Mayor Greg Fischer arrives to the SOFO Block Party with Communications Director Chris Poynter and a serious-looking gentleman in tow. Mayor Greg Fischer arrives to the SOFO Block Party with Communications Director Chris Poynter and a serious-looking gentleman in tow.
Elizabeth Kizito of Kizito selling her famous cookies from her little red wagon. Elizabeth Kizito of Kizito selling her famous cookies from her little red wagon.
Never too early for a Derby hat. Never too early for a Derby hat.
Bubbles! Bubbles!
One of the many gifts you'll find at the Gifthorse in SOFO. One of the many gifts you'll find at the Gifthorse in SOFO.
Les Filles Louisville owner Melissa Willis poses with Mayor Fischer and Councilman Tandy in her shop. Les Filles Louisville owner Melissa Willis poses with Mayor Fischer and Councilman Tandy in her shop.
Mayor Fischer speaking with "Big Brother 14" contestant Wil Heuser as the latter makes his Derby fedora in the back of Les Filles Louisville. Mayor Fischer speaking with "Big Brother 14" contestant Wil Heuser as the latter makes his Derby fedora in the back of Les Filles Louisville.
Mary Levinsky of Block Party Handmade Boutique talking with a customer. This is Levinsky's first brick-and-mortar shop. Mary Levinsky of Block Party Handmade Boutique talking with a customer. This is Levinsky's first brick-and-mortar shop.
Never mind the construction; just follow the signs. Never mind the construction; just follow the signs.
The Regalo SOFO location has an art exhibit upstairs, currently featuring pieces by Joshua Jenkins. The Regalo SOFO location has an art exhibit upstairs, currently featuring pieces by Joshua Jenkins.
Jim Williams of The Leading Man brought his store to give SOFO some much needed flavor. Jim Williams of The Leading Man brought his store to give SOFO some much needed flavor.
Gentlemen, if you need something for Derby, here's your sign. Gentlemen, if you need something for Derby, here's your sign.
Above the Celebrations store in SOFO are apartments. Above the Celebrations store in SOFO are apartments.
Fourth Street emptied as time wore on, workers returning to their cubicles and the like. Fourth Street emptied as time wore on, workers returning to their cubicles and the like.
Art Eatables is the only retailer on the 600 block of SOFO so far. Art Eatables is the only retailer on the 600 block of SOFO so far.
You can never go wrong with chocolate fleur de lis. You can never go wrong with chocolate fleur de lis.
Or his and hers bourbon-infused truffles. Or his and hers bourbon-infused truffles.
King Sonic rocking the street. King Sonic rocking the street.
Roasted salted caramel marshmallows from 240sweet, whose goodies are sold at Regalo. Roasted salted caramel marshmallows from 240sweet, whose goodies are sold at Regalo.
#L1C4. #L1C4.
The stage and the podium are set. The stage and the podium are set.
The press is out in full force. The press is out in full force.
Hilliard Lyons CEO and LDDC Chair Jim Allen opens with his speech. Hilliard Lyons CEO and LDDC Chair Jim Allen opens with his speech.
Mayor Fischer having a confab with an official. Mayor Fischer having a confab with an official.
The Mayor's turn at the podium. The Mayor's turn at the podium.
The golden ceremonial scissors. The golden ceremonial scissors.
Councilman David Tandy up next on the mic, where he was rudely interrupted by a loud car followed by a UPS jet. Councilman David Tandy up next on the mic, where he was rudely interrupted by a loud car followed by a UPS jet.
A few more speeches until the cutting of the ribbon. A few more speeches until the cutting of the ribbon.
A streetcar passes behind the festivities. A streetcar passes behind the festivities.
Stan Lounsbury of Celebrations giving the final speech. Stan Lounsbury of Celebrations giving the final speech.
Work continues along Fourth Street, party or no party. Work continues along Fourth Street, party or no party.
Lisa Cofer of Extraordinary Events presents Mayor Fischer with the ribbon. Lisa Cofer of Extraordinary Events presents Mayor Fischer with the ribbon.
Boutique owners come together to help hold the ribbon. Boutique owners come together to help hold the ribbon.
A photo op before making the cut. A photo op before making the cut.
At the moment of impact. At the moment of impact.
The ribbon has been cut. The ribbon has been cut.
Heed both signs the next time you're down in SOFO. Heed both signs the next time you're down in SOFO.
![Mayor Fischer speaking with "Big Brother 14" contestant Wil Heuser as the latter makes his Derby fedora in the back of Les Filles Louisville.](/sites/default/files/styles/juicebox_small/public/SOFO%20Block%20Party%2026.jpg?itok=gshJBEuq "Mayor Fischer speaking with "Big Brother 14" contestant Wil Heuser as the latter makes his Derby fedora in the back of Les Filles Louisville.")
