Raise a glass and join the fun on Big Blend Radio’s Annual Holiday Happy Hour Party 2025, a festive roundtable celebration filled with cocktails, travel tales, holiday foods, music, and meaningful conversations about gift-giving and community.

In this spirited holiday episode, an all-star lineup of Big Blend Radio guest experts share their favorite holiday traditions, memorable travels, and seasonal culinary delights. The conversation also explores sustainable celebrations, thoughtful gift-giving (including the art of re-gifting), and why experiences and connections often matter more than material gifts.

The episode wraps up with a joyful and creative collaboration as everyone comes together to design the perfect Christmas card — a heartfelt reflection of shared experiences, gratitude, and community during the holiday season.

Featured Big Blend Radio Friends: * Author & Food Writer Jeff Spear: https://spearwrites.com/ * Travel Writer & Photographer Sharon K. Kurtz: https://sharonkkurtz.com/ * Author & Editor Cliff Garstang: https://cliffordgarstang.com/ * Writer & Book Industry Expert Eva Eldridge: https://evaeldridge.com/ * Singer-Songwriter Johnny Schaefer: https://hearjohnny.com/ * Author & Environmental Activist Cheryl Leutjen: https://cherylleutjen.com/

🍸 Cheers to holiday happy hours, shared stories, and celebrating the season together!

In celebration of Bourbon Heritage Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s Road Trip Radio Show takes you on a dog-friendly journey along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail.

Featured guests Steve & Karen Wilson, owners of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina, and cohosts of Big Blend Radio’s “Adventures in Asheville” podcast, share their experiences traveling with their dog to iconic distilleries including Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Preservation Distillery. Along the way, they highlight the pet-friendly Bourbon Barrel Cottages, the rich heritage of Buffalo Trace, and the growing international appeal of bourbon tourism.

You’ll also hear from Jay Ballard of Bourbon Barrel Cottages about their accommodations, tours, and event spaces, plus Lynn Aubrey of Buffalo Trace Distillery who shares the history and current visitor experience at America’s oldest continuously operating distillery.

This lively conversation blends travel, history, bourbon, and hospitality with great tips for planning a Kentucky getaway — especially for those traveling with pets.

📝 Read Steve & Karen’s article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/the-ultimate-dog-friendly-road-trip-on-the-kentucky-bourbon-trail/

🎙️ Featured Guests * Steve & Karen Wilson – Owners of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, NC, and cohosts of Big Blend Radio’s “Adventures in Asheville” podcast. Sharing their dog-friendly Kentucky Bourbon Trail road trip experience. 🌐 https://lion-rose.com

*Jay Ballard – Overview of Bourbon Barrel Cottages and tour options, plus their event facilities. 🌐 https://www.bourbonbarrelcottages.com/

* Lynn Aubrey – Insights on the history of Buffalo Trace Distillery and the current visitor experience at the oldest continuously operating distillery in the U.S. 🌐 https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/

📌 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's Big Daily Blend, Eat, Drink & Be Merry, Vacation Station, and Pet Connection Podcast Channels. Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio was recorded onsite with Pat Kelly, co-owner of the legendary Kelly’s Westport Inn in Kansas City, Missouri. A must-visit destination for both locals and travelers, Kelly’s is not only a cornerstone of Kansas City’s nightlife and culture, but also a historic treasure for those traveling the Jefferson Highway.

Founded on a legacy of hospitality, Kelly’s Westport Inn has been welcoming generations of guests with its warm, inclusive atmosphere. Pat shares stories of his father’s vision, the bar’s evolution over the years, and its deep connection to the local community. From hosting sports fans and local events to supporting Kansas City’s artists and musicians, Kelly’s has long served as a gathering place where history, art, and community come together.

This conversation also underscores the importance of preserving local history and art, connecting to earlier Big Blend Radio episodes with artist and historian Victoria Chick on Kansas City-connected artists Arthur Kraft and Thomas Hart Benton: * Arthur Kraft: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/the-life-and-legacy-of-artist-arthur-kraft/ * Thomas Hart Benton: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/exploring-thomas-hart-benton-country/

Learn more about Kelly’s Westport Inn at: https://kellyswestportinn.com/