Annual Forest Fest Bluegrass Festival
May 21 at Jefferson Memorial Forest
Louisville, Ky.,- 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 eleventh annual Forest Fest on Saturday, May 21.
Forest Fest has been known for providing a great variety of bluegrass music; this year’s event expands on that tradition with six musical acts in the lineup. The music starts at 11 a.m. in the forest’s Horine Section, 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road.
The lineup starts off with the traditional Kentucky and Appalachian music of Louisville’s Maiden Radio, followed by Kentucky bluegrass bands Blue River, the (newly-reunited!) 23 String Band, and Blue Belles. Kentucky favorite, cellist and composer Ben Sollee, and 10-time IBMA award-winning Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper round out the evening.
The event is free, but parking is $10 per carload. Bring a blanket or chair. Food, wine, and beer will be available for purchase along with items from various crafters. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and their owners are asked to be considerate of other patrons.
The event is made possible through the financial support of presenting sponsor, Metro Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (District 13), in whose district Jefferson Memorial Forest is located, as well as assistance from Councilpersons Cindi Fowler (District 14), Madonna Flood (District 24), Marianne Butler (District 15), Rick Blackwell (District 12), David Yates (District 25), Kelly Downard (District 16), James Peden (District 23), Robin Engel (District 22), Tom Owen (District 8), Bill Hollander (District 9), David Tandy (District 4), Cheri Bryant Hamilton (District 5), David James (District 6), Glen Stuckel (District 17), Stuart Benson (District 20), and Dan Johnson (District 21). Also sponsoring the event are: LG&E, WFPK Radio Louisville, Forcht Bank, Go Ape, and LeafFilter.
A variety of entertainment options for children, including live nature demonstrations, will take place during the day, beginning at noon and ending at 5 p.m. Workshops by performers will begin at 12:30. Artists from across the region will demonstrate their skills as part of a craft fair, and food and beverages from Ehrler’s Ice Cream, Shack in the Back Barbeque, Holy Mole Truck, Brooks Hill Winery, Heine Brothers Coffee, and local craft beer will be available for sale.
Forest Fest Band Schedule
11:30 a.m. Maiden Radio
12:45 p.m. Blue River
2:00 p.m. 23 String Band
3:30 p.m. Blue Belles
4:30 p.m. Ben Sollee
5:45 p.m. Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
Forest Fest Schedule of Activities
10:30 a.m. Booths open to the public
Food areas open
Forest Nature booth opens for children
11:30 a.m. Music begins
Children’s activities begin (until 5 p.m.)
12:30 p.m. Workshops begin
7 p.m. Forest Fest concludes
For more information on Forest Fest bluegrass artists:
http://maiden-radio.
http://www.blueriverbluegrass.
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, Horseback riding trails and picnic areas.
The Jefferson Memorial Forest Welcome Center is located at 11311 Mitchell Hill Road. For more information: 502-368-5404, or visit www.memorialforest.com.
About South Points Scenic Area:
South Points Scenic Area is a collaborative project initiated in 2009 by the Southwest Dream Team and community leaders as a way to highlight points of interest and promote economic development in southwest Louisville. The South Points Scenic Area possesses some of the most beautiful scenery and popular attractions in the region, and its attractions draw approximately 1.4 million visitors annually. Southwest Louisville is home to 10,000 acres of public park lands, 12 miles of existing Louisville Loop trails and additional miles of publicly accessible riverfront. For more information and to see a map of restaurants, landmarks and other attractions, visitsouthpoints.org/.
