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Eighth-grade students at the J. Graham Brown School, 546 S. First Street, will host an interactive refugee camp on Friday, November 10, from 9:05 to 11:40 a.m. and from 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. at Peace Park (located across the street from the school) to showcase what they have learned in class over the past two months.
The students have created a refugee camp that will reproduce some of the challenges and difficulties that refugees face in camps today. They will also provide an interactive learning experience and reflection opportunities for participants.
In addition, the school’s ninth graders have been studying different aspects of water scarcity in all their classes and have organized a “Walk for Water” that same day from 8:30 to 11 a.m., as they are trying to raise $8,000 to build a well for a school in Sudan. Each student (having collected pledges) will be carrying a gallon of water from the school to the Big Four Bridge and back.
Both activities are great examples of the Deeper Learning initiative that is at the forefront of the district’s strategic plan. The framework was adopted by the Jefferson County Board of Education in June 2016 as a way to encourage students to be more independent and take a more active role in their learning process.
Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that Light Up Louisville, which kicks off the month-long celebration of Louisville’s Holiday in the City, is returning to its roots at Jefferson Square and Metro Hall.
Now in its 37th year, Light Up, the official starting point for the holiday season in Louisville, brings together people from all over the city, along with family, friends and visitors, to enjoy a day full of excitement, entertainment and community.
“For so many of us, the holidays mean ‘coming home,’ gathering with family and friends in traditional ways and comfortable spaces,” the Mayor said. “So it’s great that this year’s Light Up Louisville is also coming home, to Jefferson Square Park, where it first began.”
And the festivities continue through New Year’s Day, as Holiday in the City, a gift from MainSource Bank and powered by LG&E, provides family-friendly fun with a pop-up ice skating rink at Holiday Square at Fourth and Jefferson streets.
Light Up Louisville, always held the Friday after Thanksgiving, begins at 4 p.m. that day, as children are encouraged to visit Santa’s Workshop on the first floor of Metro Hall, and create holiday crafts. The first 250 people will receive a discount coupon to be used at the nearby Holiday in the City ice skating rink.
There will be a vendor village at Sixth and Jefferson streets, with holiday crafts, treats and gifts for sale. And the Louisville Visitor Center located near the ice skating rink will be open during Light Up Louisville, offering giveaways, treats and activities.
The main Light Up Louisville stage on the west lawn of Metro Hall will feature live entertainment beginning at 4 p.m. until the start of the Lots of Lights parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade will start at Seventh and Jefferson streets and proceed east on Jefferson to Fourth, where it will travel through Fourth Street Live! before dispersing at Muhammad Ali.
The parade, featuring floats, bands, carolers, car clubs, children’s groups and civic organizations, will end with the arrival of Santa Claus, as he and Mayor Fischer illuminate the city Christmas tree in Jefferson Square, along with much of the rest of downtown Louisville, as the sky is lit by Zambelli fireworks.
Following the Light Up moment, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., entertainment on the main stage will resume and children are invited to go back inside Metro Hall and get a free picture with Santa Claus.
At Holiday Square, located at Fourth and Jefferson streets, visitors can enjoy the full-size ice skating rink, featuring real ice. A 60-minute skating session with skate rentals is $12 per person; it’s $9 if you bring your own skates. The rink will be open November 23 – January 1.
Holiday in the City visitors are reminded that Fourth Street Live! plans a Winter Wonderland experience, including free pictures with Santa, Friday through Sunday until December 23.
Mike Gleeson, Regional President for MainSource Bank, says, “We are honored to be part of such a great event. Our commitment to the Louisville area and all the local communities we serve is a top priority at MainSource Bank. We’re excited for a great Holiday season, with the hope that many residents and visitors enjoy this incredible event.”
“It’s great to be back again this year, helping our community sparkle throughout the holiday season, as we continue our long-standing partnership with the city,” said Victor A. Staffieri, Chairman and CEO of LG&E and KU Energy. “Bringing Light Up Louisville festivities back to Metro Hall while maintaining the ice skating venue is a great opportunity for people to get out, walk around downtown and enjoy everything it has to offer.”
Besides MainSource Bank and LG&E, the holiday festivities’ sponsors include: Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fourth Street Live!, Ford/UAW, Hines Management, MetroPCS, 106.9 Play!, Louisville Magazine, Outfront Media, and WLKY.
Mayor Fischer urges people to share their photos from Light Up Louisville and Holiday in the City on social media using the hashtag #AroundLou.
For more information, go to: www.specialeventslouisville.com
The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) is the largest all-breed, purebred livestock expo in the world, with 30,000 cattle, goats, swine, llamas and alpacas, sheep and horses competing for nearly $750,000 in premiums and awards. The show runs Oct. 31-Nov. 16 throughout the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Barrel Racing Riders race against the clock in this fast-paced competition where agility and speed are key. Youth competition begins Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. in Broadbent Arena and continues Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. with amateur, girls and open barrel racing. Juniors and seniors compete Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Cowboys take aim at ten targets in this timed event, shooting for both accuracy and speed. The winning rider is determined by compiling the most hits, fewest penalties and quickest time. This event is held in Freedom Hall:
- Thursday, Nov. 9 8 a.m.
