Wednesday October 22, 2025
Local Connection
Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
Bourbon & Beyond – the incredible all-in-one bourbon, food, and entertainment that honors the rich history of bourbon that is so deeply rooted in the heart of Kentucky–is making its debut in Louisville’s Champions Park. The two-day extravaganza features musical performances, The Big Bourbon Bar, bourbon masters and celebrities, top national and local chefs, one-of-a-kind culinary creations, and a variety of other authentic experiences.
Official event parking will be available at the Eva Bandman, Water Tower and Cox’s Park parking lots. Prices range from $15-$20. Please click here for parking map. ADA parking will be available in the Water Tower Lot. Accessible parking lot transportation will be available to transport patrons with mobility disabilities to the main gate.
Rideshare Riders: Uber, Lyft, Taxi and Hotel Vans- Rideshare Drop-Off/Pick-Up will take place at the Water Tower Lot (3005 River Road, Louisville, KY 40207)
Rideshare Drivers: Take I-71 to Zorn Ave or Brownsboro Road to access Water Tower lot. Ensure your credentials are easily visible for entry to lot
Traffic Notes:
Please visit http://www.louisville-police.org/455/Street-Closures for special event traffic plans.
For pedestrian safety, River Road (between Edith & Zorn Ave) will be closed briefly at close of festival.
Location:
Champions Park (2050 River Road, Louisville, KY 40206)
Event Schedule:
- Gates open at 11:00 am daily.
- Saturday show start: 12:35 PM
- Saturday show end: 10:50 PM
- Sunday show start: 11:50 AM
- Sunday Show end: 10:25 PM
Please click here for daily lineup and schedule
Butterflies n’ Blooms culminates with the tagging of over 1,000 monarch butterflies for release at Flutter Fest on Sept. 22 brought to you in partnership with Louisville’s Idlewild Butterfly Farm. This release coincides with the annual migration of monarch butterflies.
Activities starting at 10 a.m. will include:
- Craft and activity stations: Children of all ages can play games and make crafts while learning more about monarchs and their long journey.
- Education stations: Visit stations to learn the importance of pollinators and what you can do to help them.
- Storytime plus Meet and Greet The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Hear the beloved tale of a particularly hungry caterpillar and meet The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
- Butterfly Talks and Release: Join us at 2 p.m. as butterfly expert Blair Leano-Helvey gives a talk on the importance of pollinators like monarch butterflies. Then watch as the sky fills with butterflies during the release of over 1,000 tagged monarchs.
- Pollinator Parade: Kids can join our special pollinator parade following the butterfly release at 2 p.m. If you don’t have your own wings, our gift shop has butterfly wings available for purchase.
There will be special plant sales from our Butterfly partner, Idlewild Butterfly Farm.
The Louisville Zoo, a nonprofit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Declaration waives certain commercial motor carrier regulations for operators providing relief to affected areas
In anticipation of Hurricane Florence and its potential to cause damage to the southeastern United States, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Greg Thomas has waived certain regulations on commercial motor carriers involved in the relief effort.
Secretary Thomas issued the emergency declaration that provides temporary regulatory relief for crews heading to the affected areas to deliver goods, restore utilities and remove debris.
“Lifting these restrictions allows crews to assist with the relief effort as quickly as possible,” Secretary Thomas
said.
The order exempts a driver’s hours of service limitation and weigh station stoppage, suspends registration requirements and waives permit fees for overweight/over-dimensional vehicles. All other safety requirements will remain in effect for drivers.
The declaration expires on Oct. 11.
Additional information is available here http://transportation.ky.gov/
The second-annual “Family Kite Festival” will take place on the grounds of the historic home and farm, located in southwest Louisville at 7410 Moorman Road. Admission to the Kite Festival is free, although concessions will be offered for sale. The first 300 children in attendance at the festival will receive a free kite. Activities include performances from the Chicago Kite Team and Pigs Aloft Stationary Kites; stilt walkers; bubble making, kite making, jugglers, children’s games and complimentary tours (donations accepted) of the Farnsley-Moremen House. The LMPD display helicopter will also be at the festival for kids to enjoy.
“The Family Kite Festival is quickly becoming a tradition in its second year at Riverside, one of the true gems in beautiful southwest Louisville. Last year, several hundred children attended and we’re hoping to see more smiling faces on the banks of the Ohio once again this year,” said Mayor Greg Fischer.
“This is a unique event for Louisville and we hope it becomes a popular tradition for years to come,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Parks and Recreation. “It should be a lot of fun for the entire family, whether you’re an experienced kite maker or just interested in trying out something new.”
