Hunter S. Thompson was the father of Gonzo journalism, a friend of actor Johnny Depp, and a Louisville native.
Since 2010, GonzoFest has been honoring the counter-culture writer’s legacy with a music and literary festival. Since the final episode is happening this weekend on Friday, July 14 + Saturday, July 15 at High Horse Bar, we thought we’d take a look back at a decade of Hunter S. Thompson.
October 16, 2010
The first iteration of GonzoFest took place at the former Monkey Wrench on Barret Avenue. Co-founded by the bar’s owner, Dennie Humphrey, the fest was born out of an idea for a statue of Thompson — more on that later.
Highlights:
- Organizers unveiled a Hunter S. Thompson mural on the side of the building that’s still there today.
Special guests:
- Anita Thompson, Hunter S. Thompson’s wife, read disciplinary reports from when he attended Male High School — including one from 1953, when he set off firecrackers in the school.
2011-2013
The festival continued at the Monkey Wrench for the next three years.
Special guests:
- Former Congressman John Yarmuth
- WFPK’s Kyle Meredith
- Anita Thompson
Headlining bands:
- The Whigs
- Scott Carney from Wax Fang
- Nerves Junior
April 5, 2014
GonzoFest moved to springtime and expanded events to span across six days. The main event took place in the parking lot across from Slugger Stadium.
Highlights:
- “Hunter’s Gonzoville” banner was unveiled
- A puppet parade commenced
- The Ralph Steadman documentary “For No Good Reason” premiered
Headlining bands:
- A Lion Named Roar
- Vessel
- Jack Holiday and the Westerners
April 11, 2015
For its 5th anniversary, the fest moved to the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park.
Highlights:
- A campaign launched to raise funds for a bronze statue of Thompson
- The GonzoFest documentary premiered
- Members of the festival’s team became Kentucky Colonels
- 5,000 people attended
Headlining bands:
- 1200, Councilmember Jecorey Author’s then-musical group
- Twin Limb
- Graffiti
April 16, 2016
GonzoFest continued at the Big Four Bridge location and added national bands, a circus sideshow, and more art contests. Gonzo Today also became fully involved in producing the fest.
Highlights:
- Thompson’s son, Juan, did a reading and book signing for his memoir, “Stories I Tell Myself: Growing Up with Hunter S. Thompson.”
- Proceeds went toward the production of the bronze Hunter S. Thompson statue.
Headlining bands:
- Fly Golden Eagle
- Natural Child, Dr. Dundiff, Wax Fang, Chrome Pony
2017-2019
Organizers continued to shine a spotlight on the literary side of the event and move it to the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library where Thompson’s mother, Virginia, worked as a librarian.
For the next three years the fest expanded its panel discussions, poetry readings, and spoken word performances in addition to a music lineup.
Highlights:
- Screening of the film “The Rise & Fall of the Brown Buffalo”
Special guests:
- Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi
- Biographer William McKeen
Headlining bands:
- Nellie Pearl
- Sativa Gumbo
- Vice Tricks
2020-2022
GonzoFest went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 14-July 15, 2023
The final event will take place in Butchertown at Dennie’s new establishment, High Horse Bar, for two days.
Highlights:
- Screening of “Outlaw Poet: The Legend of Ron Whitehead”
- “The Hell’s Angels Letters” panel discussion
While GonzoFest is calling it quits, Hunter S. Thompson’s legacy lives on year-round throughout the city via murals and his childhood home, which is a registered National Landmark.