City of Florence, Kentucky - Government

And the winners are in! 📸✨

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Community Photo Contest! Thank you to everyone who submitted their work and shared the people, places, and moments that make Florence so special.

🏛️ Landmark Category Winners

🥇 Megan Armour – Featuring Florence Y’alls
🥈 Nelson Charette – Columns
🥉 William Jordan – Laborer of Florence

🌄 Landscape Category Winners

🥇 Liliana Bolser – Spring Breeze
🥈 Rick O’Brien – A Rose in November Snowstorm
🥉 Steve Ellis – White Eyed Vireo
⭐ Honorable Mention – Rick O’Brien – Moments Before the Start of Sunrise

👥 People of Florence Winners

🥇 Kathy Kuhn – We Just Keep Rolling
🥈 Tim Webster – Fire Training
🥉 Ryan McDowell – Working in the Rain
⭐ Honorable Mention – Aeshah Alhabesh – Snow Day

🏆 Mayor’s Choice Award

Steve Ellis – Y’all Tower After Rain

Every photo tells a story and together, they beautifully capture Florence in all its moments.
Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to everyone who participated! 💙

Last Thursday, the City of Florence and the Florence Veterans Commission were honored to join local first responders, community leaders, and the Belmont Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center family for the ribbon cutting of their new Heroes Lounge. ❤️🇺🇸

This special space is dedicated to the veterans, first responders, public servants, caregivers, and everyday heroes whose service, sacrifice, and compassion make our community stronger every day. Inspired in part by an extraordinary nurse whose dedication and love for others exemplified true heroism, the Heroes Lounge recognizes that service comes in many forms, from military and emergency response to healthcare, public service, and acts of kindness that touch lives every day.

🇺🇸 Thank you to Belmont Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for creating a lasting tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to serving others. The Heroes Lounge will stand as a meaningful reminder of their sacrifice, commitment, and compassion for generations to come. We were honored to be part of this special day and to celebrate the men and women who make our community and country stronger through their service.

📅 Mark your calendars for Friday, July 3 and make plans to join us for our Independence Day Concert & Fireworks Celebration! 🇺🇸🎆

📍 New Location for 2026!
This year's celebration will be held at Thomas More Stadium, Home of the Florence Y'alls, instead of the Florence Government Center.

Bring your family and friends for an evening of live music, family fun, food, and a spectacular fireworks display as we celebrate Independence Day and America's 250th Birthday!

🏟️ Thomas More Stadium
7950 Freedom Way

🕔 Gates Open: 5:00 p.m.
🎈 Kids Zone: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
🎺 Florence Community Band: 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
🎸 Rusty Griswolds: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
🎇 Rozzi Fireworks Display: 10:00 p.m.

🌭 Concessions will be available throughout the event.

☔ Rain Date (Fireworks Only): July 4 at 10:00 p.m.

Don't miss this exciting community celebration! We look forward to celebrating with you at Thomas More Stadium! For more information, contact the Administration Department at 859-647-8177.

The Florence City Council will hold their Caucus Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2, at 6:00 p.m. at the Florence Government Center.
Unable to attend in person? Watch the meeting live or review the agenda in advance:
📺 Live Stream on YouTube: https://ow.ly/Z0U750Z6i9U
📝 Full Agenda: https://ow.ly/MNNr50Z6i9Q
Meeting Details:
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, June 2
🕕 Time: 6:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Florence Government Center, Council Chambers
8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence, Kentucky
For questions, please contact City Clerk Melissa Kramer at 859-647-8177.

Over the past several months, the City of Florence has remained actively engaged with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regarding the proposed Dixie Highway lane reconfiguration project between Turfway Road and Commonwealth Avenue.

After extensive review, consultation with engineering professionals, discussions with businesses and residents, and evaluation of the potential operational impacts associated with the proposal, the city has formally communicated its opposition to the project as currently presented.

While the city supports evidence based safety improvements, we continue to have significant concerns regarding traffic congestion, emergency response reliability, business access, regional traffic diversion, and the overall operational impacts this proposal could have on one of Northern Kentucky’s most important transportation corridors.

Attached is the city’s formal letter to KYTC District 6 outlining our position and concerns in greater detail. Read the full letter on the city website: https://florence-ky.gov/florence-opposes-proposed-dixie-highway-lane-reconfiguration-project/

We appreciate the public engagement and feedback we have received throughout this process and will continue working to advocate for responsible, data driven transportation solutions that protect both public safety and corridor mobility.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday for our Memorial Day Parade & Program. Together, we came together under this year’s theme, “Remember and Honor,” to pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 🇺🇸

📸 Check out photos from the parade and program below, with more images still to come!
🎥 Missed it? Watch the full parade on our YouTube channel: https://ow.ly/3aa150Z4R9M

Thank you to our community and everyone who participated for helping us remember those who gave their lives in service to our country, honor their sacrifice, and keep their legacy alive.

🩸 Community Blood Drive - There is still time to sign up!🩸

The City of Florence will host a community blood drive this Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Florence Government Center (8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence, KY). The donor bus will be located near the north parking lot.

🗓 Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
⏰ Times:
• 11:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
• 2:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

🎁 All donors will receive a FREE FC Cincinnati 40 oz tumbler while supplies last!

There’s still time to make an appointment and help save lives in our community. Appointments are strongly encouraged to help streamline the donation process.

Sign up online at https://ow.ly/fqwG50Z3oMy or call (513) 451-0910.

Every donation makes a difference. Join us in supporting our community’s health through the gift of blood donation. For more information, please contact the Administration Department at 859-647-8177.

🇺🇸 Today We Honor and Remember 🇺🇸

Join us for our Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony as we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.

🎖 Memorial Day Parade
🕙 Begins at 10:00 a.m.
📍 Route starts at Boone County High School and concludes at the Florence Government Center

🎶 Memorial Day Ceremony
🕦 Begins at 11:30 a.m.
📍 Boone County Veterans Memorial

The ceremony will feature patriotic music from the Florence Community Band and Chorus, along with meaningful tributes honoring members of the United States Armed Forces.

Please be aware that road closures along the parade route begin at 9:45 a.m. and will remain in effect until the parade concludes.

Drone photography and videography will be utilized throughout the event to help capture and share the day’s activities with the community.

We encourage community members of all ages to attend this special day of remembrance, gratitude, and unity. 🇺🇸

On this Memorial Day, the City of Florence pauses to honor and remember the brave heroes who gave everything for our freedom. Their courage, sacrifice, and selfless service will never be forgotten. Take a moment today to reflect, remember, and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. We are forever grateful for their dedication.

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” — Joseph Campbell

We remember the fallen, we honor their legacy, and we carry their spirit forward. 🇺🇸🕊️

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Public Works Night Out on Tuesday evening! We loved connecting with the community and sharing the great work our Public Services Department team does every day. A big shoutout to our Public Services crews for showcasing their equipment and all the hard work that keeps our community running smoothly.

Special thanks to Papa Johns on US 42 in Florence for the generous pizza donation, your support made the night even better! 🍕👏

We appreciate everyone who came out and helped make the event a success. Check out a few photos from the night below! 🚧🚚