Plus, have breakfast with a pro wrestler.
 
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Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 7:45 p.m.
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Ballard Park is about to get a makeover
A rendering of a public park
The Ballard Park renovation was designed to meet community needs. | Photo by Parks Alliance Louisville
The Parks Alliance of Louisville announced final designs for a renovation at Ballard Park, including a $1.3 million investment through the nonprofit’s Parks For All Equitable Investment plan and partnership with Smoketown residents, Louisville Parks and Recreation, and Councilman Jecorey Arthur.

Here’s what the new Ballard Park will include:
  • New picnic pavilion
  • Colorful basketball court
  • Playground with swings, slides, and natural play equipment
  • Butterfly garden
  • Fitness area
The designs for the renovated park come from a collaboration between the Parks Alliance and the Smoketown Anti-Violence Coalition, which was formed in 2021 in response to the death of DaJuan Coward in Ballard Park.

An overhead rendering of a public park

The new design expands the footprint of the playground, adds a picnic pavilion, and fills the area with tree shade.

|

Photo by Parks Alliance Louisville

The plans were unveiled piece by piece online throughout Thursday, Sept. 12 — that was Give for Good Day in Derby City. The Park’s Alliance revealed snippets of the plan through the day — like renderings of a new playground at 9 a.m., a new basketball court at 7 p.m., and the full rendering at 10 p.m.

The idea worked — In total, 140 supporters gave $21,000 to the Ballard Park renovation project by the end of the day.

You can make a one-time or recurring donation for yourself on in honor of someone else.
 
Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville
 
Events
 
Wednesday, Sept. 18
  • Half Price Wine Wednesdays | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 4:30-10 p.m. | Bourbons Bistro | Cost of purchase | Enjoy half-price select bottles of wine plus discounts on appetizers, bourbon, and beer during happy hour, 4:30-7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 19
  • Viva Latinx Bootcamp | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 6-6:45 p.m. | FOKO | Free | Bring canned goods or diapers to donate to La Casita Center before taking a high-intensity class focused on full body movements.
  • “The Ferryman’s Daughter” | Thursday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 22 | Times vary | The Henry Clay | $15+ | Follow a marine biologist as she charts species habitats in the North Sea in this new play by Karen Moloney.
Friday, Sept. 20
  • After Hours at the Speed | Friday, Sept. 20 | 5-10 p.m. | Speed Art Museum | $25 | Hear a gallery talk from a curator, make some art of your own, and visit the Infinity Room installation by Yayoi Kusama at this late-night event.
Saturday, Sept. 21
  • BugFest | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, Clermont | Free | Celebrate the world of insects with fun a bug safari, an insect zoo, and nature discovery stations.
Sunday, Sept. 22
  • Lafayette Style Show and Tea | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 2-4 p.m. | Locust Grove | $40+ | Come celebrate the Marquis de Lafayette with a four-course afternoon tea and style show with models from the Jane Austen Society in Louisville.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Arts
 

This walkable art exhibit lets you explore Cincinnati in a new light

An illuminated photo of a building exterior.
BLINK is an entirely walkable event, but exhibits in Cincinnati are accessible by the free streetcar. | Photo provided by Visit Cincy
Keep your eyes peeled — Cincinnati’s immersive outdoor art experience, BLINK, is almost here.

See how hundreds of local, national, and international artists transform 30+ blocks of Cincinnati and Northern KY into a mesmerizing canvas from Thursday, Oct. 17, to Sunday, Oct. 20.

Here’s what to expect from the free event:
  • 80+ dynamic light sculptures, projections, and murals
  • Food and drinks at various locations
  • Live entertainment each night
Pro tip: Make it a weekend and explore one or two different zones each night.
 
News Notes
 
Eat
  • The vegan restaurant Shahar is returning to a physical location, this time on Logan Street in the former RedTop Hot Dogs + Keswick location. The plant-based cafe has been living the pop up life since last year. An opening date is TBD.
Festival
  • Tickets are on sale for the 10th annual Grateville Dead festival celebrating the music of Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead. Hear tribute bands + bluegrass groups at the Brown-Forman Amphitheater on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 18-20. Tickets start at $20, weekend passes are $70.
Coming soon

  • Ace Pickleball Club is opening its first Kentucky location in J-Town next month. The national pickleball franchise will take over the former Louisville Athletic Club location on Taylorsville Road. Monthly membership covers unlimited open play every day, and Jeffersontown residents get the first month free.
Biz
  • Kyros Brewing is now for sale. The four-year-old Portland brewery has an indoor taproom + a beer garden and hosts events. The menu currently features three original brews, plus collaborations with Gallant Fox + Noble Funk. If you’re interested, call or stop by — the owners are there every Sunday.
Talk
  • Allen Sarven — aka Al Snow — is a former WWE wrestler, trainer, and the owner of Ohio Valley Wrestling — you might remember him from Netflix’s “Wrestlers.” He’ll be the featured speaker at this month’s CreativeMornings, on Friday, Sept. 27 at the Filson Historical Society. Sign up starting Monday, Sept. 23.


Number
  • 892,000. That’s how many passengers departed from SDF between May and August of this year, a 6% increase from last year. Each month of this summer broke last year’s record, which was the busiest on record for the airport.
Correction
  • Maybe our luck ran out. In yesterday’s newsletter, we told you about an upcoming event where the World’s Largest Horseshoe would be unveiled at Churchill Downs. Turns out, that event already happened...nine years ago. At least this event error gave us a chance to remember the Guinness World Record.
Sports
  • Games against Georgia Tech and Notre Dame could be key to the Cardinals’ playoff dreams. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Plan Ahead
    • Mark your calendars: Louisville Tourism’s annual gala and ROSE Awards returns to Louisville Palace on November 20. The event honors tourism and hospitality workers who have enhanced a visitor’s experience in Derby City. Join the party.*
    Biz
    • Goodbye, long hours. What if we told you that you could be the owner of a new business venture in Derby City and be home by 4 p.m.? Be the first to bring Scramblers to Louisville and join a community of 30+ locations by opening your own franchise.*
    Listen
    Coming Soon
    • Did this catch your eye? That’s because locals (like you) are excited about new happenings in our city. Spread the word about your business, services, big news, or upcoming event with our 47,000+ readers.
     
     
    Cause
     

    Show Louisville some love
    A few people shop inside of a large greenhouse at Louisville Grows as part of its Seeds & Starts sale — where people can buy local produce to get their gardens going.
    Louisville Grows mission to plant 5,000 trees by 2025 + you can help.  | Photo by @louisvillegrows
    Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is that there are more than enough great causes in Louisville to give your time to. Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a health care enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 20+ ways to get involved in Derby City.

    Kentucky Humane Society | Help out at one of the Humane Society’s locations — like Purrfect Day Cat Cafe + Willow Hope Farm in Simpsonville, KY — or assist with fundraising and community events.

    Louisville Nature Center | Assist with trail and plant maintenance across the 41-acre Beargrass Creek State Nature preserve, help maintain the nature center’s grounds, or serve as an educational assistant.

    The Table | Work a shift as a server or cook at this pay-what-you-can restaurant in the Portland neighborhood.
     
    Asked
     

    The causes I feel most passionate about are...
    A. Arts and cultural institutions
    B. People experiencing homelessness
    C. Minority and disadvantaged groups
    D. Pets and animals
     
    The Buy
     
    Decorate your space with this year’s trendiest fall decor. Here are five items we just added to our cart:

    🍂 These velvet pumpkins to add festive flair around the house.
    🍂 A hand-crafted wreath boasting beautiful autumn hues.
    🍂 This welcome mat complete with seasonal adornments.
    🍂 A hand-blown glass cup embellished with candy corns.
    🍂 This embroidered table runner to elevate your dining space.
     
     
    The Wrap
     
    Declan Lowthian.jpg

    Today’s edition by:
    Declan
    From the editor
    Even though the first day of fall is still a few days away, my social media feeds are already looking pretty Halloween-y. When it comes to the classic horror monsters, my personal favorite is the vampire — I just love a good Dracula.

    Kentucky authors Dan Klefstad and Eva Vertrice evidently feel the same way. Their new podcast VampChat is all about these mythical creatures of the night.
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