Friday January 23, 2026
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Have you ever driven by a house and wondered what all of those large antennas on the roof are? Have you seen a vehicle with antennas of various sizes sprouting from it like a big, steel porcupine? Have you attended a large event like a marathon or the Derby Breakfast and seen event coordinators communicating with each other using handheld radios? If so, then chances are that you have seen some licensed radio amateurs – also known as “hams.”
The Louisville area is home to many active ham radio enthusiasts who use the technology for everything from emergency communications to simply chatting with friends or seeing what kind of homebrew transmitting or receiving equipment they can create.
Each year, area hams get together for an event known as a hamfest. The 2015 Greater Louisville Hamfest will be held September 12 at Paroquet Springs Conference Center in Shepherdsville. During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to connect face-to-face with other hams they have met on the air; buy, sell, and trade equipment at the flea market; learn about various topics during the forums and presentations; watch demonstrations; and earn or upgrade their operating license during the on-site testing opportunities. According to Amateur Radio Kentuckiana, getting licensed to operate on amateur radio frequencies is often much easier than people think it is.
To learn more about the upcoming Greater Louisville Hamfest, visit their website at louisvillehamfest.com.
There is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the final days of the 2015 Kentucky State Fair, which runs through this Sunday.
There is entertainment for everyone at the fair. Children (and kids at heart) will enjoy the performing animal acts like JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Challenge, Miller’s Border Collies, and Cuzzin’ Grumpy’s Porkchop Revue. Fair-goers looking for thrills will want to check acts like the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei or Team FMX.
Foodies looking for something interesting for their pallets may want to try a few of the many vendors that are selling unique items like the Philly Cheesesteak Doughnut Burger, a deep fried bacon-wrapped Oreo, or some traditional Kentucky favorites with a twist like the Hot Brown on a Stick or the deep fried Derby Pie. There are also cooking contests and demonstrations throughout the day as well. On Friday, there’s a Taste of Beef Challenge and Cast Iron Skillet competition. Those interested in farming will enjoy a walk through the Agriculture exhibits to see various fruits, vegetables, and grains that were grown throughout the state, including a pumpkin that weighs over 800 lbs.
Attendees interested in the performing arts won’t have to look far. Alumni and faculty of the Jefferson County Youth Performing Arts School are performing two different musicals celebrating the history of the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. Dance lovers will also be able to see cloggers, square dancers, and other forms of dancing during the fair daily.
For the animal lovers there are sheep, swine and beef cattle competitions daily and, on Sunday, there will be a draft horse and mule pull. For a more hands on experience with animals, there is the Discovery Farm in the exhibit hall where fair goers can see ducklings learning to swim, learn about dairy, and have a chance to see chickens hatch. The World’s Championship Horse Show is wrapping as well. Free seating is available in Freedom Hall starting at 9:00 AM in the Upper Level.
There is no shortage of musical entertainment either. Visitors to the 2015 Kentucky State Fair can visit any of the many venues placed throughout the grounds. There are a variety of bands playing all day that will surely suit everyone’s tastes. There are also concerts nightly in the Cardinal Stadium, many of them free with fair admission. Charlie Daniels with Colt Ford will be playing Friday at 8:00 PM and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with Devour the Day will be playing at the same time on Saturday. Sunday at 8:00 PM Boyz II Men and Kool & The Gang will be playing. Tickets for this show can be purchased through Ticketmaster with prices ranging from $50 to $1800, which includes standard fair admission.
Be sure to check out our 2015 Kentucky State Fair album on Facebook for more photos of all the action.
The Youth Chat with the LMPD is a series of public open dialogue discussions, designed so that youth (25 years and younger) can hear from and talk with local law enforcement officials to establish better relationships and mutual understanding.
The next event will be August 20, 2015 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the Shelby Park Community Center.
Learn about the variety of things Louisville Metro Police do. Each session will be co-moderated by local youth.
Everyone is invited to come out to be a part of this unique opportunity. Bring your friends and see the LMPD mounted patrol units.
The 2015 edition of Louisville’s Fandomfest has kicked off at the Kentucky International Convention Center downtown.
This celebration of all things pop, sci-fi, anime, gaming, and comic related draws large crowds each year as visitors meet their idols from the big screen to the small screen and from the pages of graphic novels and comics to the pages of favorite tomes.
Fans line up well in advance of celebrity appearances, eagerly anticipating the chance to meet them, shake their hands, exchange stories, and pose for photo opportunities. This year, Fandomfest provides the opportunity for attendees to meet celebrities from movies and TV such as Billie Piper, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Peter Mayhew, Josh McDermitt, Kevin Smith, and Jason Mewes, and sports stars such as Ric Flair, Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, and Pete Rose. Attendees in line buzz with excitement over the opportunity to get an autograph from their favorite celebs.
Visitors that forgot to bring something to get autographed (or need that special piece to complete their collection) don’t have to look far. The Fandomfest show hall is packed to the gills with exhibitors and vendors showcasing their wares including comics, cards, sports memorabilia, classic gaming systems, costume components, art supplies, collectibles, action figures, and their own original works from paintings to novels.
One such purveyor of original work is Kentuckiana’s own A.E. McCullough. McCullough – sporting a tee-shirt showing his fondness for another vigilante character – told us about his new novel, The Reaper: Grimm Vengeance, about a former Army Ranger who takes justice into his on hands when he takes on the thugs of a street gang. McCullough, who lives in Taylorsville and works in Louisville, said that this was his second Fandomfest.
Another sophomore exhibitor at Fandomfest 2015 is an author that had to travel slightly further to attend. Addie J King lives just north of Dayton, Ohio and was in town to showcase her latest release, Grimm Legacy. Addie has a lot of traveling to do, with her next stop being Wizard World in Chicago. On an even longer journey, Joann H. Buchanan, came from Kansas to spread the word about the latest work in her H.A.L.O. Saga, Shine, at her first Fandomfest.
