German American Club’s annual Oktoberfest is perhaps the most popular and traditional one in Derby City. | Photo by Michael Moeller
Louisville might be named after the King of France, but we drink like the Germans.
Thanks to the 19th-century German immigrants that settled here — and their beer gardens — there’s no shortage of Oktoberfests this time of year modeled after the original in Munich.
So let’s raise a stein and say, “Prost!” with these Oktoberfest events in Derby City.
This annual family-friendly event is the biggest of the year for the German American Club, which is dedicated to promoting German culture and sociability. Entry is $10 each day, but anyone under 21 gets in free. Pro tip: There’s lots of seating, but pack a lawn chair just in case.
Paws on the Patio | 4-7 p.m. | Moonsong Bar & Cafe | Free | Bring your pooch for a complimentary pup cup, plus a beer, wine, or mocktail for yourself — a portion of proceeds supports local animal shelters.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Wild Workout: Yoga (Giraffe) | 6-7:30 p.m. | Louisville Zoo | $25 | Stretch those neck muscles and assume your best downward dog giraffe at this outdoor yoga class.
Thursday, Sept. 4
St. Paul Saints at Louisville Bats | 6:35 p.m. | Louisville Slugger Field | $13+ | See the Bats take on a fellow minor league team from way up north.
Friday, Sept. 5
Middletown Family Fun Fest | Friday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 6 | Times vary | Wetherby Park- City Hall Area, Middletown | Free | Shop vendors, eat fair food, and see car shows, fireworks shows, and dog shows at this weekend-long event.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Big Four Arts Festival | Saturday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 7 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Big Four Bridge | $5 | Shop local and regional artists at this annual event, now in its 8th year.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, the Louisville Tourism Annual Gala & ROSE Awards will take over the iconic Louisville Palace for a night of cocktails, celebration, and well-earned recognition — all in honor of the unsung heroes of the tourism industry.
ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) spotlights the individuals who go above and beyond to make Derby City unforgettable, from hotel pros and food service stars to tour guides.
Festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour featuring a red-carpet experience, bar service, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. The awards presentation begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by an after-party to cap off the night.
Know someone who consistently delivers standout service? Nominations are open through Wednesday, Sept. 10, at midnight.
“Something about walking in nature is benefiting our attention.” Those were words spoken by University of California informatics professor Gloria Mark, who has spent decades studying society’s declining attention spans. Swapping the doomscroll for a local hike is a good way to start. (New York Times)
Gallery
Who watched the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games? The event took place in China recently, with robotic athletes competing in events including track and field, martial arts, and soccer. Think you can outdo the bots? These 25+ Louisville gyms await.
Biz
Cracker Barrel’s “Old Timer” is here to stay after all. After receiving feedback on its rebranding from its patrons, the country store and restaurant has announced it will stick with its original logo. Speaking of old timers, take a walk down memory lane with these defunct Louisville department stores.
Eat
Chipotle has launched “Build-Your-Own Chipotle,” a new, digital-only offering that allows you to order key ingredients in bulk for small groups (or meal prepping, perhaps?) Alternatively, switch up your lunch routine with a bite from one of these local spots where a meal for one costs less than $12.
Watch
Peaceful Sundays were fun while they lasted, but now it’s time for the NFL to return this Thursday, Sept. 4. The reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles are hosting their division rival Dallas Cowboys to start the season in front of a typically raucous crowd. Catch the games on Hulu.
Real Estate
How much do you think the most expensive single-family home listing in the United States is? If you guessed $300 million, congratulations. This recent listing in Aspen, Colorado sits on 74+ acres and boasts 27,000+ sqft within the idyllic, scarcely believable beauty of the Rocky Mountains. We’ll start a GoFundMe.
The Buy
It’s finally September — that means it’s basically fall, right? Treat yourself in honor of a brand new autumn season with top-rated decor that’s all $30 or less.
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.
On this day in 1973, J.R.R. Tolkien died at age 81. If you’d like to begin an unexpected journey into Middle Earth, or any other fantastical realm, stop by one of Louisville’s bookstores for your next read.
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