The chili cook off changes each year and they are vulnerable to groups wanting to participate. This…read moreyear took place on Clay Street, next to Garage Bar. A silent auction and bands were featured at the restaurant. Today's chili participants were slimmer this year. A few vendors were at the end of the line, although I'm unsure how much traffic they were getting from guests. The drinks were fantastic - from water and soda to beers and Tito's cocktails. They also supplied plenty of trash cans, a few tables, and restrooms. This year's event supported Norton's Children's Hospital. While we weren't at the event as long this year, the weather was gorgeous and it was a great family event. My group shopped in Nulu and visited Marketplace to enjoy bites from West 6th. It's worth adding to your calendar if your schedule is free.

My family and I went to the chili cook off here in Louisville yesterday afternoon. We had a…read morefantastic time for sites in the scenes were fun to see walk around on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. And you can't beat free food and we ate a lot of free chili so we're great summer good somewhere not so good in somewhere horrible. But overall we had a great experience I got a lot of good photos and my wife and kids and I had a blast

This was my first Color Run. One of my best friends used to do them with her daughter and it always…read moresounded fun. When I spotted the social media posts for the event I immediately wanted to go in her honor and made it a family event with my youngest son, Lucas. Sign up was fairly easy but also a bit confusing because you have to create an account with a group called Active. This group offers other services and I was nervous I'd accidentally sign up for a monthly subscription (that wasn't cheap). I messaged a contact email to confirm and was pleasantly surprised at the quick response that I was registered only for the Color Run. We signed up early and got the basic package for $25 each. However, they tacked on another service charge of about $5 per runner. Very deceptive. For this we got our t-shirt, bandana, tattoos and carry bag. A bib and safety pins were also included but the race isn't timed so wearing it isn't vital. Pick up was the day before or you could have it mailed for an additional cost. Another hidden money hit - if you didn't make it to Friday pick up you were charged another $5 on Saturday morning. The run started at 8a but you're encouraged to get there early. We arrived about 7:15a. Booths were up for check in, volunteers, water and the Color Run shop. We were happy to see shaved ice and apples were available for after the race. A stage pumped out music and around 7:30a there was a workout party. They also had several photo walls and banners which the crowd loved. At 8a people began heading to the starting line. It took a long time to get the crowd through and people were released in groups to allow for spacing. We were still in line as the first runners finished! The walk itself was great, wrapping up downtown near Quills and Nulu. It's always great to walk the streets when they're shut off to traffic. You notice everything! Periodically we walked through the color arches. People were ready with bottles of powder. It comes out huge like a water hose! You just hold your hands up and spin as they squirt you. Blue, pink, yellow, purple, green ... and one water stop midway. We were handed a unicorn medal and packet of powder at the finish line. We dumped that on each too! The music was still playing and many people were taking pictures or enjoying ice cream. Sitting on a shaded bench at the Waterfront is very nice, and we were right next to the Belle of Louisville. Other things ... meter parking available or event parking is reasonable. Wear sunglasses. Prepare to be stained even under your clothing. Bring towels for the car. Sunscreen is a must - shade is difficult to come by. Wrap your phone if you can. Kids can participate. Be mindful of it being a 5K (3.1 miles). This was a first for my 8 year old and he struggled the last half mile but was proud at the finish line.

I have always told myself that I need to do a 5k, so I thought the Color Run would be a good first…read morepick. My friends have done it before and said it was fun so I had to sign up. The race takes place in Downtown Louisville so you get a good view of Waterfront Park and NuLu. There are 5 different stations where people throw color on you. They cover you with a lot of it so be prepared to feel dirty. I managed to get it under my shirt. The prices can range depending on what you you want. I got the cheapest option ($30) which comes with the entry to the race and a sign that shows which number you have. The most expensive ones comes with a teeshirt, a sweatband, and even a tutu. The Color Run can be crowded so make sure you get there early! Even thought it can be crowded, the people that work the 5k do keep it organized. At the starting line, they broke up people in groups so everyone was not on top of each other. Even though the Color Run gave me a wake up call stating that I am out of shape and need to start going to the gym, I had a blast. It is one of the biggest races in Louisville and it brings out an interesting crowd. I'll most likely do it next year, but I have to train for it first. ;)

