April 1st to 30th
All month long in April you can make a difference in our community through Give a Day, the Mayor' Celebration of Service! This program partners with Metro United Way who works every day to lift our community by mobilizing people and maximizing our community’s resources to advance equity and share opportunities for all.
Check out all the opportunities to volunteer and register for service here! Some volunteer opportunities include giving fresh paint to community buildings, clean-up and landscaping of our shared outdoor spaces, clothing drives for children and babies, food deliveries to those in need, and so much more.
Any act of service helps! If you are unable to register for a physical act of service but would still love to contribute, donations to the Mayor's Give a Day are accepted here. Your donation will help to keep Give a Day going and provide supplies needed to help the community!
Let us know how you're going to volunteer or share pics and use #MGAD2022
Upcoming Events
April 28th - May 4th
April 28th to May 6th
Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront will now return for its sixteenth year in 2022. Sponsored by Kroger, the party starts on the Great Lawn and runs through Derby Eve. It promises to have something for everyone, and admission is free with a 2022 Pegasus Pin.
The 900,000-square-foot venue will host several Festival events including the Great Balloon Glow, Chow Wagon, Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes, HappyTail Hour, Ken-Ducky Derby, Neigh-Maste on the Waterfront and more.
Fest-a-Ville also offers a wide variety of activities for children, featuring midway-area and attractions at Pegasus Play-Ville including merry-go-round, ships ahoy, a giant slide and much more. Helicopter rides return this year for $40.
From the opening day ribbon-cutting to Derby Eve, Fest-a-Ville will be the downtown destination at Kentucky Derby Festival time.
NEW THIS YEAR:
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Flavors of Fest-a-Ville: Sample foodie favorites from popular Festival tradition, the Chow Wagon. It’s open weekdays only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Samples range from $2 to $4.
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The Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP) will give patrons a free Pegasus Pin or money card (valued at $7) to be used at Fest-a-Ville if they get a COVID-19 vaccination (vaccines are available from 4-6 p.m. each day). The KAHP tent will be located at the entrance, with Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory administering vaccines.
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Heroes of Education Day: Thursday, May 5th, all education employees (with a valid ID) are invited to head down after school and experience an evening at Fest-a-Ville. They will receive free admission that day, along with a commemorative, custom Pegasus Pin while supplies last, courtesy of Class Act Federal Credit Union.
For more info and to get the full Chow Wagon schedule, visit the Kentucky Derby Festival website.
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April 29th, 12:00 - 1:00PM
Neigh-maste on the Waterfront is your chance to relax and recharge at this yoga event on the Great Lawn.
This is an all-level yoga class open to all ages and fitness levels. This event offers participants the opportunity to kick-off the Derby Festival season in a fun, healthy way.
Certified instructors from 502 Power Yoga, Exhale Yoga and Yoga Baum will lead the class on the Great Lawn inside of Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville.
Stick around afterwards and enjoy the Fest-a-Ville! Admission is free with a 2022 Pegasus Pin.
231 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202
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Great Balloon Glow & Race
April 29th & 30th
On Friday night, The Great Balloon Glow, a companion event to the Balloon race, will be happening at the Waterfront Park!
The balloons will be on the field, but do not ascend. As the pilots fire their burners, watch as the balloons glow against the blackness of the night sky, synchronized to a special musical score.
You are invited to walk around the field and talk to the pilots as they have more time to show off their balloons than on race morning.
Then the following morning, look to the skies as those same balloons take off for a whimsical race through through the clouds!
The Great Balloon Race is a Hare & Hound Race. This type of race is when all the balloons launch from the same site (Bowman Field). One balloon takes off first and is the Hare balloon. The other balloons are called the Hounds, and they will launch at a predetermined time after the Hare (usually 5 to 10 minutes after). The Hare lands at a suitable site and lays out a large fabric X, usually about 50 feet in diameter. The Hound balloons attempt to drop their markers as close to the center of the X as possible. The closest marker achieves the highest score.
The Glow will begin at 8 p.m. Friday evening, and the Race will begin at approximately 7 a.m. Saturday morning.
Admission is free with a 2022 Pegasus Pin.
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April 29th & 30th, 11:00AM - 5:00PM
Shop several fantastic vendors in the green space at the Westport Village during their two-day Spring Market, located near Tunie's!
Expect to find delectable pies, French macarons, unique art, beautiful ceramics, local honey, swimwear and much more!
