Forest Fest Offers Bluegrass Among the ‘Grass

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 19, 2024) - A spectacular day of Bluegrass music, food and beverages, craft vendors, and youth activities in a scenic environment awaits those who visit Jefferson Memorial Forest’s 17th annual Forest Fest on Saturday, May 18.

Forest Fest has been known for providing a great variety of bluegrass music; this year’s event expands on that tradition with five musical acts in the lineup. The music starts at 12 p.m. in the forest’s Horine Reservation, 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road. The lineup starts off with The Montvales, followed by Relaay, Bibelhauser Brothers, The Wheelhouse Rousters, and Songs From The Road Band to round out the evening.

This event is all-ages, rain or shine! Parking is $15, cash only. Feel free to bring a blanket or chair, but coolers and outside alcohol are prohibited. Food, cocktails, and beer will be available for purchase along with items from various local artists and crafters. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome, and their owners are asked to be considerate of other patrons.

The event is made possible through the financial support of the Louisville Metro Council and presenting sponsor, Councilman Dan Seum (District 13), in whose district Jefferson Memorial Forest is located. Also sponsoring the event are: WFPK Radio Louisville, West Sixth, and Castle & Key Distillery.

A variety of entertainment options for children, including nature play activities, will take place during the day, beginning at noon and ending at 5 p.m. Artists from across the region will demonstrate their skills as part of a craft fair, musical workshops will be available from Louisville Folk School with band members, and food and beverages from Red Top Gourmet Hot Dogs, Cosmic Bird, Doots Yummery, The Corn Place, Shack in the Back BBQ, Castle & Key, West Sixth, Fat Strawz Boba Tea, and Kawaii Candy Cart will be available for sale.

11:30 a.m.
Booths and area open to the public

Noon
Food areas open Forest Nature play open for children Music starts

Noon-5 p.m.
Kids activities, climbing wall, music workshops

7 p.m.
Forest Fest concludes

To hear more of Kentucky’s authentic roots, Louisville will feature LouGrass, a seasonal series from April through October, where at least two venues each weekend will feature live, free bluegrass and bluegrass adjacent music.

While planning a trip to Louisville, guests can download a copy of Louisville Tourism’s annual Visitor Guide to see the city's top attractions and bourbon distilleries. Visitors also can get additional city attraction, lodging and dining assistance at gotolouisville.com.

About Jefferson Memorial Forest:
The 6,600 acre Jefferson Memorial Forest, a woodland tribute to those Kentucky veterans who have served our nation during times of war, is Jefferson County’s largest nature preserve and one of the largest municipal urban forests in the nation. The Forest is the flagship of Metro Parks’ Natural Areas Division which is entrusted with providing stewardship, nature-based educational programming, and outdoor recreation within nearly 7,000 acres of forest, meadow, and riparian habitat across Louisville Metro. Jefferson Memorial Forest offers a full range of recreational amenities, including weekend education and adventure programs, hiking trails, camping, fishing, equestrian trails and picnic areas.