Plus, a new dance club is open on Bardstown Road.
 
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84º | 80% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:25 a.m. | Sunset 9:09 p.m.
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🧨 LOU, you’re a firework
Fireworks over a downtown skyline, bridge, and river.
You can catch fireworks in multiple places on Independence Day, including your backyard if you obey local ordinances. | Photo by @u2photography
The Fourth of July and fireworks go together like — well — hot dogs and a cookout. Can you tell what our holiday plans are?

Perhaps you’ve invited friends over for a mini-Thunder Over Louisville of your own this Independence Day. Or maybe you rented a tuxedo and poured yourself a glass of champagne to recreate an iconic movie scene. Or possibly, you just wanna see some things go boom.

But what’s legal in LOU? Which fireworks are allowed, and which aren’t? We dove into the local ordinances so you can focus on what color sparklers to buy.
In Louisville, in order to purchase or ignite a firework, you must be at least 18 years old. Here’s a list of what you can light up around LOU:
  • Novelties and trick noisemakers — think: party poppers, booby traps, snappers, trick matches, cigarette loads, and auto burglar alarms
  • “Snakes” or “glow worms”
  • Smoke devices
  • Wire sparklers
  • Cylindrical or cone fountains
  • Wheels
  • Ground spinners

What’s not

Aerial devices — think: fireworks like bottle rockets, helicopters, and aerial shells with wings, fins, or other mechanisms designed to cause them to fly — are illegal. Additionally, any firework with a description that includes any of the following terms isn’t allowed:
  • “Explosive”
  • “Emits flaming pellets”
  • “Flaming balls”
  • “Firecracker”
  • “Report”
  • “Rocket”

There’s always next year

If you are planning for a large-scale fireworks show, you can submit an application to the Louisville Metro Government for a special permit at least 15 days before your planned event — so it’s a bit too late this year. Permits come with a $175 fee, but you’ll also need a sizeable insurance policy.

Bonus: Want to see some fireworks, just not in your backyard? Check out our list of Independence Day events.
Asked

Which firework is your favorite?
A. Sparkler
B. Fountain
C. “Snake” or “glow worm”
D. Snappers
E. Other
We can hear the oohs and aahs already
River City Distributing
 
Events
Thursday, July 4
  • Paristown’s 5th Annual 4th of July Celebration | Thursday, July 4 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Paristown, 720 Brent St., Louisville | $15-$100 | Celebrate America’s 248th birthday with an outdoor market, donut eating contest, and fireworks.
  • Red Top 10th Anniversary | Thursday, July 4 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Atrium Brewing, 1154 Logan St., Louisville | See a turtle race and hot dog eating contest, in celebration of this food truck.
  • Waterfront Park Fourth of July | Thursday, July 4 | 1-6 p.m. | Big Four Lawn & Swing Garden, Louisville | Free | Stop by for food, music, a talent show, and of course fireworks on the river.
Friday, July 5
  • Earthquake | Friday, July 5-Saturday, July 6 | Times vary | Louisville Comedy Club, 110 W. Main St., Louisville | $35-$50 | See the legendary Washington, D.C.-based standup comedian, known for his SiriusXM show.
Saturday, July 6
  • Spades Tournament | Saturday, July 6 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Sis Got Tea, 976 Barret Ave., Louisville | $5-$10 | Come with a partner to compete in a tournament of this classic card game.
Sunday, July 7
  • Summer Vacation | Sunday, July 7 | 3-9 p.m. | Omni Louisville Hotel, 400 S. 2nd St., Louisville | $60-$600 | Former Louisville basketball star Russ Smith will be among the attendees at this pool party, featuring live DJs, bourbon samples, and more.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Today Is
  • Independence Day. America has been celebrating this day for 248 years since the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. Round up the kids, friends, or just yourself and head to one of several local celebrations.
Pets
  • Fireworks and celebrations can be fun for people, but scary for pets. The Kentucky Humane Society has tips for keeping your animals safe during the celebrations today — including updating their identification tags, keeping them away from fireworks, and securing their environment.
Civic
  • Louisville is growing, literally. The new Urban Agriculture Program from the Louisville Metro Department of Parks and Recreation will work to create more community gardens, promote urban farms, increase edible landscapes on public land, and help increase access to fresh food in Derby City.
Opening
Drink
  • Louisville may be known for Mint Juleps, but a new beer has claimed downtown Louisville as its own. Ten20 Craft Brewery has introduced the 1834 premium lager — aka Downtown’s Beer. Some proceeds from the new brew will benefit the Louisville Downtown Partnership.
Try This
  • Tickets are still available for Roarchestra, a concert by the Louisville Orchestra under the stars at the Louisville Zoo on Saturday, July 6 at 8:30 p.m. The performance will include a mix of classical and contemporary pieces. Tickets are $15-$30.
Plan Ahead
  • May the force to eat lots of pancakes be with you. Next week, Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14, Morning Fork (1722 Frankfort Ave.) is hosting a “Star Wars” brunch, featuring themed specials, music, and decorations.
Sports
  • Pat Kelsey’s Louisville men’s basketball team is heading to the Bahamas for an exhibition tour this month. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
     
    The Buy

    The Buy 7.04.24 (Affiliate)
    Reusable grocery cooler bags. If you’ve been rocking the same tired grocery bags for a while now (guilty), investing in some sturdy, insulated bags makes transporting groceries comfortable and more convenient.
     
    The Wrap
     
    Jeff-Milby-headshot-LOU

    Today’s edition by:
    Jeff
    From the editor
    Happy Fourth of July, LOU — but remember to be careful out there. The last thing you want to be is the new, “Back it up Terry.”
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