Revitalized for a new generation, the weeklong Duncan Hines Days festival culminated Saturday with a host of events downtown, including the Eats & Beats music festival at Circus Square Park, which attracted thousands of visitors over the course of the day.

While many primarily know Duncan Hines today for his namesake cake mixes, the Bowling Green native made a name for himself in his day as a food critic and traveler, presaging by several decades the many influencers who have attained devoted followings online for their exploits.

Duncan Hines Days is a revamped version of the original Duncan Hines Festival, with organizers looking to shine a light on Hines’ life as well as the many local restaurants and other downtown attractions.

“We’ve tried to create something that can grow and last and become a signature Bowling Green event that truly has a little bit of something for everyone,” said downtown development coordinator Telia Butler. “We’ve already had people ask me about things going on next year.”

Local eateries took part in Restaurant Week promotions tied in with the weeklong festival and a downtown parade Thursday transitioned to an ice cream social at SoKY Marketplace.

Saturday’s events included a Dolly Parton tribute show at The Capitol by Parton impersonator Natasha Neely and a Duncan Hines Duck Paddle and Boatlanding Block Party at the downtown boat ramp.

The climactic event of the day was the music festival, which was headlined by the Kentucky Headhunters and also featured performances by Government Cheese, Fatbox and Bowling Green Rock Band Academy.

Scott Siebold, of Alvaton, waited in a lawn chair for Government Cheese to take the stage early Saturday evening.

“This has been pretty cool. I wish they’d do this every year,” Siebold said of the festival. “I’ve been fans of Government Cheese since I was in college. We went to school together.”

Butler said she was awed by the involvement from the community for the inaugural Duncan Hines Days and is anticipating growing the festival in future years, with an eye toward promoting downtown as an entertainment destination.

“We’re grateful that the community has shown up and shown out for this and been enthusiastic about it,” Butler said. “We’re just absolutely floored at how many people chipped in and wanted to do something, and we feel a momentum building with this.”