I can't say we were impressed this year by the booth offerings this year. Sure, it's scheduled a…read moreweek after the Saint James Art Fair in Louisville that is one of the best art fairs in the nation. Perhaps that's unfair to the Harvest Homecoming folks but seeing political booths, "home improvement" vendor booths, and free Bible study classes is not the type of arts and crafts festival that appeals to us. Add to the fact that the nearby parking garage raised parking rates from $5 to $10 for an event in which we were there an hour and came back empty handed doesn't help. Although there were plenty of food booths(we didn't see the Boy Scout booth that sells roasted corn this year) there was literally no empty tables and getting a booth inside a restaurant was impossible. We ended up back in Louisville to grab lunch.

This was my first time visiting Harvest Homecoming. I came strictly for the doughnuts. Since over…read moreheard so many stories about them. I also grabbed me some island noodles as well. I must say, everything I've heard about these doughnuts being delicious. It's absolutely accurate. Come visit.

My favorite day in the highlands! (Streets are closed to traffic) so many fun booths to look at,…read morefrom homemade jewelry, 3D printed items, crochet gifts, and everything pride. Lots of organizations (banks, churches, Krogers, planned parenthood etc) with booths all giving away swag. Make sure you check out the two stages (dance, bands and drag). There is really something for all ages here (free crafts like button making and bookmark making) Highly recommend checking out Louisville Pride and supporting all the amazing LGBTQ+ folks.

This festival takes place every year in September around Mid City Mall closing parts of Bardstown…read moreRoad. There are many booths promoting Pride Awareness and support. My friend and I had come here a few years in row except for last year. I will say this festival seemed smaller than previous years. Free Swag is always a plus. Some booths had you spin a wheel for some of their swag. We were amazed how many businesses, churches, organizations etc. are supportive of the Pride Community. They had some live bands that were pretty good. Can't wait to see what next year holds.

Twice a year -- Memorial Day and Labor Day -- Louisville sets aside its status as one of the least…read morehealthy cities in the country, and we get a little exercise by the waterfront, and maybe a free t-shirt if you get there at the right time. No drinking or gambling, no Cards or Cats. And yet, still fun. Weird, right? The precise details vary (check the city sites) but the highlight is that they block off a long bike route and a wide spectrum of citizens put air in the tires and grease the rusty chain and enjoy a communal ride. Also wonderful is the fact that you can get the opportunity to ride a kayak or canoe or something on the Ohio. Logistics for that bit of activity usually requires a bit of advanced planning, but it's definitely worth looking into. I've wandered over on more than one occasion with no reservation or access to watercraft and still found myself floating on an actual vessel. The 'hike' portion is an afterthought, in part because it requires almost no additional infrastructure. But walking is still the best speed to experience Waterfront Park. In short, it celebrates healthy behavior, highlights our riverfront, and does so in a very populist way, at a modest cost to Joe Taxpayer. Thanks, corporate sponsors!

I love, love love the Hike, Bike and Paddle -- it's a great, FREE community event. The vendor…read morebooths open at 8:30am and the HBP's start at 10am. People from all walks of life show up to not only hike, bike, paddle, but to participate in Zumba, tai chi, yoga, pickle ball, and to visit all the vendor booths on the lawn before the headlining events kick off at 10 AM. Neil Huffman auto group is always present with a SUV carrying a brand-new kayak and bicycle to give away in a random drawing. No purchase needed to enter. In fact, the first time I decided to be brave and give the paddle a try, I won one of those kayaks! There are other giveaways. Subway is one of the sponsors, so they typically give away gift cards preloaded with $2.50. There we're also free event T-shirts to be given away to the first two were 300 people to attend and typically, they are giving away bike helmets to the first 100 people as well. I've never done the hike, or the bike, but I can say that the maps are very well laid out. They post them on the website well and advance, so you can review. The hike is a 5K, and I believe, the bike is about 15 miles. The mayor participates lots of the events alongside folks. Each of the routes is also accompanied by law enforcement, to lead the way, and just make sure that folks are having a great time and get to interact with them in a different sort of way. My favorite event is obviously the paddle. As a kayaker, I love having the opportunity to gather with two or 300 other kayakers out on the Ohio River. Because it is such a special event, they shut down boat traffic, so the wake is super low. On Labor Day, you even get to paddle through the Mc Alpine locks. This is a once-in-a-lifetime sort of opportunity, as kayaks are not typically allowed down the river past the second Street bridge. If you don't have a kayak or canoe, no worries. There is a group that sets up on the great lawn, and offers free canoe trips in giant 20 person canoes. There is also typically a rental company that you can reserve in advance if you want to rent a smaller canoe for two or three of your friends. It's just such a cool event. It's something I look forward to every Memorial and Labor Day. I'm off work anyway, might as well go out and do something awesome and active with folks in my community! Four stars, only because I wish there were an option to stagger the hike, bike, and paddle so that you could participate in all of them. Unfortunately, they all kickoff at 10 AM and the event is pretty much wrapped up by noon.

