It's St. Patrick's Day in Hardin County, and we've got a packed episode of the Hardin Local Weekly.

Chapter Timestamps

0:00 Welcome, Meet the Crew & Special Announcements
4:52 🍀 Icebreaker: What's Your Lucky Charm?
11:47 📅 Hardin County Events with Jon O'Brien
19:12 🚚 Event Spotlight: Best of the Heartland Food Truck Championship
28:41 🏠 Housing Market Update — Rachel Brantingham
34:41 💼 Bizz Buzz with Nate Bryan
45:19 🍽️ The Experienced Eater: Namaste Indian Cuisine & Bar
56:30 👋 Closing & Shoutouts

Russell "Sonny" Tucker joins us live to preview the Best of the Heartland Food Truck Championship — coming Saturday, March 28th to the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Glendale, Kentucky. 21 food trucks, blind judging, 10 categories, free admission, and an Easter egg hunt for the kids. This is a big one.

Jon O'Brien covers the full week of events — including the Kentucky Kids Consignment Spring Sale at Bluegrass Sportsplex (one of the biggest community events of the year), live music at Cosmic Golf and Lincoln Trail Country Club, the Bloom & Balance Equinox Market, the Ron Jones Jazz Duo, and more.

Rachel Brantingham breaks down the Hardin County housing market for the week of March 10–17: 35 homes went under contract versus 21 new listings, inventory is at 4.3 months and tightening, and the spring market is clearly underway.

Nate Bryan has five business items: LTADD wins a 2026 Best Places to Work designation, Quilted Elephant Studio takes the ByAnnie Creative Hub Award, El Guadalajaras is coming to Lincoln Center, Auntie Anne's Food Truck in Elizabethtown is shutting down, and Song's Kitchen is closed this week before reopening under new management March 30th.

And Britten and Michele McDowell are back with The Experienced Eater — this week, Namaste Indian Cuisine & Bar on North Dixie Highway in Elizabethtown.

All episode links at HardinLocal.com.

This week on the Hardin Local Weekly Podcast: the Hardin County housing market is shifting fast, several local businesses are closing (including two beloved retailers after 30+ years), Heartland Mini Golf opens for 2026, and Britten McDowell gives a 9.6/10 — his highest Hardin County rating ever — to 2B Thai on Ring Road.

Rachel Brantingham, Phil Taul, Scott Lucas, Jon O'Brien, Nate Bryan, and Britten & Michele McDowell cover everything happening in Elizabethtown and Hardin County this week.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:27 Welcome & Co-Host Introductions
00:01:41 Follow Us – Podcast Platforms & Social Media
00:03:14 Sponsor Intro – Heartland Mini Golf
00:04:55 Special Announcements
00:05:07 Icebreaker – Hills You'll Die On
00:10:22 Sponsor Segment – Heartland Mini Golf
00:11:49 Event Spotlight – Lincoln Trail Home Design & Remodeling Show
00:14:38 Hardin County Events Guide with Jon O'Brien
00:26:56 Hardin County Housing Market Update – Rachel Brantingham
00:34:48 Business Buzz – Nate Bryan
00:43:44 The Experienced Eater – 2B Thai
00:53:56 Closing Comments & Shoutouts
00:55:14 Final CTAs & Sign-Off

🔗 RESOURCES:
Heartland Mini Golf — 1030 Executive Drive, Elizabethtown | 270-766-9668 | heartlandminigolf@gmail.com
2B Thai — 3040 Ring Rd, Elizabethtown | 270-766-1408
Lincoln Trail Home Design & Remodeling Show — Phillips Grove, Radcliff (this weekend!)
Heart of Kentucky MLS housing data via Rachel Brantingham

📱 CONNECT:
Website: HardinLocal.com
Instagram: @HardinLocal
Facebook: facebook.com/HardinLocal
TikTok: @HardinLocal

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music

The Hardin Local Weekly Podcast covers Hardin County, KY — Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, Glendale, and surrounding communities. New episodes every week.

#HardinLocal #PodcastClips #LocalNews #Kentucky

Rachel Brantingham is back after two weeks, joined by Phil Taul, Scott Lucas, Jon O'Brien, and Britten & Michele McDowell for one of the biggest weekends Hardin County has seen this spring.

Boot Barn opens in Elizabethtown with FREE live music all three days — Kevin Jaggers performs Friday, March 6 at 4 PM and Sunday, March 8 at Noon; Layla Spring performs Saturday. Heartland Mini Golf opens its season Friday, March 6 from 4–10 PM, featuring a rooftop bar, $2 beers, game yard, and soft serve. Season passes start at $75 individual or $275 for a family of four.

Jon O'Brien covers everything happening in Hardin County March 3–8. Nate Bryan (pre-recorded from his cruise) delivers business news: Baskin-Robbins is moving after 50 years at its current location, a 3rd Papa John's is coming to the east side of E-Town, Pelican Snowballs is searching for a 600–800 sq ft space, Heartland Mini Golf's food truck is rebranded as "Aces," and Nothing Bundt Cakes is hosting a "Buy a Bundt" event Saturday March 7, 9 AM–12:30 PM.

Rachel Brantingham covers the Hardin County housing market: 34 new listings, 23 under contract, 16 closed, 93 avg days on market, 4.9 months inventory (balanced market), avg list price $309,198, avg sold $291,142. Ford plant retooling is building contractor demand.

Britten & Michele McDowell visit Eat at the Spot Caribbean Restaurant at 865 S Dixie Blvd, Radcliff — jerk chicken, curry chicken, green curry, and sweet chili wings. Recommendation: get the jerk chicken.

**CHAPTERS**

0:00:00 - Welcome Back & Introduction

0:00:49 - Meet the Co-Hosts

0:01:43 - How to Stay Connected with Hardin Local

0:02:46 - Sponsor Intro: Heartland Mini Golf

0:04:05 - Special Announcements

0:08:29 - Icebreaker: What Are You Looking Forward to This Spring?

0:13:03 - Heartland Mini Golf Opening Weekend Details

0:15:38 - Hardin County Events Guide: March 3–8

0:30:29 - Kevin Jaggers & Boot Barn Grand Opening (Pre-Recorded)

0:36:15 - Housing Market Update – Rachel Brantingham

0:41:31 - Business News with Nate Bryan (Pre-Recorded)

0:47:03 - The Experienced Eaters: Eat at the Spot Caribbean Restaurant

0:56:51 - Comments, Shoutouts & Closing

0:58:59 - Final CTAs & Sign-Off

All Links & Resources: hardinlocal.com