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A fun – and free – family event will take place on the banks of the Ohio River in southwest Louisville on Saturday, June 17 as Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing hosts “Family Farm and Forage Day” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will explore historic and present-day farming with a variety of children’s activities, workshops, talks and booths. Families can enjoy a milking demonstration featuring “Bluegrass Bessie” the cow; a farm animal petting zoo; horse-drawn wagon tours, barrel train rides as well as demonstrations on beekeeping, raising chickens, cultivating beneficial garden insects, growing fruit trees and more.
New this year to the festival – in its second year – is the Jefferson County 4-H Fair Open Youth Dairy Goat Show . The goats will be judged on adherence to breed standards and their youth handlers will be judged on showmanship. Late entries will be accepted the day of the show. The entrance fee is $5 per goat and champions will be awarded a small premium. For questions, contact Kelly Smith at the Extension office at (502) 569-2344.
All events and demonstrations are free, although a suggested donation of $5 can be made prior to tours of the Farnsley-Moremen house. Ehrler’s Ice Cream and the LaRue County Pork Producers will be providing concessions at Family Farm and Forage Day.
“This is a terrific family event that combines fun and learning,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Beyond the activities of the event itself, I urge citizens from all over the community to come out and see some of the great things that southwest Louisville has to offer.”
“I am so excited to see this wonderful farm event behing held at the Farnsley-Moremen historic property,” said Councilwoman Cindi Fowler, who represents District 14, where Riverside is located. “It is so important to educate the public on how our food gets from the farm to the table and past and present practices of how exactly that happens. I look forward to seeing you at this free event!”
This event is held in partnership with the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Other sponsors include Louisville Gas & Electric, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, the Future Farmers of America, the Louisville Water Co. and 4-H.
In addition to Fowler, Metro Council sponsors include Council President David Yates, D-25; Vicki Welch, D-13 and Rick Blackwell, D-12.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
As part of a multi-year effort creating improvements at Shawnee Park, Mayor Greg Fischer and other local officials dedicated the newly upgraded and historic Dirt Bowl courts Tuesday morning. The annual Dirt Bowl tournament, in its 48th year, begins this year on Saturday, June 17 at Shawnee Park.
Many of the city’s and region’s leading hoops figures– including Darrell Griffith, Tony Kimbro, Artis Gilmore, Louie Dampier and Derek Anderson – have competed in the tournament. In addition to the high-quality of competition in the tournament, the Dirt Bowl is also been recognized as cultural and social summertime institution in west Louisville.
Just last year, a book titled “I Said Bang: A History Of The Dirt Bowl” was released by the Louisville Story Project outlining the significance of the tournament, from its beginnings in 1969 when it was created by Janis Carter and Ben Watkins.
In conjunction with an underground basin project that is ongoing in the park and is slated to continue through 2018, MSD has committed to making several improvements to the park, including new playing surfaces at Hornung Field, a new open-air pavilion and restrooms and the restoration of the lily pond and Ball House – the future home of the West Louisville Outdoor Recreation Initiative.
“These changes will transform the park and bring amenities that will be enjoyed at Shawnee Park for generations to come,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “The short-term inconvenience due to MSD’s work in the park will result in a long-term gain.”
“I’m so glad that the MSD basin project has made the improvements to the Dirt Bowl courts possible. They are heavily used courts and will be able to extend the enjoyment and usage of the courts for years to come for patrons of all ages,” said Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, who represents District 5, which includes Shawnee Park.
The work on the basketball courts consists of new fiberglass backboards, a scoreboard, concrete pads and bleachers as well as an enhanced electrical system for the court and nearby surroundings. The courts have also been slightly moved so that the evening sun will not be in the player’s faces, something that has been a long been a challenge at the Dirt Bowl.
“Everything about the Dirt Bowl experience, from the people in the stands listening to the call of the game and watching it on the court, to the players participating in it, will be enhanced because of this work,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Metro Parks and Recreation. “These are crowd-pleasing improvements and we’re looking forward to a great summer at Shawnee Park.”
The three basketball courts at Wyandotte Park in south Louisville have been completely rebuilt thanks to a partnership between the city of Louisville, Nike and RCA recording artist Bryson Tiller.
The new courts debuted on Wednesday, June 7 with an appearance from Tiller at Wyandotte along with Mayor Greg Fischer.
