Bit to Do

It's Hometown Tourist Month and there are about ten festivals going on this weekend. You have absolutely no excuse to stay inside and watch Netflix. Want suggestions like these delivered to your inbox every weekend? Subscribe to Louisville.com's Weekender!

 

GAMEology at the Kentucky Science Center
This is not your average game night! Join us for life-sized board games, participate in our favorite game shows and see if you have what it takes to “level up” with our 4-story video games!

Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally are yanking the britches right off of their marriage, exposing the salacious details of their fiery union for all the world to enjoy, featuring songs, funny talking, heavy ribaldry, light petting and an astonishing final act of completion.

 

Join Bike Louisville to meet up with other commuters, learn more about bicycle commuting, visit with vendors and just celebrate the bicycle! We will also be giving out Louisville's new printed bike map and drawing for other prizes!

With nearly 10,000 visitors, tons of vendors, food trucks and artists our neighborhood is brimming with excitement! Springfest is one of the premier events of the season. Kosair KidsZone – to help raise funds for children in need, we’re proud to offer an entire area for the kids to learn, play and sing. Blocks of Local Artists and Vendors - Several local vendors and local associations will be on hand selling their unique wares and services… art, antiques, architectural remnants, fortunetelling, etc. Food, Food, Food! - Hang in the "beer garden" or enjoy our legendary bourbon slushies... all while sampling several gourmet food trucks and dining selections! Rain or shine, please join us on First Street between Oak and Magnolia in Old Louisville for the 4th Annual Old Louisville SpringFest!

Relative newcomers to the Louisville music scene, Hey Hey Honey is a duo consisting of Alex Petersen and Charles Price. Each of them is an accomplished singer/songwriter and their new CD, titled "Eyes Closed," contains all-original songs written by them. Their music ranges from the sweet harmony of "Bonnie and Clyde" to Alex's driving, train-rhythm fiddle work on the title track and incorporates elements of blues, Americana, bluegrass and alternative rock genres. Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and harmonies interweave through their broad-ranging and unique songs. Joining Alex and Charles at this celebration are Jonathon MItchell (of Nellie Pearl) and singer/songwriter Brent Mathis. 

 

The second annual West of Ninth 5K Run/Walk, organized by Louisville Central Community Centers' Teen Leadership Council, starts and finishes at LCCC's Old Walnut Street headquarters. The route follows Muhammad Ali Boulevard from 13th Street to 24th Street and returns down West Chestnut Street. Participation in this "Healthy Hometown" event supports efforts toward improving economic conditions in west Louisville and empowers young people to have a voice in community affairs

2015 Kilgore House & Garden Tour
Named as Louisville’s Premier Garden Tour, the event will include seven gardens and two homes open for tours. Proceeds from the Tour provide scholarships for those unable to pay the full fee of counseling services. 

Waggin' Trail Walk for the Animals at the Big Four Lawn
This year, we are holding our walk at Waterfront Park. Registration, vendor booths, food, live music by Ghost Holler and Dick Chaney, and fun will be found on the Big Four Lawn. This year we are changing things up a bit, moving the start of the walk to 10 a.m., adding beer and more food trucks and making this more of a festival atmosphere!
May 16, 10 – 2 p.m.
Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park
River Road,
Louisville, KY 40206
www.kyhumane.org/pressandevents/annual-events/waggin-trail-5k
Admission to the festival is free, registration for the walk is $25 twenty-five dollars and all additional pledges are greatly appreciated!

St. Matthews Street Festival
The 4th Annual St. Matthews Street Festival, is a day-long festival held on Frankfort Avenue between Lexington Road and Bauer Avenue highlights the community’s businesses, history, cuisine, and style. It also showcases the area’s retailers, restaurants, and live entertainment. Family fun and activities include the Kids Zone, Fun Zone and Wellness Fair. Two stages with entertainment varying from Bluegrass to Classic Rock to a Beatles Cover Band.
May 16, 11 – 10 p.m.
Frankfort Avenue
3700 to 3801 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40207
stmatthewsstreetfestival.com/
Free!

Norton Commons Art Festival and Spring Home Showcase
Spend the day at Norton Commons! Along with the arts and crafts on display, we will also have finished homes open for touring. Festival will be held in the heart of the Norton Commons Town Center, at the corners of Norton Commons Blvd. and Meeting Street. This family friendly event is free and open to the public!
May 16, 12 – 5 p.m.
Norton Commons
10712 Meeting Street
Prospect, KY 40059
www.nortoncommons.com
Free!

Come Find Happiness in the Highlands once again, and be “Bardstown Bound” either on a Bus, on a Bike or on Foot! This 1-day/night event will offer the usual special dining deals and drink specials.

A Beer Bus Tour starting and finishing at Valu Market and stopping at several designated locations along the Highlands Strip, Downtown Louisville and Jeffersonville, Indiana. $25 advance ticket, $35 Day of CASH ticket. Arrive at 12:30 p.m. The route will begin at Valu Market and move through Dragon King’s Daughter, O’Shea’s Irish Pub, Flat 12, Buckhead’s Mountain Grill, Gordon Biersch then finish at Valu Market.
Passenger Ticket includes: keepsake painted can growler, Valu Market Beer Festival wristband with a painted can fill-up prior to hitting the road, road trip sandwiches by chef Ellen Gill McCarty of Science Hill.
Beer Crawl up and down the strip at participating bars featuring KY ALE, Gordon Biersch, Sam Adams and Flat 12 beer specials.
Valu Market Highlands Beer Festival takes place in the side parking lot next to Back Door Benefiting Bluegrass Autism Center
Free Thirsty Pedaler Rides – Eastern Parkway to Baxter Avenue from 5 – 8 p.m.

It's back and better than ever! This year we'll be moving to the side parking lot (Across from The Back Door), giving everyone ample space to enjoy all your favorite brews and meet some new ones. 3-7pm with beer proceeds going directly to the Bluegrass Center for Autism. First 500 paid admissions will receive an official Highlands Beer Festival 2015 Pint Glass. After-party hosted by The Back Door!.

Annual Pitt BBQ Festival
On Saturday, May 16, the aroma of smoking meats and burgoo will fill the air around Pitt Academy. With awesome food, outstanding blues music, children’s area and game booths there will be something for everyone who enjoys great food and fun! The barbecue artisans from Ole Hickory Pit will slowly cook the finest meats over their natural wood pits … smoldering them to perfection the old-fashioned way. Pork, mutton, and chicken will be served, along with delicious Burgoo and from scratch side dishes of potato salad, coleslaw and barbeque beans!
May 16, 4 – 11 p.m.
Pitt Academy
6010 Preston Hwy.
Louisville, KY 40219
www.pitt.com
502-966-6979
Free Admission for festival and blues tent. Food & Drinks extra

 

Bring the family for a day of fun and adventure at Churchill Downs. One dollar of every ticket purchased for this fun-filled family event benefits Kosair Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Tickets include unlimited access to all activities and access to the family picnic area in the new Courtyard next to the racetrack. Gates open at 11:30; Post time is 12:45 p.m. Activities include stick horse races, Frozen Princesses and Spiderman meet and greet, rock wall climbing, corn hole, petting zoo, mini pony rides, music, face painting, sidewalk chalk art, Kona Ice trucks, video game truck, bubble station, inflatables, interactive sports games, Kentucky Derby Museum’s Winston meet and greet and a strolling juggler. Join us for Churchill Charlie’s Birthday Bash in Charlie’s corner (3 and under) and a Churchill Charlie Sing and Dance Party. A special Kosair Children’s Hospital activity area will feature a bike rodeo, bike helmet giveaway (for the first 125 children), safety scavenger hunt, heated car demonstration and “Just for Kids” craft activities.
May 17, 11:30 – 7 p.m.
Churchill Downs
700 Central Avenue
Louisville, KY 40208
www..churchilldowns.com/calendar/day/2015-05-17
$8 in advance when purchased online or $10 at the door

LIBA will host our 7th annual Buy Local Fair on Sunday, May 17.  The fair will host a variety of local businesses, musicians, artists and craftspeople, chefs, community organizers and farmers. All locally-owned independent businesses and individuals are encouraged to participate as vendors. Featured events include concerts, an Iron Chef-style cooking competition, farmer's market, art & craft market, craft beer tent and a kid's area. 

The Filson Historical Society invites you to be part of the first “New Faces

in Old Spaces,” a self-guided home tour including bikes, brats and beer, and highlighting beautifully restored homes, now occupied by some of

Louisville’s most noted young professionals and their families. Homes on the tour include those of Teddy Abrams, Music Director, of the Louisville Orchestra, and many more young professionals, artists and entrepreneurs. Touring is scheduled ftom 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, followed by a picnic dinner back at The Filson, 1310 Third Street in Old Louisville. Please feel free to ride your bike to each destination. Bicycling for Louisville will provide bike racks at locations without adequate bike parking. Street parking will be available for those who choose to drive.  Packets, including maps, wrist bands and drink tickets can be picked up at The Filson.

Macbeth at Locust Grove
Experience murder most foul as the grounds of Locust Grove stand in for Macbeth's chilly Scotland. Kentucky Shakespeare presents the full version, witches and all, of Shakespeare's great tragedy. Bring a picnic supper, or purchase food, drinks, and snacks at Locust Grove. Seating will be on the ground, so bring blankets, seats, or what-you-will for your comfort. In the event of wet weather or soggy ground, we'll move indoors where seating will be limited to first come, first served. Admission free (donation appreciated!).
May 17,  5 – 8 p.m.
Historic Locust Grove
561 Blankenbaker Lane
Louisville, KY 40207
locustgrove.org
Free, donations appreciated!