Hardin County Events: January 6–10, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Cosmic Golf's Winter Simulator Golf League kicks off all week with three no-commitment party nights — Women's Tuesday, Men's Thursday, and Couples Friday, all 5–7 PM
• Revival Vintage Spirits hosts "Taste History" Thursday at 5 PM with a 1962 Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond pour ($10/half oz) and co-founder Brad Bonds on hand
• Bourbon Barrel Tavern stacks the week with Whiskey Night Tuesday, Karaoke Thursday, John Langley live Friday, and DJ Jimmy Saturday
• Saturday brings options for women's wellness and connection — Mental Love Day at TKT's Jewelry & Accessories and the Hormone Harmony Kitchen workshop with Clean Good Eats
• The Hardin County Public Library "Inspired by a Book" Call to Artists has a January 22 drop-off deadline ahead of the January 29 show

Summary

The first episode of 2026 kept things focused and light, and that is exactly right for the first full week of January. Jon O'Brien opened his events segment by noting the downtown Christmas tree was already coming down — "they got it up in one day and they're taking it down in one day" — and walked through a post-holiday slate that, while quieter than the busy season, still has something on it nearly every day.

The throughline of the week is Cosmic Golf's Winter Simulator Golf League, which holds three separate kickoff party nights — Women's, Men's, and Couples — all designed for people who are curious but not yet committed. Bourbon Barrel Tavern, where Jon works, anchors the nightlife end of the week with whiskey, karaoke, live music, and a DJ. And for those looking for something different, Revival Vintage Spirits' "Taste History" pour and a pair of Saturday women's-focused wellness events round things out.

A lighter week post-holidays is normal, and Jon framed it that way — the point of January is to ease back in, try something low-key, and reconnect with the community after the holidays.

Watch this segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j0_u5O-QS0&t=559s Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j0_u5O-QS0

Full Article

If you are looking for a gentle re-entry into 2026, this is the week for it. Jon O'Brien opened the very first Hardin Local Weekly of the new year by reporting live from downtown, where crews were already taking down the Christmas tree — "the last little bit at the top of the greenery is there and the star is still there, but they're working pretty good," he said. From there he walked through a five-day slate that leans light, as a post-holiday week should, but still has plenty worth getting out of the house for.

Tuesday opens the week downtown

Tuesday night starts at Bourbon Barrel Tavern with Whiskey Night. "Come on out and check out some really good deals on some high-priced whiskey that we'll have affordably priced," Jon said.

The bigger story Tuesday is the kickoff of Cosmic Golf's Winter Simulator Golf League, beginning with the Women's Kickoff Party from 5 to 7 PM. The whole point of these party nights is to be no-pressure. "If you're thinking about joining the league, if you're already in the league, if you're just wondering 'what is the league?' come on out, check it out," Jon said. "There's no commitments tonight." He pitched it as a fun night for the ladies "not on the links, but inside hitting some balls."

Wednesday: Wellness on Wheels

Wednesday brings Wellness on Wheels with Baptist Health Hardin, running 10 AM to 12 PM at the Lakeside Worship Center, 1801 Ring Road. "If you wanna stop in there, have them check you out, that's a good place to do it," Jon said. A quiet midweek option to start the year off on the right foot.

Thursday stacks up three ways

Thursday is the busiest night of the week. The Cosmic Golf Men's League Kickoff Party runs 5 to 7 PM with free simulator play — same no-commitment format as Tuesday. Jon, a fan of the simulators himself, said, "I've used those simulators out there and I really enjoyed it. I think that it's a fun, fun time."

Karaoke Night follows at Bourbon Barrel Tavern with DJ Jimmy. "Let's hear those beautiful voices," Jon said.

And for something different, Revival Vintage Spirits hosts "Taste History" at 220 Helm Street, starting at 5 PM. The feature is a 1962 Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond — a genuine historic pour at $10 for a half ounce — with co-founder Brad Bonds in town to talk old whiskey. Jon, who works in the bourbon world, explained what makes vintage pours so interesting: "Depending on how they were stored after they were purchased will change how it tastes... it doesn't age anymore in the bottle, but it can change how it tastes." Some can be really good, some really bad — that is the experience.

Friday: lobster, couples golf, and live music

Friday brings Cousins Maine Lobster to Bomgaars in Radcliff, 11 AM to 7 PM at 135 East Lincoln Trail Boulevard. Jon's advice: "Skip the line if you can."

Cosmic Golf closes out its league kickoffs with the Couples Party from 5 to 7 PM — "you got your women done, the men done, now it's time for the couples to get in there."

The night caps with John Langley playing live at Bourbon Barrel Tavern. "If you haven't seen him, he puts on a wonderful show," Jon said. "A little rock, a little country, a little mixture of all that stuff." 21 and up.

Saturday offers something for everyone

Saturday opens with Cecilia Valley PTO Spirit Day at Malibu Jack's, 11 AM to 11 PM. Jon is a fan: "I love Malibu Jack's. The laser tag's really fun," he said, before going on a friendly tangent about the indoor mini golf course and the trouble of hole 11.

Two Saturday events are built specifically for women. Mental Love Day, hosted by TKT's Jewelry & Accessories at 500 W. Lincoln Trail Boulevard in Radcliff from 12 to 4 PM, is an event for women who may struggle during or after the holidays — "a place to meet and greet and socialize, [to] help create a loving and caring environment." It is $25 per person, with a drawing and refreshments provided. The Hormone Harmony Kitchen, hosted by Clean Good Eats at 11 AM at 1483 N Dixie Boulevard Ste B, is a restorative winter workshop where women cook three warming, nourishing meals and learn clean swaps and blood-sugar balance. Tickets are $79, with the link on HardinLocal.com.

The night wraps with DJ Jimmy on the 1s & 2s at Bourbon Barrel Tavern (21 and up, "come on in and have a good time") and live music from Antwan Bailey at Cosmic Golf, 8:30 to 11:30 PM.

Ongoing: Call to Artists at the library

Before moving on, Jon highlighted an ongoing opportunity from the Hardin County Public Library at 100 Jim Owen Drive: the "Inspired by a Book" Call to Artists. Submit one piece of art, poetry, photography, or a poem inspired by a book — no larger than 12x12x12 inches, which, as Jon pointed out, means "sculptures are allowed too." The drop-off deadline is January 22 at 5:30 PM, with the show on January 29. "That's a pretty cool little idea there," Jon said. "I am not much of an artist — I draw stick figures — but if you are, we would love to see your work."

A lighter week, yes — but a good one to ease into the new year.