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SubscribePremier independent festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents continues to show its love for Louisville with a third addition to a massive fall festival series in the one-of-a-kind city. Hometown Rising, the first-ever Country Music & Bourbon Festival, will make its debut Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15 at Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center, combining two of Louisville’s cultural cornerstones—great music and incredible bourbon.
Hometown Rising’s incredible music lineup will be led by country heavyweights including Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Little Big Town, with additional appearances from Dwight Yoakam, Brett Young, Jake Owen, Bret Michaels, Frankie Ballard, and many more. In total, more than 30 artists will play on three stages, including two side-by-side main stages, over the course of the weekend.
Hometown Rising exclusive VIP packages, General Admission tickets, camping and hotelpackages, as well as special event tickets go on sale Friday, February 15 at 12:00 PM EDT. Visit www.HometownRising.com for more details.
With three back-to-back festival weekends in Louisville in 2019, Danny Wimmer Presentswants to ensure all fans have the chance to enjoy multiple events with an affordable and convenient ticketing option. New this year, fans can purchase a special “Trifesta” Pass for the discounted rate of only $229.00 plus fees. The pass allows General Admission weekend access to all three DWP fall festivals in Louisville—Hometown Rising (September 14 & 15), Bourbon & Beyond (September 20-22) and Louder Than Life (September 27-29). Check out https://trifestapass.com for more information.
“I am beyond thrilled to be playing the very first year of Hometown Rising, and to have the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious and eclectic lineup of modern country artists,” says performer Alice Wallace.
Adds festival producer Danny Wimmer, “Hometown Rising is a blend of the music and culture I grew up around, in a place I now consider a second home. While DWP is best known for our rock festivals, I was surrounded by country music growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, and I’m excited to be expanding our portfolio with a genre and a place that are both close to my heart. I can’t think of a better location to launch a country music festival than right here in bourbon country. Mayor Fischer and the Louisville community continue to be great partners as we take this next step in the marriage of great music, food and bourbon.”
January is proving to be a busy month at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Admission varies by event, but parking is $10 per vehicle per event.
The year kicks off of with the end the Kentucky Flea Market New Year’s Spectacular. The event starts on December 29th and includes free admission. As an added bonus, if you make a purchase at the Flea Market, parking will be half price.
Next up on the calendar is the National Wrestling Coaches Association Multi-Divisional Natioanl Duals. The two day event will feature the some of the best atheletes from Division II, III, NAIA, NJCAA and Women’s programs from across the country. Tickets start at $17 for students and $25 for adults, plus parking at the Exposition center.
January 5th will be the Yugioh! Regional Qualifier. Entry fee is $20 (spectators are free) and includes 5 packs of soul fusion. More information about tournament structure and format can be found online.
January 6th will be the Kentucky Bridal and Wedding Expo. Tickets are $10 at the door (or free if acquired online in advance).
January 10-12: Members of ATA can attend the Archery Trade Association show.
January 12 and 13: The Great Train Show is designed for anyone interested in model trains. The show will feature more than 40 exhibitors, model train displays, workshops, and a riding train for children. Children are free with an adult. Tickets are available online.
January 18-20: The Outdoor Life/Field and Stream Expo. This Expo was formerly named the Deer and Turkey Expo. Anyone interested in the outdoors, or hunting will find something here. The show will feature a trophy contest, seminars, archery and shooting ranges, and more. Tickets can be purchased in advanced online at a discounted price.
January 19-20: National Gun Day JAG Military Gun Show. More information to be announced as the event gets closer.
January 23-27: Louisville Boat, RV and Sport Show Children under 12 are free with adult. Tickets are available for purchase online.
January 25-27: USA BMX Bluegrass Nationals. Freedom Hall will become an indoor BMX racing track as athletes compete in the second of 13 events. The event is open to the public.
January 26-27: The Crown Cheer & Dance Championship. This event will be held in the Broadbent Arena and admission is $15 per person (children 5 and younger are free with adult).
January 30-February 1: Midwest Manufacturing Housing Federation Show This is not a public show and only people that are involved in the industry will be admitted.
Kentucky Venues’ guests who are blind or visually impaired will soon have access to an innovative technology that will improve their ability to navigate around large spaces and events.
Kentucky Venues, which operates the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) and the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) recently partnered with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) on their Nearby Explorer mobile app.
The app, developed by APH, gives people who are blind or visually impaired audio cues about the world around them and communicates information with beacons that will be installed at strategic points throughout both KICC and KEC.
The app offers an unmatched level of independence when moving through unfamiliar buildings, especially large ones like KICC or KEC. It provides the equivalent of electronic signage, so the user knows what rooms, stairs, etc. are in the vicinity.
“As a user of the app who is blind, I appreciate knowing the general layout of the venue,” said Larry Skutchan, Director of Technology Product Research at APH.
“This way, I can walk in the correct direction, find rooms, find stairs, etc. Even if walking with another person, it is super helpful to get information about what is around.”
Installation of the beacons is anticipated to be complete at both properties by January 31, 2019.
“Accessibility and innovation have always been important to our organization,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues.
“We are proud to partner with APH and want to assist all guests so they feel comfortable as they navigate through our facilities.”
The Nearby Explorer app is available for both Apple and Android phones.
The North American Championship Rodeo returns to Freedom Hall November 8-10 during the NAILE for the circuit finals of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association. A part of the Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo, participants represent many states in the region, including Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.
The event features three nights of excitement as the best in each event compete over all three days to be named champion. There are seven events each night: bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, tie down roping, and team roping. In between events, attendees will be entertained by the rodeo clown and other acts throughout the night.
Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online ahead of time. Children under the age of 2 are free. Friday, November 9, is Tough Enough To Wear Pink Night. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink to show support for the fight against breast cancer and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Horses and Hope. Ticket prices do not include parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is $10 per vehicle.
The North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center. The annual event takes place over 17 days starting on October 30th, at 9 AM with the North American Quarter Horse Show.
The show features 10 species (and countless breeds) of livestock from all over the continent, as well as youth skills competitions and educational programs, and the North American Marketplace. The show also features many other exhibition events, including cowboy mounted shooting, where spectators can watch participants hit targets using a single action revolver while riding a horse through an obstacle course, draft horse shows, and the NAILE Wool Show. A full schedule of events can be found here.
While admission to the market place is free, admission to the rest of the event is $6 per person and does not include parking ($10) at the Kentucky Exhibition Center.
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.
One man’s tome is another man’s treasure! The hunt will begin Friday for readers of all genres at the Half Price Books Clearance Sale at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Customers can search through tens of thousands of items including hardbacks, paperbacks, LPs, comics, movies, and media. All merchandise is priced $2 or less and will be restocked throughout the sale. The first 100 customers each day will receive a free Half Price Books tote bag.
The sale will take place September 28 – 30, starting at 10 AM each of the three days. The event is free to attend, but parking is $10 per vehicle or $20 per bus.
More information about the event can be found here.