Moving back closer to home, we also had a chance to talk with Louisville transplant (by way of Cleveland), Steve Messenger, who was creating buzz by passing out free samples of his original artwork – as well as letting out his inner Hulkamania. This was Steve’s first time exhibiting at Fandomfest, but not his first time attending. He recently moved to the area after falling in love with it following a previous visit which included – you guessed it – a visit to a previous Fandomfest.
Showing off a different kind of local original art, some of the crew from Tattoo Charlie’s were on hand to put ink to skin for attendees. Their booth display not only offered the chance for attendees to decorate themselves, but also a chance to win some free ink by dropping their names into the fishbowl. While we were there, we got to see artist Darin Ennis doing what he loves to do.
Despite everything going on across the exhibit floor, the action doesn’t stop there.
Fandomfest is packed with film screenings. We had a chance to sit in on a couple of these, including Samuel Platizky’s comedy-horror Devil You Know, which follows a young lady’s journey into hell as she hopes to free her father’s soul. We also sat in on Alfred Giancarli’s Don’t Despair, a disturbing tale about a couple embarking on a deadly quest to connect with one of their gruesome idols. The screenings of these shorts, and many others, run all weekend and offer attendees the opportunity to get some entertainment while resting their feet from roaming the exhibit hall.
Fandomfest’s offerings don’t stop there either. The show is packed with celebrity Q&A sessions (such as the one that we attended with a couple of AMC’s The Walking Dead‘s pet zombies); panel discussions on a wide range of films, shows, art genres, and more; cosplay judging sessions; gaming competitions; and a full host of after-hours events – many of them geared for the 18+ crowd.
Fandomfest 2015 lasts through the weekend, so there is plenty of opportunity for fans to visit. Check out our photo gallery and stay with Louisville Dispatch for more news from the show.
Did you ever wonder what the real story was behind some of those classic fairy tales you heard growing up? This Friday you will have a chance to learn the back story when “Into the Woods” is shown as the next District 5 “Free Friday Night Movies in the Park” at Shawnee Park on August 7th.
“We have a great feature lined up as the summer begins to wind down and with school starting next week, this film should be fun for everyone who grew up reading about fairy tales,” says Hamilton. “This is another great way to enjoy a Friday night in Shawnee Park.”
The 2014 Walt Disney Studio film features Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, MacKenzie Mauzy, Billy Magnussen, and Johnny Depp. It was inspired by the stories of the Grimm Brothers.
Here are the remaining Free Friday Night Movies in the Park lineup through August and September of this year:
- “Black and White” Shawnee Park/ Bather Field August 14th
- “Selma” Shawnee Park/ Bather Field August 21st
- “The Amazing Spiderman 2” Elliott Park September 11th
“So when it’s movie night in our parks remember to bring a lawn chair, picnic basket and insect repellent and come join us for some fun,” says Hamilton.
The film begins at dusk at the Bather Sports Complex at Shawnee Park.
For more information about the District 5 “Free Friday Night Movies in the Park,” contact Councilwoman Hamilton’s office at 574-1105.
Event set for Saturday August 8th from 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Councilwoman Mary C. Woolridge (D-3) is inviting everyone to come out to the Community Unity Festival this Saturday, August 8th in Algonquin Park for some summer fun. It’s a fun filled afternoon and evening for the entire family
“We want to have a little fun for everyone at the park and this is also a chance to help children get ready for the beginning of a new school year,” says Woolridge. “We want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves as we have some summer fun.”
The Community Unity Festival will get underway from 3:00pm to 8:00pm in Algonquin Park located at Cypress and Burwell Streets.
There will be a Back to School Back Pack and School Supply giveaway between 3:00pm and 5:00pm. 400 back packs will be given away while they last. All children must be accompanied by an adult to receive a backpack and supplies.
The festival will also feature food vendors and free hot dogs and chips provided by Councilwoman Woolridge and the First Choice Market.
The River City Drum Corp will perform from 3:30 PM until 4:00 PM followed by a disc jockey from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM and then the best has been saved for last with The One and Only “Unlimited Band”
Metro Parks will bring “Rec on the Go” to the park which features face painting, washable tattoos, obstacle course and corn-hole games.
“This is truly a community event with a purpose: making sure our children are ready for school and helping our families get them ready. We also want to kick back and have a little fun in Algonquin Park which is such a great asset to the community,” says Woolridge. “I hope everyone will come out and join us.
For more information about the Community Unity Festival, contact councilwoman Woolridge’s office at 574-1103.
The largest comic-con in the region, Fandomfest, kicks off this Friday, August 7, in Louisville.
The three day event features celebrities including sci-fi movie stars, sports legends, artists, authors, and more. In addition to the opportunity for fans to get autographs and photos with their favorite heroes, there is a full roster of events including movie screenings, panel discussions and Q&A sessions, gaming sessions, parades, and live performances.
Attendees will have the opportunity to get on the action as well by participating in the Fantasmagorical Fandomfest Parade, cosplay events, after parties, and more.
The event takes place in and around the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville Friday August 7 – Sunday August 9. Vendors and exhibit halls are open from 4-10PM on Friday, 10AM-7PM on Saturday, and 11AM-4PM on Sunday. Discussion panels, movie screenings and after hours events take place during exhibit hall hours and last until 2AM on Friday and Saturday nights and until 5PM on Sunday. For additional details, visit fandomfest.com.
Tickets area available online and start at $30 for all-day Friday or Sunday passes and $40 for all-day Saturday passes. Weekend passes, VIP Experience packages, and more are also available.
Be sure to keep an eye on traffic and weather around the event to make the most of your weekend.