The Louisville area is known for hosting quite a few popular events. Derby events such as thunder…read moreover Louisville, the oaks and the historic Kentucky derby itself. They host big annual concerts such as forecastle and louder than life. However Louisville spookiest and most creative annual event takes place every August in the highlands on the corner of Bardstown road and eastern parkway. It's is known as the Louisville Zombie attack or as locals call it the "zombie walk". This is a free event where people go all out and dress as zombies and other cool creative costumes and they roam around the popular highlands area that is filled with restaurants and bars. They have vendors setup in the street and usually live music and entertainment. The event is well secured and patrolled by local Lmpd and have barricades/port o pots and things setup to contain the big living dead bash. Even zombies neee barriers and potty breaks! This is kid friendly. While it can be spooky for some kids (it is a zombie walk) the people out for frights usually don't mess with the little ones and are more then willing to stop for photo ops With the little ones. If your child scares easy then I would skip it. However, I'd say it's main audience is adults. It's usually on a Friday or Saturday night and highlands is a popular bar area so there is lots of drinking and dancing activities around including in the live music and beer tent area. The whole walk back and forth maybe takes an hour or so and they do shut it down after certain times. We usually just get dressed up find a place to street park and circle around a few times and take in the sites and fun . The bars and restaurants are open but we usually skip eating because the crowds are so large. From my understanding this started as a flash mob in 2005. And slowly became what it is today. I think we've been to this annual late August event 3-4 times and we have loved it every year we have attended. It's the event we look forward to the most annually. With it being in late August it puts you in the spooktacular mood for Halloween coming up right around the corner. Lots of fun and highly recommend checking out if you enjoy Halloween or spooky type things.

Gotta say -- not too impressed with the latest iteration of the annual Louisville Zombie Attack…read more This used to be one of my favorite weird Louisville traditions (as you can see from my previous review). But it was recently taken over by another business and permanently moved to a Saturday, rather than annually on Aug. 29. And with it being on a Saturday, it seemed so much bigger than in years past and with that came more drunkenness and rowdiness. Holding the event on weekdays may have kept some of that back. As odd as it may sound, the Louisville Zombie Attack was much more well behaved in the past. There were many more kids and teenagers, and while there was drinking, the undead masses were out in the best spirits and seemed excited to be a part of a great event that was welcoming to everybody. This year, though, people were making out and over indulging, even with scores of kids around them. It reminded me more of the worst of the St. Patrick's Day festivities. I and my husband got pushed off of the sidewalk into the street by people who were drunk and oblivious. We saw a few people come up right next to the kids we were standing by, smoking. And while I hate -- HATE -- smoking, I hate it even more that these people were so inebriated that they were waving around their cigarettes, coming way too close to burning the kids. It was hard to see through all of this if the parade was managed properly; perhaps it was. But my hope is that the zombie attack becomes more about, well, the zombies and a great time overall for all, rather than just a drunken mess.

What a fun family event that is new to Louisville this year. It is the new Halloween balloon glow…read moreat Lynn family stadium. It features trick or treating and halllowwen adventures for all the little ones. It also has awesome balloon light up adventure at night. Great family fun all around

2nd year in a row I attended the support small business festival at Lynn Family stadium. It was…read morebigger and better with free water provider by Louisville Water company. They had music pumping from DJ's with individuals and families checking out vendors, accessing food trucks along the perimeter, and checking out the many vendor booths along many rows in the interior. I ran into familiar and new vendors all while fighting off the heat from the sun. I got water from an ice cream vendor, a belt buckle from a clothing vendor, art, and more and must have walked 3 miles. I would have stayed longer but I didn't want to suffer a sun stroke. Next time I will wear a hat and take more rest breaks. It was a real fun activity and can't wait until next year.

We have been to this stadium for both Soccer and Football, both were excellent experiences. Every…read moreseat has a great view. The North End Bar is a great place to enjoy the action, and during a Kings game you might catch field goal. Food options are really good and reflect the local taste. I do wish, for a smaller stadium, that their beer prices were more reasonable. Player exit thru an open tunnel and sign autographs for the kids.

