Gaslight Festival
Gaslight Square, Jeffersontown
Sept. 13-20
I've been out of town since this week-long festival [4] began on Sunday, so I haven't had the chance to evaluate my previous proclamation [5]: "I don't see the appeal of this festival, but as it's been going on for 40 years and attracts 200,000 people, there's a great case to be made for my not knowing what the heck I'm talking about." But based on the festival's events--motorcycle rally, golf scramble, 5k run/walk, parade and balloon glow, bike tour, children's playground, arts and crafts booths--I'll still take my uneducated opinion over that of 200,000 other people. The costs depends on the event.
Idea Festival
Various locations [6], Louisville
Sept. 23-26
Growing up, I thought I had an original idea. But then my mom told me indoor plumbing had been around for a while and perhaps I should start using it. Founded in Lexington in 2000, the the Idea Festival [7] "is a world-class event that attracts leading and highly diverse thinkers from across the nation and around the globe to explore and celebrate innovation, imagination and cutting-edge ideas." This year's highlights include "Wired" writer Daniel Roth, best-selling author A.J. Jacobs and America's sweetheart, Tony Bourdain. Tickets come in a variety of costs [8].
World Chicken Festival
Main Street, London
Sept. 24-27
When people ask me, a recent transplant from the Washington, DC, area, how I like living in Kentucky, I correct them: I don't live in Kentucky; I live in Louisville. There are important differences. For example, in Louisville a festival usually consists of hipsters clad in ironic bowling jerseys quoting a slacker comedy or modern-day hippies doing weird dances to jam bands. In Kentucky a festival consists of the world's largest stainless steel skillet [9] frying up more than 10,000 chicken dinners. The meal is $9 and comes with 1/4 chicken, potato salad, baked beans, a roll and a lot of gas. "Mark it 8, Dude."
Bluegrass Balloon Festival
Bowman Field, Louisville
Sept. 25-27
Known for "family fun," a euphemism for an event with minimal boozing but plenty of teenage girls in tight shorts with "sassy" written across the backside (have I mentioned that I'm about to have a daughter and am a bit wigged out about the prospect?) the 11th annual festival [10] will add just as much color to the Louisville skyline as Thunder, but without all the noise. Unless a balloon pops.
For more information: Danger Run, a "Halloween-themed road rally," starts on Sept. 25.