When I was in college in Louisville, my friends used to tease me because I talked about Owensboro so much.  That's because I loved growing up here! After graduation, I couldn't get back here fast enough which was the exception to the rule for my age group at the time. Making this list of what makes Owensboro special, I quickly realized there are MANY things that remind me of the "good ole days" in OBKY.  I bet you can relate to a lot of them as well!

Ten ways you know you're from Owensboro:

1. You Pronounce Frederica St. the Correct Way

We all know the main drag in town is spelled like it should be pronounced “Fred-er-eeka” or even “Fred-er-ick-uh.” But, don’t you dare say it that way! True Owensboro folks know that the only way is “Fred-rick-uh.” Learn more about the origin of the name from my friend Dave Spencer!

2. You journey to Floribama for Spring/Fall Break.

Is it really a vacation if you didn’t run into at least 25 of your friends and neighbors?   After a whole day in a van, a stop at Buc-ee’s, and a stop at the Huntsville Rocket, your family arrives at their happy place around Gulf Shores, AL, or Panama City Beach, FL! You return a week later after eating your weight in shrimp with a sunburn/tan, matching airbrushed t-shirts, and a hermit crab.

3. You can never say “It’s Hot” without adding “Don”!

Honestly, at this point, I think I am physically unable to just say “It’s hot outside.” Adding good ole Don when talking about our summer temps is second nature! For anyone new to town, Don Moore Automotive has probably the catchiest phrase in the history of Owensboro advertising. The deals are HOT!

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5. You always carry cash for Big Dipper.

Two of the worst things to ever happen to an Owensboroan are – number one - craving Dipper on a Sunday. The second is to crave Dipper and have no cash!  This is why you must ALWAYS keep a stash of cash for when that tater-gem desire hits. You also know it is a total newbie move to try and turn left into the lot! Just don’t!  If you are a real O.G., you get a “road dog” aka “pig in a blanket” for the drive home. If you have never had one of these culinary masterpieces, it is a hot dog wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese! Best consumed as you drive that box of goodness home to the fam so you don’t have to share.

5. Just thinking about Wesleyan Park Plaza gives you road rage.

Some of my favorite places are in Wesleyan Park Plaza; Niko’s Bakery, Bella Ragazza, Ernesto’s, the Kroger; I am there every day. Y’ALL. Can we get it together, please? I know the current construction makes things tricky, so let’s give each other some grace there. However, what are we going to do about that little but BIG problem that is the “S” from Hades over by the Kroger pick-up? Just why? Who goes first? Where is the best place to wait? I swear it tests me more often than I’d like to admit. Just don’t tell my mama I get creative with my language!

6. You Shopped at Wetzel's or Foodland

You not only got your groceries there, but you also rented movies, got your birthday cake made, and admired the gigantic shopping bag.  I can still remember the smell of the produce section, it was all so fresh you could make out the sweetness of the fruit.  Not to mention the meat cut-to-order or Betty and Reenie's deli favorites!

7. You Put on Your Best Outfit to People Watch at the Fountain During the BBQ Festival

This one may be especially for the Gen Z and Millenial folks because I know I saw y'all down there! Decked out in your best polo with the popped collar, you texted your friends on your Razr phone to come down and wait for a fight to break out. Unfortunately, the scent of your CK One was overpowered by the meat smoking down the street.

8. You Snuck Out of the House to Go to a High School Party in a Random Field

Picture it, it's Friday and you heard from a friend of a friend at lunch that a senior is having a kegger out in Utica. Of course, you will make plans to have a sleepover at your friend's house (who just so happens to have more lenient parents) to risk your life in a cornfield! I wouldn't know anything about this one though. Wink, wink!

9. You've Lived Your Best Life at a Casey's Rides Carnival

From Tamarack to Reid's Orchard, you have ridden the Scrambler or the Ferris Wheel more times than you can count. You "won" the games with rubber duckies and water guns and then finished the night with a corndog and a lemon shake-up.

10. You Asked Your Crush to Join You for the Snowball Skate at Skates Alive

Boyz II Men begins to play, your palms get sweaty, it's time to smoothly glide over and ask your crush to join you for the Snowball skate.  Even if you didn't have the courage to do that, you spent your Saturday night at the skating rink showing off your skills, playing the arcade games, and whispering to your girlfriends about who you thought looked cute in their new Tommy Hilfiger

There are SO MANY other things that can be added to this list!  What would you say is a sure sign someone is an Owensboroan?