Wednesday October 22, 2025
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Kevin Moore was named as the new General Manager of the Kentucky Exposition Center today. The Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center are managed by Kentucky Venues, which is the organizational brand of the Kentucky State Fair Board.
Moore most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer of Kentucky Venues and has been with the organization since 2013. Prior to working at Kentucky Venues, Moore worked in various financial roles with Louisville Metro Government for 13 years. His experience includes executive management, project oversight, strategic planning, and facility operations. Moore lives in Simpsonville with his wife and two daughters.
“Moore’s management experience, integrity, and vision for the property are exactly what the Expo Center needs as we look toward the future,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues. “Under his leadership, we have tremendous opportunities to position the facility for new growth.”
As General Manager, Moore will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the Expo Center.
In 2017, the Kentucky Exposition Center generated approximately $227 million in economic impact, hosted 225 events, and welcomed over 2 million visitors.
Visit www.kyvenues.com for more information about spaces and events at Kentucky Venues.
In what has become the must-see event of the Halloween season, the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is returning for the sixth consecutive year to south Louisville’s Iroquois Park, where 5,000 artistically carved pumpkins will greet visitors from October 9 through November 4.
The pumpkins will illuminate a 1/3-mile trail adjacent to the Iroquois Amphitheater, and event officials estimate up to 85,000 people will visit.
The trail is open from dusk until 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets range from $10 to $17, with discounts for seniors and children 12 and under. Proceeds from the event benefit the Louisville Parks Foundation.
The wooded trail begins just outside of Iroquois Amphitheater (1080 Amphitheater Road, Louisville, KY 40214) and weaves its way through the trees with themed vignettes set to music. The carved, lit pumpkins rotate on a weekly basis, creating a different experience each weekend. This year’s show, “A Night at the Library”, is a celebration of the Smithsonian’s 50th anniversary with skits highlighting imagery from literature, pop culture, history, arts and cinema.
Concessions will be available nightly, including the sale of Parkside Coffee, a specialty blend created and roasted locally by Fante’s Coffee, with proceeds benefiting the Louisville Parks Foundation. Merchandise such as t-shirts and hats will also be available for sale, marking the first-time commemorative items are being offered.
The event is held rain or shine. Coach drop-off and on-site parking is available.
Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is produced by the Louisville Parks Foundation and The Iroquois Amphitheater in conjunction with Passion for Pumpkins, a multimedia production company with more than 30 years’ experience in redefining fall by transforming any landscape into an illuminated organic gallery.
This year’s sponsors include Louisville Tourism, Papa John’s, Republic Bank, LG&E and KU, Louisville Metro Council, Speed Art Museum, Porta Kleen, Waste Management, Metro Fence, Wendy’s, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, Louisville Eye Center, WeatherCheck, Frazier History Museum, Wendy’s, Yellowstone Select Bourbon, Old 502 Winery, and Bristol Catering.
TICKET INFORMATION
Sunday – Thursday
Adults $13
Seniors (62+) $11
Children (3-12) $10
Friday – Saturday
Adults $17
Seniors (62+) $14
Children (3-12) $13
Individual tickets may be purchased in advance for specific nights at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office or online at www.jackolanternlouisville.com. Visitors are also encouraged to use the hashtag #502Pumpkins on social media to share images or experiences they enjoy while touring the show.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more can be purchased in advance by calling 502/368-5063, or in person at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office at 6 p.m. beginning October 9.
Group tickets are discounted at $10 Sunday through Thursday.
The event is held rain or shine. No refunds will be given, but advanced purchased tickets may be exchanged for another day.
Louisville Metro Public Works has established a policy for regulating dockless vehicles in the city that focuses on safety and equitable access.
A dockless vehicle is defined as a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric motor-assisted scooter, defined by Chapter 74 of the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances, which can be located and checked out without human assistance. The electric-motor assisted bikes and scooters can travel at no more than 15 miles per hour.
As part of the policy, a total of four dockless vehicle operators are permitted to operate in Louisville. Each operator will begin with a six-month probationary period, which can lead to a full-operating permit, renewed annually. During the probationary period, operators may begin with 150 vehicles and, if ridership exceeds four rides per vehicle per day, increase their fleet by 100 vehicles per month, up to 650. Ultimately, operators will be permitted 1,050 vehicles if they successfully complete the probationary period and meet performance standards, such as responsiveness to complaints and ridership.
