Keep Louisville weird? One man is single-handedly trying to do just that. Meet Will Russell, the man behind the annual 30-city Lebowski Fest, who bought the wickedly weird Guntown Mountain park and is transforming it into the even weirder and more wonderful Funtown Mountain Adventure hitting the road, spreading the fun, leading up to the opening of Funtown Mountain road-side attraction in Cave City, KY. on June 19th.

The even-better news? Russell’s mantra mayYOLO (you-only-live-once) but he’s spreading the fun once in each of 20 cities across the country. Starting April 19, Russell and his band of dreamers are hitting the road for a 20-city Funtown Mountain Adventure road-show.  This roving explosion of diversion and delight stops at roadside attractions around the country to promote the opening of Funtown Mountain Adventure theme park, and support a kick-A kick-starter campaign.

Led by an Argosy Airstream (aka “The Dreamstream”) that Russell will commandeer, the procession of peculiar pleasantness includes a ticketed sideshow: The Funtown Mountain Wonder Show, a live concert including nationally known musical acts and animatronic bands. The lineup will include music by Giant Sand, The Legendary Shack*Shakers, The Rock­afire Explosion and DJ Shit Show plus a screening of the Kickstarter Video “The Funtown Connection.” A traveling Art Show will be included by various self­taught artists.

This traveling cabinet of curiosities will also feature a seated wax Colonel Sanders figure wearing one of Harland Sanders’ original iconic white suits. The so called “Hovercolonel” will ride a remote­controlled Hoveround. Various other oddities will be on display in and around The Dreamstream such as the Kentucky Wildman which is a screen­ used prop from John Carpenter’s cult film B ig Trouble in Little China. Other items of intrigue will be on display such as The Kentucky Merman, Jim Porter The Kentucky Giant, Wax Walt Disney, The Bumble, Jambi, The Pope Lick Goatman and the Funtown Clown. Various activities such as Hoveround Races, a carnival cutout sign and similar Fun will be on site.

The fun begins on April 17, with the Funtown Mt. Funder Explosion on the eve of the annual Funder Over Louisville, at Fresh Start Growers Supply in a parking lot in hip district NuLu.  Following the April 17 kickoff, tour dates include:

4/17 - Louisville @ Fresh Start
4/19 - Indianapolis @ The Vogue
4/20 - Chicago @ Lincoln Hall
4/21 - Milwaukee @ Turner Hall
4/22 - St. Louis @ The Bootleg at Atomic Cowboy
4/23 - Nashville @ Cannery Ballroom
4/24 - Memphis @ 1884 Lounge
4/25 - Lexington @ Cosmic Charlies 
4/29 - Louisville @ Jim Porters Good Time Emporium 
4/19 ­ Indianapolis @ Radio Radio
4/20 ­ OFF ­ (The House on the Rock, Wisconsin Dells)

The Carnival Fun is just the lead-up to the main event, the opening of Funtown Mountain  scheduled for June, 19th 2015. The theme park includes, among others:

The Haunted Hotel, one of the oldest historic haunted attractions, will be restored and expanded. In October 2015, The Haunted Hotel will host Kentucky’s largest Halloween party.

The Sky Lift, a refitted chair lift that will bring patrons to and from the Mountaintop.

Puttin N Kentucky, a miniature golf course that will feature original artwork by regional artists.

Later in 2015 and early 2016, a new Funtown Souvenir Shop and Hillbilly Tea Shack, will open offering Kentucky souvenirs, locally designed shirts and accessories, art prints, books, cards, unique gifts and general curiosities.  

In 2016 and beyond, the full-throttle fun when renovation of Funtown Mountain will be complete will include, among attractions such as:

The Lucky Lady Saloon, a space for live musical and theatrical performances, the two-story period style watering hole, will be renovated with the addition of a large bar which will serve beer, liquor, pizza and other concession, as well an area with arcade games. Cowhands, desperados and fun-seekers will be able to enjoy the entertainment on (and off) the stage from the ground floor or the balcony.

Imagination Land Museum, a pop culture museum that will house Russell’s ever-growing world-class collection of pop-culture memorabilia.

Zippity Do Dah Zip Line, a zip line which will run from Funtown Mountain’s mountain top to ground level, the zip line will rival other premium zip line structures in the region.
 

The Kentucky Wondershow Theater, a multi-purpose multi-use venue with a single screen digital projector, will be equipped for holographic projections, seat 400-800 people, and present movies, concerts, and comedy shows.

The Treetop Village will feature play elements designed or finished by artists from the region and beyond.

Lolley Land, a forested area for sculptures by artist Kathleen Lolley inspired by the natural surroundings.

Amphitheater, a new outdoor venue will be located on the west side of the mountain, close to the rebuilt Opera House, and will feature a covered stage and open-air seating area with a view to the woodlands beyond.