Fast Facts

• Hillerich & Bradsby Co. (H&B) is the fifth-generation, family-owned and operated company that produces Louisville Sluggers.
• In 1894, “Louisville Slugger” became a registered trademark.
• H&B moved its bat factory to West Main Street in 1995 and opened the museum the following year.
• About 3,000 full-sized bats are made daily, with the factory producing ~1.8 million bats in a year total.
• In 2015, Wilson Sporting Goods bought the Louisville Slugger brand. H&B still owns the museum, factory, and production facility — they just make bats exclusively for Wilson.
• H&B has 187 employees company-wide.
  

The first swing

An icon is born

• Louisville Bats vs. Omaha Storm Chasers | Wednesday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 6 | Times vary | Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St., Louisville | $9-$56 | Enjoy $2 hot dogs, popcorn, chips, and sodas.

• 54th Annual Street Rods Nationals | Thursday, Aug. 3-Sunday, Aug. 6 | Times vary | Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln., Louisville | $6-$40 | See 10,000+ vintage cars on display at one of the world’s largest automotive events.

• Plein Air Painting with Pastels | Friday, Aug. 4-Sunday, Aug. 6 | 1-4 p.m. | Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave, Louisville | $60-$75 | Capture the beauty of Mother Nature using soft pastels during this three-day series.
• Barbie Night | Friday, Aug. 4 | 6 p.m.-12 a.m. | ShopBar, 950 Barret Ave., Louisville | Free | Snap a photo in a life-size Barbie box + enjoy themed drinks and a costume contest.

• St. Matthews Potato Festival | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 12-6 p.m. | St. Matthews Community Park, 310 Ten Pin Ln., Louisville | Free | This spud-tastic day includes a hot potato tournament, train rides, spud putt, and live music from JD Shelburne.
• Yacht Rock Cruise | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 8-10 p.m. | Belle of Louisville, 401 W. River Rd., Louisville | $39.99 | The dress code is all things 1980s for this two-hour soft rock concert with Tony & The Tanlines.

• Waterfront Park Yoga | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 7-8 p.m. | Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Rd., Louisville | $5 | Find your center at this beginner-friendly outdoor yoga class.

1. Visibility: Being a Chamber member increases your reach
2. Growth: The Chamber’s economic growth program helps all of Louisville thrive
3. Credibility: Your reputation matters, and Chamber membership is represented by the community
4. Discounts: Member-to-member discounts can help increase your business’s purchasing power
5. Network: It’s not just who you know, it’s who others know

• Jefferson County residents will have four opportunities this month to give input on how to improve Algonquin + Camp Taylor pools. Both public pools closed this summer, and the city has set aside $9 million to make renovations. The first hearing is Thursday, Aug. 3, 6-8 p.m. at Camp Taylor Park.

• Work began yesterday on the $5.1 million intersection improvement project of Springcrest Drive and KY 22 — aka Brownsboro Road. Safety improvements include the reconstruction of a left-turn lane and two travel lanes + a new six-foot sidewalk. Motorists can expect lane closures and delays until its completion next summer.

• Live racing at Churchill Downs will resume on Thursday, Sept. 14 after closing in June following the deaths of 12 horses. The track has made several internal safety improvements, including increased veterinary oversight and the establishment of a Safety Management Committee. (WAVE)

• A new restaurant incubator in West Louisville will help in-home caterers make the leap to becoming a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The Shop One Stop: Your Creative Kitchen Space will open in September across from the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Complex. The space can accommodate 20 businesses and packages range $150-$1,050. (Louisville Business First)

• Louisville gives you wings. A new foodie week is taking over Derby City Monday, Aug. 21-Sunday, Aug. 27. Wing Week, made by the creators of Burger Week, will feature $7 wings from over 10 restaurants + utilize the same app check-in system to collect points for prizes.

• Nearly New Shop in Mid City Mall is celebrating 67 years in the thrift store business. Through Saturday, Aug. 5, the store is offering thrifters 50% off storewide to show its gratitude for the years of community support.

• A 1920s mining helmet, Civil War-era doll, and 1766 ball bat are just a few of the new objects in the recently reopened “The Commonwealth” exhibit at the Frazier History Museum. The gallery is dedicated to the everyday lives of Kentuckians from pre-settlement to the early 1900s.

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now accessible countywide. The Louisville chapter of the free book program started in 2016 in just three zip codes. Now, thanks to a Louisville Metro Government Grant, any Louisvillian under five can register to participate.

• Get moody at Forage’s Bad Blood Floral Arranging Class on Wednesday, October 25. The Taylor Swift-themed flower workshop will draw inspiration from the pop singer’s heated hit and include cocktails + mocktails to match. Tickets are $95.

• ICYMI, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is offering discounted parking in the Express Shuttle Lot. Now through Labor Day, parking is only $5 per day plus tax with an advanced reservation.*

• Kroger just got a fresh look. Check out the grocery stores at 9440 Brownsboro Rd. + 9501 Westport Rd., which held grand reopenings last week to celebrate $1.6+ million in renovations. Look forward to experiencing customer-centered improvements like new checkout lanes, revamped produce sections, remodeled interiors, and thoughtful efficiencies.*

• Search bar that can be toggled between the library’s catalog and website
• Accessibility features like language translation and button to increase font size
• Customizable events calendar
• Dedicated pages for kids, teens, and adults to explore programs and activities
• Room booking module to reserve a meeting room online versus calling a branch to check for availability — which will be up and running in a month or so

• Four Sigmatic’s organic protein powder is the ultimate smoothie booster. It contains 18 grams of protein and 1500 milligrams of adaptogens per serving — nourishing your mind + body.

• Searching for the perfect luggage set that’s both lightweight + durable? We love this set for its polycarbonate shell and quiet double spinner wheels.

• Slice and serve your favorite meats + cheeses on this sleek yet durable maple wood cutting board. Bonus: It’s preconditioned with beeswax, linseed, and lemon oil.

• It’s time to treat your fur baby with a product worth barking about. Check out the Martingale Collar in peach + gold from Major Darling.