy goals. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with Edward Jones, he has served as a financial advisor since 2018 and remains active throughout the Owensboro community.
Gold Winner: Robynn Clark
Robynn Clark works with families, business owners and individuals on building wealth, preparing for retirement and planning for the years ahead. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Accredited Asset Management Specialist™ with Edward Jones, she brings specialized experience to conversations that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Family-Friendly Bank
Platinum Winner: Independence Bank
Independence Bank has made community involvement part of its identity, supporting local schools, scholarships and service projects while helping families plan for everything from first accounts to future goals. Its Owensboro roots and “Local Love” philosophy keep the focus close to home, which matters when families want a bank that feels connected to the community it serves.
Gold Winner: German American Bank
German American Bank combines the resources of a larger financial institution with a strong local presence, including three Owensboro branches. The bank emphasizes relationship-based service, local decision-making and community involvement, giving families a familiar place to turn for everyday banking, lending and long-term financial needs.
Kids’ Favorite Park
Smothers Park
“Smothers Park has so much to climb, slide on and explore that it’s hard to know where to start. The Lazy Dayz Playground feels huge, and there’s always another bridge, tunnel or slide to try before you’re ready to leave.”
Place for Rainy Day Fun
Platinum Winner: Maui’s Indoor Theme Park
Rainy days are a lot less disappointing when Maui’s is an option. The all-indoor theme park keeps families busy with go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, duckpin bowling, arcade games, bumper cars, a motion theater and more—without anyone having to check the forecast first.
Gold Winner: Owensboro Museum of Science & History
The Owensboro Museum of Science & History turns a gray day into one built for exploring, with hands-on exhibits and plenty for kids to touch, test and discover. The second-floor Sim and Sally Davenport Wing adds even more indoor play with two water tables, A-Mazing Airways and the Little Tots Farm Gallery.