School is almost out for the summer, and Mayor Greg Fischer is reminding parents and caregivers that there are plenty of fun, low-cost, or free learning opportunities available for Louisville area students of all ages over the next three months.

During a news conference today at the Main Library, Mayor Greg Fischer and partner organizations outlined a number of programs designed to keep kids engaged and prevent summer learning loss, including the Louisville Free Public Library’s Summer Reading program and the 2019 Cultural Pass presented by Churchill Downs in partnership with Metro Louisville, the Free Public Library, the Arts and Culture Alliance, and Fund for the Arts.

“We’re a city of lifelong learning and that means we’re a city of year-round learning,” said Mayor Fischer. “With our Summer Reading Program, Cultural Pass and other programs, families have plenty of fun options this summer to keep kids’ minds active so they’re prepared for success in school and beyond.”

In celebration of both the Library’s Summer Reading Program and the Cultural Pass, the Mayor announced the Main Library will host the Summer Reading Kickoff and Cultural Pass Showcase on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will offer a host of activities, performances, and crafts featuring twenty members of the Arts and Culture Alliance. Participating groups will include the Louisville Zoo, Kentucky Science Center, Frazier History Museum, Kentucky Shakespeare, and more. For more information, please visit LFPL.org/Kids or call (502) 574-1620.

The Cultural Pass supports and encourages lifelong learning by providing free access to more than 50 of Greater Louisville’s arts and cultural institutions for children and young adults to age 21. The Pass is valid from June 1 to August 10 for one-time general admission at each of the participating institutions. 

This year, residents in four surrounding counties—New Albany/Floyd County, Charlestown/Clark County, Jeffersonville Township, Harrison County, and Bullitt County—will also be eligible to participate in the 2019 Cultural Pass through their public libraries. Southern Indiana residents are eligible for the Cultural Pass thanks to support from Bales Foundation, Duke Energy, and Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County.

“Our community is fortunate to have one of the most unique initiatives across the country to fight summer learning loss,” said Tonya Abeln, Director of Community Relations for Churchill Downs, Inc. “Churchill Downs is proud to continue supporting arts and cultural experiences that make our city stronger.”

“This Cultural Pass is a passport for Greater Louisville kids and families to unlock boundless creativity at our world-class arts and cultural institutions,” said Christen Boone, Fund for the Arts President and CEO. “We are deeply grateful to our donors and partners who make this one-of-a-kind initiative possible. This is a critical investment for our region that allows kids to learn, play, and grow all summer long.” 

The 2019 Cultural Pass and Summer Reading Program materials are available beginning June 1 at any Louisville Free Public Library branch. Pass holders can register and track the progress of their Cultural Pass online at LFPL.org/culturalpass and are encouraged to visit as many venues as they are able during the summer. Children with five or more documented visits will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win prizes.

“Educators often spend the first six weeks of a new school year re-teaching skills that students learned in the previous grade before they can move on to new material” said A. Dale Josey, Chair of the Arts & Culture Alliance. “The Alliance leverages the collaborative power of the region’s arts and culture sector to counteract learning loss by keeping young minds active and engaged in the many summer activities available via the Cultural Pass. We appreciate this opportunity to harness our collective talents to host ‘fun’ arts and culture learning opportunities to somewhat minimize summer brain drain.”  

To learn more about the Cultural Pass, please visit fundforthearts.org/culturalpass.

Summer Reading

Presented by the Library Foundation, the Library’s annual Summer Reading Program is a free 10-week program that encourages kids and teens to read for fun over the summer by offering prizes and incentives. Every child—from infant through 12th grade—who completes the program will receive a pencil pouch, along with passes to local attractions like the Kentucky Science Center, Squire Boone Caverns, a Louisville Bats baseball game, McDonald’s ice cream, and more.

“Summer Reading is the Library’s longest-running and most successful program,” said Library Director Lee Burchfield. “This 90-year tradition reaches nearly 50,000 children and teens in the Metro area and helps them stay on reading level and return to school better prepared to learn.”

For more information, or to pre-register for Summer Reading, visit LFPL.org/SummerReading, or call (502) 574-1620.

Other summer programs

The Summer Reading and Cultural Pass programs complement hundreds of camps and enrichment activities organized by nonprofit organizations, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), local colleges and universities, museums, churches, and arts organizations.

To help families sort through the many summer offerings, the Mayor reminds the community that a searchable database of quality Out of School Time (OST) programs is available through 2-1-1. Thanks to the BLOCS community partnership, families can access this resource year-round by visiting www.louisvilleblocs.org and clicking on the 2-1-1 link. The list is also available by dialing Metro United Way’s 211 call-in line, or accessing the 211 app.  BLOCS was established in 2011 by Louisville Metro Government, JCPS, Metro United Way, and the Louisville Alliance for Youth, in an effort to bridge in-school and out-of-school time, while demonstrating OST programming is a fundamental support in improving educational outcomes.

Louisville Zoo: The Louisville Zoo is a living classroom with something to learn all year long. When kids are out of school, it is the perfect place to keep minds active and engaged with amazing animal species from around the globe or one of the Zoo’s many summer camps. Weekly camps are available for ages from pre-K to 8th grade. All Zoo camps include Zoo walks, large animal presentations, attraction rides, and up-close encounters with live animal ambassadors. Events are happening all summer, from the Friday Night Movie Series to the ever-popular Storybook Character Day. All events and camp listings can be found at louisvillezoo.org.

Louisville Parks & Recreation: Louisville Parks and Recreation will be offering structured summer camp programming at six community centers this season: Beechmont, Cyril Allgeier, Douglass, South Louisville, Southwick, and Sun Valley. Pricing will remain the same as last year: Beechmont, Cyril, Douglass and Sun Valley will be $80 per week, and South Louisville and Southwick will be $65 per week.

Open programming will take place at Berrytown, Parkhill, California, Portland, Newburg, and Shawnee Community Centers. Open programming is $20 per month, and all participants must be registered.

For locations, visit bestparksever.com and contact the site of your choice for more information.

Other fun and inexpensive options during the summer for kids include the city’s 30-plus spraygrounds and spraypads, free movie nights at the Iroquois Amphitheater, hiking and camps at Jefferson Memorial Forest, and visits to the city’s two Metro-owned historic homes, Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing, and Historic Locust Grove.

Additionally, Louisville Parks and Recreation is looking to hire responsible, motivated high school and college-aged students during the summer to help with summer camp staffing. Please call (502) 574-7275 for more information or drop by the Parks office at 1297 Trevilian Way to fill out an application.

Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods

The Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods Outreach Team will be holding regular office hours at the Shawnee Arts and Cultural Center this summer. They will connect with partners to bring resources to support employment, housing, expungement, mental health, etc. to residents in the neighborhood to eliminate access-related barriers. The team will continue to canvass, conduct peace walks, table events, attend neighborhood association meetings, and more.

OSHN is partnering with Cities United to host a “Russell Family Block Party” Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

OSHN will continue hosting One Love Louisville Ambassador Institutes and Networking Nights. The next free Ambassador Institute will be Saturday, June 22, at 9:30 a.m. Come learn about conflict resolution, community organizing, and more.

The One Love Louisville Implementation Team meetings will continue into the summer; our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s office. We will be reviewing the city’s violence reduction action plan and discussing ways that you can get involved.

We are recruiting for the next cohort of One Love Louisville Youth Implementation Team members. This is a youth leadership advisory council to Mayor Fischer for ages 16 to 24 with a focus on advocacy and civic engagement. Please contact OSHN for more details.

We are also recruiting for the next cohort of THRIVE Fellows. This fellowship seeks young men who are interested in leadership, civic engagement, and public service. If you are between the ages of 22 and 26, and have a history of being justice-involved, please contact OSHN for more details.

This summer we will be recruiting for the Trauma Resilient Community Advisory Board. This advisory board will work to guide this initiative over the 5-year project period. Board members will participate in strategic planning and ongoing decision making as Louisville becomes a more equitable, trauma-resilient city.

Please follow Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods on Facebook and Twitter to stay engaged and for opportunities to #BeThe1. We can be reached at (502) 574-1903 or at OneLoveLou.org.

Afternoon Lecture Series
Dr. Richard Bell: The African American Revolution
Wednesday, June 5, 1:15 pm

We all know that the American Revolution was about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But what did those slogans mean to black people caught up in that war? Historian Richard Bell explains that African Americans actually threw themselves into the war effort with more enthusiasm (and with more at stake) than did many white colonists. Stories like theirs beg us to think about the stakes of the American Revolution from their perspective and to wonder just how revolutionary the American Revolution was for people of color.

The Locust Grove Afternoon Lecture Series is held the first Wednesday of each month. Dessert and coffee are served at 1:00 pm with the lecture immediately following at 1:15 pm. Admission is $6, $4 for Friends of Historic Locust Grove. Reservations are not required.
Part of The Age of Hamilton series at Locust Grove.

Hamilton: How the Musical Remixes American History
Thursday, June 6, 6:30 pm

Louisville has Hamilton-mania! As this Tony-Award winning musical rolls into town, its crafty lyrics, hip-hop tunes, and big, bold story have even rejuvenated interest in the real lives and true histories that Hamilton: An American Musical puts center stage.

In this talk, historian Dr. Richard Bell explores this musical phenomenon to reveal what its success tells us about the marriage of history and show-business. We’ll learn what this amazing musical got right and got wrong about Alexander Hamilton, the American Revolution, and the birth of the United States and about why that matters. We’ll examine some of the choices Hamilton’s creators made to simplify, dramatize, and humanize the complicated events and stories on which the show is based. We’ll also talk about Hamilton’s cultural impact: what does its runaway success reveal about the stories we tell each other about who we are and about the nation we made?

Tickets: $15/$12 for Locust Grove members. Reservations required; call 502-897-9845. Admission includes one drink ticket; cash bar available.

Part of The Age of Hamilton series at Locust Grove.

Hamilton Fest!
Sunday, June 16, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Join us for the conclusion of our Age of Hamilton season with The Hamilton Festival! This celebration of the Revolution will feature a re-creation of the Hamilton-Burr Duel, a sing-a-long, student performances, and presentations on clothing of the period, Aaron Burr’s time in Louisville, and more. 

Admission: $8 for adults/$4 for children 12-6/free for under 6

Part of The Age of Hamilton series at Locust Grove.

Special Exhibition
Alexander Hamilton: Immigrant, Patriot, Visionary
Wednesday, May 29 – Friday, July 5

This exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History examines Hamilton’s central role during the Revolutionary War and Founding period in creating the economic, constitutional, social, journalistic, political, and foreign policy templates for modern America. Using reproductions from the Gilder Lehrman Collection and the Library of the New-York Historical Society, and drawing on recent scholarship about Alexander Hamilton, this traveling exhibition helps students learn that Hamilton was a statesman and visionary whose life shaped the America we live in two hundred years after his death. On view daily: May 29 – July 5, 2019

Books, Prints, Paper, and Art Sale
Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30
10:00 am – 4:30 pm

This special show and sale includes dealers in used, new, and collectible books, as well as maps, prints, paper, and art, at all prices and in all categories. You’ll find books about collecting, art, decorative arts, architecture and design, as well as artwork and prints.

Saturday, June 29, 10 AM – 4:30 PM (Free admission) Sunday, June 30, 10 AM – 4:30 pm (With Antiques Market; $8 admission charged)

Summer Antiques Market
Sunday, June 30
10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Treasures from bygone centuries abound at this favorite summer sale, from delicate china teapots to silver spoons, vintage jewelry to Kentucky-made chairs—there’s something for all tastes and every budget, etc. Featuring dozens of professional dealers from around the region, the Antiques Market offers fine and country furniture, books, textiles, jewelry, ephemera, silver, and more. Admission includes tours of the historic house museum. Fine food & drink available. $8 adults; children under 12 free.

Locust Grove is located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane (between Brownsboro Road and River Road), Louisville, KY 40207.

With the help of local partners, a major donation from The Papa John’s Foundation For Building Community and a contribution from former University of Louisville and current Atlanta Falcons player Jamon Brown’s foundation, Mayor Greg Fischer today announced a plan for summer swimming alternatives for youth and families in the Louisville area.

The plan includes 10 community swim events at two YMCA of Greater Louisville locations, structured swims at Central High School’s pool, and daily community swim sessions at The Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center – along with transportation options for those who otherwise would have trouble getting to the pools.

The four outdoor pools typically operated by Louisville Parks and Recreation – Norton (Camp Taylor), Algonquin, Sun Valley and Nelson Hornbeck (Fairdale) – will not be open this year due to budget cuts caused by the pension crisis and the Metro Council vote in March against new revenue sources.

After hearing that, Papa John’s CEO Steve Ritchie reached out to ask how his team could help. Representatives for Brown, a Louisville native and Fern Creek High School alum, soon joined the cause. And after gathering feedback from past and future users of the four pools, Louisville Parks and Recreation worked with partners — the YMCA, Jefferson County Public Schools and TARC — to develop the alternative plan for the summer.

“I am so pleased that The Papa John’s Foundation For Building Community and Jamon Brown stepped up to help us provide swimming opportunities for our community this summer,” said Mayor Fischer. “We’re facing a challenging time in our city, but great leaders solve challenges. We are grateful for the partners who’ve stepped in to help ensure a fun summer for children and families in the absence of our four outdoor pools.”

Papa John’s donation of $90,000 through The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community, along with the $5,000 donation from the Jamon Brown Foundation and a matching $5,000 donation from the Atlanta Falcons, will be used for pool operations, including lifeguards.

“Just like pizza, pools are a key ingredient to summertime fun. We wanted to make sure that kids and their families across Louisville would have access to that summer experience, despite the tough choices Mayor Fischer and Metro Government are facing right now. We are honored to be able to offer our support with this donation from The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community,” said Steve Ritchie, Papa John’s President and CEO. “I am excited to partner with Papa John’s, JCPS, TARC and YMCA to assist our youth with constructive activity this summer that also aligns with the Healthy Living aspect of our Foundation’s mission,” Brown said. “I am also grateful to the Atlanta Falcons organization for matching my donation to the children in my hometown, of which I love dearly. I can’t wait to get back home after camp to have a swim party with our youth!”

YMCA CEO Steve Tarver said, “Safe opportunities for swimming are important for everyone. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Metro Louisville to continue to make options available for safe summer aquatic activities.”

Specifics of the plan:

• Beginning June 8, the Southwest and Downtown YMCAs will host 10 community swim events — five at the Southwest YMCA, 2801 Fordhaven Road, and five at the Downtown YMCA, 555 S. Second St.
  • Southwest YMCA
    • Saturday, June 15th from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday, June 29th from 3:30- 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday, July 13th from 3:30- 6:30 p.m.
    • Friday, July 26th from 5:30- 830 p.m.
    • Friday, August 9th from 5:30- 830 p.m.
  • Downtown YMCA
    • Saturday, June 8th from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, June 23rd from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, July 7th from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, July 21st from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, August 4th from 3:30-6:30 p.m. 
  • Fees are $3/person 14 years and over & $2/youth 13 and under. Vouchers for the summer swim events can be purchased at Metro Parks Administrative Offices, 1297 Trevilian Way; at the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, 201 Reservoir Avenue starting Monday, June 3; or at the YMCA, beginning 30 minutes before the start of the event. Capacity for these events is 100 people/event.

• A partnership with JCPS will allow for structured program swims at Central High School’s pool, 1130 Chestnut St., beginning June 14. These four-hour sessions on Fridays and Saturdays will host summer camps, community organizations and individuals interested in swim lessons. Group rates are $2 per child. The swims are from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays in June and July.

“As a school district, we are always looking to support our students throughout the year.  I am happy to open our facilities and create opportunities for great summer experiences for children.  This is another example of what is possible when we can come together as a community,” said Dr. Marty Pollio, Superintendent of JCPS.

Interested organizations should call the Parks and Recreation main office at (502) 574- 7275 for additional information.

• The Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center will host daily open community swims beginning June 10. The hours are Monday-Thursday from noon-4 p.m.; Friday from 12-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Normal pricing applies.

Realizing that transportation may be a barrier for children and families seeking the opportunity for one of these three options, Louisville Parks and Recreation is also working with TARC to provide rides to swim sites for those without access to a vehicle. For more information, please call Parks at (502) 574-7275.

Citing process improvements that created efficiencies and increased accessibility, the Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services announced this week that the number of low-income households helped by the city’s LIHEAP Program (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) grew by 1,249 in the most recent program year, which ended April 30.

In all, 15,088 households, received more than $4.5 million in benefits to help cover essential utilities.

Louisville residents living at or below 130% of the federal poverty line rely on LIHEAP to help cover costly home energy bills and to help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy services. The vast majority of recipient households have at least one “vulnerable” member, containing children, elderly or people with disabilities.

Resilience and Community Services, the agency that administers LIHEAP, teamed up with the Louisville Metro Office of Performance Improvement & Innovation (OPI2) in 2016 to work through the Lean process improvement methodology, identifying areas of waste or inefficiency, generating solutions and prioritizing according to impact and feasibility.  These improvements led to an increased in number of households served compared to the operations in previous years.

The first and most significant area of improvement was the launch of an automated telephone and online system for residents in 2016 to make required in-person appointments for LIHEAP assistance requestors.  In previous years, LIHEAP assistance requestors were required to make two trips to RCS staff to apply for LIHEAP assistance—- first to sign up for appointments and later to complete their applications.  

Also in 2016, LIHEAP locations were expanded from three to six sites.

Other incremental improvements include:

• All LIHEAP staff now have laptops
• All workstations now have scanners
• A central electronic storage space for documents
• A simple staff training manual
• A customer experience survey

These multiple process improvements have greatly increased efficiency in the LIHEAP process, resulting in:

• 7,448 more LIHEAP applications being processed in 2018-2019 compared with the 2015-2016 LIHEAP season
• 75 percent of 2017-2018 LIHEAP survey respondents reported a “much better” experience compared to previous years
• The application process – previously a multi-day endeavor – now takes an average of 22 to 25 minutes from the moment a resident arrives at a local LIHEAP site.

“We have made significant process improvements over the last three years with the help of Louisville Metro’s OPI2”, said Brandon O’Neal, program supervisor for LIHEAP, part of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services.  “These efforts have resulted in greater program capacity and improved service for low-income households seeking assistance.”

Another notable enhancement  made in early 2018 with the support of community advocates was the expansion of eligibility of the LIHEAP Crisis Component.  Residents who received a utility bill with a past due amount are now able to apply for assistance during this phase, in addition to continuing to serve those who receive a disconnect notice.  Also, due to the proven success of the LIHEAP automated appointment system, the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program) adopted a similar system for residents seeking free tax preparation assistance.

“From Day One of my administration, we’ve focused on finding ways to provide the best possible services in the most efficient manner possible,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “The work our Office of Resilience and Community Services team has done to make it easier for residents to get the assistance they need is a prime example. I want to also send a shout out to the Office of Performance Improvement & Innovation for providing their expertise and hard work to make this program easier for residents in need and more efficient for their Louisville Metro colleagues. OPI2 is nationally recognized for its work to make services better and government more efficient; now more than ever, that’s vital work.

LIHEAP is a seasonal program that is expected to reopen in the fall, pending federal funding.  Stay tuned to https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap for future updates. 

Residents who are currently in need of utility assistance are encouraged to call their local Community Ministry or Neighborhood Place.  Call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service or Metro311 to locate the nearest site.  

The work of more than 130 Foster Grandparents who help mentor children will be honored at a special luncheon on Friday, May 24. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Ave.

Participants in the Louisville Metro Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) are individuals 55 years or older who tutor and assist children with special or exceptional learning needs in essential skills such as reading, writing and math, while offering the basic guidance of a mentor, advocate and friend. Currently, more than 130 Foster “Grannies” and “Grandpas” share their compassion and caring at over 32 sites including Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), Boys & Girls Clubs and several faith-based community centers and after school programs.

Now in its 54th year nationwide, the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) was initiated in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act and is federally sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Locally, FGP has been operating in our community for 47 years and is part of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS). FGP volunteers served more than 500 children and youth and logged over 135,000 hours of services.

At this year’s celebration, Foster Grandparents and their guests will be joined by volunteer station representatives, Senior Corps Advisory Council members, RCS staff and other guests. One special feature will be the presentation of milestone achievement awards to individuals serving 5,10,15,20 and 25 years as a Foster Grandparent. 

Stephon Dingle, anchor with WLKY Morning News will serve as the master of ceremonies and Janice Cates, director of Compassion Initiatives and Development with Mayor Greg Fischer’s Office, will deliver the welcome.

 “Our Foster Grannies and Grandpas are wonderful individuals who not only contribute to children’s learning but also bring warmth and caring to the classroom”, said Eric Friedlander, acting director of the Office of Resilience and Community Services. “The FGP volunteers make a positive difference and lasting impact in the lives of hundreds of Louisville youth each year.”

Foster Grandparent volunteers provide a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 40 hours of service per week and income eligibility may qualify for a minimal tax-free, hourly stipend, meal and transportation reimbursement as well as free supplemental accident and liability insurance while serving. For more information on how you can become a Louisville Metro Foster Grandparent, please call (502) 574-5050 or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/foster-grandparent-program-fgp.

Thousands of cyclists, paddlers and walkers will be in motion at the Mayor’s Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle Monday, May 27th as it returns for a 15th consecutive Memorial Day at Waterfront Park.

“One of our goals is to make Louisville a healthier city, and one way to do that is to ensure we are a more active and accessible city for people of all ages,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “I look forward to seeing thousands of people gathering for this traditional start of summer in our city and starting or recommitting to a personal fitness goal.”

Subway Restaurants is again the title sponsor of Hike, Bike & Paddle, with presenting sponsors, Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Norton Healthcare and Neil Huffman Subaru. Academy Sports + Outdoors is a contributing sponsor.

“Subway Restaurants is proud to again be the title sponsor of the Mayor’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle, celebrating its 15th year. The events happening today give people an opportunity to be outside in the fresh air and lead healthy, active lifestyles,” said Umang Patel, Louisville SUBWAY Board Chair.

“Coca-Cola Consolidated is passionate about serving the Louisville community,” said Brian Outland, Vice President of Retail Sales at Coke Consolidated. “That’s why it’s an honor to support wonderful events like the Hike, Bike, and Paddle, that bring so many people together in the community for family fun during the holiday weekend.”

“Norton Healthcare is pleased to support events and activities that promote good health for our community,” said Russell F. Cox, President and Chief Executive Officer, Norton Healthcare. “We encourage everyone to come out and participate in the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle, a fun, family-friendly event.”

“Neil Huffman Subaru is proud to again be a partner with Mayor Greg Fischer and the Office of Special Events for the Memorial Day edition of the Hike, Bike and Paddle,” said Dow Huffman, Managing Partner, Neil Huffman Auto Group. “Throughout the Neil Huffman Auto Group’s 50-year history, community involvement has been one of our core values and we salute this signature healthy city initiative and applaud the thousands of members of our community who participate each year.”

For hikers, this year features three routes, including a 5K route, that will all travel along Waterfront Park to the Big Four Bridge, all ending back at the Great Lawn. All routes are dog friendly, except for the route across the Big Four Bridge. The dog friendly route will take hikers with animals on a path leading to the Louisville Community Boathouse and back to the Great Lawn. All dogs must be leashed, and their owners must pick up waste during the walk. For those needing a shortened route, a third route will travel along Waterfront Park and circle back at the Big Four Bridge. All routes are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

The first 500 hikers will receive a 4-person or family free day pass to Abbey Road on the River, the world’s largest Beatles-inspired music festival, good for entrance on Monday.

For cyclists, this year’s 13.5-mile route will start near the Flock of Finns on Witherspoon Street, travel east on River Road to Witherspoon Street, circle back toward Waterfront Park and then travel west through the Portland and Shawnee neighborhoods to Shawnee Park and back to the Great Lawn. Bikers may elect to turn around at any point along the route, keeping in mind their safety and those of other cyclists.

All of the cycling and walking routes will be marked with signage and will have water stops at the halfway points to refill water bottles. The Louisville Bicycle Club and Scheller’s Fitness and Cycle are providing “bike captains” to help cyclists obey the rules of the road.

“Bike doctors” will be stationed in Waterfront Park before the ride and along the route to assist cyclists with any equipment problems. Louisville Metro Police will provide traffic assistance at key intersections, and the Louisville Metro EMS bicycle team will patrol the route. All cyclists are asked to remain behind the lead Police vehicles.

The paddling activity will begin at the Harbor Lawn in Waterfront Park and go upstream to Towhead Island. The Ohio River will be otherwise closed to traffic, giving paddlers the ability to cross the river to Southern Indiana and then continue downstream to the 2nd Street Bridge and paddle back across the Ohio River to the Louisville side, ending at the Harbor Lawn. Paddle participants also can take a short excursion in a large Voyager Canoe at Harbor Point.

Paddlers can enter from the University of Louisville Rowing dock located at the east end of Waterfront Park near the Community Boat House, where paddlers will proceed downstream to the Harbor Lawn to await the start of the event. Free parking is available at this location. Volunteers will be on-site to assist paddlers at both locations.

Back by popular demand again this year, the Louisville Kayak Company will be offering kayak rental services at the event. You can reserve your kayak at the event or before you go by visiting www.hikebikeandpaddle.org.

Police and safety boats will be nearby during the paddling activity, and participants can get assistance if needed in launching their canoe or kayak. Safe paddling instruction and demonstrations will take place in the harbor area of the Great Lawn.
More than 50 vendors and information booths will open at 8:30 a.m. at Waterfront Park. Yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba and Pickleball demonstrations will be offered starting at 8 a.m., along with group participation.

2,500 free t-shirts will be available for those arriving early and completing a brief survey. Thanks to sponsor support, this year’s t-shirt is an upgraded performance sport material.

Subway will be handing out free cash gift cards to be used at any Subway location, while supplies last. The Brain Injury Association will distribute 500 helmets to riders who don’t have one. Neil Huffman Subaru will be giving away a free bicycle and kayak at the event. Participants are encouraged to be “green” and bring their own water bottles, which they will be able to fill at Waterfront Park and at various water stations along the routes, as part of Louisville Water’s Pure Tap To Go.

In honor of Memorial Day, Flags 4 Vets will be setting up 15,000 flags at Waterfront Park on Saturday of that weekend, and they will still be in place during the Hike Bike & Paddle event. As a special tribute, the Metro Corrections Honor Guard will take to the stage at 9:25 a.m. before the cyclists, paddlers and walkers leave Waterfront Park.

This is the 15th year for the Hike, Bike & Paddle events, which are held each Memorial Day and Labor Day. The events are part of the city’s Healthy Hometown Movement, created to encourage Louisville residents to be more active and make healthier lifestyle choices.

To view interactive route maps, a full schedule and for more information, visit hikebikeandpaddle.org. RSVP on the Hike, Bike and Paddle Facebook event page. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram @AroundLou!

The season features 7 different productions – a comedy, history, and tragedy in our main stage series plus productions from guest companies and our Globe Players high school student troupe. Food trucks open at 6:30pm, bar opens at 7:00pm, pre-show at 7:15pm, and show starts at 8:00pm. Perfect for the whole family – including adults, children, and pets. As always, performances are free and no tickets are required for entry.

2019 SEASON DATES

AS YOU LIKE IT

• May 29 – 31
• June 1, 2, 4 – 9
• July 9, 11, 13, 17, 20

HENRY IV, PART TWO

• June 13 – 16, 18 – 23
• July 14, 16, 19

THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR

• June 27 – 30
• July 2 – 7, 10, 12, 18, 21

The Kentucky Shakespeare Globe Players High School Theatre Training Program
presents TWELFTH NIGHT

• July 24 – 27

Cincinnati Shakespeare presents ROMEO AND JULIET

• July 28, 30

Louisville Ballet presents CLEOPATRA: QUEEN OF KINGS

• July 31 – August 4

LATE NIGHT SHAKES with the Louisville Improvisors

• June 8, 22
• July 6, 20