Tickets for the World Championship Horse Show are sold separately from the State Fair tickets, even though they’re at the same location. | Photo courtesy Danny Wimmer Presents
This heatwave may finally be at its end — more on that later — but we still have another month of summer fun ahead of us.
Kentucky State Fair | Thursday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 24 | Kentucky Expo Center | $12+ | Celebrate all things Bluegrass State with music, livestock shows, food, carnival rides, and more.
Music + festivals
502 Fest 2 | Saturday, Aug. 2 | 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. | Breslin Park | $19 | This “all-day, all-local” music festival is now in it’s second year.
Fox Fest 2025 featuring Nappy Roots | Saturday, Aug. 2 | 1-11:30 p.m. | The Fox Den: Billiards, Bites, Brews | $23+ | See eleven bands cross two stages, including Bowling Green’s own Nappy Roots.
CONNECT is like an art museum you can touch — in the middle of the woods.
Photo by Lynn Fenwick Medley
Arts + crafts
Sewing Secrets | Saturday, Aug. 16 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Louisville Tool Library | $10 | Pick up some hand sewing fundamentals for repairing or creating your very own clothes.
CONNECT at Bernheim | Saturday, Aug. 16 | 6:34-11:34 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest | $30 | See a plethora of outdoor art installations, including a walk around Lake Nevin with light sculptures, music, and local food trucks.
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday | 5-10 p.m. | Big Four Lawn | Free | Bring a blanket, chair, and your closest friends for this monthly outdoor concert series under the Big 4 Bridge.
Thursday, July 31
Filson Historical Society Lecture: Pioneer Textiles | 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. | Blackacre | $15 | Learn about the history of textiles in pioneer America from the Filson Historical Society’s Curator of Museum Collections.
Friday, Aug. 1
First Friday Tour Actors Theatre | Times vary | Actors Theatre of Louisville | $5 | Step behind the curtain of three distinct performance spaces + get a glimpse of the creative process that brings productions to life.
Saturday, Aug. 2
Meal with Strangers-Saturday Brunch Series | Times vary | A Restaurant in Louisville | $8 | Meet new friends over dinner — the location will be revealed once you sign up.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
502 Hemp Logan Ribbon Cutting | 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | 502 Hemp at Logan St. Market | Free | Celebrate the opening of this Louisville company’s second shop.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Baby Playdate | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Speed Art Museum | Free with admission | Enjoy a “baby-ified” gallery with floor mats, board books, toys, and soft music.
The Highlands Methodist Church on Cherokee Road is getting new life as an art center. The Highlands Art Center will have 24 studios for rent, with more space coming after future renovations. (Louisville Business First)
Biz
After Big Lots bounced, the mall on Poplar Level Road will soon be home to a new trampoline Park. Nova Trampoline Park will take over the 41,000-sqft space with trampolines, an arcade, dodgeball, and a ropes course. An opening timeline is TBD. (Louisville Business First)
Shop
Fleur de Flea is celebrating a 6,000-sqft expansion — that’s a lot of vintage — this Saturday, Aug. 2. Pop by for a full bar, DJ, new vendors, and a chance to win a $250 gift card.
Kids
Three UofL athletes are teaming up to run a free six-week running program for grades K-8. Run Louisville will start this fall, with weekly outings. The start date is TBD, but you can sign your kiddo up or join as a volunteer now. (LPM)
Number
138 feet. That’s how far this year’s Dainty winner sent it flying on Monday night. Jeff Bent joined the list of Dainty champions, though fell 35 feet short of last year’s world-record. This year’s Dainty Contest proved it really is a rain or shine sport — check out these dedicated players braving the rain.
Sports
Louisville’s pursuit of top 50 basketball prospect Anthony Felesi heats up. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Try This
Waterfront Botanical Gardens has an exciting lineup of summer classes and workshops. Offering everything from weaving to guided garden walks, there’s something for every curious mind. Register for a class.*
Biz
Connect with our 50,200+ Instagram followers by partnering with LOUtoday for a sponsored social post. Choose between our feed or story placements — or why not both? Explore even more advertising opportunities with us + elevate your brand’s reach.
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
Travel
Psst — You’re making flying too complicated. Sign up for Going and get emailed when flights to your dream destination are up to 90% off.*
Trending
Just dropped: limited edition colors of Bissell’s viral carpet cleaner, the Little Green Machine. Get all the stain-removing, deep-cleaning action in purple or in blue.*
Games
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
One of my favorite parts of the Dainty Festival tradition is the presentation of a basket of lemons to the contestant who hits the dainty the shortest distance. This year, that (dis)honor went to Brent Wearren, who hit it a full 2.5 inches. Better luck next year, Brent.
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