Vendors to include:
HoneyBear Farms
Dipper's Delight
Peace of the Earth
Owen & Mae
Maddie About Cake
Lubna Bakery
Hot Wheels & Glue Guns
Cocktail Kickboards
Georgia's Sweet Potato Pie Co.
Designs by Carr
Ayla Rose Boutique
This event is free and open to the public. Kick off spring in the Westport Village!
1315 Herr Ln., Louisville, KY 40222
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April 30th, 7:00AM
The GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival mini & Marathon is a long-standing tradition held every spring in Kentucky.
It is one of the top 100 road races in the country and draws runners from 50 states and several countries, more than 10,000 participants and is one of the flattest of the Boston Marathon qualifying races! Runners will enjoy a return to a course that features the traditional run through historic Old Louisville and Churchill Downs.
2022 marks the 49th annual miniMarathon, and 21st annual Marathon!
There's still time to sign up, you can do so here.
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April 30th, 8:00AM - 3:00PM
Join the Kentucky Derby Festival and Harbor House Louisville as they drop 46,000 rubber ducks into the Ohio River for a chance to race and compete for prizes. Cheer your duck to victory as they race to the finish line!
All duck purchase benefit individuals with disabilities at Harbor House of Louisville. Harbor House is a local, nonprofit, charity that lights the way for adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. It is a day program where the participants can come and engage in special programs like job training, educational/tutoring classes, cooking classes, gardening, community integration, social skills, technology classes, therapeutic activities, arts and humanities, and more!
Duck purchases will be open from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the ducks will be called to the post at 2 p.m. for the race! They will announce the winners at 3 p.m. Adopt your ducks ahead of time here.
Admission is free with a 2022 Pegasus Pin.
231 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202
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April 30th, 6:00 - 10:00PM
Join TKO FLIGHT CLUB to raise funds to fight Parkinson’s disease. Donations to TKO Flight Club support research and training that will help improve the daily lives of our Parkinson’s Fighters.
General Admission attendees will enjoy free samples from local distilleries (over 12 different whiskeys) and craft breweries (over four different brews), hors d'oeuvres from Morris Deli, music, live race raffles for bourbon centric door prizes, silent auctions, free valet parking, and more!
For those interested in the VIP tickets to this event, you will get one-hour early entry into the event, a welcome cocktail, private flight tasting hosted by Bernie Lubbers, 1 complimentary bottle of TKO Flight Club/Starlight single barrel bourbon, TKO Glencairn glass, and 2 TKO Corner Team Drink vouchers to be used for cash bar experiences. VIPs will also have exclusive access to the first "Live Race Raffle" of the night featuring TKO Flight Club's Starlight VDN finished bourbon as the prize!
Tickets for this event can be purchased here.
4501 Progress Blvd., Louisville, KY 40218
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April 30th & May 1st
The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair returns for their 50th year this Saturday and Sunday! Enjoy over 200 artists, food, drinks, and live music from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
On Saturday, from 6 to 8 p.m. celebrate the 50th year anniversary at the Saturday night street party!
Artists and food vendor booths will be located on the streets surrounding Willow Park, in the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood. Live music performances will take place in the Willow Park gazebo. On Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. No Tools Loaned will be performing, and following them from 4 to 8 p.m. check out Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes. Sundays music schedule will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Appalatin and then from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. dance with Paloverde as they close out the fair!
This is a free event, open to the public. Street Parking available first come-first serve. No pets or outside alcohol allowed.
Cherokee Parkway between Willow Ave. and Cherokee Rd.
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May 1st, 3:00PM
The Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade returns to Broadway on Sunday, May 1st! The parade will march at 3 p.m. and help kick-off the Derby week festivities.
This year’s theme is “Loving Louisville.” Participants will be encouraged to decorate with everything they love about the city including landmarks, icons, sports teams, music, and a lot of hearts.
The family-friendly event will showcase some of the finest marching bands and equestrian units, along with inflatable characters and colorful floats.
The parade marches west on Broadway starting at S. Campbell Street and ending at 9th Street and lasts approximately two hours.
For information on the different seating options and tickets for these seats, click here.
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The 11th Jazz Series featuring Ragan Whiteside and Dee Lucas
May 1st, 5:00PM & 8:00PM
Kick off Derby Week with some smooth jazz at the 11th Jazz Series featuring Ragan Whiteside and Dee Lucas!