Dockless vehicles are permitted to operate in an operational zone, defined as within the Watterson Expressway, with extensions in the south to Palatka Road (to include Iroquois Park) and west to Shawnee Park. Dockless vehicles may not be operated at Waterfront Park, which currently offers its own bike rental service. Within the operational zone, the city has established nine distribution zones to ensure an equitable distribution of the service.
Other elements of the policy:
- Each operator will provide the city with a map and list of all parking locations for their vehicles.
- Dockless vehicles shall be relocated or removed by an operator within two hours’ notice that the vehicle is parked in an incorrect manner. Monthly data reports are required to ensure all rules are being observed.
- Dockless vehicles are to be operated on streets and, where available, in bike lanes and bike paths. Vehicles should only be operated on sidewalks when leaving or accessing a parking location.
In addition to a license application fee, annual fee, bond and fee for a designation group parking area, operators will pay $1/day per vehicle. These funds will go directly to fund improvements to our city’s shared mobility infrastructure. Other fines and administrative penalties are included to ensure compliance.
To view the entire Public Works policy on dockless vehicles, which includes a map of the operational zone, please click here.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Since its opening in 2002, the David Armstrong Extreme Park has attracted skaters and bikers from around the country and the world. The parks newest artistic addition is sure to catch the eye of those who appreciate what the Extreme Park has brought to the city. On Friday, Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) hosted the Big Reveal of a new mural on the outside wall of the park that gives everyone who drives or walks by it an idea of the purpose of the park and its uniqueness.
“This mural is truly an expression of the energy and colorful nature of this park and I want to thank the artists who brought their unique graffiti style forward for everyone to appreciate,” said Sexton Smith. “Let this mural be an inspiration and attraction that leads to other creative works in District 4.”
For the past few years, Braylyn “Resko” Stewart as lead artist coordinated the mural with $ 15,000 funding from Metro Parks and District 4 Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith.
“The mural project has really spruced up the Extreme Park,” Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose said. “We appreciate all the hard work and creativity displayed by these artists and know it’s something the city’s residents will enjoy.”
Stewart recruited the artistic talents of fellow local artists Wilfred Sieg III and the four person artist collective known as Often Seen Rarely Spoken to complete the mural adorning the outer park wall. This is an efforts to curb some of the illegal graffiti and bring a since of pride to the area!
The park opened in 2002 and was immediately recognized as one of the finest in the country. Recently, the park was closed for more than a year as the Ohio River Bridges Project was completed. The park reopened April 2015. Just a year ago, a new metal vert ramp replaced the wooden ramp at the site – that skate element is also considered to be one of the best in the world. Among the current features the bowl and full pipe, which were fixtures to the original design, were modernized. The park is named for former Louisville Mayor David Armstrong, who passed away in June at the age of 76. Armstrong was serving as mayor in 2002 when the skate park opened to the public.
Councilwoman Sexton Smith is looking to the mural as a beginning invitation to other artists and businesses to use this form of expression to fight the problem of graffiti in Butchertown and District 4.
“I am very excited about the possibility of an international Mural Festival in District 4. Together we can do this,” said Sexton Smith.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health has confirmed West Nile virus in five Louisville residents. Four of the West Nile cases were neuroinvasive, a serious form of the disease in which the virus attacks the brain or the tissues lining the brain and spinal cord leading to encephalitis or meningitis. There have been no deaths from West Nile this year.
“We urge people to protect themselves against West Nile,” said Dr Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. You should wear insect repellant and dress in long sleeves and pants if going outside during dusk and dawn.”
“The massive amounts of rain we have seen over the last several days are causing mosquito populations to multiply and we know that West Nile infected mosquitoes are present throughout the community,” said Dr. Moyer.
In most instances, people infected with West Nile virus either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms. However, less than one percent of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk for serious illness.
The Department of Public Health and Wellness advises people to take the following precautions:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions. More information about insect repellents can be found here at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html.
When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Use your air conditioning, if you have it.
Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths on a regular basis.
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has operated a mosquito control program for more than 50 years. The department does surveillance of mosquito populations with traps strategically located throughout the community and tests mosquitos for such diseases as West Nile, Zika and St. Louis Encephalitis.
In the spring the department pre-treats potential mosquito breeding sites with larvicide to prevent hatch offs. In the summer it treats catch basins and performs mosquito fogging in response to West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.
In 2017 there was one non-fatal human West Nile case in Louisville. In 2016 there were two human cases and one death. In 2015, there were three human cases with no deaths.
To check if your area has been fogged or will be fogged call the mosquito hotline, 574-6641, or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/mosquito-fogging. To make a request regarding mosquitoes in your neighborhood call Metro Call at 311 or 574-5000.
The Louisville Orchestra Family Series is back by popular demand and the first concert of the series is a seasonal favorite, Halloween Spooktacular! On Saturday, October 20 at 11AM, Bob Bernhardt will lead families on a musical adventure filled with our favorite Halloween musical tricks and treats at the Brown Theatre.
Kiddos can dress in their Halloween best and be prepared for the chills and trills that await – such as the popular costume parade! Princesses and superheroes can bring their moms and dads early for thematic pre-concert activities that start at 10AM in the Brown Theatre lobby.
General admission tickets are $15* and available by calling 502.584.7777 or by visiting LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
LO Family Series ticket packages are still available and make the most out of your musical dollars! Get three Family Series concerts for the lowest possible prices: Adult packages are $41* and child packages are $21*. Call the LO Patron Services team at 502.587.8681 to take advantage of the best prices. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing at LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
Designed for children ages 3-10 years old, these one-hour concerts entertain and educate the young, and the young at heart!
2018-2019 LO Family Series
- 10/20/2018 – Halloween Spooktacular!
- 11/24/2018 – Home For The Holidays
- 3/16/2019 – Carnival Of The Animals
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
It is a powerful visual art exhibit and its message is a simple one to the young people of every black community in America. The message: youth violence, black on black violence must stop. It is time to talk and find alternatives.
Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) and members of the Louisville Metro Council have brought “James Pate’s KKK Series: Kin Killin Kin” to the Kentucky Center for African American heritage and encourages everyone to view and discuss the exhibit and through the art see the impact violence on is having on young men and children in the community.
It is a free exhibit and suggested for children over the age of twelve. There will be an Opening Reception and Gallery Talk on Friday, September 21st from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
“I first saw this exhibit in Cincinnati. It hit home with me. We know that black on black crime is stealing our future,” says Hamilton. “James Pate through his art shows what is happening on our streets and how senseless violence is taking hold in the Black Community.”
“Kin Killin Kin” is a series of paintings in charcoals and colors that realistically show how violence is impacting young men and children. A stark feature of the works shows African Americans wearing the hoods of the Ku Klux Klan as they execute acts of violence.
James Pate is a contemporary visual artist whose works have been displayed in the J.B. Speed Museum in Louisville, The Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, and The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
He explains, as part of the exhibit, his reason for creating “Kin Killin Kin” which he began drawing in 2000.
“I decided as a personal private protest I would continue to compose a rendering as long as these insidious acts continue. The concept of visually comparing Black on Black terrorism to the Ku Klux Klan terrorism came directly from conversations among the black community. It is often said that we, African Americans, in a strange fruit kind of way, are doing the business of the KKK with our Black on Black violence.”
Joining Councilwoman Hamilton in bringing this exhibit to the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage Center are Council Members Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4), Mary C. Woolridge (D-3), Barbara Shanklin (D-2), Jessica Green (D-1) and President David James (D-6).
Again, the Exhibit is free and open to the public.
There will be an Opening Reception and Gallery Talk on Friday, September 21st from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Councilwoman Hamilton is also moderating a Youth Voices Against Violence Forum on Saturday, November 3rd from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
“I encourage everyone young an old to take advantage of the special exhibit,” says Hamilton. “These striking images will make any one stop and think about what is going on in our city today. All of us need to talk about it and find alternatives to this special kind of violence.”
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage is located at 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd. To learn more go to www.kcaahc.org. Or you can call 502-583-4100.
