The Louisville Real Estate Blog of Joe Hayden, Realtor - Your Real Estate Expert!

Great Music and Art Events for this Weekend

2012-05-15T14:19:00-07:00

Are you and the family ready to shake off the last remnants of those winter blues? If so, come on out to the Bluegrass Music Forest Festival at Jefferson Memorial Forest on Saturday May 19th. The tunes will start bringing rhythm to the woods at 11am and continue till 8pm. This is an annual event that entertains human beings and woodland creatures alike with music the bluegrass state is known for. There will also be handmade woodcrafts on display, along with other fun activities for family members of all ages. Come out and spend the day relaxing under the shade of the trees as the woodlands echo with bluegrass music. It is sure to be entertaining for the entire family. If you and the family aren’t in the mood for music, Yew Dell will be stunning garden lovers with their 5th Annual Garden Sculpture Show beginning Saturday May 19th and continuing till July. This event will be held at 6220 Old LaGrange Road starting at 10 am, with doors closing at 4 pm. This sculptural display will feature unique, hand crafted art specifically made to highlight the beauty of your flora and fauna. The sculpture show is a juried contest, so you’ll bear witness to the work of some of the region’s best sculptors. There will be a variety of styles and mediums, and artists are encouraged to participate. If you’ve been working on your own art, consider putting it on display. If you looking for a centerpiece for the garden, well there is no doubt you will have plenty of unique options to choose from. As summer arrives, Louisville is bursting with activity and entertainment for you and the family. There is no shortage of interesting events, so prepare to spend some quality fun time at the upcoming festivities. To learn more about other exciting events in the area, please visit Louisville Homes for Sale.

Summer Festivals Offer Plenty of Fun

2012-05-14T13:38:00-07:00

The weekend kicks off on Friday May 18th at both the Ascension and Saint Bernard Summer Festivals. Ascension is located at 4600 Lynnbrook Drive, while Saint Bernard will be providing fun at 7500 Tangelo Drive. The festivities start at 5:30 pm and continue till midnight on both Friday and Saturday. These two Summer Festivals will offer plenty of activity for families of all ages. Not only will you find a variety of great food, but there will be entertaining game booths, inflatable rides, a gambling tent, and even Saturday night bingo. If you and the family are in more of a Parisian mood, then you are in luck. This Saturday is the Old Louisville SpringFest, taking place on 1st Street between Oak and Magnolia. This is a day-long street fair celebration of Old Louisville’s love of history, culture, food, style, family and philanthropy hosted by the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council and David James, the District 6 Councilman. The SpringFest’s Parisian Flea Market will be selling unique art, antiques, architectural remnants, services and even a fortune teller. The streets will ring with music as twelve local bands provide entertainment. Kosair Charities will have their popular KidsZone set up to so the youngsters can play and sing. Not to mention… the FOOD! The area will be lined with booths of traditional street fair and gourmet food trucks are waiting to tempt your taste buds. Thirsty for something alcoholic, no worries as the cocktail tent is there to quench your thirst with beer, bourbon and wine. This weekend is buzzing with activity. Regardless of your area, there is a festival of fun right around the corner to entertain you and the family. To learn more about fun things to do in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Wake Up and Smell the Flowers this Weekend in Louisville

2012-05-09T15:14:00-07:00

Wake up and smell the flowers this weekend in Louisville! It's summer festival time and this weekend has several unique events that you and the family might enjoy. Not to mention Mother’s Day is coming up, and conveniently this weekend’s festivities are offering not only interesting views, but have unique gifts just waiting for Mom to unwrap. The 45th Annual Art in the Arbor Festival is this weekend at 4936 Brownsboro Road. The Festivities will be going on from Saturday, May 12 till Sunday, May 13, 2012 with hours from 10 am to 6 pm. There will be over 100 chosen artists exhibiting a variety of mediums, a live music stage, Kentucky-Proud food and wine, kid’s crafts and games, interactive arts for all ages, a plant and flower market, art raffle and, best of all, this is a FREE event! The 17th Annual Gardeners' Fair will also be taking place starting this weekend. This floral festival will be hosted at Locust Grove at 561 Blankenbaker Lane from 10am to 5pm, so you can take a tour of history while smelling fragrant blooms on display. You will find over 70 vendors offering a variety of herbs, flowers & perennials. You will find handmade wrought iron sculptures, water gardens, artistic gardening tools and interesting antique yard furniture. There will also be a Silent Auction featuring art, antiques, gift certificates & unique handcrafted quilts and other items. This weekend is also the Beechmont Neighborhood Association’s Annual Celebration of Summer around the gazebo on Southern Parkway and Woodlawn. They are courteously inviting everyone to come out and join them. There will be a vast amount of flowers, bedding plants, arts, crafts, pottery and some enlightening gardening demonstrations. You and the family will be entertained by Live Music and the food and drinks will be plentiful, as they don’t want parched plants nor patrons. The summer events are blooming like flowers, so gather the family and head out of the house to enjoy the festivities. There is fun to be had for all ages, and plenty of beauty to behold, so wake up and smell some flowers! To learn more about great events in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

Inside Out at the Speed Art Museum

2012-05-08T17:26:00-07:00

The Speed Art Museum never ceases to offer inside entertainment for those that want to escape the perils of pollen. The Inside/Out Exhibition is the one of the grand reopening features on display. It is broken into three different themes that illustrate how art and nature connect in unique individual galleries. The first gallery features well-known American artist Deborah Butterfield. The centerpiece of her exhibit features a pair of bronze horses, ‘Danuta and Burnt Pine’. Her incredibly majestic horse sculptures are in the collections of some of the most important museums in the United States, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The second gallery features the fabulous art of the Elizabeth P. and Frederick K. Cressman Art Park and Cressman Piazza. This gallery holds both new art and old favorites from the collection like Mark di Suvero’s Pollock’s Indians (1976), and Jeppe Hein’s Modified Social Bench C (2008). One interesting feature in this gallery is the Modified Social Bench C, which is an interactive piece, where the patron can climb over or under the rail to sit and somewhat become a part of the artwork. The final exhibit features interior targeted sculptures and prints that were created by various artists such as Roy Lichtenstein’s Wallpaper with Blue Floor Interior (1992) and Richard Serra’s Double Transversal (2004). This gallery also has several loaner pieces from a Louisville private collection. The facility just underwent a renovation and expansion project in order to further cater to its visiting patrons, so you and the family are in for quite an experience. If you and the family are looking to avoid the great outdoors due to allergies, then experience the outdoor from the indoors with the Inside/Out Exhibit at the Speed museum. To learn more about fun things to do in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Cheer on the Kentucky Special Olympics

2012-05-07T11:20:00-07:00

If you and the family are looking for something exciting to do this weekend, why not attend the Kentucky Special Olympics Track & Field Competition? This is a great way to support children and adults with disabilities just by being a part of the crowd that cheers them on. The Kentucky Special Olympics is a sports organization for all individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. The participating athletes will be from Louisville and close surrounding counties. The participants usually start practicing in February for this specific competition. The Area 4 Track & Field Competition is a combination of all qualified track & field sports, and it leads up to the biggest Special Olympics competition, our State Summer Games, which take place in June. If you are interested in participating, they need volunteers for this event. It is definitely for a worthwhile cause. Just seeing the smiles on the participant’s faces can surely bring a smile to you and your family. Many of the participating athletes will be from our own fair city, so this event encourages community participation. Any community, neighborhood and citizen involvement is appreciated, especially spectators, as the encouragement and cheering of fans brings out the heart in sports. Kim Satterwhite at 502/326-5002 or ksatterwhite@soky.org is the volunteer organizer, so if you or any other family member has an interest in becoming involved feel free to contact her. However, being a volunteer is not necessary, just coming out to cheer on these special needs athletes helps the kids enjoy participating in the games even more. This yearly event that encourages special needs people to compete in sports they otherwise would be unable to participate in takes place at Saint Xavier High School on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 8:30am - 2pm. Bring the family out to experience this wonderful competition! To learn more about great events in the area, please visit Louisville Homes for Sale.

138th Annual Running of the Kentucky Derby

2012-05-03T13:13:00-07:00

After a year of anticipation for lovers of the sport of horse racing, the Kentucky Derby is finally here. This Saturday, May 5th the ladies and gents can put on their favorite hat and head on out to Churchill Downs for a day of thundering hooves, cheering crowds and mint juleps - that is for those of you are old enough to drink. The gates open at 8am and the first race starts at 10:30am, so be sure to get there early for a good seat. The post time for the actual Derby run is approximately 6:24 pm. General Admission guests are welcome at any gate. Derby goers that enjoy the infield festivities should enter at Gate 1 or Gate 3. Those Guests with reserved clubhouse seats enter at Gate 10 or Gate 17 and those with reserved grandstand seats, including the bleachers enter the track at Gate 1. The Longfield Parking Lot located inside Gate 10 will be providing a shuttle for all Turf Suite patrons. This is the one of Kentucky’s traditions that helped put Louisville on the map and draws the rich and famous to our humble community. From the beautiful silks donned by the jockey’s that display the horse owners colors to the impressive twin spires of Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby is indeed a fantastic display of sportsmanship and love for the graceful beauty and natural speed of thoroughbred horses. If you have an opportunity, this is the yearly event you don’t want to miss. To learn more about exciting events in the area, please visit Louisville Homes for Sale.

Derby Eve Jam Featuring the Charlie Daniels Band

2012-05-02T10:15:00-07:00

The final concert for the pre-Derby Festival in Louisville will be Friday May 4th, so grab your family and head down to the Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. The show starts at 8pm with the Hillbenders taking the stage to provide some entertainment and warm up the crowd for the main act. The featured performer for this year’s Derby Eve Jam will be the Charlie Daniels Band. They’ll be taking the stage at 9 pm to wow the crowd with some newer tunes and some old favorites like Devil Went Down to Georgia. Charlie is usually in town for the Kentucky Derby, and he’s always ready to give his fans a fine performance. Don’t worry if you get there early, as the Chow Wagon will be open and providing food and fun for everyone. You can get some of your favorite festival foods before, during or after the shows. This is a free concert and event if you just show up with a Pegasus Pin, so it is definitely affordable for you and the entire family. New Country Z103.1 and Country Legends 103.9 will be present and Miller Lite is offering free rides for the youngsters and elders alike. The Derby Jam series has been an annual event starting in 1971, so it is somewhat of a tradition. The first performers were Canned Heat, but many legendary entertainers have performed during the festival such as the Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall and Oates, and Foreigner. Come on out and be a part of the final concert for this year’s Kentucky Derby. You are sure to have a great time! To learn more about fun things to do in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Extravagant Celebrations are a Kentucky Derby Tradition

2012-04-30T12:44:00-07:00

There is many an extravagant celebration during Derby week, and they all hold the promise of entertainment and plenty of festivities to enjoy. These celebrations are definitely more adult-oriented, but even parents need a night of fun for themselves every now and then. This is the time to pick a party, don your evening attire and have a great time. After all, the Kentucky Derby only comes once a year. One of the traditional events takes place on Thursday, May 3rd at the Louisville Executive Aviation Hangar at Bowman Field. This is the ‘Taste of Derby’, and it holds a celebration of fine foods, racing and style. At this party you’ll find horse racing celebrities and experience some unique cuisine from popular horse racing destinations across the country. Nationally-renowned chefs from different cities serve samples of their signature dishes paired with the perfect wines. Everyone knows that the Barnstable Brown Party is the event to attend on Derby Eve, so if you are fortunate enough to be able to go, then you’ll be celebrating at the ‘must go to’ party of the year. The Barnstable Brown event has been a tradition for more than two decades and it is a haven for the rich and famous. The Barnstable family has played host to hundreds of Hollywood celebrities over the decades, and spontaneous performances by guests are a common occurrence. On Friday May 4th, the Barnstable Mansion in the Highlands is the place to be. The annual Julep Ball (The Julep) is also held the night before the Derby. This is a charitable event where guests dance the night away and proceeds benefit the James Graham Brown Cancer Center of the University of Louisville. This party hosts many local and national business leaders, horse industry professionals and celebrities from sports, music, cinema and television who all join forces to help raise money for cancer care. This is a black tie event that offers specialty bars, live and silent auctions, keepsake photos and plenty of dancing and fine dining. If you can’t get out for the pre-Derby parties, don’t worry, The Galt House Hotel is bringing back their night of … One Race, One Winner, One Party on May 5, 2012 at 8:00pm. This event takes place in The Galt House's Grand Ballroom. This is where the jockeys get to walk the red carpet after a hard day of riding, then dance the night away to celebrate victories. The band ‘Party On The Moon’, will be providing the music. The proceeds from this extravaganza benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockey’s Fund, Inc. This is the week for parties in Louisville, so pick your event and plan on having the night of your life to celebrate the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby. To learn more about exciting events in the area, please visit Louisville Homes for Sale.

41st Annual Cherokee Triangle Art Fair

2012-04-25T09:03:00-07:00

Cherokee Park is beautiful this time of year, and this weekend it will have a little extra beauty in the form of over 200 artist booths. If you are looking for some unique entertainment for the family April 28th and 29th, then you’ve got from 10am till 6pm all weekend to indulge yourself under the sky, while appreciating some local art and cuisine. This festival is always held the weekend prior to the Kentucky Derby to add to the celebration of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is a free two-day event that is fun for all ages and open to the public. It is a yearly event held in the historic Cherokee Triangle Neighborhood on Cherokee Parkway between Willow Avenue and Cherokee Road, right next to the General John Breckenridge Castleman statue. You can just browse the variety of booths, chat with the artists and make original art purchases at your leisure. There will be food booths, so there is no need for a picnic lunch unless you just want to break out the basket. There will also be live music in the Triangle for all to enjoy which will go on till 8pm. The food booths will also stay open on Saturday till the music ends just for your convenience. If you have smaller children, there is a tent set up just to provide them with activities and entertainment. There will also be a plant booth displaying a variety of herbs and plants, and the Cherokee Triangle Association booth will be offering plenty of items with the community logo proudly displayed. This event is one of the major fundraisers for Louisville’s Cherokee Triangle Association, and all proceeds are returned to the community in various ways, such as the Willow Park summer concerts and maintaining the beautiful landscaping the area is known for. If you are looking for a peaceful atmosphere this weekend, Cherokee Park is the place to be. Not only is this part of the Derby festivities, but it also helps out one of Louisville’s most beautiful areas. To learn more about exciting events in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Chow Down at the Waterfront Park Chow Wagon

2012-04-24T08:29:00-07:00

If you and the family are looking for something fun to do this weekend, the Kentucky Derby Festival Chow Wagon starts on April 26th in Louisville. This year’s food and entertainment extravaganza will be ongoing until May 5th and is sponsored by Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. The hours of operation are flexible so that everyone has an opportunity to pop in for their favorite carnie food. As always, admission is a Pegasus Pin and the event is open weekdays from 11 AM to 11 PM, Saturday 7:30 AM to 11 PM and Sunday 1 PM - 11 PM. This year’s Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park features The Miller Lite Music Stage, which will provide plenty of entertainment for almost any musical taste. There will be nearly 30 live concerts. Chow goers will have an opportunity to enjoy both local and regional musicians with a variety of concert events including Urban, Latino, Country, Rock and GospelFest. This is one of the many Derby events that is inexpensive, fun for everyone, and doesn’t require a reservation. You and your family can enjoy the peaceful flow of the river while tantalizing your taste buds. The amount of unique food alone is appealing such as - brisket with Derby sauce, ribeye sandwiches, gyros, kabobs, funnel cakes, ice cream and even fried candy bars. That is just the tip of the iceberg, as plenty more interesting edibles will be available. You can spend the entire day feasting on carnival and ethnic foods at the Chow Wagon. Even if you can’t make it out over the weekend, remember, this is a week-long festival of fun on the Riverfront. The Chow Wagon is one of the many annual Derby traditions, and it is one you definitely won’t want to miss out on attending. To learn more about exciting Derby events, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow

2012-04-23T11:28:00-07:00

This Friday, April 27th Louisville lights up with the annual Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow. This is a fabulous event for the entire family to attend. The gates open at 6pm so there is plenty of time to walk around and check out the participating air filled works of art in the day light. The actual ‘glow’ starts at 9pm, and the Kentucky Expo Center will fill the area with awe inspiring light reaching up into the sky. There will be a race prior to the glow at 7am Friday morning, with another race following the glow on Saturday morning. The Great Balloon Race has been a tradition for the Derby since 1973 and its just getting better. Each year brings more participants to give spectators a high-flying show filled with bright colors and excitement. This Balloon Glow is one of the most anticipated of the Derby festivities, with an average attendance of around 50,000 fans. Conveniently, it is free if you are representing the traditional Pegasus Pin, available in almost any gas station or grocery store. During the traditional Glow, the balloons will be in their starting positions for the Saturday race, but won’t be launching on Friday evening. You and your family can walk around the field and talk to the pilots as they have more time to show off their balloons than on race morning. The Glow gives the pilots the opportunity to interact with you and your family, so the kids can ask questions. The Balloon glow has been deemed a one-of-a kind experience. The event is well choreographed with popular songs that emphasize the magic of the orbital festival of fiery lights. This unique part of the Derby festival is something you won’t want to miss, so watch the sky light up Friday night, then come back to see who wins this years race on Saturday morning. To learn more about fun things to do in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

18th Century Thunder - The Revolutionary War

2012-04-18T10:05:00-07:00

This weekend is sure to be fun filled as Louisvillians start to celebrate the annual Derby festival. This Saturday April 21st is going to be an exciting day, though it will have its share of thunder. However, thunder doesn’t always mean a storm is coming, unless you consider firework displays and war re-enactments as stormy situations. In both cases, they are actually entertaining celebrations meant to bring people together for a good time. If you and the family don’t want to venture out early to the fireworks show on the Great Lawn, perhaps you might enjoy heading over to Locust Grove at 561 Blankenbaker Lane in Louisville for the annual Revolutionary War Encampment re-enactment deemed 18th Century Thunder. This event starts at 10 am and lasts till 4:30 pm both Saturday and Sunday, so there will still be plenty of time to enjoy the fireworks afterwards. The participants will be representing Louisville’s own, General George Rogers Clark and his troops from the Northwest campaign. The companies of historically clad soldiers will entertain the viewers by acting out life in the military encampments, including cooking, drilling and some military maneuvers. They do try to keep it authentic, so no tanks or modern day machinery will be present. At the end of all the presentation, they will have a memorial service honoring the General and the men who served under him. So let these authentically clad men, women and children celebrating this moment in history transport you back in time to experience life before modern technology. To learn more about exciting event in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Thunder Over Louisville

2012-04-16T19:06:00-07:00

The Kentucky Derby festivities are kicking off this Saturday, April 21st and starting things off with a BOOM! You and the family can head down to Waterfront Park and be right in the middle of the live action of Thunder Over Louisville. There will be music, food booths and plenty of people if you enjoy being in the crowd. If not, there are some nice spots in some of the surrounding parks like Cherokee where you can still catch the fabulous fireworks display without the crowds as well. If you go down to the Great Lawn early, the Smoky Mountain Experience will be present giving Kentuckians a dose of Tennessee right in our own back yard, so to speak. There will be a rock wall and some educational, informative and entertaining exhibitions to introduce a new outlook on our neighboring state. There are also lots of places you can enjoy the Thunder Over Louisville festivities without having to breath smoke or endure noisy crowds. Thunder in the Dome is providing free parking and passes for the Planetarium for the day. The music and action of this year’s unique fireworks presentation will be available in the serene, smoke free dome. Tumbleweed at 1201 River Road is also inviting families to come in and enjoy Thunder show. They will even have kid-friendly areas available for the little ones. So, if you’d like to take the family out and enjoy the yearly Thunder Over Louisville celebration, consider your options. With so many local establishments participating in the festivities, you are sure to find the perfect location to have a great time. Learn more about current events in the area by visiting Louisville Real Estate.

The Louisville Quest

2012-04-10T17:11:00-07:00

Most of us have seen a medieval film or played a video game where the characters go on a quest to find treasure or save a princess. This weekend you and your family can go on your own adventure with The Louisville Quest, Saturday April 14th from 10am to 1pm. The Louisville Quest is a new way to explore the downtown area while competing in a fun-filled adventure with your family. This event is part scavenger hunt, part historical sight-seeing tour and part race. Teams of 2-5 will compete to solve puzzles, arrive at locations before other teams and answer challenging questions. The information is kept secret until you register for the event on the website. Once you register, you’ll get the starting location and the destination schedule. This prevents anyone from cheating, so all is fair in the game. Questers will meet at one of five sponsored locations to begin their adventure. The participating sponsors are the Belle of Louisville, the Belvedere, the Frazier History Museum, the Galt House, Louisville Slugger Museum, the Kentucky Center for the Arts, 21C Hotel, Proof on Main, Caufields, the Convention Center, and many others. At the end of the event participants will meet at a specified restaurants or sponsored location to receive awards, tokens and words of praise for just experiencing the fun. So, instead of renting that medieval movie or playing a video game, grab your family and go on a modern-day quest in our fair city. Together your family can seek out some Louisville’s treasures, gain some knowledge and experience loads of fun as you compete. In the end, you and the kids might even take a little treasure home with you. It may not be golden doubloons or exotic gems, but the rewards you earn just might open the door to another interesting adventure. God’s speed merry questers, and may Lady Luck be on your side during the Louisville Quest. To discover more exciting things to do in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

Party for the Planet at the Louisville Zoo

2012-04-09T17:34:00-07:00

Everybody enjoys a good party, especially one that’s fun for all ages. Why not surprise the kids Saturday April 14th by taking them to the Party for the Planet at the Louisville Zoo? This is a month long event hosted by Louisville Gas and Electric, so the main tab is on them. Admission is a mere $2 each person during the festivities! The Zoo is hosting this festival of fun for the entire month of April in honor of Earth Day. The Party for the Planet decided that the celebration of our gracious home deserved more than one day. However, the holiday has been celebrated for over 40 years now all over the world. People everywhere utilize April 22nd to raise awareness about ecology and the preservation of the earth’s precious ecosystem. Since its sanction by the UN, Earth Day has been celebrated every year in more than 175 countries around the world and encouraged communities and individuals alike to create lasting policies that are protecting our planet's future. Your family can not only enjoy the normal sites of the zoo during April, but also learn about interesting ways you can easily aid in the environment. You will discover an entertaining array of display booths and presentations scattered though out the area. There will be composting classes, tree seedling giveaways and you can even learn the intricacies of orchid growing. This is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon both having fun and gaining a little knowledge about the world we call home. So plan on having a fun weekend with the kids, come on out to the Louisville Zoo and Party with the Planet. To learn more about fun things to do in and around the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Louisville Zombie Survival Fun Run

2012-04-08T09:01:00-07:00

This Saturday, April 7th will be the first annual Zombie Survival Fun Run at Rugby Field in Cherokee Park. If you and the family are looking for an interesting way to get a little exercise, this can definitely help provide a little motivation. Some of you may have participated in mini marathons in the past, but this is sure to be the most unusual marathon Louisville’s ever hosted. The annual zombie walks have become incredibly well known in cities across the United States, but Louisville is brandishing a brand new type of undead celebration. This event may not be for the faint of heart, but it is sure to get your blood pumping and provide lots of entertainment rather you participate, or simply watch from the sidelines. Just imagine, you are at the start, the whistle blows, and suddenly a crowd of zombies stagger out behind the participants… Though these creepy undead stalkers are just local zombie lovers in some very impressive make up and costumes, they look pretty convincing. A little imagination can most assuredly inspire the runners to take flight to avoid becoming a make believe snack. Have no fears, no bodies will be dismantled and no brains will be eaten during the running of this event. A few creative zombie actors might drop a false limb, but no participants will be harmed in reality. This is all about fun, imagination and… survival. Get the kids ready and give them your best ‘this is only making believe’ pep talk, then head on out to Cherokee Park. Your family might even enjoy dressing up and chasing the runners too. If you want to be a runner, you can always pretend it is a bit of survival training… in case of an actual zombie emergency. To learn more about fun and exciting events in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

The Frankfort Avenue Easter Parade

2012-04-02T21:04:00-07:00

For the most part, everyone loves a parade. This Saturday gather the family together and come out to the 20th Annual Frankfort Avenue Easter Parade hosted by the Frankfort Avenue Business Association (FABA). This historic parade always takes place the Saturday before Easter Sunday, so this year the festivities take place on April 7th starting at 11am. This year’s parade will have antique cars, marching bands, dance teams, horse drawn carriages, neighborhood groups, businesses, floats and Shriner cars. Hwang’s Martial artists will be present, along with plenty of people dressed up for the festivities. Even the some of the family dogs will be wearing bunny ears in honor of the Easter rabbit. Participants will be passing out goodies and candy to all the youngsters. The pets in attendance won’t be excluded as there will also be plenty of treats for them as well. This year the ‘Good Ears’ awards will be handed out by FABA. All the individual float makers strive to create the most unique floating/rolling works of art that show off their ingenuity in hopes of being recognized. There will also be rewards for the most outrageous Easter bonnets. The winner of that is sure to turn a few heads. The judging booths will be set up in front of the Irish Rover at 2319 Frankfort Avenue during the event, so if you want to check out the winners make sure and be in the area. So Hop on down to Frankfort Avenue and check out the parade, contests and creativity of all the local participants. Anyone is welcome to get involved as no registration fee is required. If you want to join in one of the contests, just register at St. Marks parking lot at 11am with your bonnet or your float. The parade will start at the St. Marks, and head west toward downtown Louisville ended at Haldeman Avenue. To learn more about fun activities in the area, please visit Louisville Homes.

Experience the Louisville Nature Center

2012-03-29T21:16:00-07:00

We’ve been blessed with an early spring in Louisville, so this weekend why not get out and enjoy it? Consider stepping into nature at the Louisville Nature Center. Rain or shine, the Nature Center offers a beautiful experience for you and the family with both indoor and outdoor activities. If you are on a budget, this is great way to get the family together for some quality time, because it is free to the public. Grab your picnic basket and enjoy lunch at one of the picnic tables shaded under a gazebo. Families can experience a breath of fresh air at the native wildflower garden and gaze at their reflections in the pond. You and the children can see over 30 varieties of butterflies at Louisville Nature Center’s Butterfly Garden. After lunch, the family can take a walk on one of the hiking trails and literally step into the heart of nature. The preserve has recorded over 180 species of trees, plants and wildflowers on their grounds. Louisville Nature Center also has a one of a kind Bird Blind and a wildlife exhibit for observation. If hiking doesn’t interest you, the Nature Center opens the doors to its library for those that enjoy some after-meal reading. The Louisville Nature Center is a 41 acre nature preserve right in the heart of an urban area. It is located at 3745 Illinois Ave. Their hours for the Education Center and Bird Blind are Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm. However, the forest and hiking trails are open from dawn to sunset seven days a week, so if your family wants to spend your quality time outdoors, the option is available. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Relive Your Childhood with Sesame Street Live

2012-03-26T15:27:00-07:00

Most parents grew up watching Sesame Street on the television. We learned to count with ‘The Count’, and enjoyed Big Bird's conversations and adventures with his imaginary friend, Mr. Snuffleupagus. This weekend you can share a part of your childhood with your own children at the Brown Theater, located at 315 W. Broadway, with Sesame Street Live! 1-2-3. The show starts on Friday March 30th and runs until Sunday April 1st. Sesame Street Live! 1-2-3 will showcase some of the characters that the older generation knew as children. Ernie will be a captain, sailing the imaginary seas and taking you and the children to faraway lands. Meanwhile, Bert will try to cheer up an octopus that is singing the blues. Big Bird will be in attendance with all his yellow-feathered pleasantries and Elmo will dance to the some cool rhythms in an African rainforest. Imagination is a powerful tool for children and Sesame Street Live! 1-2-3 reawakens that aspect of growing up. Adults sometimes get lost in the routine of everyday life and forget about how important it is to imagine and dream. Sesame Street reminds us all that dreams are possible. It stimulates the imagination with charismatic characters and colorful stage settings. It teaches us that with effort, anything is possible. Consider going to see Sesame Street Live! 1-2-3 and take a walk down memory lane this weekend with your children. You are sure to see the smiles become contagious as the kids experience the Muppet antics on stage. You might even be reminded of a dream you once had and realize it is within your grasp to achieve it. To learn more about the area, please visit Louisville Homes for Sale.

Hwangs 14th Annual Martial Arts Spring Charity Expo

2012-03-21T12:33:00-07:00

Do not ponder renting any of those martial arts movies this weekend. You and the family can get out of the house and watch the experts live, while donating to a worthy cause. This Saturday will be Hwang’s 14th Annual Martial Arts Spring Charity Expo at the Kentucky International Convention Center. The festivities start at 2pm and will continue until around 5 pm. Grandmaster Hwang will be donating the proceeds from this event to the Kosair Children’s Hospital. Tickets are an affordable $5 for adults and $3 for children. The more viewers the better, as Hwang and his students have set a donation goal of $50,000 for the hospital. Hwang’s Martial Arts Studio has over 800 active students, and they will all be providing crowd pleasing presentations for his annual charity event. The participants range from children around the age of 3 up to adults in their 60’s, with the eldest martial artist being 67 years old. Be assured that you will be entertained all afternoon during the Spring Martial Arts Charity Expo, and you and the family will get to enjoy live action stunts. Hwang’s students will be providing the viewers with entertaining high-flying techniques, board breaking, and other unique martial arts displays. Grandmaster Hwang himself will also be performing his own demonstration, which is always a crowd pleaser. If you have little ones, Grandmaster Hwang has provided a children’s center to give the kids with their own entertainment if the participants aren’t catching their eyes. So, come out, bring the family and watch Hwang’s students perform the martial arts skills they’ve been working to perfect! Learn more about current events in the area by visiting Homes for Sale in Louisville.

Masks of Michoacan Exhibit in the University of Louisville's Schneider Hall Galleries

2012-03-19T18:45:00-07:00

Most people relate masks to Halloween costumes, but the University of Louisville's Schneider Hall Galleries is giving people a glimpse into how other cultures make dressing up a part of tradition. If you and your family haven’t had the opportunity to check out the Masks of Michoacan in University of Louisville's Schneider Hall Galleries at the Hite Art Institute's Gallery X, this is your last weekend to see this historical exhibition. They will be on display until March 24th at 4 pm, and this is an exhibit that University of Louisville was very lucky to get its hands on for a brief time. The Masks of Michoacan exhibit has an amazing display of 40 wooden masks from the Mask Museum in the Centro Cultural Antiguo Colegion Jesuita in Patzcuaro, Michaocon. These masks have been used in Mexico for thousands of years in Ceremonial rites, plays and festivals. Originally these wood carved faces depicted animal spirits and gods of the indigenous people. When looking at the ritual masks, it is hard not to envision natives dancing around a bonfire in celebration. The mask has had many uses over the centuries. After the Spanish came to the lands of the natives, the priests tried to convey Roman Catholicism to the indigenous people, but due to communication issues, these would-be converters had to find alternative means. The priests decided to perform plays using the natives own traditional masks to get their message across, and would often use the devil mask to portray Judas. This exhibit is a great way to show your children masks are about more than getting candy on Halloween. The Masks of Michoacan gives us a look at the artistic creativity that indigenous people managed with simple tools and natural dyes. It might even encourage a night of family activity and inspire your kids to create their own Halloween costume. To learn more about the area, please visit Louisville Homes for Sale.

A Taste of France at the Speed Art Museum

2012-03-14T18:46:00-07:00

You and the family can experience a taste of France this weekend, without having to break into your savings or endure a lengthy plane ride. The Speed Art Museum can currently take you on a walk through Paris via the eyes of some of the most renowned artists in French history. The incredible exhibit, Paris and the Allure of Color, will be on display from now until May 6th thanks to the generosity of some private collectors, the Dixon Gallery and the Gardens of Memphis. Paris is known as the art capital of the Western world, and this exhibit gives some insight as to why. From Renoir to Chagall, they will take you on a stroll through the streets of France with paintings showing everyday life, café’s, boulevards, and other aspects of Parisian city life. You will experience a different view of the country side with amazing still life paintings, landscapes and even some artist renditions of the world of Ballet. The artists on display will be Renoir, Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, Paul Ce’zanne and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, just to name a few. The Speed Art Museum is also providing some interactive family and adult programs to help visitors better understand the art on display. Your family can participate in tours, films, and hands on workshops during your time at the gallery. To make things even more enticing for a family outing, children under the age of 18 get in free as long as a parent purchases admission. Renoir to Chagall offers a fantastic way to bypass language barriers while enjoying some highlights from another culture. To learn more information about current events in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

The Louisville Kid's Fair

2012-03-12T12:39:00-07:00

Instead of frowning at the thought of ending the weekend, Sunday will actually be fun day for you and the family. The Louisville Kid's Fair is taking place on Sunday March 18th, from 10am to 6pm, so get ready to take the kids out for an exciting time of games and activities. To make things even better, every ticket sold will benefit the WHAS Crusade for Children, so you’ll be supporting a child-oriented local charity. Parents that attend the Louisville Kids Fair will find several family-oriented local businesses participating in this charitable event. The Louisville entrepreneur’s in attendance will be providing information on the latest products and services available in the area. The businesses will also be giving your family some fantastic discounts that will be sure to add a few dollars to those college fund saving accounts. The Louisville Kids Fair is all about the children and will be filled with activities that are sure to put a twinkle in your little one’s eyes. Spongebob and Dora will be greeting the guests, and there will be inflatable interactive games. A petting zoo filled with friendly animals will be waiting happily to accept all the love and petting your children want to provide and there will even be pony rides. Gather the children and come out to the Kentucky International Convention Center at 221 Fourth Street on Sunday. You won’t be disappointed. You and your family will find skilled face painters, carnival games, tennis with the United States Tennis Association, a fire truck safety demonstration and tons of activities to start the week off with smiles and laughter. Learn more about current events in the area by visiting Homes for Sale in Louisville.

St. Patricks Day Parade in Louisville, Kentucky

2012-03-07T08:31:00-07:00

Most everyone loves a good parade, and this weekend you and your family have an opportunity to attend one. On Saturday March 10th, the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be taking place. The entertainment will be starting at 3 pm at the intersection of Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue. Get the family together, put on something green and head out to enjoy the festivities! There will be a variety of booths set up along Bardstown Road with food and games. A colorful array of floats will be presented this year, including a special float made by Metro Animal Services. The volunteers at MAS are promoting their services and hoping to encourage families to adopt a pet at one of their shelters by showcasing some of their very loving and cuddly dogs and cats. The Mid City Mall parking lot usually has food trailers ready to feed the hungry crowds with treats like cotton candy and gyros. If you and the kids are not in the mood for festival cuisine, then take a break in any of the local food establishments along Bardstown Rd. As the parents, you will be entitled to the traditional green beer at any of the area restaurants that serve alcohol. You children can indulge on a Shamrock shake, or any number of green treats. Now, if you are not fond of green, don’t let that damper the mood. Though the color itself will be plentiful, the festivities will be a lot of fun. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is about more than just the color of grass. It is about spending time together and celebrating another year with your family. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

The Kentucky Flea Market - A Lil Something for Everyone

2012-03-05T18:10:00-07:00

Some people hate shopping just because they have to drive from location to location. However, at the Kentucky Flea Market, it’s a one stop shopping extravaganza. If you’ve never been, now is the time to experience something new. The Kentucky Exposition Center is hosting the Flea market starting Friday March 9th till Sunday March 11th. The doors open at noon on Friday, 10 am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. To make it even better, this is a free event, minus your purchases. The Kentucky Flea Market is ranked in the top 10 national markets across the United States. Kentucky’s Exposition Center has been hosting this celebration of shopping for over 25 years now, so it has become somewhat of a tradition in Louisville. You can expect to find over 700 booths set up during the event. There is something for absolutely everyone. The Kentucky Flea Market has entertainment for the kids which usually includes a game room and some carnival style foods. There is such a variety of booths that no matter what you are looking for, you’re sure to find it. Your family will find clothing, electronics, home improvements, hot tubs, animal services, jewelry, art, and much, much more. You and the family can make a day out of the festivities. There are so many places to grab lunch or just get a snack that there is no need to leave and go elsewhere. It is like being at the fair without the rides when it comes to food. If you are not into the junk food, don’t worry, you’ll find some healthy cuisine at your disposal as well. So, grab the kids and take a trip out to the Kentucky Flea Market this weekend. Something is sure to catch your eye. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Louisville Homes for Sale.

Louisville Hosts the Home, Garden and Remodeling Show

2012-02-29T19:57:00-07:00

For over 60 years, the Home, Garden and Remodeling Show has been an annual event hosted in Louisville and other cities nationwide. This yearly production is the largest home show in the state, and one of the largest in the entire nation. Only high quality exhibitors and displays are allowed, so it definitely makes for some entertaining and thought provoking exhibitions. Your eyes will be amazed by the beauty of modern design concepts that will be found at the Home, Garden and Remodeling Show. Whatever innovative or creative ideas you might have for your home, with over 400 venders present, you’ll find your vision here. There will be cabinet, hot tub, lighting, window, and landscaping exhibits, just to name a few. All the products and displays present are the newest state of the art designs. The will be 13,000 square feet of gardening exhibits containing an amazing burst of color perfectly arranged to draw the visual senses. The incredible flower and plant displays can cause one to develop a case of early spring fever, as you might find yourself compelled to start readying your own flower garden. This event is not just for adults, as there are exhibits, food booths and shows to entertain your children while you look for inspirational ideas for your home. The Disc Connected K-9s is a nationally known dog show that is entertaining for your entire family. The Home, Garden & Remodeling Show will be going on from March 2nd to March 4th at the Kentucky Expo Center in South Wings B and C. You will find one free ticket in the Home and Garden section of the Courier Journal on February 29th, but only in the print version, not online. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

The Magic of Disney Comes to Louisville

2012-02-27T17:09:00-07:00

On Saturday March 3rd, Disney Live presents Three Classic Fairytales at Freedom Hall. The show starts at 12pm and ends at 3pm. Children age 1 and under get in for free. Tickets are available at Kentucky Exposition Center, Kentucky’s International Convention Center, Ticketmaster and the KFC Yum! Center Ticket offices. All tickets are reserved seating and pricing starts at $19. Why not enjoy the magic of Disney with your family this weekend? Growing up, most of us got to enjoy Walt Disney’s magical stories and characters in some form, via film, book, cartoon, theme park or live performance. Now we have an opportunity to share the magic with our own children this weekend. Fairy tales have always been a part of growing up. Many a young girl has dreamed of being a Cinderella, wearing a fabulous dress and finding her Prince Charming. Some young boys have dreamed of being a Prince Charming in the future. It is all part of the innocence of children playing make believe, only sometimes fairy tales do come true. This weekend you and your kids can visually share the original Disney classic tales of Cinderella, Snow White and Belle, as they take their adventures to the stage. Your children can be awed by the amazing costumes and stories that were written generations ago. Watch together as Cinderella goes from rags to riches, as Snow White dances with the dwarves and as Belle sees the beauty in the Beast. Each traditional story shows us that even when things are bleak, something wonderful can happen. Disney teaches us there can always be hope, and to try to look deeper than the surface. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop February 24th

2012-02-22T09:01:00-07:00

It is time for Louisville’s exciting Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop, and Friday, February 24th will be one you and your family will want to enjoy. This unique monthly event offers visitors free parking and transportation. Your family can take one of the Trolleys and visit many of the art galleries and shops in the area. You will be sure to find something to tickle your artistic fancy. Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center is offering the ‘Elements’ exhibit at the Pigments Gallery, which features a multitude of art mediums from quilting to classic oil on canvas. The Mellwood Art Center at 1860 Mellwood Ave courtyard #186 is celebrating Paula Coleman’s Elite Event Showroom grand opening with some of her incredible floral and decorator pieces on display. During Paula’s opening, entertainment will be provided by the one-man band, Joey Sandals, who will swoon the crowds with his soulful sounds on guitar and piano to add to the atmosphere. The Gallery Janjobe will be in the spirit of a belated Valentine’s Day with an exhibit called, ‘You Gotta Have Heart’. The art on display will offer hoppers a view of art in all mediums featuring hearts somewhere in the piece. Light refreshments will be available to art enthusiasts during their visit to this gallery. The Kavier Forge and Gallery located at 1718 Frankfort Avenue takes hoppers down a different type of artistic path. This unusual gallery pays homage to the Kentucky crafts heritage and showcases local artisans, displaying fine sculpture and ironwork produced at the forge. You will also find beautiful glass, wood, stone, ceramic and jewelry displays. To get information about free parking, along with the local entrepreneurs that participate in this monthly event, including the variety of specialty shops, café’s, restaurants, and galleries, you can check out this list of vendors. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

The Carl Casper Custom Auto Show

2012-02-20T17:12:00-07:00

The weekend is coming up and it is time to make some plans to take the family out for a fun filled adventure. Conveniently, Carl Casper’s Custom Auto and New Car Show is back for its annual appearance at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The show starts at 6pm Friday February 24th and continues till Sunday February 26th. For the car enthusiasts, this show offers everything you could ever want. The Street Machine, Low Rider National, and Mystic Cruiser exhibits will definitely appeal to anyone that has an interest in high-power engines, unique interiors and rockin' paint jobs. The Nostalgia’s Classic Race Car exhibit will bring back memories of the days of yester year, reminding us of stars like James Dean. These sleek machines have a look that never gets old, despite their age. If you aren’t really into the cars, the Center will be packed with stars this year. The Turtle Man, Ernie Lee Brown Jr from Animal Planet, A&E’s Billy Breathen, aka Billy the Exterminator, Michael Muhney from Young and the Restless, Galen Gering from Days of Our Lives, Ray Mysterio of WWE will all be available to sign autographs. The little ones won’t be disappointed either, as Captain America will be present. Yogi Bear will be giving out pictures instead of stealing picnic baskets and Fred Flinstone has taken a few days off from the quarry to meet your children. WAMZ will be hosting the Pinstripe Charity Auction this year and providing a little music when you and the family decide it is time to take a sit. This yearly event goes well beyond just cars and trucks, so consider stopping in and spending a few hours. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Guitar, the Instrument that Rocked the World

2012-02-15T14:13:00-07:00

When you are making plans to take the kids out this weekend, consider putting a little music in their ears that you can all enjoy, along with a little enlightenment. Music can calm the mind, sooth the savage beast and energize the body. Most everyone enjoys some type of melody and the guitar is a focal point of many musical pieces. The Louisville Science Center has an exhibition that started January 22nd and is ongoing until April 22nd, 2012 that will provide just that type of experience for your family. Guitar, the Instrument That Rocked the World, is an interactive exhibit that children and adults of all ages can enjoy. AT&T is sponsoring this festivity that focuses on the history and evolution of the guitar. The kids can learn about instruments they’ve possibly never seen, like lutes and lyres, along with modern high-tech instruments like the electric guitar. The family can see how the guitar became such a high profile cultural symbol as they examine the sound, science and history of one of the world’s most popular instruments. The Louisville Science Center combines learning and fun for the family. You and the children will experience entertaining displays including historical artifacts, models, posters, video screens, interactives and kiosks, all focused on the guitar. This exhibit is guaranteed to engage, enthrall and enlighten anyone with an interest in music. The educational displays will show how the strings vibrate to create sound, the electromagnetic properties of an electric guitar and even touch on the environmental issues regarding wood used to make guitars from rainforests that have since disappeared. Everyone needs a little music in their life, so why not make it something you can all enjoy, while gathering a little knowledge in the process. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Art After Dark in Louisville, With Laser Lights

2012-02-13T21:16:00-07:00

Are you tired of being cooped up in the house during these chilly days? If so, then it is time for you and the kids to hop in the car, and venture out for what is sure to be an evening of entertainment. The Speed Art Museum, located at 2035 S. Third St., has combined with Brown-Foreman to provide you with a unique experience you won’t soon forget. The Art After Dark, RedGreenBlue Festival of Color starts at 7pm on Friday, February 17th and is family friendly until 9pm. This exhibit will be a colorful experience that provides your family with a new perspective into the world of art via a live execution of 2nd Dimension visual displays. Jacob Heustis, Russel Hulsey, Manica Mahoney, Daniel Pfalzgrof and Letitia Quesenberry are all local artists who have dedicated their energies into providing families with this unusual evening showing art doesn’t just have to be about paint and canvas on a wall. Art After Dark is a multi-sensory experience somewhat like a 3D funhouse that utilizes light as a source for the 3rd dimension. Your family will experience lasers, black lights, make and take art projects, black light face painting and music with a DJ, along with the bands Sapat and Squeezebot. There will also be a live broadcast of the parody radio program, The Buddy Gilm Show from the Louisville Improvisers. The show continues from 9pm to 11 pm, however after 9pm, festivities get more adult oriented offering a cash bar with unique cocktails by Brown-Foreman. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

