Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series. In this episode, we're chatting with Ken Koskey, Executive Director, and Mackenzie Steagall, Director of PR & Events, from Festival Country Indiana—a destination organization dedicated to showcasing the vibrant communities of Johnson County, just south of Indianapolis.

Festival Country is more than just a collection of towns; it’s a hub for live music, farmers' markets, family-friendly festivals, and inventive outdoor experiences that attract visitors from across the Midwest and beyond. From interactive exhibits at their innovative Visitor Center to unique alleyways transformed into Instagram-worthy destinations and a packed calendar of over 2,500 annual events, Ken Koskey and Mackenzie Stagall share what makes their region a true four-season getaway.

DISCUSSION

00:00 Interactive Downtown Visitor Center

06:20 From Media to Tourism Leadership

09:43 Exploring Festival Country's Unique Alleys

12:28 "Johnson County Visitor Strategy"

14:10 Renaissance Fair & Live Events

18:01 Outdoor Adventures and Nature Preserves

21:18 Indoor Activities and Family Fun

25:25 Year-Round Events & Experiences

28:18 Tour Options: Free or Guided

32:08 Coffeehouses: Breakfast & Drinks

34:21 "Live Music and Local Festivals"

39:52 Eclipse Event Magic

43:23 "Scenic Drive Reflections"

44:59 "Explore Festival Country Indiana"

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Festival Country Indiana in Johnson County, and the services and experiences they promote, visit their website at https://www.festivalcountryindiana.com/ or on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FestCountryIN/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/festcountryin/

NEXT STEPS

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KEYWORDS

Festival Country Indiana, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#FestivalCountryIndiana #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview

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Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast! In this special episode, recorded at the Illinois Destinations Association's Fall Meeting in Danville, IL, we're chatting with an all-star panel to spotlight the remarkable legacy of the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament, which has been hosted in Danville for an impressive 33 consecutive years.

You'll hear from Scott Eisenhower, who helps drive the tournament's success as a committee member; Mike Hulvey, media representative and national radio industry leader; Brian Hensgen, chair of the championship committee; and Tim Bunton, athletic director at Danville Area Community College. Together, they share how this iconic tournament has grown—from welcoming just eight teams in its early days to now hosting twenty—and why it serves as a powerful anchor for Danville’s community spirit and economy.

Discover behind-the-scenes stories, the tournament’s impact on local youth and businesses, and how Danville has become a destination for basketball fans nationwide. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a destination marketer, or simply someone who loves hearing about community-driven events, this episode highlights the lasting magic of sports and local collaboration. So get ready to dive into the energy and excitement of one of the country’s longest-running junior college basketball championships!

LEARN MORE

Learn more about Danville, IL local attractions and experiences by visiting the Danville Area Visitors Bureau website at https://www.visitdanvillearea.com/ or on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danvillecvb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danvillecvb/

2026 NJCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championships: https://www.visitdanvillearea.com/event/2026-njcaa-division-ii-mens-basketball-championships/

Event Tags: Basketball, Championships, DACC, Division II, Men's, NJCAA

Website: https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div2/index

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Illinois Destinations Association, Danville Area Visitors Bureau, Basketball, Championships, DACC, Division II, Men's, NJCAA, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast

#IllinoisDestinationsAssociation #DanvilleAreaVisitorsBureau #NJCAA #Basketball #OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast

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Welcome back to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series, where today we’re taking you out to the historic Danville Dan’s Baseball Stadium for a unique blend of networking, community, and baseball nostalgia.

Whether you love travel, tourism, or just a good old-fashioned ballgame, today’s episode celebrates local pride, hidden treasures, and the beauty of enjoying what's in your own backyard.

INTERVIEWS

1. Kristen Ball - Illinois Destinations Association (IDA)

• Kristen’s role and responsibilities as Association Manager
  • Collaboration with the board of directors and the legislative team
  • Planning events and education courses for members
  • Advocacy with the state legislature
  • Providing resources for Convention and Visitor Bureaus to drive tourism in Illinois
  • Illinois Destinations Association: https://www.ildestinations.org/

2. Interview with Jessica Miller, Matthew Bean, Bailey Dorn (Visit Bloomington Normal)

• Introductions
  • Jessica Miller: Digital Marketing Manager
  • Matthew Bean: Director of Brand and Marketing
  • Bailey Dorn: Destination Experience Manager
• Overview of the Bloomington-Normal region (“BN”)
  • Central location in Illinois, the university's presence
  • Outreach to McLean County and surrounding areas
• Unique selling points of Bloomington-Normal as a destination
  • “Big, small town” feel with accessible and affordable experiences
  • Robust events calendar, family-friendly environment
  • Constitution Trail Bike Path: https://www.visitbn.org/visit/constitution-trail/
  • Route 66: https://www.visitbn.org/illinoisroute66/
  • local lakes and outdoor spaces
• Visit Bloomington-Normal - https://www.visitbn.org/

3. Interview with Tom Fricke and Mary Ellen - Danville Dans Organization

• Tom’s volunteer role and contributions
  • PA announcer, PR, souvenir sales, coordination of interns (“Danterns”)
  • Commitment to maintaining baseball and the Dans in Danville
• History of Danville Stadium
  • Construction: initiated by a local businessman and the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Branch Rickey
  • The stadium's origins in 1945
  • Key historic figures and teams: Brooklyn Dodgers, Giants, White Sox, Brewers
• The Danville Dans: https://danvilledans.org/

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Illinois Destinations Association, Danville Area Visitors Bureau, Visit Bloomington-Normal, Route 66, Constitution Bike Trail, Danville Dans, Outdoor Adventure Series

#IllinoisDestinationsAssociation #DanvilleAreaVisitorsBureau #VisitBN #Route66 #ConstitutionBikeTrail #DanvilleDans #OutdoorAdventureSeries

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch