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Saturday January 24, 2026
Local Connection
Photo: Kentucky Artisan Center
Kentucky Artisans interpret the world – and the Kentucky Artisan Center is illustrating that fact with sand, in the amazing sculpture “The Sands of Time” by internationally known sand sculptor Damon Farmer.
Farmer states, “My long-time avocation of sculpting sand gradually blossomed into a major aspect of my commercial work, and it now provides me opportunities to share my favorite art form worldwide.”
Directly in front of the Center on a circle of pavement, Farmer has sculpted 10 tons of compacted wet sand into a montage of portraits and scenes from Kentucky’s rich history. Included in the artist’s design are images of Abraham Lincoln, bourbon, horses, Daniel Boone and even Natural Bridge! The sculpture will be on display through July 15 at the Center.
Todd Finley, executive director of the Center states, “We are excited to invite travelers and people throughout the region to come and see how art and history have joined forces – and to see how sand can be turned into an amazing three dimensional sculpture of Kentucky history!”
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located at 200 Artisan Way, just off Interstate 75 at Berea Exit 77. The center’s exhibits, shopping and travel information areas are open daily, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about center events call 859-985-5448, go to the center’s website, or visit the center’s Facebook page.
The 9th Annual Jane Austen Festival will take place July 14th – 16th this year at Locust Grove (561 Blankenbaker Lane) in Louisville. The festival will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death with a featured speaker, Dr. Cheryl Kinney, entitled “The Eulogy Jane Austen Should Have Had”.
The event will feature a fashion show, a duel between gentlemen, a bare knuckle boxing demonstration, tours of a 1790s Georgian home, and much more. There are also a variety of special ticketed events, such as a Grand Ball (period appropriate dress required) and many workshops (i.e. regency hairstyling and make-up and historic handwriting). Many of these “extra” events are very popular and require advanced registration. A full schedule of events can be found here.
The Festival hours and admission are:
- Friday, July 14 – 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM – $6 per person
- Saturday, July 15 – 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM – $12 per person
- Sunday, July 16 – 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM – $12 per person
- If purchased online, Saturday and Sunday together can be purchased for $20
For more information, visit the Jane Austen Society of North America website or email janeaustenfestivalKY@gmail.com
Photo: The Kentucky Center
Dixie Longate, the fast-talking Tupperware Lady, packed up her catalogs, left her children in an Alabama trailer park, and took Off-Broadway, the United Kingdom, and Australia by storm!
Join Dixie as she travels the country throwing Tupperware Parties filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, FREE giveaways, audience participation, and the most fabulous assortment of Tupperware ever sold on a theater stage.
See for yourself how Ms. Longate became a member of the illustrious “#1 Tupperware Seller in the World” club, as she educates her guests on the many alternative uses she has discovered for her plastic products.
The Kentucky Center is the official Ticket Service for this production. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, June 23, at 10 a.m. online, by phone (584-7777), and at the box office (501 W. Main Street, Louisville, 40202). Ticket prices start at $27.50 reserved seating, fees apply.
DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY
- Thursday, October 26, 8 p.m.
- Friday, October 27, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, October 28, 8 p.m.
The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater
Photo: Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife
The months of May and June make for two of the best for catching largemouth bass. The weather is warm, but not too hot, and the largemouth bass feed heavily as warmer water temperatures increase their desire to eat.
Largemouth bass are one of the most popular sport fish in Kentucky. Two of Kentucky’s excellent state resort parks, Barren River Lake State Resort and Lake Barkley State Resort Park, lie on two of the best largemouth bass lakes in our state.
A buddy weekend of largemouth bass fishing while staying at one of these top class state resort parks could be the trip of the year.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park:
The 2017 Fishing Forecast produced by the Fisheries Division of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources rated the largemouth bass fishery in Barren River Lake as good/excellent, noting the lake is chock full of 2- to 4-pound fish.
“You are launching at a good spot at the Barren River State Resort Park ramp,” said Geoff Roberts, conservation educator at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Salato Wildlife Education Center. “You are within a very short run to the biggest tributaries on the lake: Skaggs Creek and Peter Creek. Barren River State Resort is also near deep main lake spots that are productive for largemouth bass in summer.”
Roberts knows Barren River Lake like the back of his hand and has landed myriad largemouth bass in the 3- to 5-pound range from the lake over the years with some larger bass mixed in with these. In early summer, he likes a jig in hues of green pumpkin, brown, orange with a touch of chartreuse or a medium running shad-colored crankbait to catch largemouths.
“The bass move to main lake points after they spawn,” Roberts said. “Focus on ones that are near deep water. They need deep water nearby in summer.”
A river or major creek channel swinging close to one of those points supplies the needed deep water sanctuary.
“As you fish those points, work the drop that falls off into the river or creek channel,” Roberts said. A jig fished in a slow pull and drop retrieve works great in these spots as does the crankbait worked shallow to deep.
“The state resort park is also close to main lake bluffs that are productive for largemouth and Kentucky spotted bass in hot weather,” Roberts said. A crankbait worked parallel to the bluff walls picks off bass suspended in the water column near the bluff, waiting for a school of shad to amble by.
“I also like to throw topwater baits in the early morning during summer,” Roberts said.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park:
Lake Barkley is not only one of the best largemouth bass lakes in Kentucky, but also one of the best in the nation. It consistently rates high in Bassmaster Magazine’s Best 100 Bass Lakes in the country.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park is in the Little River arm of the lake. A bass angler could have an excellent weekend of early summer largemouth bass fishing without ever leaving the Little River arm.
A shallow lake by Kentucky standards, fishing near the submerged creek channels is key to catching early summer largemouths on Lake Barkley. Anglers who pound shallow cover near the bank will pick off the occasional small largemouth, but anglers who want quality must fish near the channel.
In the early morning, largemouth bass move onto the flats near the channel to feed on shad or small bluegill. Those flats with some brush or other cover on them are best. A medium-running shad-colored crankbait fished on the flat allows an angler to cover water and catch bass. A white buzzbait fished in the same area draws vicious hits from bass in the low light of dawn.
As the sun rises in the sky, an old school 3/16-ounce Texas rigged curly tailed worm in the plum glitter or junebug colors fished along the channel drops draws strikes. A 6-inch green pumpkin lizard fished on a 1/2-ounce Carolina rig also works well in summer, especially if the water has some color to it. Cast the Carolina rig onto the flat and work it back into the channel.
When the truly hot weather sets in, bass anglers move to the main lake and the mouths of major creek arms and fish humps and channel drops near deep water. Locals call these spots “ledges.” A 10-inch plum glitter or red shad-colored curly tailed worm fished on 5/8-ounce Shakey heads draws strikes. A 3/4-ounce black and blue jig and trailer combination also works well on the ledges for largemouth bass.
Slowly crawl these lures on the bottom along the ledge. Fishing the ledges may present the best chance of the year to catch a largemouth bass larger than 6 pounds.
Head to Barren River Lake or Lake Barkley State Resort Parks for a fun weekend of bass fishing and boating this summer.
Councilman David James (D-6), the Toonerville Trolley Neighborhood Association and the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council are getting ready for a big weekend with the return of the 6th Annual Old Louisville Springfest.
The traditional weekend festival that has brought anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 visitors to the area in the month of May has some important news; it’s expanding this year to Sunday.
“It is the time of year where Old Louisville welcomes everyone to come out and enjoy springtime and warmer weather, this is a chance for everyone to come to Old Louisville and enjoy the uniqueness of this area and at the same time have a little springtime fun,” says James.”
The 6th Annual old Louisville Springfest will be held this year on Friday, May 19th through Sunday May 21st. The 1200 to 1330 block of First Street and East and West block of Ormsby Avenue are the center point of Springfest’s music and entertainment.
“The purpose of Springfest is to celebrate all things “Old Louisville” and “local”…. and to raise much needed funds for neighborhood projects (e.g. the private sidewalk cleaning service, beautification projects, neighborhood banners, maintenance of Fort George, restoration of Toonerville Trolley Park, etc). This year, we welcome an exciting mix of 100+ vendors and artists, food trucks, live music and… new to Springfest… classic and hot rod cars on Saturday and Sunday! A HUGE “thank you” to our amazing sponsors, planning committee and volunteers!” says Dan Mason, Toonerville Trolley Neighborhood Association President and Co-Chair of the Old Louisville Springfest.
“Another great opportunity to showcase what’s great about Old Louisville, It’s a fun time. Thanks to Dan Mason and the Committee. Thanks Councilman James for his continued support,” says Howard Rosenburg, Chair of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council.
Springfest’s Hours for 2017:
- Friday, May 19th (4pm-9pm)
- Saturday, May 20th (10am-9pm)
- SpringFest kicks off at 10 am and rocks / eats / shops until 9:00 pm!
- The Kosair KidZone will be open from noon until 6:00 pm.
- Sunday, May 21st (Noon-6pm)
In Lightening, one of the hottest and most creative bands on the local scene will perform on Saturday night from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
“Old Louisville is the perfect place to enjoy the weekend and a great setting to enjoy Springfest,” says James. “And if it has been awhile since you have come down to this area, this is the perfect time to come visit us.”
For more information about Springfest 2017, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
Gov. Matt Bevin has made the following appointments to Kentucky Boards and Commissions:
Gregory Alan Yankey, Ron D. Gilkerson, Mark Burton Mangun and Stephen B. Sullivan have been appointed to the Kentucky Geological Survey Advisory Board.
- Gregory Alan Yankey, of Salvisa, is an engineer. He shall serve for a term expiring September 1, 2019.
- Ron D. Gilkerson, of Nicholasville, is an engineer. He shall serve for a term expiring September 1, 2019.
- Mark Burton Mangun, of Frankfort, is a professional geologist. He shall serve for a term expiring September 1, 2019.
- Stephen B. Sullivan, of Louisville, is a professional geologist. He shall serve for a term expiring September 1, 2019.
The Kentucky Geological Survey Advisory Board is charged with increasing the knowledge and understanding of the mineral, energy, water resources, geologic hazards and geology of Kentucky for the benefit of the Commonwealth and nation. The Board also conducts research, collects data, and serves as the state’s official archive for information on petroleum, coal, minerals, ground water, and topographic and geologic maps.
Tomorrow kicks off the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival with one of the largest fireworks displays in the country. Thunder Over Louisville is a fun family event that features music, food, an air show, and a very large fireworks display at the end of the day. Unfortunately, the weather will not be so cooperative, and there is no rain date. As long as it is safe to be near the river, the show will go on. We are currently looking at a high near 50 degrees with nearly 100% chance of rain.
Visitors to the main viewing area on either side of the river will need a Pegasus pin for entrance. The official program for the day will be available tomorrow in the local newspaper. The day begins when many displays open at 11:00 AM. The US Military will have multiple interactive displays on the South Great Lawn, including a dog tag machine, a fitness challenge, an obstacle course, and a 4D virtual reality simulation of a Navy rescue mission. The South Lawn will have activities geared towards children, such as the ninja jump and Meijer will be sponsoring a Family Fun zone that will feature face painting, bounce houses and a beer garden for the parents.
The famous air show does not start until 2:30 PM (recent time change from 3:00 PM). The line up of acts will feature aircraft from the US and other foreign countries’ militaries, both past and present. The show usually features a couple of stunt pilots that will display their skills in the cockpit by performing stunning, and dangerous, maneuvers in the air at various heights. If you have not been to a Thunder Over Louisville event with cloud cover, the ability of the planes to fly close enough to be seen is dependent on the ceiling level and the pilot’s discretion. The entire line up of airshow can be seen online, but it is subject to change.
The air show ends when the fireworks start. As with the previous 27 events, the 28-minute fireworks show has a theme. This year it is “Local & Original”. Along with the fireworks, there is a musical score to go along with the show and as always, there will be a salute to the US that usually features the US flag being flown by aircraft in the viewing area and a few well-known, patriotic songs. The fireworks are currently scheduled to start at 9:30 PM.
If you plan on attending the event, some useful information can be found at the Kentucky Derby Festival webpage. You should plan on leaving any personal drones, tents, canopies, glass containers, alcoholic beverages, pets, bicycles, and grills at home. Lawn chairs are permitted and so are tarps (as long as they are under 10′ x 10′). Event organizers also recommend that you dress for the weather (possibly consider a change of clothes in a waterproof bag or in the car), make sure you gas tank is full (traffic after the event can be slow moving at best and many routes that may be familiar will be blocked), and plan to park as far away as you can comfortably walk. A map of the viewing area is also available on the website.
If you do not want to drive to the event, the local public transit provider, TARC, will have extra buses on certain routes and alternate loading spots following the event. More information, including route changes and detours, can be found on their website. If you are unable to attend the event or do not desire sitting in the rain all-day, you can listen to the show all day on WVEZ 106.9 and many local news stations will air the event as well.