This event is hosted at the Best Western Premier Airport Expo and offers jazz fans two different showtimes. The first is at 5 p.m. and the second showing will begin at 8 p.m.
Get your tickets to the 5 p.m. show here and get your tickets for the 8 p.m. show here! General seating and VIP seating options available. Tickets can also be purchased at Better Days Records and Rolando's Barbershop.
This is a Wallace Garner III production.
4110 Dixie Hwy., Louisville, KY 40216
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May 2nd, 6:00PM
Grab four of your co-workers, build a bed on wheels, decorate it, dress in a ridiculous costume—and then race! That pretty much sums up the Kentucky Derby Festival Bed Races. Each year, thousands of enthusiasts gather to cheer on more than 40 teams, while on-air personalities from WAVE TV anchor the live coverage from every angle, from the crowd to the pits.
This year’s theme celebrates the return, Bed Races are back GAME ON, with a video games and arcade theme! Entry fee is $150 and includes 5 participant t-shirts and 5 collectible event pins. Register your team here!
Admission to watch the races is free with a 2022 Pegasus Pin. Parking costs $10.
For more details check out the bed specs here.
937 Phillips Ln., Louisville, KY 40209
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May 3rd, 5:00 - 9:00PM
Sip and savor over 100 local wines from Kentucky and Southern Indiana wineries at Kentucky Proud WineFest. For the first time, WineFest will take place at Louisville Slugger Field, where you will be able to walk the concourse while sipping on your favorite wines.
This is a 21+ event only. Please present valid ID upon entry. General admission tickets includes wine tastings, light passed appetizers, Kentucky Proud Cooking demonstrations by Farmer & the Frenchman and paired with Old 502 Wine, Etched souvenir wine glass and WineFest event pin, and an opportunity to shop our Kentucky Proud vendors and sponsor displays
Limited $15 Designated Driver tickets available, includes entry and Event Pin.
Get your tickets here.
401 E. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202
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May 4th, 4:30 - 7:30PM
The Belle of Louisville, Belle of Cincinnati and American Countess will compete for bragging rights on the Ohio River.
Purchase your ticket here to board the Belle of Louisville for the Great Steamboat Race! Belle of Louisville Ticket includes a cruise on the Ohio River, dinner & beverages (open bar), and live entertainment.
Boarding time is between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. with a 5:45 p.m. departure and the race beginning at 6 p.m.
The Awards Ceremony will follow at the Chow Wagon Stage!
401 W. River Rd., Louisville, KY 40202
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May 4th, 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Enjoy a southern-inspired brunch along with live music, unlimited Kentucky bourbon, mimosas and Bloody Marys! Ticketholders will top off their brunch with a day at the races at Churchill Downs Racetrack during Derby Week.
You won't want to miss out on this decadent menu which includes made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits, Belgian waffles, fried chicken, ALL the fixin's, and a Derby dessert station.
Purchase your tickets here.
704 Central Ave., Louisville, KY 40208
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⚜ Happening All Month Long! ⚜
March 18th to June 5th
See the Zoo in a whole new light as you enjoy one of the largest lantern festivals in the nation featuring thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns aglow with more than 50,000 LED light bulbs.
Embark on a journey to the far east as you stroll alongside dramatic cultural displays celebrating the rich heritage and craftsmanship of lantern artisans. Dramatic archways illuminate the way on a magical journey past colorful peacocks, slithering serpents, and a beautiful African savanna. Majestic butterflies beckon you into a world of larger-than-life insects and animals from all around the world. Kids (or kids at heart) can become part of the magic while swaying on our glowing moonlight swings or stepping inside a gigantic kaleidoscope for some whirling, twirling fun. The wonder of Wild Lights is sure to create glowing smiles and bright memories for guests of all ages.
Opening night is Friday, March 18th. Wild Lights will be open every Thursday through Sunday until June 5th.
General Public tickets are $20, members $17, and children 2 and under are free. Purchase your tickets ahead of time here!
1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213
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Every Saturday & Sunday in March & April
Come visit Louisville's pop-up flea market, with food trucks, craft beer & cocktails, great vendors, live music, entertainment & more!
For those interested in becoming a vendor at the Flea Off Market, click here. This event is free and open to the public. Hours are Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
1000 E. Market St., Louisville, KY 40206
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Make sure to follow the Around Lou Social Media pages to stay up to date on even more fun happening Around Lou!
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