The Kosair Shrine Circus in Louisville

2012-02-10T22:33:00-07:00

Looking for something entertaining but different to do this weekend? The Kosair Shrine Circus is back in town starting on February 9th and ending on February 12th. Most adults had an opportunity to attend a circus once or twice as children, and now you can share that experience with your own kids. The children can watch as we did in our youth when Ms. Audrey Michelle, the Ringmaster, calls out events. Your family can laugh together at the antics of the clowns and gasp at the daring of The Flying Farfans trapeze artists, as they swing above the crowd. If that’s not enough to bring a smile to your child’s face, then the Circus Elephants and Bruno’s Tigers are sure to be a hit. The bright lights and intricate costumes that these entertainers wear are sure to capture the attentions of any and all who attend. The acrobats and actors always do their best to make the festivities uplifting and entertaining for the young children. This yearly event will be taking place at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds, Broadbent Arena. Tickets can be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster with pricing that ranges from $18 to $25 dollars per showing, but children age 2 and under get in at no cost if they sit on an adults lap. The show times on the 9th & 10th will be at 10:30 am and at 7pm. On Saturday and Sunday your family can attend shows at 10am, 2pm and 7pm. To learn more about current events and fun things to do in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

Dollhouses on Display at Locust Grove

2012-02-06T19:22:00-07:00

If you happen to have daughters, and are looking for something unique to do this weekend, Locust Grove, located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane may have just the thing to entertain your family. Starting on Monday February 6th and continuing till Tuesday February 21st, The Louisville Miniature Club will showcase Dollhouses on Display, displaying 25 of its beautiful dollhouses at the Locust Grove Visitor’s Center. The showing time starts at 10am, and will be available for public viewing until 4:30 pm. Often when growing up we might dream of having a home modeled after our favorite toy house with a white picket fence. It is not uncommon for little girls to love dollhouses; in fact, even some adults have a love for dolls and dollhouses of some type. Each of these miraculous creations has been hand-crafted with incredible attention paid to detail. These little homes are all unique and original with plenty of variety shown in their designs. The featured displays range from classic to more modern looks and all encourage the imagination to wander. Younger girls might envision their own dolls lounging in the miniature living room, while older girls might find inspiration for their future dream home. Even adults may be inspired by the displays and see some interesting aspect they’d like to add to their current home, be it a color scheme or that white picket fence. Exhibitions such as this can often take us on a walk down memory lane. Conversations of fond memories can take place with our own children if we are reminded of a dollhouse from our youth. Your family may even be inspired to create a dollhouse together and provide Barbie with a new home. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

The Louisville Festival of the Arts at the Summit

2012-01-30T17:51:00-07:00

Festivals are always a great way to get the family out for a day to experience something different. The Louisville Festival of the Arts at the Summit in Louisville, Kentucky allows for both entertainment and enlightenment for children and adults of all ages. The Summit is located at 9401 Brownsboro Rd. in Louisville. Early each summer as they have been for the last four years, the Summit's streets will be lined with art in a variety of mediums. Around 150 artisans and crafters will display their exhibits for your pleasure. You family can observe featured painting, photography, sculpture, hand-crafted jewelry and many more types of exhibits. The artists themselves are often available to discuss their crafts and usually don’t hold back if asked about the inspiration behind their works. Some booths are even set up to cater to your specific art wants and needs. You’ll more than likely find someone willing to do a custom piece made uniquely just for your children, your special someone or just something for you. Everyone deserves to splurge on themselves occasionally. The Louisville Festival of the Arts at the Summit has become an annual event hosted on Brownsboro Rd. If you don’t care for overly loud events, then this could be your ticket for an out of house adventure without the necessity of ear plugs. The exhibits are spread out, so the crowding is minimal and with such a variety, something is sure to catch your eye. Not to mention, the area is host to a variety of restaurants, boutiques, and cafés, so your family can make a day of it, including lunch. To learn more about current events in the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Douglass Community Center Introduces Pottery

2012-01-30T18:06:00-07:00

If you are looking for something entertaining and hands on for your kids to do on Saturday, February 4th, the Douglass Community Center could be exactly what you are looking for. This Community Center is located in the Highlands at 2305 Douglass Boulevard, conveniently close to a Heine Brothers Coffee House for parents that want a time out. This Saturday’s scheduled event is the Valentine’s Pottery Workshop for children 6 and up, and takes place from 1pm to 3pm. The fee is $10, and for that your child gets to create their own custom piece of pottery to give to you or their special friend. Your child will be aided in their creative adventure by an instructor who will walk them through the process. In the end, they get to bring home something they made, along with the knowledge of how to create pottery in the future. The Center has a unique atmosphere for both smaller children and teens. It is open Tuesday through Saturday with ongoing events and classes weekly. The facility has a gym, a game room, a teen room and a weight room that are open year round. This Community Center has targeted programs such as dance classes, volleyball, basketball, fitness classes and lots of other fun things for your kids to get involved in. It even hosts a wheelchair basketball program. No child is ever left out of the action at the Douglass Community Center in the Highlands, as there is something to cater to each individual’s needs or wants. To learn more about current events around town, please visit Highlands Real Estate.

Madcap Puppets or Monster Trucks this Jan 27th-29th

2012-01-29T19:11:00-07:00

Monster Truck Jam Takes Over Freedom Hall The annual Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam starts Friday January 27th and ends on Saturday January 28th. It will be hosted at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky and the show starts at 7:30pm. The Monster Jam will be featuring USHRA Monster trucks this year. Some of the vehicles shown will be Maximum Destruction, driven by Kreg Christensen, Full Boar, driven by Ed Eckert, Mechanical Mischief, driven by Jim Burns, Rammunition, driven by Mat Dishman, and Wolverine, driven by Alex Blackwell. This event is sure to be filled with excitement for those that enjoy seeing unique paintjobs and vehicles with tires that stand taller than most adults. Madcap Puppets are Fun for the Kids If you’re looking for something a bit calmer to enjoy an afternoon out with the little ones, then Madcap Puppets may be just what you are looking for. This entertaining puppet show will be hosted at the Speed Art Museum on January 28th from 11 am to 1pm. The story featured will be The Elves and the Shoemaker. This is the touching story of how the elves secretly helped a poor cobbler by making the shoes he couldn’t, while he slept peacefully each night. This life was not without danger for the elves, as they had to avoid the house cat that wanted to make them a snack. All in all, it’s an entertaining rendition of the fairy tale that is sure to make your children smile. This weekend is full of interesting events in Louisville KY with activities for the entire family. Learn more by visiting Homes for Sale in Louisville.

Louisville's 55th Annual Boat, RV, and Sport Show

2012-01-26T10:04:00-07:00

The Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky will be hosting the 55th Annual Boat, RV and Sport Show starting on Wednesday January 25th and ending on Sunday January 29th. This yearly show is not just about viewing the latest and greatest models offered by the most reputable dealers, but also has a host of fun events that the entire family can enjoy. Have you ever seen a squirrel water ski? Well you can if you attend this show. Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel has been featured on David Letterman and Good Morning America. She has her own custom life jacket and jets around a heated pool behind a remote-controlled boat entertaining people of all ages with her antics. If you’re a fan of Cornhole, there will be a tournament at the show. You can enter for a chance at winning cash and some other prizes. This tourney is sponsored by River's Edge Marina and features coed brackets. All the teams are guaranteed 2 games scoring up to 21. The winning purse is $500 guaranteed, with first place taking $300, 2nd place wins $125, and third place gets $75. Do your kids like to fish? If so, then their sure to enjoy the Kids Trout Pond, which is free for children ages 12 and younger. There is no time limit, so the kids can fish all day if they want. The only catch… is they can’t take the fish home to eat. This is a catch and release pond. There is plenty more to see and do at the 55th Annual Boat, RV, and Sport Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center, including laser shooting, boat simulators, aquarium exhibits featuring KY fish, and teaching seminars. To learn more about exciting and fun things to do around town, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

Winter at the Louisville Zoo

2012-01-17T16:55:00-07:00

If you are trying to make plans for the weekend with the family, don’t forget about the Louisville Zoo. The Zoo hours changed in September to reflect the change in season. That means that the doors open at 10 am and close at 4pm until February, but that still leaves plenty of time during the day to go and see the exhibits. The Louisville Zoo has a new edition that seems right at home during the winter months. Qannik the Polar Bear cub was born in January 2011 on Alaska’s North Slope. Researchers were tracking her mother’s movements when she disappeared from the radar. In April 2011, Qannik was found alone near the shoreline, and rescued after repeated aerial searches failed to find her mother. Qannik’s home is now Glacier Run, which is in Bear Ally at the Louisville Zoo. You and the family can visit and watch her antics as she plays with her toys. Qannik likes to swim in the big outdoor pool and bound up and down the conveyor belt leading to the indoor habitat. Being a cub, she is curious and might even engage visitors through the window of the classroom. The Louisville Zoo provides man-made habitat sanctuaries for orphaned animals that otherwise might not survive on their own. Qannik is just one of the many beautiful animals that now call Louisville their home. Visiting the Zoo allows your family access to animals like Polar Bears, without the inconvenience of traveling to the arctic. Learn more about local events and activities by visiting Homes for Sale in Louisville.

Family Fun at the Louisville Science Center

2012-01-16T19:58:00-07:00

There is always family fun available in Louisville, KY. This weekend is no exception, especially if you visit the Louisville Science Center located on Museum Row at 727 W. Main St. The doors open at 9:30am if you like to get an early start, and stay open till 9pm. There is an activity for any age at the Louisville Science Center, as a variety of family entertainment is waiting right inside the doors. You will find all of the major sciences brought to life right before your eyes with interactive exhibits designed to engage your hands, mind, and imagination. The Science Center in Louisville is also home to the IMAX Theater, with shows starting as early as 11am on the weekends. After you stimulate your children’s minds with science, you can take them to an incredible movie. This popular museum offers enough variety to keep your family entertained for an entire afternoon. On Saturdays from 12pm to 4 pm, the Science Center offers a special program for children age 7 and younger. This Messy Afternoons event offers some gooey, sticky activities to stimulate your child’s interest and curiosity in scientific concepts and tools. This program changes weekly so every Saturday the children can experience something new. To learn more about the Louisville Science Center and local events around town, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Have Fun at Louisville's Glassworks Studios

2012-01-14T16:19:00-07:00

If you are looking for something fun interesting to do over the weekend with your family in Louisville, consider the Glassworks Studios in Louisville. This popular gallery with a renowned reputation opened its doors in 2001, after the old Snead Manufacturing building received a great makeover thanks to Bill Weyland. The Glassworks Studios are Full of Family Fun! Glassworks is a multi-use facility located in the heart of Downtown Louisville’s Museum Row on Main Street. This gallery is dedicated to the art of glass featuring 3 working glass studios. Something is sure to catch your eye when you visit Hyland Glass Hot Shop, Payton Flameworks or the internationally-known Architectural Glass Art gallery. You and your family can not only view some incredible works of art, but also learn about the history of glass making. Glassworks is venue that encourages family fun with an artsy twist. Children ages 7 and up can create their own ornaments under the guidance and instruction of a professional glass blower on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm. The fee for this service is $35 and reservations are highly recommended as this is a popular attraction. This facility caters to not only artists, but also offers residential and commercial accommodations, if a studio environment appeals to you. To learn more about the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Best Highlands Restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky

2012-01-04T20:34:00-07:00

Naturally, the best neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky would have some of the best restaurants in town! The beloved Highlands Neighborhood is Louisville’s eclectic shopping and entertainment district. Bardstown Road, which runs through the heart of the Highlands, isn’t called “Restaurant Row” for just any reason – there are some amazing restaurants for every budget. Ramsi’s Café on the World is one of the most cherished of Highlands restaurants. With late hours, a full bar, and some of the best international and regional foods in town – it’s no wonder this restaurant is often a packed house. The beautiful, garden-like décor, especially the patio, has a New Orleans feel and the indoor pictures from around the world and large wall of books gives off a comfortable, home-like feeling – all the while eating some of the best dishes from around the world. Jack Fry’s restaurant is located right on Bardstown Road in the Highlands and is famous for the best steaks in town. They are consistently voted the “Best Fine Dining Restaurant” in Louisville and have won seventeen “Best of Louisville” awards. Jack Fry opened the restaurant in 1933 and because of his love for amateur boxing and racing, the eatery became known as a sportsman’s hangout. Today, Jack Fry’s features a romantic, intimate atmosphere with white tablecloths, old photographs, and dark woods. A trip to Jack Fry’s is a must. Lynn’s Paradise Café is as unique as it gets. Lynn Winter opened this Highlands' treasure more than a decade ago and it continues to be a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Consistently voted the best décor in town, Lynn’s is just as fun visually as it is delicious! Their wild and quirky gift shop will keep you plenty occupied while you wait for a table, as they can get very busy, especially for breakfast or brunch. They sponsor the Ugly Lamp Contest at the state fair every year, and also have an Ugly Mug Café, where your ugly coffee mug can be preserved for eternity. Lynn’s Paradise Café is a sight to see and should be on every Louisville To-Do list. Lilly’s is an upscale, fine dining restaurant located in the Highlands on Bardstown Road as well. The menu changes every week, but organic and locally grown food is always served. The owner and chef, Kathy Cary, mixes international influences with American Southern tradition. The atmosphere is charming and romantic, with local art lining the walls, which also changes as often as the cuisine. This is just a small list of the many restaurants in the Highlands. While taking a stroll down Bardstown Road, one could sample a taste of exotic international cuisine, a local favorite, or choose from the many chain restaurants that line the street. Louisville is a foodie’s paradise, with the Highlands being the flavorful center.

The Holiday Season in Louisville, Kentucky

2011-11-28T15:35:00-07:00

Friday marked the beginning of the holiday shopping season and Louisvillians are preparing themselves for an entertainment-filled December! Louisville, Kentucky is a city filled with activities and fun events, and the holiday season is one of the best times to be in the city. Light Up Louisville kicks off the season on Friday, November 25th when downtown will transform into a winter wonderland of lights, fireworks, and music. More than 75,000 people will visit downtown to witness this wonderful event. The Holiday Parade will bring nearly 100 floats and participants and the Holiday Market will be open for visitors to pick out a special gift for their loved ones. Santa will make the voyage to Louisville from New York City after his parade performance, and then he will present Mayor Greg Fischer with a “magic plug,’ which will be placed in the city’s largest electrical socket. This will light up the entire downtown area and set off some amazing fireworks! For a trip underground, Lights Under Louisville will take place November 18 – January 1st in the Louisville Mega Cavern. The public will be allowed to drive themselves through the 30-40 minute display, with over 500 characters and over a million points of light! Lights Under Louisville happens every night of the week and starts at $25 a car. Christmas tree lovers will not want to miss Holidays Around the World at the Frazier History Museum. The trees will display traditions found throughout Louisville’s diverse neighborhoods. There will be trees displaying traditional Christmas decorations, as well as cultural displays that showcase other holidays observed around the world. Over 30 trees will be on display for the public starting Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown will be happening at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory until January 2nd. This will be the third year the Peanuts gang has paid a visit to Louisville to share the true meaning of Christmas. There will be hands-on activities, comics, and videos included in admission. One of Louisville’s biggest Christmas exhibits is KaLightoscope at The Galt House Hotel. Opening on November 17th, this year’s event will be bigger than ever with a new Christmas Village featuring the Snow Fairy Castle. There will be over 11 themed areas where visitors can meander through huge light sculptures and surprises. Each sculpture has been painted by hand from artisans in Zigong, China. Tickets for this amazing event start at $15.99 for adults and $9.99 for children. The 9th Annual Nature of Christmas in Goshen will take place on December 3rd from Noon to 3:00 PM. Goshen is a quick 30 minute trip from Louisville over in Oldham County. This free community event will have hay rides, crafts, and free chili, hot dogs, and hot chocolate. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 1:30 and bring gifts to the first 250 children. The event takes place at the Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve in Goshen at 12501 Harmony Landing Road. The cooler weather is no excuse not to get out there an exercise and Oldham County has a great event to get you in the spirit! The Holiday People & Dog Walk is a 2 mile dog walk at 9:30 AM on December 4th at Wendell Moore Park. The cost will be $5 or a new unwrapped toy. This great event will benefit the Teddy Bear Tree Program, which provides toys and clothes to needy children in the community for the holidays. It is well known in the Louisville area that to see the city’s best holiday light displays, you must take a drive in Lake Forest. Nearly 1,200 homes will be decorated as residents take great pride in their holiday decorations in this fabulous Louisville community. The first week in December is the best time to go and the best part about Light Up Lake Forest is that it’s free! For those lucky enough to live in the community, the Lodge will have a holiday party and visit with Santa on December 11th. Louisville is a great place to get the whole family together and take a trip to some fantastic holiday activities. Why not start some new traditions with one of the many fun events? To learn more about events and activities in the area, please visit Homes for Sale in Louisville.

November Events in Louisville, Kentucky

2011-11-15T10:51:00-07:00

Don’t let the winter blues get you down Louisville! There are plenty of fantastic activities going on to get you out of the house for some holiday fun. November is sure to be an eventful month in The Derby City with holiday benefits, light shows, and neighborhood celebrations. Louisville’s biggest and most unique holiday attraction starts November 17 and ends January 2nd at The Galt House Hotel. KaLightoscope Attraction features 11 themed areas this year, including a brand new Christmas Village and Snow Fairy Castle. Visitors can marvel through a massive landscape of lighted sculptures and surprise, each hand painted by Chinese artists. Also at The Galt House this year is Santa’s Gingerbread Village, opening November 19th. The Gingerbread Village is one of the largest life sized villages in the world, and is completely edible! Visitors will be amazed at the 20 ft. Gingerbread Castle, the 10 ft. lollipop trees, and the delicious scent. One of the most fashionable holiday parties in Louisville takes place on November 19th at the Marriott Downtown. The Snow Ball is a black tie event featuring an evening of cocktails, gourmet meals, a silent auction, and dancing – all benefiting Kosair Children’s Hospital. Individual tickets cost $300 to attend the Snow Ball; the Snow Ball Afterparty costs $100 per person. The Afterparty includes cocktails, a fabulous dessert bar, and dancing the night away. Kosair Children’s Hospital also hosts the Festival of Trees & Lights, which has grown to be a major Louisville event that draws nearly 10,000 attendees to the Louisville Slugger Field. The event takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving and raises awareness and funds for the Hospital. Holiday celebrations from the Christian, Jewish, and Kwanza traditions will be recognized, along with shopping for decorated trees, wreaths, gifts, and candies. November also means the founding month of the Portland neighborhood! Portland will celebrate its 200th birthday on November 19th from noon to 3 PM with horse-drawn carriage tours, old fashioned games and prizes, tasty foods and beverages, and historic stories. Visitors can enjoy burgoo, cornbread, and hot apple cider. Rick Bell will discuss Portland history and traditional music will be played by Jack Ashworth and Harry Bickel. A great way to work off that Thanksgiving dinner is an eventful Trolley Hop! The F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop will take place on November 25th and have special holiday hours from 11 AM to 10:30 PM. Galleries will pull out all the stops and get visitors in the holiday spirit with special events and showcases. The Trolley Hop, as always has free parking and fabulous shopping and dining opportunities. Find the perfect gift at a local Frankfort Avenue shop! Light Up Okolona will take place on November 18th and kicks off the holiday season in the southern Jefferson County community. Light Up Lyndon happens on November 23rd at Lyndon City Hall. This family event will offer pictures with Santa, cookies and cider, carriage rides, and face painting. There are plenty of events to get you in the holiday spirit and truly something everyone will enjoy. So, come out and show your thanks for the wonderful city of Louisville! To learn more about current events and happenings around the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Louisville, Kentucky Weekend Events October 14-16

2011-10-13T07:54:00-07:00

Here is a list of fun things to do in and around Louisville, Kentucky this weekend, October 14-16. This Saturday October 15, the 5th Annual Germantown Shotgun Festival will be happening in the great Louisville neighborhood of Germantown-Schnitzelburg. Residents will celebrate their beloved shotgun homes that are so prevalent in the Germantown community. There will be plenty of food, drinks, and artists selling jewelry and artwork. A records swap will take place for those looking to swap their vinyl for something different. There will be plenty of kid’s activities, including face painting and hula-hooping. Live music will start around noon and feature Twisted Sister, Thomas A. Minor, Junk Yard Dogs, and the Friendly Neighborhood Big Band. Come to the St. Therese gym parking lot on the corner of Schiller and Kentucky to have some fun with the great folks in Germantown! To get you in the Halloween spirit, the annual Caulfields’ Halloween Parade will take place on Saturday at 7 PM sharp at the stretch between Mid City Mall and the Baxter Avenue Morgue. If you love Halloween, the parade is not to be missed. There will be tons of costumed ghosts, ghouls, and the generally creepy in full force parading down Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue. Spooky cars and decorated floats will also be featured in this great Louisville event. And finally for those looking to stop at bat country – the 2nd Annual Gonzo Fest will take place at The Monkey Wrench on Saturday starting at 3 PM. Hunter S. Thompson, the famous Gonzo journalist, who wrote The Rum Diary and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, was born in Louisville in 1937. The Thompson family settled in the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood in the Highlands until Hunter joined the air force and was sent to San Antonio in the 1950’s. Gonzo Fest will be a tribute to Hunter S. Thompson’s life and work and will feature some great local and national bands. The Whigs from Austin, Texas will headline the event, also playing will be The Broken Spurs, Fresh Millions (Austin, TX), Scott Carney from Wax Fang, Cougar Express, Nerves Junior, the David Wax Museum (Boston, MA), Tyrone Cotton, Ron Whitehead and the Underground Rats, and Lydia Burrell. Kyle Meredith from WFPK will emcee the event, and in attendance will be Kentucky’s Congressman, John Yarmuth. This event is 21 and up and general admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Ear X-tacy, The Monkey Wrench, and the Derby City Chop Shop. Have fun this weekend and be safe!! If you have any questions about happenings in and around town, visit Louisville Real Estate.

Things to Do Around Louisville, Kentucky

2011-10-10T11:41:00-07:00

It’s going to be a fun weekend in Louisville, Kentucky! The First Friday Trolley Hop, The Garvin Gate Blues Festival, Foxhollow Farm’s Fall Festival, and the Food Truckus Ruckus are all events going on this weekend in and around the city. The Trolley Hop is an art show and street party that happens every first Friday of the month from 5-11 PM in downtown Louisville. Trolleys will be free to the public and will drive patrons to several art galleries and shops along 4th Street, Main and Market Street. Free parking is available at Slugger Field, Main Street at Jackson, and on the street and 4th Street Garage after 6 PM. Some of the more popular Main Street Galleries include the Actors Theatre Gallery, the Pyro Gallery, and the 21c Museum Hotel. Market Street has several wonderful galleries including, Glassworks, The Green Building Gallery, and Zephyr Gallery. There are plenty of restaurants to stop at if visitors need a quick bite to eat and many of the galleries offer drinks and snacks for those just looking to nibble. The Garvin Gate Blues Festival takes place on Friday at 6:30 and lasts until late Sunday night at the Gate on Garvin Place and Oak Street in Old Louisville. There will be several acclaimed blues musicians playing at the festival including Karen Lovely, Grady Champion, and Lamont Gillespie & 100 Proof. This free festival is a celebration of the blues and attracts all kinds of folks who love good music and fun. The Food Truckus Ruckus will take place at the back lot of Baxter and E. Jefferson Streets and will feature local area food trucks for hungry visitors. The Lil’ Cheezers Gourmet Grilled Cheesemobile, Morels Vegan Cuisine, El Rumbon Cuban truck, Mozzapi, and San Diego Sandwich Works will be just some of the food trucks at the Ruckus. Additional vendors will include SoupByCycle, Please & Thank You, and Grasshoppers. Food trucks have exploded in the city lately and this is a great opportunity to try them all! The Foxhollow Farm’s 4th Annual Fall Festival is just a quick drive to Crestwood this Saturday. There will be plenty of fresh food, live music, hay and pony rides, and a pick your own pumpkin patch. This is a free event and is a great time for the whole family. Parking will cost $5 and all proceeds will benefit Maryhurst Inc., a non-profit organization that cares for children and families in need. Foxhollow is a 10 acre market garden in Crestwood that grows high quality produce and raises grass fed beef and chickens. Foxhollow Farm is a Biodynamic farming community that provides healthy food and a learning experience about earth friendly farms. Biodynamic farmer’s uses a special spray made from organic matter such as herbs and compost. This special spray brings nutrients to the soil and increases vitality and sustainability. Louisville is a vibrant and exciting city with lots of activities and events happening every day! Take some time to have some fun this weekend for one of these great events! For more information about events in and around the area, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Labor Day Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky

2011-09-04T16:12:00-07:00

Welcome to Labor Day Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky! There are some fantastic activities always happening in and around the city, and Labor Day weekend is no exception. The 6th annual Kentucky Bluegrass & Burgoo Festival is taking place at the Water Tower. This is a great festival to hear some Kentucky bluegrass music and eat burgoo and barbeque! Burgoo is a type of stew made from a mixture of ingredients. Kentuckians turn burgoo-making into a social event, where everyone brings one or more ingredients to add to the stew. Traditionally, burgoo was made using whatever meats and vegetables were available – typically venison, squirrel, opossum, or game birds, but today restaurants will serve it made with pork, chicken, or mutton. Owensboro, Kentucky claims to be the burgoo capital of the world and still widely serves the dish! Don’t worry – the burgoo at the festival will not be a collaboration made from all attendees! Local barbeque restaurants will be supplying the food. Patrons of the Kentucky Music & Burgoo Festival can hear bluegrass music for three days, Saturday through Monday. Local acts such as Hog Operation, Relic, and the very popular 23 String Band will all be playing, including many other acts. Arts & craft vendors will also be around selling goods. The festival starts at 5 PM on Saturday and costs $7 before 6 PM, and $10 afterward. Parking is free at the Water Tower. Another event going on in Louisville on Labor Day weekend is WorldFest, the City’s International Festival. This event will take place on the Belvedere and hosts the largest gathering of local ethnic vendors, exhibitors and restaurants at any one event in the state. Bring your appetite when you come to WorldFest! Guests can enjoy food from all over the world – from Germany, Ethiopia, Thailand, Jamaica, and many more. International and local music can be heard all weekend. There will be tons of choices from Caribbean, African Drum & Dance, Chinese Dance, Latin, Irish, German, and plenty more.WorldFest also holds a naturalization ceremony, where hundreds of people will take their U.S. oath of citizenship. A parade will take place the second day of the festival and will feature almost every culture in the world in their native dress. There is always plenty to do in Louisville, so come out for some fun on this Labor Day weekend! To learn more about local events, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Louisville Slugger Field - Fulfilling Dreams through the Eyes of a Child

2011-07-14T08:18:00-07:00

There’s nothing like walking into a stadium for the first time and the Louisville Slugger Field is no exception. The sight of the neatly manicured grass, players on the field and crowd excited to watch the game is quite a sight - I still remember seeing my first game with my dad at Yankee Stadium, and imagine many of you remember your first game as well. Thing is, you don’t need to go to Yankee Stadium or any other major league stadium to have a good time in Louisville, Kentucky. I’ve been to a number of minor league games as a child and now as an adult with my own children, and they are just as fun. Minor leagues have really stepped up their game in stadium design in recent years, and the Louisville Slugger Field is no exception. In today’s economy it’s a great deal as well – basically the equivalent of seeing a movie. And who needs another movie? You can do that from the comfort of your own home thanks to Netflix. If you haven’t been there before and love baseball, you’ve got to see it. One of my favorite aspects of the stadium is that you can see the field from nearly every vantage point. The Bats, aptly named for the city that produces the classic Louisville Slugger, is the AAA affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds. Being a transplant from New York, being able to drive 10 minutes each way to see a baseball game is almost as much of a delight as watching the game itself! The Bats are also intriguing as you’ll often get a glimpse of rookie talent before they are called up to the big leagues. Slugger Field is really an enjoyable family setting – it’s so cool for kids to be able to actually take the field and run the bases! The more I write this, the more I’m reminded that I haven’t had a chance to see the Bats play yet this season. Hope to see you there! To learn more about events in Louisville, Kentucky, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Waterfront Wednesdays in Louisville, Kentucky

2011-07-10T09:27:00-07:00

The City of Louisville, Kentucky is great for many reasons, but one that sticks out to many people is the abundance of free concert series. Waterfront Wednesday is presented by 91.9 WFPK and Waterfront Development Corporation with support from Friends of the Waterfront and sponsors. On several Wednesday evenings in the summer, these organizations work together to present free concerts on the Harbor Lawn at Waterfront Park. The concert series, which is currently in its tenth year, features both national and local artists. The show begins at 5pm on Wednesdays and is free to the public. Also available during the concert is a cash bar and great upscale festival food. Concertgoers are not allowed to bring their own food, alcohol, pets, or coolers inside the event area, but lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. For kids, there’s a children’s play area adjacent to the Harbor Lawn. Visitors can also travel to the concert by boat, though the docks are on a first come, first served basis.The most recent Waterfront Wednesday featured Nicole Atkins, Abigail Washburn, and Scars On 45. Nicole Atkins was recently featured by Time Magazine and named one of the “Ten Acts That Rocked South by Southwest.” Abigail Washburn is a singing, songwriting, banjo-playing artist who pairs folk music with far-flung sounds to create music unlike anything anybody’s heard before. Last but not least, Scars On 45 got its start when a co-founder broke his foot and picked up a guitar during his recovery. The band is now known to make music that combines gentle melodic intensity with co-ed vocals. Everyone has a great time going to Waterfront Wednesdays. Whether you’ve heard of the bands or its new music to your ears, there’s nothing like going from a hard day’s work to relaxing with friends in a beautiful park. Add food, beverages, and music and you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic night of excitement and fun. For more information about local festivals and events, please visit Louisville Real Estate.

Experience the Kentucky Derby

2011-04-27T19:34:00-07:00

Ah, the Kentucky Derby! Although history suggests the weather can be anything from icy cold and rainy to stunningly hot, Derby traditions remain the same. If you are going to the Track (i.e. Churchill Downs) for the Kentucky Derby proper attire depends on your location there. If your tickets admit you to anywhere near the stands, boxes or, of course, Millionaires Row, you should be dressed to the nines. For women, that is a spring dress, high heels, and a fanciful hat. For men, it is a dressy suit, bright spring tie, and possibly a pocket square and/or cufflinks. For the Infield crowd at the Kentucky Derby, comfort rules – jeans, shorts, t-shirts, halter tops. Sometimes it’s also swimsuits and no shirt – and not just among the young men beer-diving on the grass. Those on the Grandstand side of the track focus intently on their Daily Racing Forms, the Mint Julep vendors and their stack of wagers. Those in the infield focus on people watching, with a rare glimpse of a horse. People-watching is in fact, the second sport of the day at the track. One usually can find a bride and groom wandering about the paddock area, as well as a few people who wear variations of Churchill Downs’ iconic Twin Spires on their heads. Then there are the fashions in dresses, shoes and hats. On a sunny Derby Day, Churchill Downs is awash with the bright colors of spring that energize everyone and fuel optimism at the betting windows. On a rainy Derby Day, the track can be a sea garbage bags worn by those trying to protect that colorful finery. Every Derby Day ultimately boils down to a giddiness that surrounds the Race itself – from the throngs eagerly eyeing the horses in the paddocks to the teary-eyed singing of My Old Kentucky Home. Then, as soon as the last horse is loaded in the gate – They’re Off! And in two minutes, months of anticipation, festivities and fashion resolve into a specific Derby winning horse – and hopes that this horse will, finally, be a Triple Crown winner. To learn more about seeing the Kentucky Derby in person, visit Louisville Real Estate.

The Kentucky Oaks Caps Off Oaks Day

2011-04-25T19:40:00-07:00

Many in Louisville view the Kentucky Oaks as “their” day at the track. The big race Friday before the Kentucky Derby is usually not as laden with celebrities and out-of-towners as the Derby itself is. Still, one gets dressed up as much for Oaks as Derby. While Derby Day bursts with spring colors, Oaks Day brings out a lot of pink. The Kentucky Oaks is a fillies’ race, and so the event has come to promote breast cancer awareness as well. So, what is Derby weekend like in Louisville? Well, think about a 48-hour period that combines Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. During the day, many people are either “at the track” or at a Derby party. (In Louisville, no one says, “I’m going to Churchill Downs.” They say “I’m going to the Track.”) Then in the event, the whole town lights up with parties, dinners, galas, cruising…and just general good times. A particular thrill is driving past Louisville’s airport and seeing a sea of private jets of all sizes parked there while their owners watch the Derby. The airport reflects the concentration of wealth that descends on Louisville for the weekend from all over the world. It’s really hard to concentrate on anything but Oaks and Derby on during this particular weekend. All the media outlets are full of news about contenders, stables, trainers, jockeys – as well as loads of advice on what to wear, which celebrity has shown up at the track, and how the various hats are coordinating with the ladies’ ensembles. On Derby Day, the day’s races are broadcast by the local television stations until Derby time, when coverage switches to a national network. Those who spend the day on unrelated pursuits often find Louisville to be a ghost town, with many businesses closed for the day (the malls are an exception.) And if you didn’t make reservations a long time ago – expect trouble getting into any high-end restaurant on either Oaks or Derby night. So you might as well join in the fun and make plans to be a part of Oaks and Derby! To learn more about Louisville, Kentucky, visit Louisville Real Estate.

It's Derby Festival Time!

2011-04-17T20:59:00-07:00

Louisville’s Derby Festival is a two-week celebration of a two-minute horse race. It’s a time of fundraising galas, luncheons and dinners, fashion shows, road races, performances, golf tournaments, hot air balloons, an air show and fireworks, a steamboat race, a parade, princesses, celebrities … and really loud jackets. More than 70 events fill Louisville’s calendar in the two weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, with additional “prep” events held even before that. People purchase and wear “Pegasus Pins” to gain admission to events and support the festival. They may buy Festival posters and carry Festival cups. Additionally, the executives with the Derby Festival itself are omnipresent in their brightly colored sport coats adorned with the festival’s Pegasus logo. Companies participate in the annual Bed Races, in which teams of four race their bed on wheels around an indoor course. Restaurants supply wait staff bearing trays with filled wineglasses to navigate a challenge course in the Run for the Rosé. Golfers gather their foursomes and play in several scrambles and compete in a million-dollar hole in one competition. And executives gather at the annual “They’re Off” luncheon to hear a keynote speaker in support of the festival. There are Derby Princesses, selected by a fundraising group known as the Fillies. There are concerts by professional artists, local artists, and local student groups. There’s a basketball competition and the Derby Marathon and miniMarathon road races. There are healthy lifestyle events. And then there are the signature events in the week leading up to the Derby. They include the Great Balloon Race, the Great Steamboat race (featuring the Belle of Louisville,) and the Pegasus Parade, which is Louisville’s version of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Although work productivity flags, community spirit, teamwork and hospitality soar. And then, it’s off to the Races until next year. For more information about the areas around Louisville that you can visit during your stay for the Derby Festivsal, please visit Louisville Subdivisions.

Thunder Over Louisville Feeds Spring Fever

2011-04-14T21:21:00-07:00

Sure the daffodils and forsythia are out, the trees are budding and the redbuds starting to bloom. But it’s not really spring in Louisville until Thunder arrives. Thunder Over Louisville – just plain “Thunder” to the locals – is a major air show and fireworks display designed to kick off the annual Kentucky Derby Festival. Centered at Waterfront Park, it marks the first time in the year that you and 500,000 of your friends can break out the lawn chairs, blankets and sunscreen and spend the day soaking in the sights and sounds. Thunder is basically an over-the-top Fourth of July celebration held in April. That means some years it’s awesome in the sunshine and other years … Well the crowds come, rain or shine, because both the Air Show and the Fireworks are one of the top shows in the nation. The huge crowd streams downtown during the morning to secure their Thunder spots and get set up for an afternoon and evening celebrated outside. TV stations do day-long live coverage. Louisville’s waterfront swarms with thousands of spectators and vendors. Additional crowds line the riverbanks in Southern Indiana, mill about in all the riverfront high rises and restaurants, and float in hundreds of boats just upstream on the Ohio River. The air show now features more than 100 planes, aerobatics teams, daring sky diving groups and breathtaking stunts. Two huge flags unfurl before the crowd as the Star-Spangler Banner plays on sound systems. Patriotism runs high as the crowd watches the latest in military air strength streak overhead. Then the fireworks begin. The Second Street Bridge explodes in fireworks. Barges anchored downstream in the middle of the river fire off hundreds of rockets. A Discovery Channel documentary once called Thunder “the best (fireworks) Grand-daddy of them all!” And then it all goes dark – and spring has officially arrived in Louisville. You can learn more about the events in the area by visiting Louisville Real Estate.

Louisville Shines as a Festival City

2011-03-29T05:32:00-07:00

Seven Louisville-based festivals recently won kudos as top festivals based on their success and growth. Louisville, which recently was named one of the best places to host an event by the International Festivals and Events Association, as one of the best places to host an event in North America, also had seven events recognized by two US tourism groups. The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) has named the Abbey Road on the River, Kentucky Derby Festival, Forecastle Festival, Street Rod Nationals Plus® and WorldFest as Top 20 Spring/Summer Events for 2011. The Kentucky Travel Industry Association (KTIA), formerly the Kentucky Tourism Council, also recognized Abbey Road on the River, and added the Senior PGA Championship. We have written previously about the Forecastle Festival, the Street Rod Nationals, and WorldFest. Forecastle Festival will be in different form this year, operating as performances in a series of bars and clubs July 8 & 9 as “Halfway to Forecastle.” The full Forecastle is to return in 2012. The change is a result of Forecastle founder JK McKnight joining the producer of the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee, AC Entertainment, to be its National Sponsorship Director. The 72nd Senior PGA Championship will return to Louisville’s Valhalla Golf Club May 24-29; and two days after the PGA starts, Louisville also will host Abbey Road on the River. More information about the PGA event and Abbey Road on the River will be posted here in coming weeks. Through a nomination process, Southeast Tourism Society chooses the Top 20 events for each month of the year from unique events across the Southeast. For the KTIA Top 10 list, judges decide the seasonal list based on nominations place by KTIA members across the state. Criteria for judging included popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy as well as cultural and historical significance. To learn more about the area and discover how fun Louisville truly is, please visit Louisville, Kentucky MLS Listings.

March Madness Comes to Louisville

2011-03-21T22:09:00-07:00

In March, in Louisville, you’d better be prepared to talk brackets wherever you go because March Madness has come to town. NCAA tournament brackets, that is. College basketball is King in Kentucky, dominating most Kentuckians’ thoughts in ways well beyond their attention to college football, soccer, baseball and other sports. This obsession is fueled by a ferocious in-state rivalry between the University of Louisville Cardinals and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. It’s not that Louisville fans don’t value pro ball. Louisville was home to a successful American Basketball Association franchise, the Colonels, back in the 1960s and 70s. More recently, efforts have waxed and waned around bringing an NBA franchise to Louisville. No one, on the other hand, has worked to bring an NFL team here. This time of year, business meetings will include jokes related to the Cards and the Cats. Introductions will often finish with a blurted “Go Cards!” or “Go Cats!” Business casual events can sometimes be a sea of Cardinal red or Wildcat blue. Social standing can be determined by whether one is a regular at the new YUM! Center or Rupp Arena – and where they sit. Social points accrue too if one takes the chartered trips to tournament play. While the teams dominate sports talk radio throughout the year, they certainly crowd out news from other sports as the college season progresses into March Madness. When the Cards or Cats are playing, any bar with any sense has the game on – unless the power is out. Many former players command respect and trust throughout their lives – providing later careers in hosting shows, selling cars, running franchises and promoting other products. And certainly Hall of Fame Cards Coach Denny Crum continues in the public arena, serving as special assistant to U of L President James Ramsey, and hosting a popular radio show with retired UK coach Joe B. Hall. To learn more about living in the Louisville, KY area, search Louisville MLS Listings for area information.

Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft Still Going Strong

2011-03-15T02:35:00-07:00

The Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft, located on West Main Street in downtown Louisville, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with healthy operations that support and promote more than 600 Kentucky and regional craft artists. In early March, the museum held a panel discussion moderated by Arturo Alonzo Sandoval about the 1981 founding of the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation by former Kentucky First Lady Phyllis George Brown, who is also a former Miss America. Brown fell in love with Kentucky crafts while on the gubernatorial campaign trail with her husband, John Y. Brown Jr., in 1980. Once Brown Sr. entered office, his wife joined with Mary Shands in 1981 to begin promoting Kentucky crafts, giving them as gifts of state and also pitching retail giants around the world about the benefits of offering Kentucky crafts for sale. Brown and Shands’ efforts were so successful that the foundation the two established developed the Museum, which opened in 1984 in Louisville. Today the Museum offers nine large-scale exhibitions in its gallery spaces; offers educational programs to more than 25,000 children from Kentucky and Southern Indiana; provided art education programming to more than 78 schools, libraries and community centers; and, of course, showcases works for sale by Kentucky and regional artists. The Museum also connects artists to businesses needing artwork for display. For example, the Museum recently partnered with Norton Brownsboro Hospital, Kosair Children’s Medical Center- Brownsboro and the University of Louisville Health Care Outpatient Center to provide and install works by Kentucky artists throughout those new buildings. The Museum was also one of the first museums to locate to what is now Louisville’s Museum Row, in the redeveloped historic portion of West Main Street. Research more about Louisville, KY and search all Louisville MLS Listings.

Muhammad Ali Center Celebrates Five Years

2010-12-13T13:01:00-07:00

The Muhammad Ali Center, located in Louisville, KY, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with free showings of a video of its grand opening gala – a gala with a star-studded guest list. Although Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, former President Bill Clinton, Lennox Lewis, Blair Underwood, and other celebrities didn’t return to Louisville, the ordinary folks who did attend this year’s event got to watch a video of the private, invitation-only concert. It celebrated Ali’s life – and the opening of the center which focuses on his life and philosophies. The Muhammad Ali Center is a cultural attraction and international education center inspired by the ideals of Muhammad Ali. It offers 2 ½ levels of exhibits, educational programming, community outreach and global initiatives. The Center’s mission is use the life of “The Greatest” to inspire others to achieve their own “personal greatness.” That inspiration flows in part from the center’s exhibits, which are devoted to Ali’s boxing career, the history of his era, and personal development. The boxing exhibits include a boxing ring where photos of Ali’ matches are projected onto the canvas; speed and heavy bags for wannabes to try; video stations showing 15 of Ali’s most famous fights; and a boxing experience called “Train with Ali” (featuring his daughter Laila Ali.) The personal development exhibits focus on what the center calls “Ali’s six prevailing core values: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality.” An exhibit called “Walk with Ali” encourages visitors to identify their own character strengths. There is also a film, “Lighting the Way,” inspired by Ali’s lighting the Olympic Torch at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Ga., and art galleries. And the “Hope and Dream” wall features a global selection of children’s artwork. The iconic building, on Louisville’s downtown waterfront, is open every day but Monday. If you have any questions about the local area when visiting the Muhammad Ali Center, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate.

Louisville's Brown Hotel is Always Elegant

2011-02-21T19:13:00-07:00

Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst have filmed scenes there. Queen Elizabeth has stayed there, as have Harry Truman, Elizabeth Taylor, and Muhammad Ali. And, of course, any Louisvillian worth his or her drawl has enjoyed its famous sandwich, The Hot Brown. The Brown Hotel, which anchors one end of downtown Fourth Street, is an elegant treat for visitors. Its beautiful ornate lobby, often filled with piano music (albeit an electronic player) can instantly decompress even the most stressed traveler. The Brown’s grand dame décor hails from the 1920s, and at Derby, women wearing large hats seem appropriate to the surroundings. Yet the flapper-era furnishings co-exist well with the hotel’s WiFi, flat-screen televisions and 300-count Egyptian cotton sheets. The hotel’s main restaurant, The English Grille, is a mecca for special occasions. It has hosted many a romantic dinner as well as important business connections. The restaurant also offers two kinds of chef’s tables in the kitchen – a traditional visit to a working kitchen, complete with commentary from Chef Laurent Geroli, and a more celebratory (and less commentary) table for larger groups. While the English Grille hosts anniversaries, the hotel’s Crystal Ballroom hosts the weddings that lead to those anniversaries. The hotel has its own wedding coordinator, and the focus is on high-end elegant weddings -- often start to finish – in the large mirrored ballroom. While the cuisine at such events is decidedly high end, one can still eat the hotel’s signature dish, the Hot Brown, at its other restaurant, J. Graham Brown’s. Named for the hotel’s founder, this restaurant hosts its share of working lunches. After consuming a Hot Brown, many office workers in the nearby towers find it useful to walk off some of the tasty –but filling dish. To learn more about the area, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate.

Speed Museum Opens Exhibit of Impressionist Landscapes

2011-02-15T22:07:00-07:00

Are you battling a dreary winter’s day? Then a visit to the Speed Museum may be what the doctor ordered. From Feb. 4 through May 22, the Speed is hosting an exhibition of Impressionist landscape paintings. Work by the famous French and American Impressionists Monet, Seurat, Pissarro, Courbet, Singer Sargent and Childe Hassam will be on display, along with a photographic exhibit of Monet’s famous Gardens at Giverny. While a number of the pieces are from a collection on tour from the Brooklyn Museum of Art, paintings from the Speed’s own collection as well as loaned pieces from public and private collections are also on exhibit. That includes two paintings from Kentucky’s own Impressionist painter, the late Paul Sawyier of Frankfort. Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet sought to capture the play of light on their subjects. Monet’s garden at Giverny in France inspired some of his famous paintings in which one glimpses the garden’s beauty at a particular moment in time. In 1974, photographer Stephen Shore sought to capture on film the garden locations that inspired Monet. These photographs are included in the exhibit, and displayed after one peruses the paintings. But not all of the works feature landscapes. The American pieces depict beaches, factories, tenements and recognizable landmarks such as Central Park with “lively broken brushwork” and brilliant colors, according to a museum news release. Although admission to the Speed is free, admission to the Impressionist exhibit is $10, or $5 for Museum members. Learn more about the local area by visiting Real Estate Louisville, KY.

Glassworks Always Offers a Warm Welcome in Louisville, KY

2011-02-03T21:29:00-07:00

Feeling chilly this winter? How about hanging out at a place where furnaces are set to 2200 degrees F? Louisville’s Glassworks is a unique former manufacturing building on West Market Street that features glass-blowing studios along with a mix of commercial office, residential and event space. A jazz club offers an urban nightclub feel on the lower level, while a roof terrace offers a popular downtown wedding site. During the day you can watch glass-blowing and -shaping artists at work. On certain days you can even create your own glass art gifts. You can browse a gallery with glass art objects ranging from sculptures to marbles and jewelry. You can also visit an art glass firm that installs architectural glass art around the world. There are also “walk-in” workshops and daily tours. At other times you may be at Glassworks for a special event – or to go home to one of the 33 condos in the building. Louisville commercial developer Bill Weyland, in partnership with renowned glass artist Kenneth von Roenn, of Architectural Art Glass Inc., created an unusual vision for a building built for purposes of another era. At Glassworks, one can “live, work and play” in one location. The former Snead Manufacturing building, built in 1910, has an exterior that fairly shouts “old-fashioned factory.” Its façade is devoid of ornamentation, save for its Art Deco-style “Snead Manufacturing Building” entrance sign, and a cluster of cell tower antennas atop the roof. Yet the unusually large windows that give Glassworks the look of an overgrown early 20th century elementary school building, also make it distinctive for downtown Louisville. If you are still confused as to which building on West Market Street is Glassworks, go and look for its most unusual architectural feature - the glass tongues of flame roaring out of the studio walls. For more information about the Louisville, KY area, please visit Louisville, KY MLS Listings.

Old Louisville now has an iPhone App

2011-01-20T12:32:00-07:00

The nation’s largest collection of Victorian homes in a single neighborhood now has its own iPhone app. “Historic Old Louisville Kentucky” version 1.0 has 340 entries, with tags to aid sorting by homes, walking tours, restaurants, businesses, inns and events. Users can also browse the neighborhood, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, by street names, or address. Click on an entry and you’ll see an original photograph, a Google map, and a description that includes a property’s original owner, its architectural style, the year it was built (if available) and a description of the property’s architectural details. The $1.99 app, available from the iTunes store, also offers: Four walking/driving tours, complete with descriptions, directions and maps More than 500 original photos of the neighborhood’s architectural beauty which can be played as a slideshow Information on annual Old Louisville events Discussions of more than 30 Victorian architectural styles The app was created by John Paul, a passionate supporter of Old Louisville since 1992. He shot most of the photos used in the app. He also helped create a very informative website on Old Louisville . There you will probably find an answer to almost any question about the historic neighborhood, from available bed and breakfasts in the neighborhood to links for the St. James Court Art Show. From the 1800s to the 21st century, Old Louisville continues to be one of Louisville’s more vibrant preservation efforts. Learn more about the homes in Old Louisville by visiting Real Estate Louisville, KY.

Runners Thrive in Louisville, KY

2011-01-17T14:14:00-07:00

Thanks to the 38th annual Kentucky Derby Festival min-Marathon and its younger cousin, the Derby Festival Marathon, running has always been in high profile in Louisville. The “Mini,” as it’s called locally, is a 13.1-mile race, while the marathon is the standard 26.2-mile race. In preparation for the late-April Derby Festival races, running stores, local hospitals and volunteers work together to provide information on races, running groups and proper training. Training for the 2011 Mini starts in early January with a new cycle of training and scheduled running groups organized by local sponsors. Runners also tune up for the Derby Festival races by running in the Louisville Triple Crown of Running races – the Anthem 5K Fitness Classic, the Rodes City Run 10K, and the Papa John’s 10-Miler – in February and March. Lots of smaller fundraising 5- and 10K races pepper runners’ calendars through the spring, summer and fall. The Ford Ironman series also comes to Louisville at the end of August for a qualifying competition for its Ironman Championship in Hawaii. Another big race is in October, when the Louisville Marathon winds along the Ohio River. This event, which serves as a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, is flat, fast, and scenic. Runners seeking training help for the latter events (including the Ironman and other endurance events) can participate in the Kentucky & Southern Indiana chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Team in Training” program. For additional information about the area, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate.

Historic Locust Grove offers Year-round Events

2011-01-03T12:33:00-07:00

You can explore your inner Jane Austen; buy books, antiques and plants; and have a cream tea at Historic Locust Grove – but not all at the same time. The restored circa 1790 Georgian mansion offers a year-round calendar of events, including Holiday Candlelight tours, a Jane Austen festival in June, biannual Antiques Fairs, and a fall Market Fair focused on early furniture and decorative arts. Occasionally a few battles are re-enacted on the grounds as well. Locust Grove was the home of William and Lucy Clark Croghan, the brother-in-law and sister of famous frontiersman George Rogers Clark and explorer William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame. Both Clark brothers stayed at Locust Grove, with George Rogers Clark making it his home during the last years of his life. Locust Grove also hosted such famous guests as President James Monroe, General (and later President) Andrew Jackson, Aaron Burr, and John James Audubon. The Croghans sold the estate in 1878. It remained in private hands until 1961, when the state and Jefferson County purchased it and launched three years of renovations to return it to the Croghan/Clark era. Today the historic estate is an early 19th century island tucked away in northeastern Louisville off Blankenbaker Lane not far from Interstate 71. It is furnished with Kentucky-crafted furniture, portraits, prints textiles, and select artifacts once owned by the Clark and Croghan families. It also includes 55 acres with eight outbuildings, formal gardens, and herb and perennial beds. Locust Grove is open year-round with the exception of major holidays. For more information about the greater Louisville area, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate.

Festival of Trees and Lights Gets Louisville, KY into the Holiday Spirit

2010-12-01T09:05:00-07:00

As the holiday season approaches, an annual fundraiser helps get Louisville in the mood for Christmas. At the Festival of Trees and Lights, more than 10,000 people enjoy walking past themed Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths and light displays that celebrate Christian, Jewish and Kwanzaa traditions at Louisville Slugger Field. The items are then sold at the end of the Festival to benefit the neonatal intensive care unit at Kosair Children’s Hospital. The exhibit also offers displays of miniature trains, a Sweet Shop and a Gift Shop. The event, scheduled this year for Nov. 12-14, also includes Dickens Night and The Snow Ball. Dickens Night, to be held this year on Nov. 12, features Dickens-era characters and carolers, the arrival of Santa Claus, fireworks, and English-style food such as fish and chips and bangers and mash. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. The Snow Ball is held the following weekend (Nov. 20 this year) from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Marriott Louisville Downtown. The black tie event, another fundraiser for the hospital, has featured members of the Louisville Ballet, an orchestra for dancing, and a silent auction with items such as a 10,000+ square foot house that includes an elevator and nine bathrooms; one week at a house in Dordogne, in southern France; Super Bowl XLV tickets, and suite tickets to a U of L –Kentucky basketball game at the new KFC Yum! Center. For those with champagne taste but beer budgets, there’s the Snow on Ice after party, which offers attendees access to the post-dinner events of the Snow Ball, including cocktails, desserts and dancing. To learn more about the Louisville area, consider visiting Louisville, KY Homes for Sale.

St. James Court Art Show a Louisville Tradition

2010-10-09T11:54:00-07:00

There are weekend events – and then there are weekends “owned” by events. In Louisville, there are at least two such weekends. One is the first Saturday in May, which is Derby, and the other is the first weekend in October, when the St. James Court Art Show rules Old Louisville. Centered on a neighborhood with a concentrated collection of Victorian-era mansions, the juried fine arts and fine crafts show currently offers 750 exhibitors from North America. The free, open air event runs three days, Friday through Sunday, and sprawls for more than a mile along several streets south of Louisville’s Central Park. Sculptures, paintings, drawings, prints, watercolors, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, floral arrangements, metal work, wood work, furniture, toys, crafts, stained glass and art glass, windows, clothing, needlework, quilts, leather goods, enamel work – the list is endless. The show being juried ensures wares of high quality – so high, in fact that St. James has been named a top national art show by a trade magazine three times. Food tents, beer and wine vendors, picnic tables, portable toilets and a musical stage are also scattered throughout the show location. Funds raised by the annual show aid five Old Louisville non-profit neighborhood associations and one church raise funds to pay for maintenance and beautification projects that contribute to the area’s character. Past show projects have included the installation of new benches, flower urns and trash bins along Fourth Street, the installation of period street lights, and the development of a park at Third & Hill Streets. Show funds have also helped restore and maintain the picturesque St. James Court fountain. If you are considering moving to the Louisville, KY area, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate to search for your new home. Compare Mortgage Rates

Breeder's Cup Returns to Churchill Downs

2010-11-06T11:22:00-07:00

Although it’s not a consistent event for Louisville, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships returned to Churchill Downs this year and will return again in 2011, on the first weekend of November. While events – and weather – make things rather different from the Derby on the first Saturday in May, horse owners’ private jets fill Louisville International Airport, and most downtown hotels sell out. The Breeders’ Cup, created in 1982 by Kentucky thoroughbred owner and breeder John R. Gaines, is one of sports’ richest days. In 2009, Breeders’ Cup prize money totaled more than $25 million. Another $100 million was won by bettors around the world. Over its two days the Breeders’ Cup offers fans 14 races, which in the past has such champions as Azeri, A.P. Indy, Alysheba, Cigar, Curlin, Personal Ensign, Ferdinand, Sunday Silence, and Zenyatta. Yet compared to the annual Derby Festival, the Breeders’ Cup is a relatively low-key event in Louisville. But there are a few things related to the cup that one can enjoy in Louisville – provided one has tickets. This year, the Derby Museum hosted an evening of racing memories with trainers D. Wayne Lukas, Nick Zito, Carl Nafzger and Bob Baffert and jockeys Pat Day, Calvin Borel and Gary Stevens. Then the day before Breeders’ Cup, locals had the chance to experience a charity brunch featuring actress Bo Derek as speaker, and bettors had access to a “Breeders’ Cup Handicapping Summit” at the Churchill Downs Clubhouse. Jockey Robbie Albarado even went out to a Louisville Kroger to sign autographs. Odds are, however, that more famous folks will be spotted in Louisville during the actual Breeders’ Cup. To learn more about Louisville, KY and the surrounding area, please visit Real Estate Louisville, KY.

Louisville's 21c Museum Hotel Again Wins top Conde Naste Honors

2010-11-04T07:38:00-07:00

Readers of Condé Nast’s Traveler magazine have again voted Louisville’s boutique 21c Museum Hotel as the top hotel in the U.S. in 2010 and sixth best worldwide. The awards come after nearly 26,000 individuals assessed more than 10,000 hotels and destinations worldwide. The magazine deemed 21c to be the only U.S. hotel to be ranked as one of the world’s top ten in 2010. 21c beat Chicago’s The Peninsula hotel, which fell to number two after holding the top spot for several years, and The Mandarin Oriental in Boston, which came in third in the magazine’s poll. The hotel’s unique atmosphere comes from installations of contemporary art by living artists in almost every public area – including the elevators and lobby area restrooms. The hotel also offers 9,000 square feet of exhibit space showing rotating – and curated – art installations. The 21c (for “21st century art”) Museum is open 24 hours a day seven days a week. 21c also has developed a reputation for attentive service to its guests. The Courier-Journal quoted one frequent guest who said the staff always remembers his birthday with a cake. From the beginning the hotel also offered guests iPods loaded with their favorite music. In addition to 90 rooms, 21c also offers a high-end restaurant, Proof on Main, and a bar featuring more than 50 of Kentucky’s finest bourbons as well as seasonal specialty cocktails. While hotel owners Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson originally envisioned operating only this single hotel when they opened it in 2006, the couple said they have received requests to open 21c hotels in other cities. They have agreed to do so in three additional cities to date – Austin, Cincinnati, and Bentonville, Ark. If you are in town staying at the 21c Museum Hotel and would like to research Louisville's housing market, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate.

Creation Gardens Planning a Huge New Location

2010-10-19T00:28:00-07:00

Louisville is a mecca for fine dining, with many restaurant choices offering a spectrum of delights. Several of these restaurants strive to offer locally grown quality ingredients, and supporting them in that effort has been Creation Gardens, a Louisville business that caters to chefs, food purchasers and restaurants. One goal of Creation Gardens has been to source and provide locally grown food – produce, meat, dairy, cheese and “Kentucky Proud” specialty items, including jams and sauces. For years, Creation Gardens served customers in a deteriorating warehouse adjacent to an elevated expressway. Company owners couldn’t upgrade at that site, as it was marked for takeover for a new bridge construction project. However, company officials recently announced that negotiations have produced a settlement, and plans are moving forward to build a new, 27,000 square foot location that would serve both professionals and the retail public. Among the features announced by the company are a demo kitchen, to allow restaurant owners to promote their offerings, educate customers and do menu research; a library and research area, also for menu planning and research; a conference room available to the public; and meeting space to encourage chefs to exchange ideas about food and the food business. With the new location Creation Gardens also will add new products, including seafood, wines and breads. The new location will be built in one of Louisville’s hot renaissance neighborhoods called “NuLu,” which is slowly converting from industrial/warehouse use to an upscale area of restaurants, art galleries, and offices. Creation Gardens plans to “recycle” an industrial site formerly used by a storage tank manufacturer. The company expects its new location to be open for business by spring 2011. For information regarding real estate in the general area around Creation Gardens, please visit Real Estate Louisville, KY.

Annual WorldFest Celebrates a Multi-Cultural Louisville

2010-09-27T13:39:00-07:00

How international is Louisville? You could count the number of languages spoken within Jefferson County Public Schools (more than 80) . . . OR You could find out at the city’s WorldFest celebration, held each year on Labor Day weekend. More than 100,000 people flock to the city’s Belvedere Plaza by the river to sample different global cuisines, watch dances and performances, and browse international crafts and wares. A major highlight is the Friday evening Naturalization Ceremony, when individuals take the oath of U.S. Citizenship. The ceremony can be very moving as hundreds of new Americans beam with pride and accomplishment – their faces tell it all as they take the oath. On Saturday a highlight is The Parade of Cultures, in which area residents clad in festive native dress present almost every culture in the world. Four stages offer continuous music performed by local and international talent. The city’s ethnic restaurants set up booths to offer samples while a professional chef offers demonstrations on “Cooking Up Cultures” to create international fare. And to top it off, handmade crafts showcasing the styles of Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America are for sale at the many booths set up for the festival. WorldFest is great way to sample all the great International flare Louisville now possesses through our wonderful and talented multi-cultural community! While enjoying WorldFest, if you find yourself curious about the local real estate market, please visit Louisville, KY Homes for Sale.

