20th Annual Crescent Hill Garden Tour June 7th

For just $10, anyone can see 10 different gardens in the beautiful Crescent Hill neighborhood on June 7. It’s the 20th Annual Crescent Hill Garden Tour, and it’s an event that no garden enthusiast will want to miss.

Traipsing Through the Tulips

The Crescent Hill Garden Club works hard every year to organize the Garden Tour, and this year is unique because it marks the 20th anniversary of this neighborhood stroll. The tour takes guests to 10 colorful, unique gardens in the Crescent Hill neighborhood. Be prepared to participate starting at 9 am. The event ends at 5 pm.

The tour begins at one of Crescent Hill’s most distinct landmarks: the Peterson Dumesnil House. It’s located at 301 South Peterson Avenue. And since you’re already participating in the tour, you will have the chance to tour this historic house before the day is over. Some of the prettiest gardens in all of Louisville will be on the tour. You’ll see unique plants and flowers, not to mention a lot of the Crescent Hill neighborhood itself.

Up on the Hill

Because it’s located between two forks of Beargrass Creek, the Crescent Hill neighborhood used to be known as “Beargrass.” The area was first developed in the 1850s, and it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.

Today, Crescent Hill is known for its beautiful homes (and their gardens!). The neighborhood is primarily Colonial Revival and Classical Revival architecture, which was a popular style when the area was first being built. It reaches to the St. Matthews city limits. Frankfort Avenue runs, roughly, right through the center of the community.

You’ll get a good look at this historic beauty when you take the garden tour, a neighborhood event that will delight any nature lover.

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

Rainbow Colored Runners to Cover 5 Kilometers in Louisville

The Color Run 5k is coming to Louisville on June 7. You may have seen the aftermath of a similar event in Louisville, another city or in Facebook post photos and wondered what had happened. Event goers are often seen out and about covered in color as if they had been doused with paints leaving passersby to try to figure out what happened.

Popular Twist on an Old Concept

The Color Run bills itself as the Happiest 5k on the Planet. Registered participants come out to run, skip, walk, crawl or leapfrog themselves along the five kilometer path. Since health and happiness are the goals, only participation is encouraged and method of movement is not monitored. At marked points along the path, color is tossed on the participants as they pass. They begin dressed in white and by the end look like they have run through a rainbow.

Happiness, Healthiness and Individuality Celebrated

The Color Run encourages participants of all levels of ability for this event which isn't timed. The event recognizes and celebrates the diversity of its participants and these differences are symbolized by the color splashes that are different on each and every person.

No Where to Wear Your Tutu?

The grand finale of the Color Run is a finish festival where the onlookers are encouraged to get involved in the fun, too. For anyone who wants to get in the mix, color packets are sold at the Color Run. The start and finish lines are at the South Great Lawn at Waterfront Park. The race begins at 8:00am on Saturday, June 7. Tutus are appropriate attire for this event.

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

All Day Board Games by the Louisville Board Gamers on May 31st

It’s time to get your game on at the All Day Board Games hosted by the Louisville Board Gamers on Saturday, May 31st. No matter the age, there will be a fun game for everyone and plenty of group activities. This gaming event will take place at the Ramada Plaza Hotel located at 9700 Bluegrass Parkway in Louisville. Admission is only $5 and the doors will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., or until the last dice is rolled. Children aged 8 or under may attend for free if accompanied by an adult.

The All Day Board Games event offers a great way to meet new people who enjoy the same types of games. Game enthusiasts will find hundreds of games to choose from within the extensive board game library, so there is sure to be something fun for any age. Gamers will find genres ranging from social and card games to unique Euro games. The favored classics like chess and checkers will also be open for those that prefer more traditional games.

Families and friends that love a good board game will not want to miss the All Day Board Games hosted by The Louisville Board Gamers this Saturday. Over 100 board games will be available starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Bluegrass Parkway. Players are also welcome to bring their own favorites from home. The admission is $5 for ages 9 and older, with children aged 8 or under admitted free with an adult.

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

Pitt Academy’s 30th Annual Bar-B-Q Festival May 17th

You don’t have to be an alum of Pitt Academy to visit their annual Bar-B-Q Festival. The event begins at 4 pm on May 17th, and ends at 11 pm. Best of all: anyone is welcome to attend. Delicious BBQ will be served the whole time, but there are plenty of activities outside of eating to keep you busy.

BBQ on Preston

Pitt Academy’s 30th annual Bar-B-Q Festival is this year, and if you’ve never been now is the time. The festival has truly taken on a carnival atmosphere over the years, but the food alone makes this event worth visiting.

Barbecue chefs from Ole Hickory Pitt oversee the meat, which is slow-cooked over natural wood. That’s the way BBQ is meant to be cooked. Feast on chicken, mutton or pork – or taste it all. Of course, you’ll have a full range of side dishes to choose from as well. Cole slaw, potato salad and baked beans are all on the menu, naturally.

While you’re at the festival, listen to the live music and walk among the many booths that ring the event. Game booths provide plenty of adult fun. Send the kids to the children’s area, where they’ll find games and activities made for them. All the proceeds of the festival go to a worthy cause, and you’ll get a day of fun in return.

Community Influence

Pitt Academy is a private school that teaches alternative learning methods to students who have difficulty functioning in a more traditional school environment. The school is non-profit, so all of the proceeds of the BBQ festival benefit Pitt Academy.

The school is located at 6010 Preston Highway, where it’s surrounded by several Louisville communities. Pitt is near Okolona, Poplar Hills and Lynnview. These residential areas are surrounded by shopping, restaurants, parks and other family-oriented attractions. This part of Louisville is so packed with stuff to do and places to go, it functions almost like its own mini-city.

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

Library Hosts Its Annual How-To Festival May 10th

The Louisville Free Public Library hosts its How-To Festival on Saturday, May 10 from 10am to 3pm. The Festival will be held at the Main Library at 301 York Street in Louisville.  This is a free event where presentations are held throughout the library and may be the only place you could possibly overhear someone ask "Do I want to learn to tie a bow tie or learn to repair drywall next?"

Learn More Than 50 Things in 5 Hours for Free

The original idea for this festival was to teach on 50 topics over a 5 hour time span, but the festival has now grown to 152 topics. Presenters range from local experts in their fields to passionate volunteers who have mastered a hobby to professors on this expansive list of subjects. The schedule has been created with the location of each presentation shown on an included map of the library.

Most presentations are scheduled for 45 minutes at the designated location with a 15 minute break before the next set of presentations begin, but there are exceptions.  It is recommended that you download and review the schedule prior to heading out for the festival.

How to Decide

With so many choices it will be difficult to decide between learning to yodel and learning to make shadow puppets.  Luckily there is not a conflict between the presentations for making ice cream in a bag and the one on learning how to age gracefully. Learn how to raise chickens in the city, play mahjong and shoot a bow and arrow all on the same Saturday afternoon at the Louisville library.

Perhaps the first presentation should titled How-To Decide Which Presentations To Attend!

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

Cooking at the Cottage in Louisville on May 7th and 8th

Cooking and the culinary arts present fascinating and endless topics to explore with a delectable reward at the end of the demonstration or class.  Cooking at the Cottage in Louisville has a full list of classes that often sell out early due to their popularity.

How to Host a Shrimp Boil

On Wednesday, May 7th at 6:30 p.m., Lelia Gentle of DreamCatcher Farm will teach a class on hosting a Low Country Shrimp Boil.  The demonstration and menu include the traditional foods associated with these fun meals. Outdoor dining weather is here and a picnic table covered in newspapers and scattered with shrimp, potatoes and corn on the cob is a great alternative to grilling. With Memorial Day and Independence Day just around the corner, doesn't hosting a shrimp boil for your friends and family sound like fun?

What Do I Do with a Whole Beef Tenderloin?

Cooking at the Cottage presents Let's Meat for Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on May 8th. John Plymale of Porcini will demonstrate how to handle, trim and portion a whole beef tenderloin.  Buying whole pieces of meat is more economical and this class is designed to teach you how to take advantage of the benefits of buying an entire beef tenderloin.  The menu for this class will make your mouth water just reading it.  The menu includes Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Bearnaise Sauce, Boursin Creamed Spinach with Garlic Crumbs, Pan Seared, Twice Baked Potato Cakes with Pancetta and White Cheddar Cheese and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Ice Cream Sandwiches. Yum!!

Both of these demonstration classes are $45 per person.  The Cooking at the Cottage class schedule offers both hands-on and demonstration-type classes.  A future class at Cooking at the Cottage could make an excellent Mother's Day gift! Cooking at the Cottage is located at 3739 Lexington Road in Louisville.

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

The 59th Annual Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade May 1st

This Thursday, May 1st welcomes one of the most highly-anticipated Kentucky Derby events, the 59th Annual Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade. This fun for the whole family event begins at 5:00 p.m. and will end around 8:00 p.m. The procession follows Broadway, beginning at Campbell Street and continuing west for 17 blocks, offering plenty of vantage points for spectators. This is a free to attend Kentucky Derby Festival event.

The Pegasus Parade is consistently voted one of Louisville’s favorite events. This isn’t surprising considering it is the one of the oldest Derby Festival events, beginning back in 1956. The first Pegasus Parade was created on a staggering budget of $640. Now, this proud procession earns Louisville’s local economy in excess of $22 million.

This year’s theme is “Call of the Wild” and the Republic Bank “Peggy Bank” balloon will lead the parade. She will be followed by an amazing array of handcrafted floats, graceful equestrian units, talented marching bands, popular inflatables and surprise celebrities.

Friends and families will not want to miss the Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade. This colorful celebration takes place this Thursday starting at 5:00 p.m. Parade lovers will find great viewpoints all along Broadway, so make plans to arrive early and stake out a great place watch the show!

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

The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair in the Highlands April 26th and 27th

The sounds of spring are in the air, along with the announcement that the 43rd Annual Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is being held on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th.  This free-to-attend event will take place in the historic Cherokee Triangle, located off Cherokee Parkway. Patrons will find entertainment and vendor booths open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. both days, with food and music extended until 8:00 p.m. Saturday.

The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is a favorite of residents of the Highland. The fair offers live music, children’s activities, plants, herbs and over 220 booths of juried art, all in one location. There will be 4 bands performing this year and on Saturday Bluegrass favorites No Tools Loaned play from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., followed by traditional blues with the Stray Cats Band from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. On Sunday, the Caribbean Appalachian music of Appalatin can be enjoyed from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., followed the Americana music of Paloverdi from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Families and friends won’t want to miss the 43rd Annual Cherokee Triangle Art Fair this Saturday and Sunday. The booth hours begin at 10 a.m., and the entertainment and food will continue until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. This is a free event and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Cherokee Triangle Association.

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

Eggstravaganza Weekend at the Louisville Zoo April 19th and 20th

Celebrate the Eggstravaganza Weekend at the Louisville Zoo located at 1100 Trevilian Way. The festivities will be happening on Saturday, April 19th and Sunday, April 20th from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and parking is $5 on the Zoo lot. General admission for adults ages 12 to 59 is $15.95 and both senior citizens and kids ages 2 to 11 will be admitted for $11.50. Safari tickets are also available which include unlimited train and carousal rides. Safari pricing is $21.95 per adult and $18.95 per child and senior citizen.

The Zoo is celebrating Easter and kids are encouraged to bring their Easter basket and join in the egg hunt. Eggs can be redeemed for prizes after the hunt is over. The kids can learn about the Zoo’s egg laying animals and even visit with the Easter Bunny as he hops in to join the festivities. The Kentucky Orchid Society will be selling orchids throughout the day and the animals will be enjoying the arrival of spring. Visitors can also visit the new BIG Bug Exhibit.

Families and friends of all ages can enjoy the Eggstravaganza at the Louisville Zoo this Saturday and Sunday. Visit the Easter Bunny, gather eggs for prizes or pick up a new orchid starting at 10:00 a.m. You can also enjoy all of the Zoo’s regular attractions, plus learn about the amazing variety of animals, all the while celebrating a fun tradition for a special holiday!

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

Batter Up! Opening Night at Louisville Slugger Field Thursday, April 10

Nothing announces the arrival of spring quite like the crack of a baseball bat, and there no place more appropriate to hear that familiar sound of America's favorite pastime than Louisville Slugger Field.  The Louisville Bats have the season off to a good start with a pair of wins on the road and are poised to open with a victory at home on Thursday, April 10.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

The Louisville Bats take on the Columbus Clippers in their first home game of the season on April 10. Gates open at 5:30pm with game time set at 6:35pm. Ticket prices start at $7 and range up to $12 for a night of baseball and fun at the beautiful downtown baseball stadium. As a bonus on Opening Night, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Jay Bruce commemorative stein. Jay Bruce is an outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. He received a Minor League Player of the Year Award in 2007 when he played for the Louisville Bats.

 

Bats Promotions Make Louisville's Minor League Team a Major Downtown Destination

In addition to steins for the first 2,000 fans in attendance, the first 5,000 fans through the gate receive a Louisville Bats magnetic schedule.  The Bats are a Minor League Baseball team and a Triple-A affiliate ball team for the Cincinnati Reds. Triple A is the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball.  The Bats will come out swinging on Opening Night hoping to add a tally in the win column.

Louisville Baseball Fans are the Winners on Happy Hour Thursday

A baseball game is an ideal setting for gathering with friends or family after work on a weeknight. The pace of baseball play makes it the perfect spectator sport for relaxing and socializing, and the Louisville Bats have put together opportunities for their fans to enjoy inexpensive nights out at the baseball stadium. On Thursday nights fans can enjoy $1 beer throughout the stadium between 5:30pm and 7:00pm.  To make the pre-game hour even happier, you can find live music from J.D. Shelburne at the Overlook Deck.

Don't strike out and miss Opening Night of the 2014 season at Louisville Slugger Field!

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