06.24.2024

Today’s Forecast

89º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:20 a.m. | Sunset 9:10 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Culture

Escape to the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital for this annual festival

Presented by a LOUtoday Partner

pottery making at the berea craft festival

Check out 100+ talented artists live in action, like David Enge of Tater Knob Pottery Demonstrating (pictured above). | Photo provided by Berea Tourism

Mark your calendars: The 43rd annual Berea Craft Festival returns to the historic Indian Fort Theater from Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14.

Located at the base of the Pinnacles, this event brings 100+ artists from across the country to showcase their work and provide interactive demonstrations.

Keep reading to learn what you can expect from this year’s celebration. Trust us: It’s worth the ~two-hour drive (and the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway).

Creative brilliance

As you explore the festival, expect to be immersed in the creative process of several dynamic skills, including:

Pottery throwing
Fiber arts
Loom weaving
Blacksmithing
And more

Both new and returning artists will be on-site, including Paul R. Buhrmester of The Burned Gourd, Jill Robertson of Appalachia’s Daughter, and Derek Downing of Designer Baskets By Derek.

Pro tip: Keep up with artist announcements on Facebook.

jewelry booth at the berea craft festival — Shop a selection of unique, handmade jewelry, including Boulder Park Gems (pictured above).
|
Photo provided by Berea Tourism

Savor the day

It wouldn’t be a true Kentucky festival without plenty of bites, right? Choose from local and regional food vendors like Pit Stop Grub, Bert’s Speekcheezy, and Drea’s Catfish Bucket.

Psst... We’ve got our eyes on The Hotsy Totsy from Bert’s.

Star performers

While you browse booths featuring a variety of mediums (like glass, wood, pottery, and jewelry), local musicians and performers will be strolling through the grounds.

Entertainers include fiddle player and storyteller Chip Bailey and iconic quartet Al, Alice, Ruth, and Daxson — each performing on Friday and Sunday.

Stay tuned for a full entertainment lineup.

band playing music at the berea craft festival — We can’t wait to hear the sounds of Al, Alice, Ruth and Daxson.
|
Photo provided by Berea Tourism

Ready to get crafty?

Snag tickets at the gate — $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and kids 12 and under are free. Furry friends are welcome on a leash.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to explore shops in the Old Town Artisan Village. Berea is recognized as the Folk and Arts Capital of Kentucky, after all.

Plan your visit

Asked

Do you plan to attend this year’s celebration?

A. Count me in
B. Maybe next year

We want to know

Events

Tuesday, June 25

The Moth StorySLAM | Tuesday, June 25 | Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd., Louisville | $15 | Tell a five-minute story about moments of boldness and courage around the theme “guts” and hear others tell their tales.

Wednesday, June 26

Waterfront Wednesday | Wednesday, June 26 | 5-10:30 p.m. | Big Four Lawn, 129 W. River Rd., Louisville | Free | Alejandro Escovedo, Middle Kids, and RELAAY will take the stage under the Big Four Bridge.

Thursday, June 27

Publishing 101 | Thursday, June 27 | 6-7 p.m. | The Filson Historical Society, 1310 S. 3rd St., Louisville | $0-$18 | Hear a lecture from Ashley Runyon, a publishing industry expert who is currently the director of the University Press of Kentucky.

Friday, June 28

The Flaming Lips | Friday, June 28 | 8 p.m. | Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Rd., Louisville | $31.50-$81.50 | Do you realize you can see the critically acclaimed alternative rock band perform “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” live?

Saturday, June 29

Louisville Tree Plan Community Workshop | Saturday, June 29 | 10-11 a.m. | Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W. Woodlawn Ave., Louisville | Free | Hear about Louisville’s urban forest master plan, and offer your input on how to make Louisville a little more green.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

In case you missed it, the Louisville Metro Council passed the $1.1 billion budget proposal last week. Among public safety, education, and affordable housing initiatives, the budget also includes $10 million to redevelop the Belvedere.

Announced

Did you have tickets to the second day of Gazebo Festival, which was canceled due to weather? You should be getting a refund soon. Last week, the festival announced its refund plan, with fans getting their money back within two to five business days.

Festival

Stadium Rock Fest, which was set to hit the stage at Lynn Family Stadium in August, has been canceled “due to unforeseen circumstances.” Guess that means we’ll have to put the acid-washed jeans back in the closet — but at least we’ll save money on hairspray.

Number

36. That’s how many planting sites that workers maintain across Louisville’s Olmsted Park system. During the recent heat wave, park employees have been hard at work keeping the flora + fauna at Louisville’s parks hydrated.

Sports

Koren Johnson could be poised for breakout stardom with Louisville men’s basketball this year. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cardswith Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Try This

Let’s go play, LOU

The Greatest Day of Play returns this year

A tree overlooks benches in front of a rectangular, modern, glass building.

The Northeast Library branch opened in 2019. | Image via WHAS11

When you think of a library, you might imagine a quiet, tranquil place to read a book, study, and use the latest technology, like a 3D printer — and if you’re like us, you might imagine a librarian saying, “Quiet, this is a library.”

Next weekend, however, the Louisville Free Public Library’s Northeast Regional branch (15 Bellevoir Circle) will be anything but serene, in the best way possible.

The Greatest Day of Play returns to the branch on Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Here’s just a sample what you and the kiddos can do, all for free:

Build a cardboard box city
Create chalk art + a giant splat paint mural
Go on a bug scavenger hunt
Find fossils with the Falls of the Ohio State Park staff
Drum with Louisville Orchestra
Get messy in the mud pit

Food trucks will be available, for that mid-play snack break.

The Buy

The Buy 6.24.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Colorful margarita glasses that are shatterproof — aka, perfect for outdoor pool parties.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jeff

From the editor

How you surviving out there, LOU? It was hot this weekend, wasn’t it? Let us tempt you with these cold treats to beat the heat this week.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY