Insider Secrets: Top Tips for Surviving the Louisville Ironman Challenge (Hint: Start Training Now!)

Registration is now open for the next Ironman Challenge in Louisville, Kentucky. The event will be taking place on August 24, 2014, and although it still seems like ages away, it's never too early to start training. As a matter of fact, the athletes who tend to do the best in the Ironman Challenges are typically that ones who train nearly all year long. The more you train, the more prepared you are for the different elements of the challenge, and the better your body can withstand the vigorous physical exercise involved in the multi-faceted race.

Now a signature event for Louisville athletes and bystanders alike, the race was first held here in 2007. The Ironman Challenge brings with it plenty of entertainment, dining experiences, and recreational activities, charming the city with its presence and encouraging only the best performance from the city's finest athletes.  The Ironman Challenge in Louisville is the final qualifying event for the World Championship held in Kailua-Kona, HI. If a trip to Hawaii for the World Championship is your ultimate goal, these training tips will help you get there.

 

Preparing for the Race: Practice Makes Perfect

The Ironman is a vigorous and challenging course that is divided into three components. Starting with a swim in the Ohio River, continuing with a scenic biking route with a mixture of rolling hills and flat pastures, and finishing with flat running across Churchill Downs and the University of Louisville, Ironman competitors should be well prepared for each level of the race.

Whether you are a strong athlete or not, you should not discount the importance of practice. Just a few swims each week during the off-season can help you maintain your fitness level year-round, and stepping up your workout intensity as the Ironman Challenge nears will prepare you both physically and mentally for the trial ahead. Consider taking a dip in the Ohio River a few times prior to the race – this will help to prepare you for the real thing. Spin classes are a great option for indoor cycle training, and outdoor riding in a group setting can be a pleasure-filled hobby that will help you prepare. Consider running the Louisville Ironman route itself on a regular basis to become acquainted with the route’s various characteristics and challenges.

Maintaining a Balance: Rest and Recovery

Although practice is key to achieving success at the Ironman Challenge, it should be noted that many amateur Ironman athletes make a similar mistake: over-training. Over-training will drain your body of much-needed nutrients and won’t give you an opportunity to properly recover from your training regimen prior to the start of the Challenge. These effects will be detrimental to your performance during the race. Rest and recovery time for your body should not be overlooked. Ensure you balance your training and focus on making time for rest so that your body is fully rejuvenated for its best performance during Ironman.

Avoiding a Common Jump Start Mistake

Contrary to what some may believe, starting the race too fast may actually have a negative effect on your overall performance. Athletes in the race should have a clear idea of their performance abilities from one moment to the next, and should pace themselves accordingly. A "negative split" is an approach that has led to the successful qualification of many Ironman athletes in the past, whereby the second part of the race is finished at a faster pace than the first. The key to this approach is to avoid becoming too excited at the start of the race, and maintain the discipline to keep a slower pace for the first half. This will allow your body the time to warm up and get into a zone of maximum preparedness before you encounter the most challenging part of the race.

Aside from adjusting your daily diet to fit well with your Ironman Challenge preparations, the biggest advantage you can give yourself is a combination of practice, self-encouragement and rest. The right combination and balance of these elements just might help you say Aloha, Hawaii!

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Getting Fit in 2014? Try out These Downtown Louisville CrossFit Studios

Is your New Year's Resolution to get fit in 2014? If you're in the Louisville area and you're interested in developing a new fitness regimen, you're in luck! CrossFit is the perfect workout to improve your muscular strength, cardio-respiratory endurance, and flexibility - and it’s a great way to lose weight. As the primary strength and conditioning method for many police academies, military operations, champion martial artists, and professional athletes across the country, CrossFit is a vigorous and effective workout sure to help you achieve your 2014 fitness goals. Here are just a few Louisville fitness studios offering CrossFit programs.

A New Venue for a New Year: CrossFit The Ville

Having been closed for a temporary period during the last portion of 2013, CrossFit The Ville has reopened in their new and convenient location in downtown Louisville, and are back in action with their CrossFit members. Now located at 721 East Main Street, CrossFit The Ville is taking 2014 by storm with their schedule of group CrossFit classes amongst their yoga/mobility classes, Olympic lifting classes, and strength training programs.

As a professional establishment with a focus on safe exercising, CrossFit The Ville requires beginners to enroll in their Elements sessions before joining group CrossFit classes. The Elements classes focus on skill development and will introduce CrossFit beginners to the basic movements of the exercise program. A total of two sessions are taught at the Elements level, which build upon each other for a full understanding of the art of CrossFit.

CrossFit The Ville suggests that prior to starting Elements classes, you should take "before" pictures of your body composition. These pictures will serve as a reference point as you progress with CrossFit. This can be a great motivator as you continue getting closer to reaching your 2014 fitness goals.

Louisville WOD Travel Series: Derby City CrossFit

Another established CrossFit studio in Louisville is Derby City CrossFit, located at 139 Breckenridge Lane, which is just east of Downtown in the Cherokee Gardens area. This studio not only offers some of the best CrossFit classes in the city, but also has specialists on board to provide Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy. These services can be integrated with your workout plan at Derby City CrossFit. This studio is also offering a promotion for a complimentary two weeks for new customers.

As a collaborative CrossFit Studio, Derby City CrossFit is participating in the "WOD Travel Series" along with CrossFit The Ville on the first three Saturdays in February. FourBarrel CrossFit (located in New Albany) is the third participating studio in this series.

If you're particularly interested in a challenge, Derby City CrossFit also offers the CrossFit Open, which is a series of five weekly workouts that will determine the participant's eligibility to partake in the 2014 CrossFit Games.

If you're looking for your CrossFit studio, both of these gyms are great options to begin your CrossFit exercise program. Regardless of where you end up, you're sure to be pleased with your results after committing to this vigorous - but effective! - workout for your 2014 resolution.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Get Your Geek On at the 2014 Louisville Comic Con

Attention, Louisville-area geeks: start working on your cosplay outfits! The 2014 Louisville Comic Con is coming to town this March. Featuring 18 celebrity guests, dozens of vendors, and thousands of excited fans, this year's Comic Con will be one for the history books. Come see Louisville's first-ever Comic Con and experience the ultimate in fandom.

The Celebrity Guest Lineup: The Biggest Names in Geekdom Converge on Louisville

The 2014 Louisville Comic Con will feature a number of celebrities from film, television, comic books, and other media. Come see The Walking Dead cast members Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker, Scott Wilson, Jon Bernthal, and Sarah Wayne Callies. With this many Z-Day survivors in one building, it might be wise to bring a wilderness survival kit, should a zombie apocalypse break out.

Other major headliners include Michael Rosenbaum of Smallville fame, James Marsters and Kristine Sutherland from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and everyone's second-favorite hobbit, Sean Astin. With so many sci-fi and fantasy celebs in attendance, it shouldn't be hard to get an autograph or signed photo from your favorite geek idol.

Get Involved: Wizard World Film Festival, Exhibition Booths

There will be several ways to get involved and have some fun at the Louisville Comic Con, with some of the best being the great exhibition booths and the Wizard World Film Festival.

If you're an artist, crafter, retailer, head of a fan community, or other exhibitor, you can register for your very own exhibition booth. There are booths available for fan organizations, painters and designers in the Artist Alley, or retailers. You can even get a press booth (separate from a press pass) and connect with fans and retailers.

The Wizard World Film Festival will showcase fan-made films up to 20 minutes in length (15 minutes for music videos). The best films from each city will net the creator a great VIP prize, while those who win their individual categories will have their films shown at other film festivals and the Wizard World website.

The Vital Details: Venue, Ticket Prices, and Admission Miscellanea

The Louisville Comic Con will take place on the last weekend of March—that is, March 28, 29, and 30, 2014—at the Kentucky International Convention Center on 4th Street. The show will operate from 3 PM to 8 PM on Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday, and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. Guests who purchase VIP tickets will get onto the convention floor 30 minutes early on Saturday and Sunday.

A standard three-day pass is $75 at the door or $65 if you purchase in advance. There are also one-day passes available, ranging from $35 to $45 depending on the day you choose to attend. Every ticket purchased admits one adult and two children (ten and under).

If you plan to cosplay, know that any fake weapons will be inspected by security upon entering the convention. See the full policy at the Wizard World website, www.wizardworld.com.

This year's Louisville Comic Con is a great opportunity to get out, meet your favorite geek celebrities, and connect with people who are passionate about geek culture. Meet celebrities from The Walking Dead and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, check out fan and vendors' booths, and watch for the film festival! If you're ready to feed your inner geek with some Comic Con goodness, be sure to grab your ticket for the last weekend in March. Passes will sell out fast, so get yours early.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Attention Louisville Motorheads: The Antique Auto Swap Meet Is on This March, and It's Going to Be Huge!

Are you an antique car fan looking for that unique or hard to find antique car part? It might be hard to find events that are specifically suited to your passion for antique cars and memorabilia, but if you’re a motorhead, the Antique Auto Swap Meet in Louisville this March is an ideal shopping destination for you. Here is some information about what to expect from this year's event.

Some Background on One of the Biggest Indoor Meets in the Country, and How to Get In On the Action

This year's Antique Auto Swap Meet is being sponsored by the Louisville region's Antique Automobile Club of America, so you know the event is going to bring out the best cars and parts, but also the most reputable and successful antique car dealers, traders, and restorers. Over 1,000 vendor spaces will be competing for your attention over a quarter of a million square feet of the venue's space, making the room quite the spectacle to behold. The event has sold out every year since it first began in 1984. Admission to the event is $10 for adults, and children under 10 are admitted free with a parent. The meet is taking place at the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition Center, and it runs from March 8th-9th.

What You Can Expect to See, and Possibly Find

Like any car show of this size, the Antique Auto Swap Meet offers car fans such a huge variety of car products and services that it's often difficult to predict what will be available to you. If you visit the event's website at kyanaswapmeet.info, you can check out some of the highlights from last year's event and see what sorts of companies and independent dealers come to he event. There are larger, better known companies, such as Coker Tire, who was in attendance last year, but there are also smaller, independent dealers looking for and selling extremely obscure and unique car parts or antiques, like authentic Standard Oil cans or old Firestone signs. The size of the event makes it likely that you will find some of the same dealers as last year, like car wax companies, independent clothing companies, and people simply bringing in their classic cars for others to appreciate.

Not Just for Antique Auto Fans?

The past few years have seen an increase in classic mopeds and scooters at the meet, given their renewed popularity among young people, which demonstrates the diversity of motorheads making their way to Louisville each year for this event. Also, there are countless booths of toy cars and books about cars, and there are always a variety of food options on hand to serve the huge crowds who come through the event over two days.

There is something to do for everyone at the Antique Auto Swap Meet in Louisville, so you might want to think about grabbing your family or your fellow motorheads and heading to Louisville this March!

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

65th Annual Home, Garden and Remodeling Show February 28th - March 2nd

Spring is in the air which makes it the perfect time for the 65th Annual Home, Garden and Remodeling Show presented by Window World. The Kentucky Expo Center South Wing B and C at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville will be hosting this event on Friday, February 28th and Saturday, March 1st from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m, and Sunday, March 2nd from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $10, Seniors ages 62 and older pay $9 and children ages 15 and younger are admitted for free with an adult. Expo Center parking is $8.

The Home, Garden and Remodeling Show in Louisville is one of the largest gatherings of its type in the nation. This event has the top exhibitors for home, garden and remodeling from around the country all collected in one area for your convenience. Anything a homeowner is considering for their house can be found among the over 400 exhibitors that will be present during the festivities. There will also be a host of free “how to” presentations, giveaways, coupons, discounts and professionals available to answer any questions patron’s may have.

Window World’s 65th Annual Home, Garden and Remodeling Show at the Kentucky Expo Center is a must-attend event for homeowners. The festivities take place this Friday through Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m. and you will not want to miss this professionally presented home show designed to showcase the latest in new ideas and trends.

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

The 3 Top-Rated Wine Bars in Louisville

As a city that is full of great restaurants for dining in addition to some good drinking establishments, finding the right kind of wine bar might not seem easy in Louisville. The next time you're heading out for a good glass and the right atmosphere, look no further than one of the 3 top-rated wine bars in Louisville to suit your fancy!

Sip the Night Away at Brix Wine Bar

Named after the wine term that references the sugar content of grapes when they are harvested, this east end Louisville establishment on LaGrange Road is one of the city's premiere destinations for the connoisseur. Featuring a fine wine selection, the upscale and sophisticated Brix Wine Bar offers the ideal appetizers to go along with your beverage of choice, including Brie encroute, a roasted hummus platter, pan seared crab cakes, and Brix house chips. With a long bar, comfy plush chairs, and dark wood that will make you feel like sipping the evening away, Brix also features a variety of entrée items to choose from if you and your friends end up staying for a while. You can even head back for Happy Hour on weekdays where you can get half-price on selected wines from 4-6 PM!

Indulge in French Flavors at La Coop Bistro à Vins

With a name that gives it all away, this classic French bistro offers up an extensive selection of French wines that are an ideal accompaniment to the fine food. The perfect place to go for a glass or two and dinner, La Coop Bistro à Vins was voted the Top New Restaurant of 2013 by the readers of Louisville Magazine. Featuring decorative bird cages and an open kitchen concept, you can choose from traditional specialties like Steak Frites, Coquilles St. Jacques, or Aubergine Farcie, a roasted eggplant dish with vegetables and melted gruyere. If you’re looking for a good time to try a new French wine, head down on Tuesday evening for the Prix Fixe Menu, which features a salad, an entrée, and a dessert, all for $25.

Try Before you Buy at Taste Fine Wines and Bourbons

Located in the trendy NuLu East Market District that is filled with cool shops and some of Louisville's favorite restaurants, Taste is a different kind of wine bar than what you might be used to. While Taste is a great place to pick up wine by the case, this tasting lounge gives you the option to try everything before you buy it. With options from smaller wineries and many hard-to-find bottles, make a visit to the Taste lounge so you can sip on the wine of your choice and find some new favorites. You might even want to stop in for happy hour, which goes from 5-7 PM every Thursday and Friday. With many great but inexpensive bottle options, you might even take one or two home!

If you're looking to indulge in a great night out with a group of friends or your significant other, there are a few wine bars in Louisville where you can get your drink on. With highly rated food and a discerning selection of wine to choose from, you'll probably be planning another night out soon!

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

The Carl Casper Custom and Louisville New Car Show is Gearing Up for February

The Carl Casper Custom Auto Show is an annual Kentucky institution that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013. In 2014, the tradition takes place at the Kentucky Exposition Center located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville. The Carl Casper Custom and Louisville New Car show will be in town for three days, from February 21 to the 23, giving you ample opportunity to explore the over 750,000 square feet of vehicle exhibitions and displays arranged for automotive fans.

The Custom Creations of Carl Casper

As a builder of custom high-end vehicles, Carl Casper has created an incredible variety of cars, including the Batmobile, the General Lee, K.I.T.T., the A-Team vehicles and even "1965 America's Most Beautiful Roadster". He has also built Top Fuel beasts that have performed well on the racing strip. Carl Casper has kept every single car he has ever created, and this show is a reflection of his passion for vehicles.

Featured Creations, Contests and Exhibitions at the Carl Casper Custom Car Show

For the first time in 46 years, Carl Casper is bringing out Renegade, his 1932 Ford Sedan Street Rod and D-Gas Drag Car, for a public showing. Nostalgia race cars, import tuners, custom low riders, custom competitions and some of America's most popular custom motorcycles are part of the exhibition, alongside famous vehicles such as "Wildman" Jeff Cook's Shotgun Harry! monster truck and John Nowacki's "Top Fuel Beetle", a dual-engine, hot-rod style custom racer. Carl Casper also hosts the Lowrider Hopping Nationals and the Miss Auto Show contests.

Celebrity Appearances During the Weekend

This custom car show has attracted a variety of celebrities who are coming out to the event in order to meet fans and sign autographs. Disney actress and singer Olivia Holt is appearing on Saturday, February 22, from 12 PM to 5 PM and then again from 6 PM to 8 PM. Sonequa Martin-Green, who plays Sasha on The Walking Dead television series, will make an appearance on the same day. She will be at the show starting at 1 PM and ending at 8 PM, with a break between 4 PM and 6 PM. The WWE makes a splash with an appearance by superstar Big Show on Friday between 6:45 PM and 9:45 PM. A legend in his time, Ted DiBiase, is scheduled to appear throughout the weekend.

All Major Manufacturers at the Louisville New Car Show

On the south wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center, the Louisville New Car show will feature sixteen different major manufacturers under one roof. A variety of representatives from the Greater Louisville Automobile Dealers Association will be on hand to help compare prices and specs. This event is a great place to window shop for a new ride. The Louisville New Car Show takes place at the same time as the Carl Casper show, from 6 PM to 11 PM on Friday, 10 AM to 10 PM on Saturday and 12 PM to 6 PM on Sunday.

The Carl Casper Custom and Louisville New Car show attract car enthusiasts from all walks of life, giving them the opportunity to get together in Louisville and talk cars for three days straight. These shows have something for everyone, including the beginners, casual viewers and passionate aficionados of car culture. 