Halloween at Brown Park is the 1 Halloween event I recommend to families with kids of any age…read morewanting to trick or treat. We have been going to the park for 12 years now. This event is sponsored by the Saint Matthews Business Association and invites local businesses to set up tables to promote their business, but more than anything to pass out candy and treats to local kids. Other than some flyers, or coupons, there really is no pressure from the businesses to sell to the parents. Plus, who doesn't love a coupon for a free kids meal at one of your local restaurants? Over the years this event has become increasingly popular. The event begins at 11 a.m. and families come early to lineup on the trail. Don't let this scare you away. The line moves quickly and the businesses bring plenty of candy. There's plenty of parking around the neighborhood, plus the local hospitals are good about allowing parking within their non-emergency lots. In addition to trick-or-treating throughout the park, which is beautiful with its tree canopies and small pond with ducks, the event has a DJ, a local dance and singing troupe, a small playground for those that come early or stay late, a few inflatables, a visit by the St Matthews police and firemen to let the kids see their vehicles and sometimes go inside, and a couple of tables selling hot dogs and coffee as a fundraiser for local groups. There's plenty to do to make this the event of the day for your kids! This is well worth the effort of getting the kids out the door in costume.

I love the Highlands Beer Festival! In my opinion, beer festivals are always a great time, but this…read moreis one of my favorites. Compared to some, this one is actually quite small, as it's essentially held in a parking lot under one tent; but, it offers plenty of options! Throughout the years this festival has grown, so it's definitely continuously expanding, but it's all still in a smaller venue than some of the other festivals around town. Don't let that deter you though, this festival is just as good (and I would say better) than some others. I have attended and volunteered this festival, and I have always had a blast. There's plenty to drink, including local, domestic, and imported options. There are options other than beer too. You'll find ciders, seltzers, and more. So, if beer isn't your first choice, this can still be a great event to attend! If you haven't been to this event, and you enjoy beer festivals, I think you should definitely check it out!

99 bottles of beer, takin' all down and passed around…read more... I love this annual event in Louisville to showcase new beer's on the market, local breweries, and new seasonal selections. The event is setup that you get a wrist band advertising that you are over 21 and then you buy tickets to trade for two ounce samples of any beer you choose. This event coincides with Bardstown Aglow in the Highlands so parking is limited and event is pretty crowed. Yelp always represents with bottles of water, beer openers, or even a yummy pretzel necklace. There is usually someone selling chips or water, but make sure to eat something before you arrive, those two ounce samples can add up quickly! See you next year!

An annual event held here in New Albany every September …read more This festival is a local event and tradition . It's a two day celebration. It hosts the annual Monarch Festival as well. This is my first time attending! Let's get up and close with the Monarch butterflies. For five dollars you are able to have eight minutes with a handful of these creatures. Around five each day of the festival they release them. If you're hungry after all, some of the best meals can come from here . All local restaurants and food. They have a fabulous wine bar again "think locally. " Today it's hot and humid so while you're checking out all the restaurants and local artists. You might need some sweet ice cream treats! Come out and enjoy some fun with the family. Get to know the local community. And hold a butterfly . Here are a free tips, the parking is on the street and free. The butterfly exhibit is a five dollar gift, but costs. Your money is going to Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana. Enjoy the food and special community events.

We come as a family every year, even inviting one side from out of town for the festivities. Our…read morenephews (6/3) enjoyed it even more this year than last! Lighting, Santa, making candy canes, walking and shopping and of course their favorite the train museum! This year was so cool to see Santa. One in on the fire truck procession from all the counties fire departments. Seeing a minions blowup, a boat with lights, taking pictures and seeing in the trucks! Look forward to next year as our little town adds something each year to make it more and more spectacular!

I normally avoid wine/beer festivals in Kentucky as I feel I get a better deal at festivals in…read moreIndiana (Ky wine festivals have drink tickets, Indiana wine festivals don't). However, I won tickets this year through an Instagram contest and had to check it out. First of all, the weather was gorgeous. A friend and I headed downtown after work and parked at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. This made it super easy to leave when we were ready. Getting into the area was a bit of a hassle. There was a person checking IDs. A person to scan your ticket. A person to hand you wine tickets. A person to hand you your glass. And then a person to put your wristband on. Seems that this could be combined somehow. Once inside, there were 16 wineries, multiple food vendors, and several food demonstrations. We made a point not to get the same wines so that we could try each the other. This way - we actually got to try 30 wines. There were plenty of people walking around with cheese and crackers, which was nice to absorb some of the wine. Most wineries were not skimping on the pours and I was definitely glad to have a designated driver. I also loved the photo booth. Such a fun way to end the night! I feel like I've overlooked this event due to being spoiled by Indiana wine festivals. I had such fun that I could absolutely see myself buying tickets to this event in the future!

This was a choosing of myself and my sisters. The weather was perfect and couldn't ask for better…read more We did get to catch the very beginning of the Steamboat race which was exciting. We got to try a few wineries that were there, some I never even heard of. We stuck with mostly wine slushees. 502 winery in my opinion had the best one. There was also one called Jesters Winery that had good slushees. My favorites were 502 Winery and Brooks Hill Winery. The ones from Brooks Hill was Black and Blue and Lillie's summer wine. There was an abundance of cheese, crackers and other fruit to pair with the wine. My reason for 3 stars was I felt there was not enough selection. Only 16 wineries there. Not sure if I'll be back to the wine festival next year or not. We did have a great time.