IdeaFestival Spurs Breakthrough Thinking, Connections

2010-09-21T13:03:00-07:00

For one week every year Louisville really lets its imagination and ideas soar with IdeaFestival. Artists, intellectuals, even the occasional autistic savant – descend on Louisville to discuss ideas on a wide variety of topics. The Festival brings together artists and professionals from different walks of life to encourage “breakthrough thinking” and new ideas. Events are held throughout downtown Louisville – the Kentucky Center for the Arts, the Green Building, Humana, Louisville Science Center – rather than a “conference center” to further fuel creative thinking. The Festival also looks for presenters who not only offer mesmerizing ideas and concepts, but who also can communicate to a wide-ranging audience. This year the festival, set for Sept. 29 through Oct. 2, offers a mix of individual presentations and discussion series. One series will focus on a demographic known as “Thrivals;” another will focus on filmmaking. Other events include a discussion on how certain areas of the world retain practices that prevent some modern diseases; the fundamental lessons of war in Homer’s Iliad; a presentation by Sapphire, the author behind the movie Precious; “The Mental Floss Trivia Show;” and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Bragg. There also will be a fundraising reception and dinner literally on Louisville’s Main Street, a series of discussions about a demographic known as “Thrivals;” dance and music performances and a film festival. The 10-year-old festival offers a mix of free and ticketed events, as well as All-Access Passes. Single event tickets run $19.50; the passes average out to $57 a day. When in town for IdeaFest, please consider visiting Louisville, KY Real Estate to learn more about what Louisville has to offer in homes.

Louisville Farm to Table

2010-09-07T09:53:00-07:00

Louisville Farm to Table connects local consumers with the produce of regional farmers with an eye towards encouraging healthy eating – and prospering farms. Louisville Farm to Table, overseen by a former Courier-Journal food editor, matches up farmers with local consumers in a variety of ways. It coordinates buying clubs for large monthly food purchases; gets fresh farm produce into local cafeterias, restaurants, and other institutions; coordinates weekly produce delivery to various corporate headquarters; and connects farmers with caterers seeking regional ingredients. Farm to Table further aids the region’s farmers by helping with marketing tasks, such as pricing, packaging and promotion, and distributing samples and price lists to venues. It is also working to expand traditional weekly farmers’ markets around the city. The program was developed by the city’s Economic Development office, with assistance from area elected officials; poet, author and farmer Wendell Berry; small and large businesses, and county cooperative extension agents. Among the consumer subscription services linked with Louisville Farm to Table are: Grasshoppers, which offers food delivery of multi-farm, all-natural and organically grown products with choices that include meat, milk, cheese, mushrooms and eggs as well as produce. Smaller baskets (for smaller families) and a la carte choices available, though there is a minimum $300 seasonal delivery service purchase. Family Farm Project, which offers two dozen fresh fruits and vegetables, with an option for beef and flowers from farmers in Oldham and Trimble counties. Each week includes five to nine seasonal crops. The 25-week service runs May through October and costs $500. Barr Farms, which specializes in grass-fed beef and chicken raised without steroids, antibiotics and hormones. This program runs a three-month subscription period and delivers downtown. Louisville Farm to Table is a great benefit to the community. If you would like to learn more about events in the local area, or if you have questions regarding local real estate, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate.

KY Center for the Arts

2010-09-07T09:37:00-07:00

One of Louisville’s top jewels is the Kentucky Center for the Arts, nestled between Main Street and the river in downtown Louisville. The modernistic building with its multiple angles and glass walls has been a focal point for years for Louisville’s classic arts performances. The center is home to the Kentucky Opera, the Louisville Ballet and the Louisville Orchestra, as well as Stage One (a children’s theater) and the PNC Broadway Across America series. But the Center doesn’t merely host bluebloods – or blue hairs. Its Lonesome Pine series, which was aired internationally in 1988, brought in energetic performances of folk, blues, Cajun, and jazz. It also often hosts local arts groups performing dance, readings, plays and concerts. And then there’s the “Kentucky Center Presents” series, which recently put on a sold-out performance by Adam Lambert and his “Glam Nation Tour.” Over the years the Center also has hosted visits by Presidential candidates, national debates, and other major events. In July, Billboard magazine noted that the Center’s Whitney Hall, a 2,479-seat venue, was one of the top-10 performance venues in the world, among venues with no more than 5,000 seats. The ninth-place ranking was based on the center’s gross earnings of approximately $4.5 million over roughly a six-month period that ended June 19. Total attendance was reported at 70,092 for 38 shows in that timeframe – but only for Whitney Hall. Attendance at the center’s other two performance spaces – the MeX and Bomhard Theater – weren’t included. The Center also runs a fourth venue, the W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre, which is located over on Broadway. The Brown, which is listed on the National Register for Historic Places, has 1,400 seats and was fully restored back in 1997. Whether you now call KY home or if you are interested in learning more about Real Estate in Louisville, KY, consider contacting the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team to help you with all of your real estate needs.

Street Rods Zoom Back to Louisville

2010-08-18T11:36:00-07:00

Every year, right before school starts, the roads around Louisville, KY's fairgrounds and airport fill brightly colored custom cars from the Annual Street Rod Nationals Plus. It is the world’s largest automotive participation event, and one of Louisville’s largest tradeshows. This year, the Nationals will feature more than 11,000 street rods. Traditionally the vehicles had been limited to those manufactured prior to 1949, but this year the show is including any vehicle 30 years old and older. The cars are custom finished and modified to travel modern roads. Enthusiasts of muscle cars and classic cars can mingle at a swap meet and a trade show featuring more than 350 manufacturers and parts suppliers. Manufacturers’ seminars on brake systems, chassis, steering and paint run throughout the weekend, and stars of the street rod world – a custom car painter, a custom car designer -- are available to meet and chat. John Schnatter, founder and chairman of Papa John’s International, will have his 1971 Z28 Camaro – now featured in the chain’s commercials – on display. And “Grave Digger,” a popular Monster Truck, will also put in a daily appearance. Friday and Saturday afternoons include live entertainment and games for kids. While the action for the Nationals centers around Louisville’ Fairgrounds, the Street Rods zoom out throughout the community to “flaunt their flame jobs and cruise the city.” Part of the thrill of hosting the custom car show is being able to see these great automotive examples out and about everywhere in the days leading up to Nationals. Should the custom car bug bite you, bring your money. While many Street Rods will cost you anywhere from $11,000 to $35,000, a few will set you back $100,000 or more. Now that’s what we call custom! For more information visit www.nsra-usa.com. When you are in town for the Street Rod Nationals and would like more information about buying a home in the Louisville area, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate.

Inaugural HullabaLOU a Success, to Return to Louisville, KY in 2011

2010-08-04T09:33:00-07:00

Despite scorching hot temperatures, the first HullabaLOU Music Festival drew more than 78,000 fans from across North America for a weekend of endless music outdoors at Churchill Downs. Over a July three-day weekend, attendees got to listen –and dance – to 66 artists ranging from headliners Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band and Kenny Chesney, to the B-52s, Loretta Lynn, Taj Mahal and Huey Lewis & the News. Other acts included Sam Bush, the O’Jays, Steve Miller Band, Gladys Knight, the Dooby Brothers, Al Green, Michael McDonald, Joan Osborne and Dwight Yoakum. To beat the heat, Churchill Downs set up huge “Cool Zone” stations, where fans sprayed a cool mist. The track also opened up entire second half of the third-floor grandstand to offer air conditioning, food, drinks and, of course, shade. Churchill Downs Entertainment Group developed the festival with an eye towards building a nationally acclaimed event. The Churchill Down brand and the track’s storied history helped open many artists’ doors, CDE President Steve Sexton said. The festival offered fans five stages of music over three days. Many acts performed for about an hour, while headliners played up to two hours. Three of the stages were in the infield, facing north, south and east, and offered lawn seating. The main stage was set up by the finish line, and had general and reserved seating. A fifth stage operated within the track’s Paddock area. Vendors also sold souvenirs and crafts at the “Kentucky Heritage Marketplace,” and food and drinks throughout the track. A music store sold CDs of the acts, which fans could then take over to an “Autograph Tent” to get signed. A HullabaLOU Facebook page is now collecting comments for planning next year’s festival, from some of the 26,000-plus fans of the page. More information is at HullabalouFest. If your visit to Hullabalou has excited your interest about living in Louisville, KY, please visit Louisville, KY Real Estate to learn more.

Louisville's Actor's Theatre - A True Community Gem

2010-07-21T09:22:00-07:00

Can I drop a few names on you? Names like Beth Henley, Naomi Wallace, Arthur Kopit, Tony Kushner, Horton Foote and Marsha Norman? These major playwrights have all had plays which premiered at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, through the famous Humana Festival of New American Plays. Actors is a Tony-award-winning theater organization that enjoys deep ongoing support for its year-round calendar of productions. Actor's Theare stages more than 500 performances of 20 productions in a year. Productions vary from contemporary to classics – and classical – fare; from full, multi-act set pieces to 10-minute plays. For example, the coming season will include performances of “The Kite Runner,” Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” holiday favorites “Dracula” and “A Christmas Story,” and of course, a raft of new plays with the Humana Festival. The comedy troupe Second City also will visit for a month, to perform a Louisville-centric show. Talent also flows out from Louisville as well. Most recently Actors announced that its Associate Artistic Director, Sean Daniels, has been tapped to direct a fall Broadway-aimed play, ‘Under My Skin,” which is based the life of “The Nanny” television sitcom star Fran Dreschner. He will be working for show backers Marcy Carsey, the television producer behind “The Cosby Show” and “Roseanne;” Tony Award nominee Jeff Davis of "Rock of Ages", and Tony winner Steve Traxler of "Hair.” Actors Theatre enjoys one of the largest per capita subscription audiences in the U.S. More than 200,000 people attend performances at the theater’s historic Main Street complex. The organization also has deep roots in the community, offering internships, educational programs, workshops, artists in schools programs and other outreach efforts. There’s much more information about this 40-plus year old organization at its website, Actor's Theatre. It’s definitely worth a visit! Actor's Theatre of Louisville is one more reason to consider a move to the area. Please visit Real Estate Louisville, KY to learn about buying a home in the area.

The Dude Abides, Annually

2010-07-21T08:55:00-07:00

Do you know The Dude? He of the Coen Brothers’ “The Big Lebowski”? Once a year, usually in the summer, he is feted in Louisville with some white Russians, a bowling tournament, and of course, a special showing of the movie. There’s also music, a gathering of Achievers, and generally a lot of fun celebrating the cult classic movie. The Louisville Lebowski Fest is nine years old and growing. It has spawned other Lebowski fests in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle – even one in the U.K.! But the Louisville one is the original – and, we think, the best. It was inspired by conversations at a tattoo expo, where bored exhibitors began tossing out lines from the movie during a slow afternoon. From there, they naturally thought: Why not throw a huge party in Louisville related to the movie? The fest is centered at the Executive Strike and Spare, which is near a lot of Louisville airport hotels. Along with the bowling and the movie, there are serious costume and trivia contests. Some pretty good Dudes, Walters, Nihilists, and Maudes are usually on hand to liven up things. The Dude himself – Jeff Bridges – visited the fest in 2008. He has since gone on to visit a Los Angeles Lebowski Fest, and win an Oscar for another movie, “Crazy Heart.” He has said in interviews he loves the movie. (He is, of COURSE, referring to “The Big Lebowski.”) Fans help promote the festival by posting photos of themselves holding signs in the “John 3:16”style. This year, they’re holding “Lebowski 7:17” signs, to reflect this year’s July 16 & 17 dates. Future festival dates and locations are here: LebowskiFest. And yes, that rug really tied the room together. If you are considering a move to the Louisville area to be closer to the home of the LebowskiFest, please check out Louisville, KY Real Estate.

Downs After Dark Proving to be a Local Hit

2010-07-12T07:25:00-07:00

It’s different in the dark. It’s been a big party scene at Churchill Downs this year during the track’s new “Downs after Dark” events. People danced in the paddock, competed in “Bet or No Bet” games, and generally let their hair down for a $10 admission at the track. Churchill Downs added permanent lights this year to fuel a party atmosphere during the last four Fridays of the 2010 Spring Meet. Typically that made it the place to be for 25,000 to 30,000 people on those nights. While the horse racing and betting continued, doing it at night upped most folks’ sense of fun and relaxation. To be sure, any racing day that’s not Derby, Oaks or Breeder’s Cup is a more relaxed time, but going during the day means you may be as relaxed only as much as business casual allows. Downs after Dark is a whole ‘nother state of patronage altogether. The track designed each night around a theme. The first one was dubbed “Disco at the Downs” and urged guests to come decked out in their favorite disco-era clothing. People raided thrift shops and got it on like it was 1979: Polyester three-piece suits, catsuits, maxi dresses, bellbottoms, spandex – you definitely needed some shades and not because of the lights! More recently, for Independence Day weekend, the track adopted an Americana theme with its “Boots, Brew & BBQ” night. Boot-scooters were welcome to boogie around a beer garden and street party at the track as country music ruled the day. More nights are planned with the Fall Meet, starting with Halloween. And if you have to miss them all this year, don’t worry. It’s proved popular – and will be back next year! For information regarding Louisville, KY Real Estate, please follow the link provided.

Forecastle Festival

2010-07-12T07:13:00-07:00

The Forecastle festival, one of the nation’s top outdoor summer music festivals, returned to Louisville this month, bringing a crowd of 30,000 music fans and activists to our Waterfront Park. Smashing Pumpkins, the Flaming Lips, Widespread Panic, Devo, Spoon and Zooey Deschanel’s She and Him were among the more than 100 acts performing at the 9th Annual Forecastle Festival. Founder JK McKnight took the name Forecastle out of his fondness for things nautical, and specifically because one meaning of forecastle can be “a place where people come together.” Now the three-day Forecastle brings together “the progressive Midwest” for a “symposium for musicians, artists, and environmentalists,” according to the festival website. They come from throughout the region – from Chicago and St. Louis, from Nashville and Lexington, and many cities in-between. It’s a total atmosphere. There are exhibits from environmental activist and community non-profit groups. Organic food to sample. A Green marketplace. Rides on the historic Belle of Louisville. And oh yes – parties. Veteran festival-goers get their weekend set up on Facebook. The festival starts Friday night at 4 p.m. and parties until 1 a.m., then Saturday and Sunday revs up again at noon and runs until midnight or shortly thereafter. Prices for the three days are pretty reasonable too, considering how much entertainment the festival offers. A three-day VIP pass gets you up front (with access to air conditioning and massage tables!) for $300, while an addition three-day camping pass at a nearby riverfront park (American Turners) costs another $150. We’ve seen some one-night concerts cost WAY more than that per hour! As with any music festival, Forecastle also sells stuff – t-shirts, posters, bumper stickers, coffee mugs and golf shirts (!) – and the Monty Python-esque artwork’s not bad, either! If you are considering buying a home in the Louisville, KY area, please search for Real Estate in Louisville, KY at the link provided. 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}