Tiller and Nike teamed up on the construction of the courts at Wyandotte Park, located just east of the Watterson Expressway off Taylor Boulevard, less than a mile from Churchill Downs.
Tiller will perform at the Mercury Ballroom tonight at 7 p.m. and then return for an engagement at the KFC Yum! Center on Saturday, September 16.
“We couldn’t be more pleased that Nike and Louisville’s own Bryson Tiller have given us this spectacular new complex of courts at Wyandotte Park kids and families can enjoy,” Fischer said. “These are some of the best outdoor courts in the country. It’s going to be great to see them in use this summer.”
“It is exciting to know that Louisville is never far from Bryson Tiller’s mind,” said Councilwoman Marianne Butler, who represents Metro Council District 15, where Wyandotte Park is located. “We are so grateful to Nike and Mr. Tiller for the offer and the beautiful courts that we produce future Cardinals – and maybe some Cats – to go on and make a difference in the world. We hope they all learn from Mr. Tiller’s action – never forget where you came from and give back. Thank you!”
“I am so proud that we have a young man like Bryson from our community,” said Councilwoman Jessica Green, District 1, and a friend of Tiller’s. “He has taken the music industry by storm, and most importantly, he has not forgotten his Louisville roots. As the icing on the cake, he is just a wonderful and humble young man. I am so honored to know him. We are so appreciative to him and to Nike for these timely park improvements.”
The project at Wyandotte includes new expanded asphalt to increase the size of the original three-court configuration. After the asphalt was cured for three weeks, a modern rubberized surface was added, along with freshly-painted lines to re-establish court boundaries. New goal posts and fiberglass backboards were then added.
In the future, work at Wyandotte will include new lighting, tennis and pickleball courts.
Councilwoman Mary C. Woolridge (D-3)is sponsoring the Bringing Unity in the Community Festival along with Community Outreach Service to unify the community through tragic times by hosting a two‐day family oriented outdoor festival right in the heart of the West End; the Algonquin Community.
“If there ever was a time for unity in our community, it’s now. Together, we need people to show support for each other, join hands and let everyone know we want a safe place for our children and our families,” says Woolridge. “This is a good first step.”
Algonquin Park will serve as the location to bring people together on June 9th and 10th to participate in this special festival. Headlining, “Bringing Unity in the Community” is Louisville’s own national recording artists Linkin’ Bridge!
Algonquin Park will become a center point of entertainment, entrepreneurs, health fair booths, and will include major efforts in job opportunities, and expungement exposure throughout the two‐day festival
Partnering with the Councilwoman is Community Outreach Service, a non‐profit organization designed to serve the people.
The festival will feature local vendors as a way of boosting the local economy with services ranging from food to crafts and boutiques to highlight small businesses.
The festival begins at 12:00pm on Friday June 9th, with live entertainment from hand‐selected artists that have been chosen based on their unique sound and character. Booths and entertainment will be open on Friday from 12:00pm until 7:00pm and on Saturday from 10:00am to 7:00pm.
Local dance teams, comedians, musicians, bands and more will take center stage to provide entertainment, with over 20 acts over the two‐day span. Job and career seekers will be able to apply for positions on the spot at the job fair during the festival. The “Bringing Unity in the Community” Festival will be a fun‐filled, empowering festival to unify culture and diversity in the West End!
“I want to invite everyone in West Louisville to come to Algonquin Park, meet your neighbors and see what we all have in common as a community,” says Woolridge. “We need each other and we can help each other.”
Councilwoman Mary Woolridge has invited the mayor and we are looking forward to having Mayor Greg Fisher join us.
Please join us in Bringing Unity in the Community!
For more information, contact Councilwoman Woolridge’s Office at 574-1103.