- Friday, Nov. 10 12 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 11 8 a.m.
Draft Horse Shows Draft horses, known for their beauty and strength, compete by pulling weighted carts and wagons. Teams are judged on performance, driving and conformation. The shows are held in in Freedom Hall:
- Friday, Nov. 10 8 a.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 11 8 a.m.
Entrance to competitions is included with NAILE admission: $6 for adults; and $3 for seniors (55 and older) and children (ages 2-12). Parking is $8 daily. Event passes for the entire expo are $25 for admission and $25 for parking.
Free admission and parking are available to visitors and North American Marketplace shoppers Nov. 7-8.
NAILE features the North American Marketplace, wool showcase, children’s barnyard and more. The separately ticketed North American Championship Rodeo is held Nov. 9-11 in Freedom Hall, in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition.
For more information, visit www.livestockexpo.org. Continue reading
Photo: LouisvilleZoo.org
Pumpkin Spice Habitat
The bears, orangutans, elephants and many other animals at the Louisville Zoo will be celebrating the end of Halloween with a special pumpkin enrichment!
Saturday, November 4, marks the zoo’s annual Pumpkin Smash event.
“The World’s Largest Halloween Party!” presented by Meijer wrapped up last weekend after nearly a month of fun and special events. Now it is time for the hundreds of pumpkins that decorated the zoo’s grounds for the festivities will be given to the animals for Halloween enrichment.
Animal enrichment is an important part of animal husbandry at the Louisville Zoo and promotes the expression of natural behavior.
This is the perfect opportunity to visit the zoo and see how the animals react to their special seasonal treats. Zoo hours are from 10 AM to 4 PM, visitors arriving by 4 can stay until 5 PM.
Schedule:
(animals participating and times are subject to change)
10:15 a.m. Orangutans (Islands Dayroom)
10:30 a.m. Sumatran Tiger outdoor (Islands outdoor habitat)
11:15 a.m. Bears (Glacier Run)
11:45 a.m. Gorillas (Gorilla Forest)
12:15 p.m. Amur Tigers (after training)
1:15 p.m. Elephants
The Kentucky Derby Festival is looking for participants for next year’s Republic Bank Pegasus Parade. 2018 marks the 63rd annual parade, which will march down Broadway on Thursday, May 3. The application process for groups interested in participating in the parade opens online today.
Click here to see photos from the 2017 Pegasus Parade.
The Festival is looking for participants in the following categories: Equestrians, Specialty Unit, Marching Band, Inflatable and Float. Parade Participation Guidelines and Applications can be downloaded at KDF.org/PegasusParade. The application deadline is January 31, 2018. For more information about participating in the parade, contact Event Manager Zach Fisher at (502) 572-3853 or zfisher@kdf.org.
The Pegasus Parade – the Derby Festival’s oldest founding event – is one of nearly 70 events produced by the Kentucky Derby Festival in the spring and provides an estimated economic impact of more than $22 million. Each year, the annual spectacle steps off at 5 p.m. and marches west on Broadway from Campbell to Ninth Street.
Republic Bank is the Title Sponsor of the parade with Contributing Sponsor, KentuckyOne Health.
The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people annually. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
The Southwest Festival, a one-day event, starts tomorrow at Sun Valley Community Center in Valley Station. Following tradition, the Valley’s Woman’s Club will host a Bean Soup Dinner tonight, starting at 4:30 PM. All proceeds from the dinner will go to support the club.
Starting at 8:00 AM on Saturday, Plumb Lodge #862 will host their annual pancake breakfast. All proceeds from the breakfast go to fun their scholarship fund. This year the event will be headlined by the Louisville Crashers. Other attractions include Toddler Town, Kids’ City, Teen City, chance to meet many local businesses, and the annual car and motorcycle show. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on site.
While the event itself is free, parking will be $5 per vehicle, and includes a chance to win one of the many door prizes. Festival organizers request that attendees leave their pets at home, only service animals will be allowed into the festival area.
Meijer presents “The World’s Largest Halloween Party!”
October 5–8, 12–15, 19–22, & 26–29, 2017
It’s that time of year when the Louisville Zoo transforms into a storybook land and a photo opportunity is waiting around every corner during the Zoo’s “World’s Largest Halloween Party!” presented by Meijer. This year the Zoo celebrates its 36th year of the popular party on October 5–8, 12–15, 19–22, & 26–29, 2017
Tickets are now on sale.
Children can dress up in their wildest costumes and set off on a magical journey through the Zoo.
The Party features costumed characters for guests to meet and greet in fanciful, larger-than-life storybook scenes. Trick-or-treating is offered for kids 11 and under. In an effort to be “green,” the Zoo requests that children bring their own trick-or-treat bag to the event. The Zoo will not provide bags, but reusable cloth bags will be available for purchase for $2 in the Zoo’s gift shop whiles supplies last.
Louisville pumpkin carving artist Donna O’Bryan will have her beautifully carved artificial pumpkins on display nightly in the Glacier Run Black Cat Crossing area with cutout themes ranging from iconic movie characters to famous stars.
Fun themed areas include: Continue reading