2025 brought back the Halloween parade and moved the festivities to Nulu. They secured several…read moregreat sponsors, including BJ's wholesale to provide 50k pieces of candy for handing out during the parade. It opened at 11a with vendors, bands, and Nulu shopping. The calendar of events also promoted animal, kid and adult costume contests, Thriller dance and more. Ending time was 8p. Loved the parade and I was happy we showed up for it. Enough folks participated and to make it worth the trip. We got here an hour early and that was enough time to shop the vendors and find a spot to sit on the parade route. A long path of street is closed down so most everyone has front row seating. Some food vendors but for us, that's what lacked the most. I wish there had been simpler items (like a fundraising school group selling hot dogs and burgers - maybe folks from BJ's with their brands) or a food truck offering more savory snacks than meals or sweets. We looked to spend money there but would up leaving to eat elsewhere. Appreciate the people that work so hard to out together family-friendly community events! Also thanks to the many sponsors having booths and participating in the parade.

Fun parade that but family and I went to last Halloween. We enjoy Halloween and all the events that…read moreLouisville potter in each year. This is much fun and crowded. You get shine good laughs and tears for the kids

The steamboat race is a traditional event that includes the Belle of Louisville. The Belle races…read moreone other boat to win the antlers! Sadly, the Belle experienced a mechanical issue in 2025 and couldn't participate. Several establishments around the river host steamboat parties. We went to King Fish for several years or a nearby park area to picnic, play games, and cheer for the Belle when it steamed by the crowd. If you'd prefer to be on the Belle, tickets are sold. Limited spots.

Another great excuse to go down the river in a steamboat? Yes! With my newly minted derby hat and…read morejoining a group of happy people? Definitely yes! Hubby and I love to take a river cruise on one of the riverboats. But the tickets for Belle of Louisville's steamboat race are way above what we are willing to spend(and they go fast!). But when I heard that we can get on the Belle of Cincinnati for far less, we jumped at the opportunity. I finally found an excuse to wear my new derby hat creation; and I get to be on my old home city's boat! The experience was everything I had hoped for and more. Everyone was in a good mood. There was music and "dancing" on the top deck. The pours are generous. I saw quite a few characters dressed in their derby funnest. There is also a buffet dinner if you like catered food. The weather that day could not be any better. We actually did not understand how the Belle of Cincinnati lost the race. But oh, well, we loved the race anyways! I already have hat ideas for hubby for our race next year!

I have participated in this race for a couple years. And I have some feelings about it. I love the…read moreidea of a Turkey Trot/Hungry Turkey/Thanksgiving Day race. Makes me feel less gluttonous. I was kind of meh about it the first year. The waterfront is a nice place for short races like this. But the partial-zip sweatshirt was not quite as expected and ran HUGE. But I still wear it often and it is good for layering. I was enticed with the promise of a cinnamon roll at the end. I was disappointed though, to find out that they were hard as rock and not particularly tasty. This year it was also meh. There were waaaaaay more people this time around, and they were able to have racers use the street for part of the course which helped with the flow. I hate that packet pick up is at Academy so far out of downtown...the traffic is nuts. The real problem is the website, the couple days before the race. It was not working at all. I couldn't trust that I would receive the email with my bib number, following not receiving my entry confirmation. But the pages on the site wouldn't load. Not the course information and not registrant look up. And then the page wouldn't recognize my name or email it was getting tiresome. And again...the cinnamon rolls to round out the race were better suited as weapons than as a treat. *IF* you can hold out...get a box and bring yours home with you and heat it up in the microwave for about 20 seconds....then they are edible. But not everyone can get a box or has that patience. Kudos to all the hungry folks eating theirs right away! You have teeth of stone! I may do this race again, I may not. It is there for you if you are looking for a Thanksgiving Day race.

A rousing good time was had by all! Although, I have to admit that for the next two days I was…read morepretty sore. It was harder then I was expecting it to be. Over confident could be a fit statement. I should have paid more attention to the "Challenge" part of the name of the event. It was a good time sitting in the grass after the race regaling my friends with stories of me conquering the challenge. The stories were more vivid as I drank more beer. Vini Vidi Vici!