The Kentucky Center Free Summer Concert Series: A concert series of diverse musical acts taking place on the front steps of The Kentucky Center (501 West Main Street) each Tuesday evening during the month of June.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 @ 5-7 p.m. – Appalatin
- Appalatin’s foot-stomping, hip-swinging sound organically unite Appalachian folk and high-energy Latin music. The name, Appalatin, reflects the unexpected meeting in Louisville of Kentucky-raised musicians and masterful Latin émigrés from Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Their all-acoustic performances of traditional strings of guitar, mandolin, upright bass and charango, indigenous Andean flutes, hand percussion, harmonica and vocal harmonies have brought joy and happiness to listeners of all ages. https://www.appalatin.com/
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 @ 5-7 p.m. – Small Time Napoleon
- Small Time Napoleon is the combination of new ideas and old sounds. Their interest in the jazz standards of the swing-era shine through in their voices, writing and playing, while their ear for new sounds and ideas constantly drives them forward. The product of this pairing is what Kyle Ware of Insider Louisville has called “A mad science blend of western swing, hot jazz and folk,” which is “already starting to gel into something wholly singular.” http://www.smalltimenapoleon.com/
Tuesday, June 20, 2017 @ 5-7 p.m. – Hot Brown Smackdown
- Hot Brown Smackdown is a bluegrass fueled, funk steered, rock influenced, semi-acoustic party sextet. Energetic and soulful, they skillfully bridge the gap between jamgrass and genres beyond, deploying textured bluegrass polyphony and infectious rhythms to keep you moving all night. http://hotbrownsmackdown.com/
Tuesday, June 27, 2017 @ 5-7 p.m. – The Misty Mountain String Band
- Drawing influence from old-time music, Americana, bluegrass and songs of labor and protest, Misty Mountain String Band doesn’t stray far from their upbringings in Kentucky and West Virginia. Formed as a pickup group for an old-time camp revival, MMSB has evolved into a professional band that’s as at home playing with the Louisville Orchestra as at bluegrass festivals with Americana favorites. The group connects with fans of folk music around the world, sharing unique string band music written for today, but informed by tradition. http://www.themistymountainstringband.com/
Be sure to visit The Kentucky Center and enjoy live music, beverages and dinner from the area’s best food trucks. The Kentucky Center Free Summer Concert Series is part of the Cultural Pass, in addition to several other events taking place at The Kentucky Center, including the Family Film Night on the Belvedere and the Young Person’s Guide to Local Music. To learn more about the 2017 Cultural Pass visit here.
Note: In the event of rain, event is cancelled. Please monitor The Kentucky Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and kentuckycenter.org for updates.
#FOLLOWME will feature Willdabeast, Nia Sioux, Kenneth San José, and Janelle Ginestra on Tuesday, August 15, at 7:30 p.m.. The performance will take place in Brown Theatre, located at 315 W. Broadway, Louisville 40202
#FOLLOWME celebrates the hip-hop community, inspiring dancers to step into the spotlight, giving fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see, dance, and interact with their YouTube dance idols.
You watch their videos. You learn their moves. Join the ultimate global dance crew and see your favorite stars step off the screen and onto the stage in this unique dance experience where dreams come true.
The Kentucky Center is the official ticket service for this event. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. online, by phone (502.584.7777), and at the box office (501 W. Main Street, Louisville 40202).
Tickets start at $22.50, reserved seating, fees apply. VIP Packages are available at $110, including premium seating and post-show Meet and Greet with photo opportunity.
With its new logo and tagline — Uniquely Kentucky. Uniquely Fun. — the Kentucky State Fair is encouraging Kentuckians to enter this year’s competitions for best apple pie, best homebrew IPA beer, best hand-pieced quilt and more.
“The Kentucky State Fair celebrates the best of the Bluegrass State,” said President and CEO Jason Rittenberry. “That not only includes its rich history and culture, but also its people and their unique talents. I invite everyone to consider submitting an entry and sharing their accomplishments with the 600,000 fairgoers this August.”
Competitors can choose from 32 departments — including antiques, field seed, livestock, photography and textiles — which are divided into 7,000 total classes of competition. All ages are welcome to compete for cash prizes and the more than 5,000 blue ribbons to be awarded. In fact, records show competitors have range in age from 4 to 92 years.
The Kentucky State Fair draws entries from across the country, with 18 different states represented in 2016 alone. Other years have seen entrants from around the world competing for Bluegrass blue ribbons. The 2017 Premium Book and entry form are available online at www.kystatefair.org/premiumBook.html. A print version is also available; to request a copy, contact the entry department at Entry@kyvenues.com or call (502) 367-5190.
Deadlines for Entries:
- General – July 1
- General (with late fee) – July 10
- Open and 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock – July 10
- Pigeon and Poultry – July 18
- Rabbit – July 18
- Open Livestock (with late fee) – July 25
- Extra Late Open Livestock ( with late fee) – August 3
For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org/premiumBook.html or contact the entry department at Entry@kyvenues.com or (502) 367-5190.
The 2017 Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 17-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the Fair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or its blog.