Hopkins County Great Restaurant Race Sees Record Participation in 2026
MADISONVILLE, KY — The Hopkins County Tourist & Convention Commission is celebrating a record-breaking year for the 5th Annual Great Restaurant Race, with 148 completed entries, the highest participation in the event’s history.
The month-long dining challenge encouraged participants to explore restaurants across Hopkins County, resulting in 106 restaurants represented and a total of $37,254 in local restaurant spending based on submitted receipts.
“This is exactly what the Great Restaurant Race was designed to do,” said Colbi Ferguson, Communications Director for the Hopkins County Tourist & Convention Commission. “It gets people out, trying new places, and supporting restaurants across the county. Seeing this level of participation and spending shows just how strong our local food scene is.”
New this year, the event introduced a Race Crew, a group of local community members who helped promote the race by sharing their progress and encouraging others to participate throughout April. Their involvement helped expand awareness and maintain steady momentum throughout the month.
Participants completed the race by visiting 12 different Hopkins County restaurants, submitting receipts to verify their entries. The most visited restaurants during the 2026 race were Wendy’s, Arby’s, and Dairy Queen in Madisonville.
With more than 110 restaurants in Hopkins County, including 55 locally owned establishments, the Great Restaurant Race continues to highlight the depth and accessibility of the county’s dining scene. Every participant who completed the race will receive a prize, with one grand prize winner set to receive a “Food for a Year” package, made up of gift cards to the restaurants they visited.
The grand prize winner will be announced soon.
With record participation, measurable economic impact, and strong community engagement, The Great Restaurant Race continues to grow as one of Hopkins County’s signature tourism initiatives. There are plans to expand and build on its success in the coming years. “This is the kind of program that drives real results,” said Ferguson. “It supports our restaurants, creates a reason for people to get out and explore, and gives visitors and locals alike a new way to experience Hopkins County. We’re proud to see it continue to grow into something that truly makes an impact on our local economy.”