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Everything You Need to Know About Indiana University Southeast

Residing in New Albany, the Indiana University Southeast serves students who seek higher education in the Greater Louisville Area. The overall vision of the Indiana University Southeast is to transform the region by developing students into local leaders. This campus ranks 7th in the Midwest for their MBA program and has been ranked among the top business schools in the United States for the past nine years. This school was also named one of the top ten places to work in the Greater Louisville Metropolitan Region. If you’re considering attending this institution, here’s everything you’ll need to know before you enroll.

A Brief History of the Indiana University Southeast

Local businessman Floyd McMurray founded Indiana University Southeast as an extension of Indiana University. The campus was initially created to allow freshmen and sophomores to attend classes closer to residence before transitioning to the Indiana University Bloomington campus. This took place in 1941, while World War Two fomented violently overseas. Starting with a budget of less than seven thousand dollars, classes were initially held in middle and secondary schools. The student body quickly grew to 291 by 1945 and the institution finally moved into a location of their own. Until 1968, freshmen and sophomores attended what was known as the Indiana University Jeffersonville Extension Center before moving to the Bloomington Campus to finish their degrees. Afterward, the Indiana University Southeast was granted the ability to confer degrees, eventually moving in 1970 to New Albany.

Indiana University Southeast by the Numbers

For fall 2013, tuition for resident undergraduates is $203.89 per credit hour while non-residents pay $572.97 per credit hour. Graduate student rates are $255.96 per credit hour for residents and $603.02 per credit hour for non-residents. For graduate business students, the rate for residents is $371.79 per credit hour and for non-residents $765.64 per credit hour. During the 2012-2013 school year, 65 percent of students received financial aid that totaled $43,671,292, including scholarships. The general education fund for the Indiana University Southeast spent $923,600 for student financial aid, $6,995,643 on academic support, $3,756,144 for student support, $12,810,367 on institutional support, $4,858,954 on physical plant services, $74,502 on research and $28,333,282 on instruction.

Academic Offerings at the Indiana University Southeast

The Indiana University Southeast offers a plethora of degrees, diplomas and certifications for students of all persuasions. Four-year programs include Bachelor of Science degrees in subjects such as chemistry, biology, mathematics, criminology and psychology, while Bachelor of Arts degrees include French, English, Spanish, sociology and political science. Graduate degrees offered are Liberal Studies, Strategic Finance, Business Administration and Education. Two-year associate of arts degrees are available in economics, English, music, physics, mathematics, biology and communication studies. Certificates for business, information technology, medical coding and transcription, and women & gender studies are also available. The Purdue School of Technology offers students the ability to earn degrees in mechanical engineering technology, industrial technology, electrical and computer engineering technology, computer graphics technology and organizational leadership and supervision.

Athletics at the Indiana University Southeast

The basketball and cheerleading squads at the Indiana University are among the most competitive in their divisions. In 2012, the cheerleading team won their fourth straight national championship, finishing first among 27 colleges with a score of 124.05. The men's basketball team was recently voted the number three squad within the NAIA Division II, in a top 25 poll determined by coaches around the country. Intramural recreational sporting activities are also offered for students who wish to stay fit while enjoying the pleasure of sport, without worrying about being too competitive.

The Indiana University Southeast is constantly expanding. As of May 2013, this institute of higher learning had its largest graduating class ever, awarding 1,254 degrees to 1,189 students. This shows that they are succeeding in their mission to provide the Greater Louisville Area with the opportunity to engage in higher education. For a local university with strong academic and extracurricular offerings, Indiana University Southeast is a prime choice. 

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Drink Local! Amazing Louisville Breweries You'll Kick Yourself for Missing

The kind of beer you might only have found in small, niche markets just a few years ago is becoming more commonplace, as microbreweries and craft beer distributors in the United States are on the rise. According to a recent article on CNBC.com, craft brewers experienced a 15 percent increase in retail sales and a volume increase of 13 percent in 2011, resulting in a total barrel increase of approximately 1.3 million. This means that in larger American cities such as Louisville, there are more options for beer drinkers. Here is some information about two of the most popular and innovative Louisville breweries in the area that you may not have heard of, but you'll surely want to try!

Looking for a Unique Brewery Experience? Visit Against The Grain Brewery (401 East Main St.)

