This year marks the 68th annual St. James Court Art Show. | Photo provided by St. James Court Art Show
Good, better, best. St. James never rests.
Every October, the St. James Court Art Show transforms Old Louisville into an outdoor art gallery — and according to Sunshine Artist, it’s one of the best fine art and design shows in the country.
While we already know our autumn tradition — colloquially known as “St. James” — has been the best since 1957, the magazine’s 2024 “200 Best” list backs up our claim to St. Fame for another year running.
As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Sunshine Artist’s art show rankings are based on the revenue reported by attending artists from across the US.
It uses revenue as the deciding factor because it’s the most objective way to look at an art show’s future success versus subjective data, like artist treatment, attendance levels, and management.
The St. James Court Art Show has been in the top three of Sunshine Artist’s list for the past five years, and took the No. 1 spot in 2019 and 2023. In 2020, it won an even higher distinction — the No. 1 fine art fair of the last 10 years. Not bad for a show that’s been running since the 1950s.
St. James draws in roughly 250,000 people annually over the course of three days and has an ~$5 million impact on Derby City every year. The 2024 art show will take place this Friday, Oct. 4 -Sunday, Oct. 6.
Tand | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 7-11 p.m. | The Mellwood Tavern | $10 | Jam with this four-piece rock band from South Florida, known for playing all the hits.
Gardens Storytime | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | Waterfront Botanical Gardens | Free, registration required | Bring your kiddos ages 3-5 for two colorful stories + a nature-inspired activity.
Thursday, Oct. 3
DIY Haunted Gingerbread Houses | Thursday, Oct. 3 | 2-4 p.m. | Southwest Regional Library | Free | Register in advance to help your kids build a scary (but sweet) house from crackers and candy.
Friday, Oct. 4
26th Annual Louisville Unfair | Friday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 6 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Magnolia Bar | Free | This edgy, alternative art festival features unconventional artists and musicians.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Riverboat Gambler | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 7-9 p.m. | Belle of Louisville | $79.99 | Party like it’s 1899 aboard the historic Belle of Louisville. Celebrate 110 years of steamboat magic with cards, games, food, drinks + the river breeze.*
Wyzant is pay-as-you-go (read: no expensive packages required), offering lessons starting as low as $10. | Photo via Pexels
With October upon us and the school year in full swing, it’s a good time to pause and reflect (ideally with a cozy drink in hand): How is the student in your life doing?
Whether you have a house full of kiddos or are going back to school yourself, Wyzant‘s vetted instructors can help with 300+ topics, from academic core subjects and foreign languages to test prep, musical instruments, and more.
Meet in person with a local tutor, or take lessons virtually. The best part? It’s pay-as-you-go and starts as low as $10/session.
Germantown thrift store Neon Flea has found a new home, just up the road. Forced to close in August, the shop moved a few doors down Goss Avenue to the former Forage space. Neon Flea will host a grand opening tomorrow, Oct. 2 at 12 p.m.
Try This
An Oscar Meyer Weinermobile will be in Derby City this weekend. It’ll park its buns at the Walmart on Whittington Parkway this Saturday, Oct. 5 and at the Oldham Gardens Oktoberfest on Sunday, Oct. 6. See the full schedule — and tag us on social media if you spot it.
Open
Rainbow Blossom’s sixth location is now open in the former Paul’s Fruit Market building on Brownsboro Road. The new location features organic produce + grab-and-go food, plus a bar with smoothies and juices. It’s open seven days a week.
Kids
A decommissioned shrimp boat is on its way to Louisville’s West End to join the AHOY children’s museum, set to break ground soon. The 75-year-old, 75,000-lb boat was hoisted out of the river by a crane to ready it for transport. (Courier Journal)
Giveaway
The only thing better than the first sip of your morning coffee is the first sip of your free morning coffee. Stop by any Heine Brothers Coffee location today for a free small drip coffee, in honor of Heine’s 30th anniversary.
Seasonal
It’s almost time for the first annual Cave Hill Cemetery Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 5. In addition to live music + wagon rides, learn about the role of insects and pollinators from Idlewild Butterfly Farm — and meet some real life creepy crawlies. See our guide to fall festivals for more.
Sports
Louisville football fell seven spots in the AP Poll, to No. 22, after their loss at Notre Dame. Can they rebound this weekend versus SMU? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Louisville Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Which card now features 0% APR Into 2026? This card. (ICYMI, experts say balance transfer cards are one of the best-kept secrets for managing credit card debt.)*
Plan Ahead
BLINK is set to light up the Cincy Region from Thursday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 20. This year’s dazzling event features everything from a cherished sunset parade to a create-your-own adventure through a walkable, immersive illuminated experience spanning 30+ city blocks. Here’s what to know before you go.*
We have some amazing restaurants in our city, and we love highlighting new culinary gems at LOUtoday. But there have also been so many great local restaurants that have closed over the years (Decca, we miss you) — and sometimes, we get a little hankering for a meal from a place that no longer exists. Sigh.
This got us thinking about the local restaurants from yesteryear that make our readers feel that same nostalgia — the spots that would be your go-to choices for dining out if they were still around.
Personally, if we had a time machine, we’d head straight to Toast on Market for the The King and never look back.
OK, your turn. Which City restaurant or meal would you give anything to eat one more time? Whether they closed years ago or just last week, we want to hear from you. Let us know and we may feature you in an upcoming newsletter.
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