Louisville – It is a special year for another great Old Louisville tradition. The fall season has returned and this weekend some of the best blues music can be found when some of the best blues musicians get together to kick back and jam and the best thing of all: it’s FREE.

Councilman David James (D-6) and Four Roses Bourbon invite the community to the 20th Garvin Gate Blues Festival to be held on Friday and Saturday, October 10th and 11th at The Gate on Garvin Place at Oak Street in historic Old Louisville.

“20 years ago is was just a simple idea that is now an event bringing the community together to just enjoy good music in a great setting. It makes anyone appreciate what Garvin Gate means to this neighborhood,” says James. “If you come out, you will help keep Garvin Gate one of those special areas of Old Louisville which is not a bad place to be for a fall weekend.”

It began as a simple jam session back in 1988. A festival was born with music in the parking lot of the Rudyard Kipling and then the surrounding neighborhood made the offer to host more music. In no time at all, a fall tradition became a laid back way of life in Old Louisville.

“This is the 20th year for the Garvin Gate Blues Festival.  What started out as a small neighborhood event has grown into one of the best festivals in the Midwest bringing nationally known Blues Acts to Louisville and it’s all free,” says Howard Rosenberg, Chair of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council. “It is also one of the most diverse music crowds in Metro Louisville.  We have stayed true to our Blue’s roots.  Come and join us and be part of this great iconic blues music event.”

The Garvin Gate Blues Festival is a free event. A portion of the proceeds from concessions, parking and souvenirs will benefit the Council on Developmental Disabilities.

“I want to thank Four Roses Bourbon for partnering with us as we keep Old Louisville unique and a special thank you to the people of Garvin Gate and Old Louisville for helping us kick back on an October weekend,” says James. Help yourself to some great blues this weekend.”

For more details, contact Councilman James Office at 574-1106 or

visit the site at www.garvingatebluesfestival.com.