“I’m excited to have the kite festival back for a second year at the lovely Riverside, the Farnsley-Moreman Landing. This will be a great event for young and old alike. Please plan on attending this free event on September 16,” said Councilwoman Cindi Fowler, who represents District 14 in southwest Louisville.
Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing is celebrating its 25th anniversary of public ownership this year. It exists to promote, preserve, restore and interpret historic farm life on the Ohio River. Standing atop a gentle rise overlooking the Ohio River, the Farnsley-Moremen House is the centerpiece of a 300-acre historic site in Louisville, Kentucky, called Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing. Built circa 1837, the house stands as a testament to the important role agriculture along the river played in the development of our country.
Music Industry Veteran Danny Wimmer knows a little about producing music festivals, and he should… he has been at it since 1993 with big name events like Rock on the Range, the Aftershock Festival, Carolina Rebellion, Rock Allegiance, and others.
Evidence of his expertise can be seen with the huge crowds that he’s drawn to Louisville over the past half-decade with music festivals that may sound a little more familiar. Last year alone, Danny Wimmer Presents Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life Festivals drew a combined 110,000 fans to Champions Park for four amazing days of music, food, and great times.
Later this month, both festivals return with back-to-back weekends jam packed with dozens of favorites and new acts ready to expose attendees to the upcoming crop of artists in their respective genres. Continue reading
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Free music returns to Old Louisville when “In Lightning” performs some new laid back tunes as Old Louisville LIVE returns to Central Park on Friday August 31st.
“Old Louisville is once again the place to as we offer the community free music on a Friday night in one of the best neighborhoods in Metro Louisville,” says Councilman David James (D-6). “The Old Louisville Neighborhood Council is hosting this event as a great way to kick back and enjoy a Friday night and start the weekend off right.”
Old Louisville LIVE kicks off this Friday at 7:00pm with “In Lightning” debuting new music as play a wide variety of groovy, rockin’, cinematic music. Flow artists will be on hand spinning LED hoops and batons in the dark as part of the band’s show.
Admission to the concert is FREE.
All Old Louisville LIVE shows will take place at the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Central Park, are free, and open to public. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Old Louisville LIVE Performance Schedule:
- Friday August 31, 8:00-11:00 p.m. In Lightning
- Friday September 7, 8:00-11:00 p.m. Junior J and Shania Robinson
- Saturday, September 15, 5-10:00 p.m. Hal & Ben’s BIKE-IN
- Saturday, September 22, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Monarchs
- Friday, September 28, 7:00-10:00pm Moondance
Joining Councilman James and the OLNC as sponsors are Louisville Metro Government, The 1300 Association, South Third Street Association, South Fourth Street Association, Garvin Gate Neighborhood Association, Belgravia Association, St. James Court Association, Treyton Oak Towers, Genscape, Paradise Tomato Kitchens, Central Park West Neighborhood Association, and BC Plumbing.
For the latest updates about Old Louisville LIVE visit Old Louisville Neighborhood Council’s website, oldlouisville.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/OldLouisvilleNeighborhood.
Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Parks Foundation CEO, Brooke Pardue were joined by Councilman Bill Hollander and the local skateboarding community to unveil the Breslin Park Skate Spot, the latest public park to receive added amenities funded by the Louisville Parks Foundation.
The $95,000 skate spot, built and designed by Hunger Skateparks, of Bloomington, IN, is the first of its kind in the region. Unlike larger skate parks, the skate-able art sculpture is designed for all levels, making it appropriate for beginners and experts alike. This completes the first phase of the Foundation’s Breslin Park 2.0 Project, which includes a state-of-the-art shade structure to follow.
“Many people aren’t aware of this, but Breslin Park was home to Louisville’s original skatepark.” Said Pardue, “There is a rich history of skating in this park and I have been overwhelmed with the positive response I have received from generations of street skaters in our community. I’m glad we listened and were able to provide them with something we can all feel good about.”
“This new skate spot, in conjunction with the Louisville Extreme Park, is going to put Louisville on the map for people looking for a quality skate experience.” Said Noah Hulsman, owner of Home Skateshop. “And we are committed to keeping Breslin Park clean and safe for all park users.”
Funding for the project is the result of a partnership between the Louisville Parks Foundation, a non-profit that supports Louisville Parks and Recreation, Home Skateshop, Councilman Bill Hollander, Grind Burgers, Spinelli’s Pizza, Vegan Jerky Company, and individual donors.