In addition to the environmental benefits, the Trager MicroForest aims to be a stress reliever for downtown workers. | Brent Schanding/LOUtoday
The Trager MicroForest project will be unveiled on Tuesday, May 13, just in time to provide some much-needed shade + releaf on those scorching summer days.
The $1 million project has turned Founder’s Square — a pocket park between 5th Street + Armory Place along Muhammad Ali Boulevard — into a densely packed forest, lined with new walkways and paths.
A dedication ceremony is planned from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with music, a food truck + tree giveaways. A scientist will also be on hand to answer all your environmental-related questions. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is expected to deliver remarks about the project at 11:30 a.m.
Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Waterfront Park | $7-$40, Free with Pegasus pin | This annual Derby event features concerts from local, regional and national acts, family fun, food, an inflatable playground for the kids + midway rides.
WineFest Silent Disco | 5-9 p.m. | Mellwood Art Center | $75 | Wine down at the Commonwealth Credit Union WineFest and enjoy a silent disco as you sip + savor more than 100 wines from Kentucky wineries.
Singin’ in the Rain | Tuesday, April 29-Sunday, May 18 | Times vary| Derby Dinner Playhouse | $40-$51 | This musical takes you back to 1920s Hollywood for a romantic comedy filled with show-stopping dance routines + memorable earworms you’ll be singing in any weather.
89.3 WFPL Moth StorySLAM | 7 p.m. | Headliner’s Music Hall | $15 | Prepare a five-minute tale of events that transpired in your town that couldn’t happen elsewhere.
Wednesday, April 30
Gardens Storytime | 10-11 a.m. | Waterfront Botanical Gardens | Free | Children ages 3-5 and their grown-up caregivers are invited to hear stories and do a nature-inspired activity to build early reading, social-interactive + creative skills.
Open mic comedy night | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Caravan of Comedy Club | $5 | New comics, established comics, out-of-town comics + special guests will have you laughing.
Thursday, May 1
First Thursday | 5-8 p.m. | Speed Art Museum | Free | This monthly art-focused night includes access to galleries and other programming, including talks, clothed figure drawing, cinema programs + community events.
Jazz night | 7-11 p.m. | Gertie’s Whiskey Bar | Free | Enjoy jazz standards, contemporary classics + pop covers by saxophonist Drew Miller, alongside Wade Honey on organ and Zach Kennedy on drums.
The Bluegrass Ball | 7:30 p.m. | Headliner’s Music Hall | $35-$90 | Wear your finest Appalachian-chic to walk the bluegrass carpet at this Thurby night homegrown event featuring the best performers from the region and beyond.
Process Machinery Inc. will spend nearly $12 million to expand its manufacturing facilities by 28,000 sqft. The expansion will add 30 jobs at the Shelby County plant by the end of 2026 with an average pay of $41.60 an hour. (Louisville Business First)
Culture
The Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala is back for its 36th year and has confirmed a number of high-profile guests at the star-studded event, including Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, MKG (AKA Machine Gun Kelly), former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and actress Selma Blair. (Courier-Journal)
Development
Jeffersonville, Indiana officials say they will consider using a TIF district as the city moves forward with the development of between 50-60 homes on the former Eastlawn Elementary site. Home prices will range from $225,000-$275,000. (News and Tribune)
Racing
Late-country music superstar Toby Keith’s dream will live on. His horse, Render Judgement, will compete in the 151st Kentucky Derby in the 15th post position with 30-1 odds. (WHAS)
Eat
Bae’s Baekery will provide treats for all seven Quills Coffee locations. The bakery launched six years ago when Abigail Mattingly got a Kitchen Aid mixer for the holidays and decided to forego law school to become a full-time baker. Find your nearest Quills location.
Civic
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is proposing a $1.26 billion annual budget focused on improving public safety, building more housing, creating jobs, and investing in early childhood education. A projected surplus of nearly $50 million will be divvied among other priorities. (WHAS)
Community
Company’s coming. Louisville will host more than 1.5 million visitors this Derby week, and we want our city to look good for our guests. Residents can request curbside pickup to dispose of debris from recent storms + floods.
Announced
You’re awesome — thank you so much for taking a moment to participate in our asked module survey we ran on April 10. We’re excited to announce our winner. Drumroll please. Congrats to Karen W. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to share your thoughts and enter for a chance to win.
Need a vacation? We feel you. Luckily for Louisvillians, getting away is even easier thanks to Spirit Airlines. Starting in early May, you can now fly from Derby City to Atlanta, Dallas, and Newark with ease. Each nonstop flight will be offered twice a week.*
Category
Culture
Kentucky Derby Museum turns 40
If you visit the exhibit in July, you’ll be entered to win a free Derby fashion + hat workshop for a group of four. | Photo courtesy the Kentucky Derby Museum
Happy birthday, Kentucky Derby Museum.
The popular tourist attraction located on the grounds of historic Churchill Downs turned 40 this week.
“This anniversary is deeply personal to so many of us,” said Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum president + CEO.
Here’s a look at the history of the museum by the numbers:
7.2 million — how many guests have visited the museum since it opened back in 1985
$10 million — the amount invested in exhibit upgrades + facility improvements in the last 10 years alone
$2.3 million — the price tag on a renovation to upgrade theater projection, soundtrack, and lighting systems
Just in time for Derby, the museum has re-cut “The Greatest Race,” shown daily to visitors in the museum’s 360° theater.
Pro tip: If you want to visit during Derby week, get your tickets in advance.
The Buy
The car tech upgrades you need ahead of summer road trips for better, safer driving:
🗺️ No more phone in your cup holder — keep navigation instructions in your eyeline with a suction cup phone mount equipped with one-button release.
🔊 Skip plugging in your phone to activate CarPlay and use this wireless CarPlay adapter for a faster, more reliable bluetooth connection.
🚙 A front and rear dash cam can make all the difference in a fender bender — this one captures crystal-clear footage even at night.
📲 Everyone gets to charge their devices at once with a four-port car charger that’s here to end road trip squabbles.
🌸 Looking for an air freshener upgrade? This No. 1 best-selling wood air freshener looks chic on your sun visor.
If you’re into microforests (and trees in general), you have to check out Old Louisville’s gnarly Witch’s Tree at the corner of 6th Street and Park Avenue. It’s a popular site during Derby week as locals and visitors adorn her with knick-knacks + trinkets for good luck at the track.
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