Located in the southeast corner of Louisville Slugger Field at the corner of Jackson and Main Street is one of the busiest, most productive, and most celebrated breweries in Louisville. Against The Grain Brewery gets its name from the eclectic mix of art and architecture that the building offers, as the site used to be a train station, giving patrons some fantastic beer options as well as a unique venue to visit. The site holds one of the only Victorian-styled, three-story "showpiece brewhouses," where all 15 of their copper clad brewing barrels are on display to visitors. This space is also complimented by artwork provided by local artists. On their website you will find a staggering list of almost 100 original beers that the brewery has made in the past, and the website also lists those original beers that are currently on tap, so if you're in the area or thinking of making a trip to the brewery, you could actually plan on trying a few beers you've never had before. Against The Grain Brewery promises to be a brewery experience you will kick yourself for missing when you're in Louisville.

Bluegrass Brewing Company (BBC): The Popularity of Microbreweries Can't Be Denied (3929 Shelbyville Rd.)

The address listed above is actually the address of the first BBC site, founded by Pat Hagan and his father in 1993 after Hagan discovered different varieties of craft beer during his extended travels through the United States. He eventually convinced his father that a brewery was a lucrative opportunity. The company has since opened two other locations, which not only speaks to the success of the brewery, but also to the popularity of microbreweries in Louisville. The BBC location at Theatre Square on 4th St. offers its patrons the opportunity to dine and drink alfresco in the heart of the city, while their newest location at 3rd and Main St. is three floors and is across from the new KFC Yum Center Arena, so you can grab a beer before the big game.

The brewery offers original beer flavors such as Luna De Miel: Raspberry Meade, Dark Star Porter for those who like darker beer, and the Light-Hearted IPA for those looking for that distinctly bitter but refreshing pale ale taste. BBC is another Louisville brewery that is not to be missed!

Though there are only two breweries on this list, there are plenty of other breweries and microbreweries in the area that are waiting for your patronage, and that are brewing some of the most unique beer in the area. Bluegrass Brewing Company has three locations available to you and Against The Grain is one of the most unique and interesting breweries you'll find in Louisville, making a trip to a Louisville brewery a must for locals and tourists alike. 

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

Bag a Bargain: Cool Louisville Flea Markets Worth Checking Out This Weekend

Flea markets are not only a great place to find the best deals on secondhand goods, but visiting flea markets can also become a fun and exciting opportunity to develop a hobby that will bring valuable items into your home. Are you looking to bag a bargain this weekend, or are you simply a Louisville local looking for something fun to do on your day off? Check out these cool Louisville flea markets in your area for something worthwhile to do this weekend, and give yourself the chance to find some unique gems to call your own.

The Biggest in Kentucky: Derby Park Flea Market

A popular weekend destination is the biggest flea market in Kentucky, located in the Taylor Berry neighborhood just a short drive south of Downtown Louisville. On your day off, you may want to consider making the drive to this longstanding gem, which has been a flea market since it opened with just eight dealers in 1985. Now that they have a wide variety of nearly 600 dealers in their indoor facility, Derby Park Flea Market is a common favorite amongst secondhand shoppers.

Aside from their incredible shopping opportunities which take place each Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, this association is also responsible for putting on many fun and exciting events throughout the year. With the Derby Celebration, the Derby Park Dealers Appreciation and Potluck Event, the Three Ring Circus, and the Derby Park Community Drive to name a few, once you start shopping here, you'll be likely to have many events to attend throughout the year.

The 135,000-square-foot facility that makes up the Derby Park Flea Market is located at 2900 7th Street Rd, Louisville, KY 40216.

A Modern Twist on Flea Markets: Peddlers Mall

This chain of stores puts a modern twist on flea markets, while still providing the ultimate advantage: great deals on unique secondhand items. Dixie Peddlers Mall, located at 4420 Dixie Highway in Louisville, is a store that includes many different vendors in a similar set up to a traditional flea market, with 70 to 75 percent of their goods for sale being secondhand. With longer hours than the traditional flea markets, Peddlers Mall gives you the opportunity to shop both on weekends and during the week, by day or night. Dixie Peddlers Mall is open from 10 am to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays from 12 pm to 6 pm. Many of the Peddlers Mall stores have up to 100 booths with a variety of items for sale. The vendors get their items from different sources, including store liquidations, auctions, and yard sales.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced secondhand shopper, you are bound to find many flea markets to fill up your weekends. And with these two well-known establishments on the list, you can choose to go with the traditional or the modern flea market route to scout out your new, used gems. 

About the Author:  Joe Hayden is the Team Owner and Manager of the Joe Hayden Real Estate Team - Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!