Horse racing, baseball bats, hot browns, and bourbon are some of Louisville’s better known claims to fame, but it is also heralded as the disco ball capital of the country! We’ve been churning out those iconic mirrored spheres long before John Travolta swooned the “Saturday Night Fever” dance floor. At one time Louisville was responsible for 90% of disco ball production. Omega National Products located in the Highlands was manufacturing close to 1,000 glittered spheres a week! Talk about some real disco fever. While the disco ball craze has slowed since it’s heyday of roller rinks and 70s night clubs, a group of Louisvillians are keeping the livelihood spinning on. After discovering Louisville didn't hold the record for the world’s largest disco ball, the group assembled a board to restore our disco ball honor. The World’s Largest Disco Ball Ya’ll is looking to create a 67 foot mirrored ball that would double the current world record of 33 feet in the Isle of Wight in England. According to the disco ball visionaries website there are three reasons for their eccentric efforts:
1. Louisville is the world's largest producer of disco balls.
2. This disco ball will exemplify the energy, innovation, passion, and wonderful weirdness that we know exists in our great city.
3. It is our duty as Americans to ensure that this record is broken, and the title brought to its rightful home in the good ole' U.S.A.
To help with the creation of this more than welcomed symbol of our “keep Louisville weird” pride, Headliners is hosting a fundraiser this Saturday, August 15th. The World’s Largest Disco Ball Ya’ll Kick Off Party will feature Tony and the Tanlines, a dance-off, best dressed competition, and much more. So start channeling your inner John Travolta! The party starts at 9:00 and tickets are $10.00.
Cover Photo Courtesy of Eugene Sergeev
